Top 5 video game controversies of 2018

Like years before it, 2018 saw its share of controversy. Video games like Red Dead Redemption 2 and even the all-conquering Fortnite were at the centre of controversy for reasons you might not expect. And even tech giant Intel found itself causing controversy when it launched its latest and greatest gaming processor. So without further ado, here follows a list of the top 5 video game controversies of 2018.

1. Diablo Immortal announcement

If one thing is clear, is that the Diablo series has been loved and played by millions. Even 2012’s Diablo 3 ended up being a massive success despite launching with a host of issues. So it’s understandable that fans of the Diablo games were excited when US video game company Blizzard revealed it would be announcing a new game at BlizzCon 2018 – their own video game show and one of the top industry events of the year.

Would this new game be Diablo 4, the eagerly awaited sequel to Blizzard’s 2012 hit? In the end though, excitement turned to disappointment when Blizzard announced Diablo Immortal – a game for smartphones. To add insult to injury for some, this game would be made in collaboration with Chinese outfit Tencent, and it also looked a look like a clone of the Chinese company’s own Endless of God game. The way Blizzard handled the announcement and the absence of Diablo 4 from Blizzcon (which is rumoured to be in development nonetheless) caused no end of controversy, even if in the end Diablo Immortal could prove to be an entertaining diversion until a proper sequel is released someday.

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