Summary
Diablo 4players are split on the new Skin of the Viper cosmetic set, as many believe it looks underwhelming compared to other premium options in the store. Monetization has always been a contentious topic inDiablo 4, from the Battle Pass system to Platinum as a currency. However, the main source of frustration in the community always stemmed from the wayDiablo 4prices its microtransactions. Many premium outfits cost upwards of $20, and not only are they restricted to one class, but there is also no way to purchase individual pieces.
Whilemicrotransactions forDiablo 4have proven to be a lucrative model for Blizzard Entertainment, they will likely remain eternally controversial in the eyes of its community. UnlikePath of Exile, which relies on selling cosmetics due to being a free-to-play title,Diablo 4expects players to purchase the base game for $70, as well as buy annual expansion packs under a similar price tag. With cosmetics and a premium Battle Pass on top of that, it’s safe to say thatDiablo 4is a very expensive game, even by modern standards.
The premium outfits inDiablo 4often have plenty of detail, and tend to feature flashy effects and striking visuals. For example, the Awoken Archenemy set can be obtained via purchasing the Battle Pass forDiablo 4’s Season of the Infernal Hordes, and it boasts a helmet ornamented by fiery horns. However, as pointed out by Theeeee_Batman on theDiablo 4subreddit, the new Rogue armor set lacks the same kind of universal appeal.
Diablo 4 Players Feel Some Premium Cosmetics Aren’t Appealing
With a price tag of $24, the Skin of the Viper is a serpent-themed outfit forRogues inDiablo 4, and though it certainly has a vibrant color scheme, many players find it tacky rather than cool. Moreover, the set highlights an underlying problem thatDiablo 4has had since launch: a decent number of outfits don’t seem to work on male Rogues or male Sorcerers. Both of these archetypes have traditionally been represented by women inDiablo’s history, which has made adapting that visual identity for male characters a difficult task.
That being said,Diablo 4has introduced over 80 premium armor sets to its cosmetics store. Due to sheer quantity alone, it’s understandable that not every outfit will be popular. Ultimately, purchasing cosmetics is not mandatory for enjoying Diablo 4, which continues to slowly address the major issues that plagued it at launch. The deciding factor for a lot ofDiablofans is likely to beVessel of Hatred, the first annual expansion pack, and a chance for the developers to rewriteDiablo 4’s legacy. Though it remains to be seen ifVessel of Hatredwill live up to the hype, players are cautiously optimistic about thenew Spiritborn class– which will no doubt come with its own set of cosmetics in due time.
