This means availability of the game could also change down the line. At the very least it leaves an open-ended possibility. If the game launches in a certain region where loot boxes aren’t banned currently but then those laws later change, Blizzard may have to remove the game from app stores in those regions. The alternative it seems would be to change the monetization model. Which it doesn’t appear Blizzard is prepared or willing to do. Given that it’s simply pulled the game from the Netherlands and Belgium already.
Running Diablo Immortal in these countries could result in a ban
Although Diablo Immortal won’t launch in countries like Netherlands and Belgium, it could still be possible to get the game installed. However running the game in those countries could result in a ban. A post on the Diablo Immortal subreddit from a Blizzard employee from the Gammaster Team in Europe explains that a ban is possible. Noting that they can’t guarantee players wouldn’t be banned if they managed to run the game. They also state that in similar situations with other games, players were not banned. But a guarantee couldn’t be given with regard to this particular release. While Diablo Immortal doesn’t have loot boxes for gear or weapons, there are some microtransactions. With Diablo Immortal’s gear system, you can augment it with the use of legendary gems to make items more powerful. And some of these gems can only be acquired through the completion of Rifts, an in-game activity. The issue stems from the fact that you need legendary crests to add modifiers. Crests though can also be harder to come by. However, you can buy them with real-world money if you’re willing to spend it. And since item stat rolls are random, players might spend more to get a better roll.
