Diablo 4 beta dates and preloading times

By Tyler Colp
last updated

Here's when you can preload and play in the Diablo 4 betas to take a crack at all five classes in the first zone.

Diablo 4 beta - Lilith
(Image credit: Blizzard)
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After many, many years of waiting, we've finally had a shot at playing Diablo 4 (opens in new tab) . The Diablo 4 early access and open beta periods are taking place over two weekends, giving you a chance to try each of the game's five classes, hit level 25, and earn those Diablo 4 beta rewards. The first of two Diablo 4 betas has come and gone, now followed by the second beta on March 24.

The beta will be limited to the Fractured Peaks, one of five regions that make up Diablo 4's open world. The prologue and first act of the game takes place in the snowy, mountainous zone and eventually leads you to Kyovashad, the capital city.

After playing in the first beta weekend we've got a lot of feelings. Some players feel Blizzard is back in their old form, some of us are convinced that skill trees are great, actually, and others were prepared not to like this new Diablo but were brought around by an ass-kicking from The Butcher. Even if you haven't preordered Diablo 4 you'll have the chance to jump into the open beta this weekend with preloading available as of Wednesday.

Diablo 4 beta start times

The second Diablo 4 open beta will be available to everyone. If you play the first beta, your progress will carry over, too. The open beta will start on Friday, March 24 at 9 am PT and end on Monday, March 27 at 12 pm PT. Barbarian, Rogue, and Sorcerer will be available to play once again, but it will also include the Necromancer and the Druid.

When does the Diablo 4 open beta start? 

  • PDT: 9 am, March 24 - 12 pm March 27
  • EDT: 12 pm March 24 - 3 pm March 27
  • GMT/BST: 4 pm March 24 - 8 pm March 27
  • CET: 5 pm March 24 - 9 pm March 27

Be aware, both betas take place during those magical two weeks of the year when North America and Europe are out of daylight savings sync, so you'll notice the hour conversions are slightly different than usual.

Diablo 4 beta preloading times

For both beta weekends, preloading begins on the Wednesday prior (March 15 and 22, respectively) at 9 am pacific time.

Diablo 4 open beta preloading times

  • PDT: 9 am, March 22
  • EDT: 12 pm, March 22
  • GMT: 4 pm, March 22
  • CET: 5 pm, March 22

What are the Diablo 4 system requirements? 

Minimum (1080p, 720p render resolution, low graphics settings, 30 fps)

  • CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K or AMD FX 8100
  • RAM: 8 GB RAM
  • GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 or AMD RAdeon R9 280
  • Storage: 45 GB available space

Recommended (1080p, medium graphics settings, 60 fps)

  • CPU: Intel Core i5 4670K or AMD R3 1300X 
  • RAM: 16 GB
  • GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon RX 370
  • Storage: 45 GB available space
Tyler Colp
Associate Editor

Tyler has covered games, games culture, and hardware for over a decade before joining PC Gamer as Associate Editor. He's done in-depth reporting on communities and games as well as criticism for sites like Polygon, Wired, and Waypoint. He's interested in the weird and the fascinating when it comes to games, spending time probing for stories and talking to the people involved. Tyler loves sinking into games like Final Fantasy 14, Overwatch, and Dark Souls to see what makes them tick and pluck out the parts worth talking about. His goal is to talk about games the way they are: broken, beautiful, and bizarre.

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