Diablo 4 players face yet another microtransaction controversy. This time, the price issue is for a new mount bundle priced higher than the base game itself. The Vitreous Scourge mount, adorned with crystals and bones, can only be purchased through a $64.99 bundle. This price point is a huge hurdle over the current $41.99 cost of Diablo 4.
The controversy centers around the exclusivity of the Vitreous Scourge mount. Unlike previous cosmetic options, this mount is unavailable for individual purchase and is only accessible through a bundle. This bundle additionally includes 7,000 Platinum, Diablo 4’s in-game currency, which can be used for other cosmetic purchases or premium Battle Pass access (thanks, IGN).
Don’t be fooled by the 7,000 Platinum. That is there just to make the price seem more fair. That 7,000 Platinum has to be used on the game, so the game gets your money no matter what. If anything, this is just a way to bundle in platinum with a mount because this bundle doesn’t feel like it should cost more than $20. $64.99 significantly exceeds the value of purely cosmetic content, especially considering Diablo 4 is not a free-to-play title.
This incident adds to a growing list of microtransaction concerns surrounding Diablo 4. Since its June launch, the game has seen various cosmetic items priced at premium levels. This feels really predatory, pushing the idea that this extends further than the Vitreous Scourge bundle.
Ultimately, the Vitreous Scourge bundle serves as a flashpoint for wider concerns about microtransactions in Diablo 4 and the gaming industry as a whole. Transparency, flexibility in pricing models, and respect for player choice should be a big part of this. Instead, we’re given cosmetics that look like they’ll cost at most $20, and then the developers add virtual currency to inflate the price.
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