The hype building up to the launch of Diablo IV was definitely through the roof, so it's likely not surprising for many that it's selling very, very well.
While Activision Blizzard did not announce specific sales numbers just yet, the game has the highest pre-launch unit sales ever on both console and PC as of June 5, which means before it even released. This is based on sell-through figures (which means to customers, not to retailers) received from digital partners and Blizzard's own internal reports.
According to the announcement, in the four days of early access, the game was played for a cumulative total of 93 million hours or over 10,000 years, which is pretty much the same time since the beginning of human civilization.
The press release includes a comment from general manager of Diablo Rod Fergusson.
This is a moment years in the making for the Diablo IV team. We’re extremely proud to offer players the richest story ever told in a Diablo game. Players have a range of choices, including personal character customization, equipping personalized skills for battling horrific demons, or collecting Legendary loot to support your playstyle while discovering new ones. Since the game was first announced in 2019, the support from millions of players around the world drove us toward this release of our dark vision of Sanctuary. Hail Lilith, Blessed Mother.
We also hear from Blizzard Entertainment president Mike Ybarra.
Our vision at Blizzard is to create legendary experiences for all to share, and Diablo IV is an incredible realization of that vision. With highly customizable gameplay, gripping storytelling, and plenty of options around how to engage with the world, this masterfully crafted expression of the Diablo universe is an outstanding example of what our talented development teams are capable of. Whether you’re a veteran of the series or diving into Sanctuary for the first time, we welcome players to the global launch of Diablo IV.
Diablo IV is now available for PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4. Of course, you can read our full review of the game, in which our Austin Suther mentioned that Diablo IV "delivers exciting and accessible ARPG gameplay, a stunning world and engaging narrative to experience, and so many activities to keep you hooked for hours on end."
Yesterday, we also saw a music video of the game's anthem "Lilith" performed by Halsey and BTS' SUGA, to celebrate the release. You can also watch not one, but three launch trailers focusing on the story, the gameplay, and live-action.
