Blizzard Disables Player Trading and Issues Warnings in Response to New Diablo 4 Duplication Exploit
Blizzard has taken swift action to address a recent duplication exploit that has once again reared its head in Diablo 4, leading to the suspension of player trading within the game. This measure, enforced in response to the exploit, will remain in place until Blizzard can resolve the issue satisfactorily.
In an official statement posted on the Blizzard forum, filthierich, a community manager at the company, acknowledged the situation and assured players that the development team is actively working on a fix for the problem. The statement reads, “We’ve suspended player trading in Diablo 4 until further notice due to a duplication exploit. We are working on a fix to amend this issue and will update you once we’ve reinstated the ability to trade. We will continue to monitor this activity to ensure a healthy playing experience for all.”
Filthierich also issued a stern warning to those who have been exploiting item duplication in the game, stating, “Any account that engages in gold and item duplication exploits will be actioned in accordance with our End User License Agreement. We thank you for reporting this exploit to us and your patience.”
This incident marks the second time that Blizzard has had to disable Diablo 4 trading due to exploits. The previous instance occurred in August, a mere two months after the game’s record-breaking launch. That incident was prompted by a similar gold and item duplication exploit. Players caught exploiting the system faced the prospect of being banned from the game.
The exploit from August involved a player initiating a trade, dropping items or gold into the trade slot, and then forcibly closing the Diablo 4 client. Upon re-entering the game, the items or gold would reappear in the player’s inventory, while also remaining in the recipient’s inventory.
Diablo 4 technically supports trading, allowing players to exchange Common, Magic, and Gold items, as well as Gold, Gems, and Elixirs. However, it does not feature an in-game auction house. Instead, players rely on external platforms like Discord to connect with potential buyers for their in-game items.
The illicit use of the duplication exploit had a destabilizing effect on this makeshift market, with players bidding exorbitant amounts of gold on items. This artificial inflation, which became widespread, resulted in astronomical prices, such as a crossbow being sold for an astonishing 30 billion gold.
The primary reason for accumulating in-game gold in Diablo 4 is to fund the game’s significant “gold sink,” a term used to describe the process of depleting in-game currency through activities like upgrading gear and rerolling item enchantments.
Despite these issues, Diablo 4 has managed to secure impressive sales figures. It was initially launched on its own Battle.net platform in June and went on to break records, becoming Blizzard’s fastest-selling game. More recently, the game debuted on Steam, receiving a “mixed” review rating of 55%. Blizzard, now under Microsoft’s ownership, is set to continue managing and improving its beloved franchises, with potential future releases on the horizon. However, the inclusion of Activision Blizzard games on Game Pass is not expected until 2024. For players currently engaged with Diablo 4’s Season of Blood, there are new vampiric powers and additional guides available to enhance their experience.