Is Diablo 4 Always Online?

Always-On DRM has been a contentious topic in the gaming community for a while now, with the discussion turning to Diablo 4. Game developers want to protect and control their products by requiring an online connection. At the same time, gamers say forcing players to always be online is annoying and exclusionary. Diablo 4 is a game that traditionally welcomed the single-player experience, but recent titles have emphasized online multiplayer. Players with spotty internet connections will want to pay attention, as the decision for or against Always-On DRM may be the difference between buying or skipping Diablo 4.

Does Diablo IV Require You To Always Be Online?

Yes, you are required to be online to play Diablo 4. Even if you are playing solo, you still need to be connected to the internet.

This may be unfortunate news for some. If you have a spotty or inconsistent internet connection, you won’t be getting the most out of Diablo 4. The game is being pushed in a multiplayer direction in many ways, such as the wide release of the title on multiple systems, the ability to crossplay between supported consoles, and the lack of region lock.

Why is Diablo IV Always Online?

Being online would allow Blizzard to make you aware of your friends present in the game and incentivize you to play together. This decision also gives Blizzard more control of the in-game economy. There isn’t a trading post this time around, but Blizzard still wants you to trade with your friends. By making the game always online, Blizzard can make sure that items aren’t brought into the game through unsavory means, protecting the player economy.

Are There Protections for Disconnecting in Diablo IV?

Yes, there are a number of protections for players who disconnect while playing Diablo 4, meaning that if your internet only goes out every once in a while you won’t be severely punished.

For example, there is a reconnect limit of three minutes. This means that if you do accidentally disconnect, you will have three minutes to log back on. If you manage to do so, you can continue playing the game from the moment you disconnected, losing no progression.

The more impressive protection is lost item prevention. If you disconnect and aren’t able to log back in during that three-minute window your run will end. However, Blizzard will protect your items if you’re scared of losing out on big drops because of the disconnection.

If any legendary or higher-quality item is on the ground when you disconnect, the item will be placed in your stash. You will still have lost the progress on whatever map or dungeon you were on, but the rare loot you earn will always be safe.

While the always online requirement will be a disappointment for some, the protections Blizzard offers should mean that players can still enjoy the game, even if their internet goes out occasionally. The reassurance of never losing a legendary drop to lag or connection issues is a fantastic inclusion and should provide some form of relief to those players.

Make sure to check out more of our Diablo 4 guides, like How To Bind Basic Attack in Diablo 4, How to Get Seeds of Hatred in Diablo 4, and How To Get Angelbreath in Diablo 4.