[GameSpot] - Diablo Immortal Closed Beta Test Starts Today, Adds Necromancer And More

[343iBot]

Diablo Immortal, the mobile take on Blizzard's popular action-RPG series, is set to enter a closed beta phase on Android devices beginning today, October 28, in select regions. It marks a significant milestone for the game, as this latest version introduces some major content additions, including the Necromancer class, a preview of controller support, and the ability to spend real-world money.

This new closed beta test will be available to "select participants" in both Canada and Australia starting at 5 PM PT on October 28. Blizzard plans to expand to other regions sometime later, including South Korea, Japan, and China. There's no word on when US players will be able to play; the full release is set for the first half of 2022. Blizzard noted that it's been working to implement feedback from Immortal's closed alpha test.

For those who do get into the beta, they'll get access to a new character class in the Necromancer, which makes its return from previous games. As in those, it's focused on casting bone-centric skills and resurrecting dead foes as minions. You can check out the trailer above for a taste of what Necromancers can do.

PvP is also a focus of the updates coming with this beta, with a Battleground ladder being added, but the big focus is on the Cycle of Strife. Shadow players can fight one another and ultimately earn their way to what's described as an endgame PvP mode called the Challenge of the Immortal, where 30 Shadow players fight one Immortal.

PvE sees some adjustments as well, as you can now choose to do bounties, Elder Rifts, or dungeons and still earn progress toward the battle pass, which now houses rewards that were previously only attainable through bounties. Challenge Rifts are also said to now be a "core part" of gear progression, with high-end Rifts being the only source or certain upgrade materials you'll want to eventually get your hands on. Helliquary bosses are also now becoming eight-player raids.

Using touchscreen controls in a game like this may sound off-putting, so Blizzard is working to implement controller support. That functionality is seeing its initial rollout as part of this beta, although Blizzard warns that it is still a work-in-progress. You'll be able to control your character and fight with a controller, but menus, including your inventory, will still require the touchscreen for now. More mobile controllers will be supported when Immortal launches, but for now support is limited to the following:

• Xbox One Wireless Bluetooth Controller
• Xbox Series X|S Bluetooth Controller
• Xbox Elite Controller Series 2
• Xbox Adaptive Controller
• Sony Dualshock 4
• Razer Kishi

Also of note is that Android players will get access to in-game purchases for real-world money. The Empowered battle pass, Eternal Orbs used to buy consumables like Crests, and other items will be up for sale. Although buying these won't get you access to them when the final game launches, any money you choose to spend will be available to you at that point. If you spend $10 during the beta, for example, you'll then have $10 to spend on content in the final game.

You can check out the required Android specs below to see whether you'll be able to play the game. This launch comes amidst the ongoing lawsuit faced by Activision Blizzard, which alleges widespread sexual harassment and other discrimination at the company.

Diablo Immortal Beta Android Minimum Requirements

• CPU: Snapdragon 670 / Exynos 8895 and higher
• GPU: Adreno 615 / Mali-G71 MP20 and higher
• RAM: 2GB of RAM and higher
• Version: Android OS 5.0 (Lollipop) and higher

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