Diablo 4 Open Beta Start Time And Queues: When You Can Start Playing

Diablo IV is out this June for consoles and PC, but the open beta gives you a chance to try the game out before that point. Unlike the early access beta, this one is available to everyone beginning Friday, March 24, and it features a big chunk of the game as well as all five classes. It's available on all platforms and with a reward available in the final game for reaching a certain level, you'll want to play it. Here's how to play the Diablo IV beta.

It's worth noting that progress from the early access beta will carry over to the open weekend, but not to the full game when it launches later in the year, so don't worry about getting too attached to your character. For everything else, you can read below for more details on what to expect and when you'll be able to jump in.

Diablo IV beta dates

The early access weekend ran from March 17-19, with preorders being the entry ticket to this first phase. This period actually extended into partway through March 20, with connection issues stopping people from playing for several hours after it was initially live. If you didn't get in, the open beta runs from March 24-26. Early downloading is available now for the open beta.

The open beta will kick off at 9 AM PT / noon ET and run until the ending date at noon PT / 3 PM ET.

Diablo IV beta queues

Keep in mind that you may encounter a login queue when trying to play the open beta. Blizzard has already warned players about this, as the beta is intended to stress-test the servers in preparation for a full launch. Queue times were extremely long during the first day of the early access beta but were all but eliminated afterward. This could be the case again, though there will likely be far more people trying to enter the open beta than were present for the early access period.

How to get into the beta

The open beta weekend does not require any sort of special invitation or access code. Early downloading began for the open beta on March 22 at 9 AM PT / noon ET. If you already have the early access beta client downloaded, you do not need to download it again, though it's possible there could be an additional update.

Diablo IV beta platforms

Blizzard is rolling the Diablo IV beta out to a wide variety of platforms, as you'll be able to play on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.

Beta downloading for the early access period begins on March 15 at 9 AM PT / noon ET on all platforms. The open beta's early downloading period is at the same time on March 22, but those who have already downloaded the initial beta client do not need to re-download it for the open beta.

Couch co-op will be available for the beta period, as well, on both Xbox and PlayStation platforms. Both players have to use their own Battle.Net accounts to enable this, and can have up to 10 characters during the beta period.

Beta PC specs

Both the minimum and recommended PC specs for the beta have been revealed. Note that these are subject to change when the full game launches.

Minimum

• OS: 64-bit Windows 10
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 or AMD Radeon R9 280
• CPU: Intel Core i5-2500L or AMD FX-8100
• Memory: 8GB RAM
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: SSD with 45GB free
• Internet: Broadband connection

Recommended

• OS: 64-bit Windows 10
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon RX 370
• CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K or AMD R3-1300X
• Memory: 16GB RAM
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: SSD with 45GB free
• Internet: Broadband connection

What to expect from the Diablo IV beta

Everything in the prologue and Act 1 of the Diablo IV beta can be accessed, including the main campaign missions and extra quests. This slice of the game will let you explore the first zone, Fractured Peaks, and you'll be able to reach level 25 with your character. Blizzard says that the beta will allow for players to experience the core gameplay, and while some bugs are to be expected, feedback from the beta will be evaluated ahead of Diablo IV's final release.

Progress will not carry over to the full game, but those who reach level 20 in the beta will get the Beta Wolf Pack, a cosmetic reward that puts an adorable wolf pup on your back. Making it to level 20 also unlocks the Early Voyager title, while visiting the Kyovashad location unlocks the Initial Casualty title. Those who reach level 25 will also have a chance of having themselves immortalized in the La chapelle des Jesuites as part of a giant Diablo fresco.

You'll be able to try out some of the main quests, which focus on your conflict with Lilith, and there will also be side quests available in the beta. There will also be special Altars of Lilith available on the map, which, when completed, give you permanent stat boosts.

A world boss, Ashava, will also be available during the beta period. It will spawn four different times--once a Saturday--giving those in both beta periods a chance to fight it. There will also be smaller World Events and large Legion Events, the latter of which are meant to be completed with other players.

Which classes are included?

During the early access period, there were three classes to choose from, and this expanded to all five Diablo IV classes for the open beta. The open beta includes:

• Barbarian
• Rogue
• Sorcerer
• Druid
• Necromancer

For more on the game, you can check out everything that we know about Diablo IV.