Blizzard has confirmed the release date and time for Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred, allowing players to prepare for the expansion’s launch. After a challenging initial release, Diablo 4 has gained momentum with significant updates, including major changes in Season 4. Now, with Season 6 approaching, Blizzard aims to improve progression, alongside introducing the Vessel of Hatred expansion, which continues the story from the base game, focusing on Neyrelle and Mephisto's Soulstone.
The Vessel of Hatred expansion introduces a new campaign set in the jungles of Nahantu, where the Spiritborn class originates. Players can look forward to returning NPC Mercenaries and a new co-op endgame activity called the Dark Citadel, which promises exciting challenges and rewards. The official launch date is October 8, with staggered releases depending on region, starting at 4 pm PDT on October 7. Blizzard has shared a time map to help players in different regions plan accordingly.
Ahead of the launch, players can preorder the expansion to receive special items like the Mother’s Lament Legendary Gem for Diablo Immortal and a Diablo 4 pet, Alkor the Snow Leopard. Preloading for Battle.net players starts on September 30, and console players can begin on October 5. Despite past controversies, Diablo 4 has seen strong financial success, with players spending $150 million on microtransactions, showing Blizzard's post-launch revenue strategies have been effective.