Blizzard could soon reveal its open beta plans for the highly anticipated ARPG Diablo 4. There are only four more months until Diablo 4 finally arrives, more than 11 years after the release of Diablo 3. But Blizzard may be kind, deciding to give Diablo fans an opportunity to try the new game before it launches in June. The scope and release date for this Diablo 4 public beta is unknown, but that could be changing soon.
While no specifics have been previously shared, Blizzard has mentioned the possibility of a public beta before. During closed beta testing for Diablo 4, Blizzard confirmed that the public testing phase for the game was tentatively planned for early 2023. However, whatever plans Blizzard may have had in 2022 could have changed as the company decided what Diablo 4‘s release window would be. Its needs for testing now could be entirely different compared to then.
Diablo general manager Rod Fergusson is hinting that a more official announcement regarding Blizzard’s testing could be coming soon, though. A Twitter user messaged Fergusson asking if he could say anything about a potential Diablo 4 open beta. Fergusson isn’t able to share any specific information, but he does say, “Soon!” He follows that how by teasingly pondering whether there were any “gaming moments” planned for the month when such a thing could be announced.
Given Fergusson’s lack of subtlety, the clear implication is that Blizzard plans to announce details regarding Diablo 4‘s open beta plans at an event in February. It’s no coincidence then that this past week IGN announced that Diablo 4 will be a part of the IGN Fan Fest 2023. The event will take place on February 17 and 18 and will feature inside looks at several upcoming major releases. That makes it the perfect candidate for Diablo 4‘s unveiling of its open beta.
It’s certainly possible that Fergusson could be referring to another event in February, or soon after that. There are rumors of a PlayStation Showcase to be held in February, which would also be a fitting platform for a Diablo 4 announcement. Given no PlayStation event has been announced, however, it seems less likely than the IGN event.
As for when the open beta could take place, with Diablo 4 launching June 6 and the IGN event taking place in late February, that leaves a three-month window between March and May. Blizzard previously said it planned public testing for early 2023. With luck, Diablo fans could be trying out Diablo 4 as soon as March, or at least in the first half of 2023.
Diablo 4 releases June 6 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
