Blizzard Entertainment is set to launch its first Beta testing weekend for Diablo 2: Resurrected on Friday, August 13. However, fans who want to experience multiplayer the old-fashioned way over a local network are in for a disappointment.
This is after Blizzard unexpectedly removed support for TCP/IP connections just ahead of the launch, GameRant said, after previously announcing that the game will support the feature when the final game releases.
According to the report, Blizzard added an entry in the FAQ section of the remake that explains its decision to remove support for the feature before Beta weekends begin. The video game publisher said that, “after careful consideration,” they are pulling the functionality out from Diablo 2: Resurrected over worries of security risks and player safety.
The article added that Blizzard’s latest move could be influenced by concerns of piracy, as TCP/IP utilizes a local area network (LAN) connection to host multiplayer games instead of Battle.Net dedicated servers. Through a peer-to-peer network, players could easily join games online even when running a pirated copy of Diablo 2: Resurrected.
Diablo 2: Resurrected is a remake of the popular hack-and-slash game that came out in 2000. Diablo II itself is a sequel to an equally successful first installment titled Diablo, which was released in 1997.
Diablo II followed the story of Marius and the Dark Wanderer, who was the first warrior to vanquish Diablo by trapping the Lord of Destruction in his body. With Diablo slowly corrupting his mind, the Dark Wanderer embarks on a journey with Marius that threatens to release Diablo and his two brothers, Baal and Mephisto, upon the world.
Blizzard will launch the early access beta for the remake on Friday, August 13, and will commence the open beta a week later, August 20.
Earlier reports said that the beta weekends will be available on Xbox Series S and Series X, as well as on Xbox, PS5, PS4 and PC. Nintendo Switch players will not be able to participate in the beta testing.