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Blizzard is looking into bringing Diablo 4 PTR updates to console, allowing players on PlayStation and PC to try out new features before their official launch.
At the time of writing, Diablo 4’s 2.2 update is currently in PTR, allowing players to test new multiplayer features and the upcoming season and report issues to the developers. This option is only available on PC, but it could soon come to console.
Diablo 4 PTR on Xbox and PlayStation
Speaking to IGN, Blizzard’s head of Diablo Rod Fergusson explained that the studio does want to bring Diablo 4 PTR to console in the future.
According to the outlet, Fergusson explains that the reason the early test servers aren’t available on console right now is due to “certification challenges and the general difficulty of releasing new builds on consoles”.
As with any game on console, PTR updates will have to be certified by their associated console manufacturers to make sure there’s no hardware exploits or major issues with the game. Additionally, there is a cost associated with certification on platforms as real employees must test updates on Xbox and PlayStation.
Nevertheless, Blizzard is “investing in” the process of bringing Diablo PTR to console players, likely starting with Xbox. With other games such as PUBG having their own private test server builds on console, it’s not impossible, but it does require significant investment.
“It’s tough as iteration and updates on PTR can be sometimes difficult on platforms/services that aren’t on our own,” explained Diablo global director of community Adam Fletcher in a recent Twitter discussion.
Fergusson also explained the importance of having a testing space for new updates before launch. While the service does end up spoiling content for very hardcore fans, it also results in a better experience for millions more.
“You just realize that it’s better to ruin the surprise for 10,000 people so that millions of people have a great season,” the Diablo lead explained.. “And even if you mess up PTR, even if whatever you’re offering to them in the mechanics is bad, I would much rather have a bad week of a PTR than a bad three months trying to recover from putting in something that we were surprising players with and it turned out to be wrong.”
For more Diablo coverage, read Fergusson’s thoughts on a potential Diablo 5 in the future. Additionally, listen to our podcast interview with series creator David Brevik on his early career as well as his future.
Diablo 4
Platform(s):
PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X
Genre(s):
Action, Action RPG, RPG
