It’s a real blow for fans of the Activision Blizzard license.
Scheduled for June 2 on mobiles and PC, Diablo Immortal is eagerly awaited by all fans of the universe initiated in 1996. Announced as free, the title had gathered some 30 million players during the beta. But for Belgian and Dutch players, it’s a cold shower. The enthusiasm created by the American studio quickly died down, and for good reason: the MMO will not be released in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The reason is very simple. The two countries embarked several years ago on a crusade once morest gambling in the video game. We all remember the fight of Koen Geens, the Belgian Minister of Justice, once morest FIFA’s online mode, Ultimate Team, for its very marked “gambling” component. It is now Activision Blizzard which is forced to backpedal and cancel the release of its future hit in Belgium and the Netherlands.
For the people wondering regarding Belgium & The Netherlands from DiabloImmortal
“Unfortunately, players from the Netherlands and Belgium will not be able to install Diablo: Immortal due to gameplay restrictions in those countries. The lootboxes in the game are once morest the law of your country”said a member of Blizzard support.
There is therefore very little chance of seeing the title land in the Flat Country, even if Blizzard admits that hope is allowed, “provided gambling restrictions change”. The Gambling Commission considers that the principle of loot boxes is contrary to the law on gambling, there is little chance that the situation will settle down.
However, nothing prevents Blizzard from releasing Diablo Immortal in Belgium. Indeed, developers can adapt (as EA Sports did with FUT) by preventing the purchase of credits in Belgian and Dutch territories. Unfortunately, it is the players who will be the first to be impacted by this measure.
Blizzard would like to point out, however, that if you manage, by any means, to download the game and play it if you live in one of these two countries, banishment will be considered. “It would be illegal for you to download the game in another country like France. If you manage to run the game, I can’t guarantee that you won’t get banned for it”pointe Blizzard.
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