How Much Money Are People Spending on Diablo Immortal?
The short answer: a lot. Diablo Immortal, since its release, has proven to be a financial juggernaut, raking in hundreds of millions of dollars primarily through in-app purchases (IAPs). The game’s revenue model, characterized by aggressive microtransactions, has led some players to spend staggering sums of money, while also drawing considerable criticism. Exact figures vary, but it’s safe to say that a substantial portion of Diablo Immortal’s player base has contributed significantly to its massive earnings. The reported numbers show a wide range from moderate spending to extreme cases of six-figure outlays, illustrating the game’s profound influence on player spending habits.
Diablo Immortal’s Massive Revenue
Diablo Immortal has achieved impressive financial milestones. In its first year on the market, the mobile spin-off reportedly earned US$525 million, becoming the 15th-fastest mobile game to cross the US$500 million mark. Within the first 11 months of release, Diablo Immortal reached the $500 million mark, and within the first 12 months, the game generated approximately $525 million in revenue from both the iOS and Android platforms. This massive revenue is generated by the millions of players engaged with the game. The game also achieved 22 million downloads in this 12-month period, showcasing its popularity.
Initial Launch Success
The game had a strong start, accumulating $11.9 million in its first week, with revenue peaking on Saturday, June 11th, with a single-day earning of $2.4 million. This early success propelled Diablo Immortal to an enviable position in the mobile gaming market. Even after the initial peak, daily spending never fell below $1 million, demonstrating the consistent spending by players. In its first month, the game earned roughly $49 million, with over 10 million downloads. Five months after launch, Diablo Immortal had already brought in over $300 million. The consistent financial performance highlights the game’s ability to extract revenue over extended periods.
High Spending Individuals
While many players contribute smaller amounts, some spend incredibly high amounts of money on the game. Some sources claim that the amount to fully max out a character in Diablo Immortal could reach $600,000, which is staggering. It has been widely speculated that initial estimates were as high as $110,000 for the same purpose, although these figures were later revised as information about max character builds became more accessible. This reflects the aggressive pay-to-win model which is the primary driver for these large outlays.
The Impact of Whales
The term “whale” is used to describe players who spend very large sums of money on a game. In Diablo Immortal, these players are heavily incentivized to buy in-game currency, especially to acquire Legendary Gems. One notable case involves a YouTuber named jtisallbusiness, who spent so much on Diablo Immortal that he became effectively locked out of certain aspects of the game, due to a game mechanic, but the actual cost of this was not revealed. A more specific example of spending involves the streamer Quin69, who spent over NZ$25,000 (about US$15,300) to finally acquire a 5-star Legendary Gem, only to delete his character in frustration, demonstrating the extreme financial strain that can be placed on dedicated players. Other players have reportedly spent over $10,000 without acquiring a single 5-star Legendary Gem, further highlighting the randomness and cost associated with high-end item acquisition in the game.
Motivations for Spending
The primary motivation for spending substantial amounts on Diablo Immortal is often to gain a competitive edge over other players, particularly in Player vs Player (PvP) modes, and to acquire stronger items, most notably Legendary Gems. The game’s design and mechanics incentivize spending, especially for those wanting to compete at the highest level. The aggressive monetization strategy has often been heavily criticized. However, the drive for power and status within the game motivates players to invest large sums. The game’s system of character progression is inherently tied to the expenditure of money.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Spending on Diablo Immortal
1. Can you play Diablo Immortal without spending any money?
Yes, it is possible to play and enjoy Diablo Immortal without spending any money. However, end-game progression will be slower and more challenging. Free to play (F2P) players can access all game content, although the speed of character progression and gear acquisition will be substantially slower.
2. How much does it cost to fully upgrade a character in Diablo Immortal?
The estimated cost to max out a character in Diablo Immortal is extremely high and has been speculated to reach $600,000. However, individual results will vary depending on the spending habits of the player.
3. What are Legendary Gems and why are they important?
Legendary Gems are extremely powerful items that provide significant stat boosts. They are essential for end-game progression and competitive PvP. Obtaining high-quality Legendary Gems requires either a significant time commitment or substantial financial investment.
4. How can you obtain Legendary Gems in Diablo Immortal?
Legendary Gems can be obtained by using Legendary Crests in Elder Rifts, through in-game trading, and by crafting them using Runes. Most methods involve either spending real money or dedicating a significant amount of time to grinding in-game.
5. Can you sell Legendary Gems in Diablo Immortal?
Only Legendary Gems with a balance scale symbol in their icon can be sold. These gems are acquired through specific in-game methods, like purchasing them.
6. Why is Diablo Immortal often called “pay-to-win”?
The game is often labelled as “pay-to-win” because spending money gives players a significant advantage over those who do not. High spending players obtain better gear and have faster progression, making it easier to dominate PvP.
7. How much money did Diablo Immortal make in the first month?
Diablo Immortal made approximately $49 million in its first month, with daily earnings exceeding $1 million.
8. How much money did Diablo Immortal make in its first year?
Diablo Immortal generated about $525 million in its first year of release, making it one of the highest-grossing mobile games in its launch period.
9. What is the cheapest way to get Legendary Gems?
The cheapest way to acquire legendary gems, though not the fastest, is by crafting them using Runes, a resource that can be earned from playing the game. Also, the game provides a few opportunities for a free Legendary Crest, though they are extremely rare.
10. Why are people spending so much on Diablo Immortal?
The main motivations for high spending include gaining a competitive advantage in PvP, acquiring powerful Legendary Gems, and faster progression in the game.
11. Which streamer spent $25,000 on Diablo Immortal?
Quin69 is a streamer known for spending over NZ$25,000 to obtain a 5-star Legendary Gem, after which he deleted the character.
12. How much money does Diablo Immortal make a day?
Diablo Immortal reportedly made about $2 million per day at its peak.
13. What are the in-game currencies in Diablo Immortal?
The primary real-money currency is Eternal Orbs, which can be used to purchase items, bundles, and crests for obtaining legendary gems.
14. What is the community sentiment about Diablo Immortal’s monetization model?
Many players criticize the aggressive monetization strategy, describing it as predatory and pay-to-win.
15. Did Diablo Immortal sell well?
Yes, Diablo Immortal has achieved approximately 22 million downloads within the first year, and has exceeded $525 million in player spending. It is considered a financial success, despite criticisms of its monetization model.