Diablo IV

Let's be real, Diablo 4 Season 9 isn't doing anything mind-blowingly different, but it's shaping up to be one of the most important seasons the game's ever had. Not only just because of the new Horadric Spells or the Escalating Nightmare Dungeons (though those are cool), but because of who's playing it, and why we might never see another season quite like it again.

With Diablo 4 now available on PlayStation Plus for the entire month of July, a massive wave of fresh players is flooding in. For some, it's their first time setting foot in Sanctuary. For others, it's a second chance after bouncing off it at launch. Either way, this moment feels special.

Free Access, Big Numbers

Diablo 4 joining PS Plus is huge. It's not just another sale or a limited trial; it's straight-up free (if you're subbed). That kind of accessibility doesn't happen often for games like Diablo. We saw something similar back in March 2024 when it dropped on Xbox Game Pass, and again, it spiked the player count. But PS Plus hits a different crowd, and Season 9 is benefiting from it in a big way.

New players are everywhere. No matter if they're grinding throughthe campaign or just getting their bearings in Kyovashad, they're bumping into longtime players who've been around since day one. It's rare to see this kind of cross-pollination, where veterans and newcomers are both active and engaged at the same time, and it's giving the community a temporary but refreshing jolt of energy.

Why This Might Not Happen Again

Here's the thing: we might not get another moment like this. With Xbox and PlayStation checked off, most of the big streaming/subscription platforms are now covered. Unless Diablo 4 shows up on Steam with a free weekend or surprise sale, or Blizzard pulls a rabbit out of a hat with Battle.net promos, it's hard to imagine where the next player boom would come from.

Well… maybe from Nintendo. The Switch 2 could be the wildcard, as Diablo 3 did well there, and D4 could follow. But based on what Blizzard's been saying, that's a big “if.” Rod Fergusson mentioned that bringing a full-blown live-service game like Diablo 4 to a handheld isn't exactly easy. So unless something changes, that door might stay shut for a while.

A Season Worth Remembering

If you're a new player hopping in thanks to PS Plus, you're lucky, because this is one of the most interesting seasons yet. And if you're a returning veteran, now's the perfect time to log in and help some fresh faces get their footing. Drop build advice in chat, carry some boss fights, or just enjoy the feeling of Diablo with newbies.

Season 9 probably won't be remembered as the most groundbreaking or most content-rich update. But it might be remembered as the last time everyone was playing at once: newbies, vets, and everyone in between.

Enjoy it while it lasts. Seasons like this don't come often.