Blizzard has announced Diablo 4’s first XP and Gold boost weekend, which just so happens to clash with the launch of Starfield.
From 10am PT on September 1 to 10am PT on September 5, all Diablo 4 players earn XP and Gold at a 25% increased rate. This bonus applies to both Season and Eternal Realms, and all World Tiers, Blizzard clarified. Starfield’s early access kicks off Friday, September 1, ahead of its main launch on September 6.
Diablo 4 players will see a new in-game icon beside their potion count that signifies the increased rate of earning Gold and XP.
“Stoke the fire, gather round, and rally your most savvy of companions to slay demons with renewed fervor,” Blizzard said. “The Blessed Mother’s cruelty is matched by her generosity, but not for long. Rise to new heights and earn more Gold for your bloodlust in the Mother’s Blessing Weekend!”
Clearly, this promo is designed to entice people into playing Diablo 4 this weekend, whether that’s newcomers who were put off by Diablo 4’s progression grind, or lapsed players who have perhaps turned their attention to other games recently (Baldur’s Gate 3!). I’m sure there were some Diablo 4 players who planned to jump into Starfield this weekend, too. Perhaps the the Mother’s Blessing will cause them to reconsider.
The XP and Gold boosts will help a lot with Diablo 4. While the amount of time it takes to hit level 40 was reduced post-launch after player complaints, there remains an excruciating grind to move towards the level cap of 100.
Meanwhile, perhaps Diablo 4’s current biggest ‘Gold sink’ revolves around the high cost of upgrading gear and rerolling item enchantments. Any Gold boost will help endgame players with this process.
Diablo 4 is Blizzard’s fastest-selling game ever, and Season 2, called Season of Blood, is due out in October. For game help, check out our in-depth Diablo 4 Season 1 guide as well as our interactive map.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
