Diablo 4 is getting a surprise open beta before launch

Diablo 4 is getting a surprise third beta test ahead of the game’s June 6 release date, Blizzard Entertainment announced Thursday. The next Diablo 4 open beta is scheduled for May 12 to May 14 for a “server slam” event. Blizzard originally scheduled two beta weekends in March, but this is another chance to test out the game while it’s been out for over a month. (This is also noteworthy The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomthe launch weekend.)

Developers present at a Diablo 4 developer update livestream on Thursday announced the new dates towards the end of the broadcast. The beta begins May 12 at 9 AM PDT and ends May 14 at 9 AM PDT. All beta rewards from previous beta weekends, including the wolf puppy backpack, are available to players. Levels will again be capped at 20, and Blizzard says so feedback and balance changes from the previous betas are reflected in the new beta.

Blizzard Entertainment began hinting at a new beta period on Wednesday after a Diablo 4 Twitter account vaguely teased it: The Diablo account quoted a fan as saying they “need more Diablo 4 game time.” That was followed by a shifty eyes emoji of Diablo 4 global community development manager Adam Fletcher.

Diablo 4‘s beta was a huge success, attracting enough players to create “long queues” for players trying to get onto the servers. The new beta period will likely face the same issues: a pre-release stress test. The open beta client, like last time, can be downloaded from the PlayStation and Xbox Stores, and from Blizzard itself via Battle.net for PC players.

Diablo 4 will be released on June 6 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X. Players who pre-order Diablo 4 will be able to access the game as early as June 1.