Diablo 2: Resurrected expands storage options and introduces a new item collection, exclusive to the Chinese edition.
Diablo 2: Resurrected, the highly-anticipated remaster of the classic action RPG, is set to launch in China, marking a significant milestone for the game's global reach. However, the Chinese version of the game will differ significantly from the international version, due to China's censorship rules, game publishing regulations, and monetization strategies.
Blizzard President Johanna Faries announced the Chinese launch of Diablo 2: Resurrected on LinkedIn, and NetEase has taken over as the Chinese publisher for the game. This partnership is necessary for foreign companies to publish games in China as they must work through Chinese publishers.
Content Censorship
The Chinese version of Diablo 2: Resurrected has modified or removed elements such as gore and blood to comply with China's strict content restrictions, making it less graphic than the international version.
Exclusive Pay-to-Win Pre-Order Bonuses
Chinese players who pre-order the game receive special advantages unavailable elsewhere, including two Stone of Jordan rings, extra stash tabs for inventory storage, a 30% experience and gold gain boost lasting 30 days, and unique items exclusive to the Chinese servers. These perks offer a distinct head start and reflect differing regional monetization approaches.
Separate Servers and Distribution
The Chinese servers are separate and not cross-play compatible with the international servers. The Chinese edition is viewed as a localized, law-compliant variant and is not interoperable with the standard global version.
Tiered Launch Packages
The Chinese version of Diablo 2: Resurrected offers tiered launch packages for purchase, ranging from 168 Yuan to 458 Yuan. Players in China can buy up to three more stash tabs, providing a total of four more stash tabs compared to other regions.
Impact on Global Players
The Chinese launch of Diablo 2: Resurrected does not directly impact the game for players outside of China. However, it's worth noting that China's censorship rules and restrictions may have contributed to the delay in the launch of Diablo 2: Resurrected in China.
Additional Content
The ultimate pack includes the most content, including a new set called "Glory of the Warlord" and a boost to 90 days for the experience and magic find gains.
In summary, the Chinese Diablo 2: Resurrected version features censorship modifications, exclusive pay-to-win incentives, separate servers, and distribution through NetEase, creating a notably different experience from the rest of the world. Diablo 4 is also expected to launch "soon" in China.
The Chinese version of Diablo 2: Resurrected, published by NetEase, offers unique incentives for pre-orders, such as exclusive items and a 30-day experience and gold boost.
The Chinese servers for Diablo 2: Resurrected are separate and not compatible with international servers.
The Chinese edition of Diablo 2: Resurrected features tiered launch packages, providing additional inventory storage options compared to other regions.
