Path of Exile co-creator Chris Wilson has defended Blizzard’s decision to put certain updates behind a paid DLC for Diablo II: Resurrected.
The $25 Reign of the Warlock expansion has faced criticism from players, but Wilson believes the approach is not about making extra money. Instead, he says it is meant to preserve the original game experience.
Why Blizzard Added a Paid DLC
Blizzard released the Reign of the Warlock DLC on February 11, 2026, as part of the franchise’s 30th anniversary celebration.
The expansion includes:
- A new Warlock class
- Updated Terror Zones
- A new endgame boss
- Expanded endgame content
It also launched alongside the Infernal Edition, priced at $39.99, which bundles the base game, Lord of Destruction, and the new DLC.
Community Reaction to the Paywall
Not all players were happy with the decision. Existing owners of Diablo II: Resurrected must pay an additional $25 to access the new content and improvements.
Many players feel that some quality-of-life features should have been included as free updates instead of being locked behind a paid expansion.
Chris Wilson’s Perspective
Chris Wilson, co-creator of Path of Exile, shared his thoughts in a recent video.
He explained that Diablo 2 is a special game that helped define the action RPG genre. Because of its legacy, any changes to the game must be handled carefully.
According to Wilson, Blizzard’s approach is about maintaining the original version as a “museum-piece baseline” while allowing improvements to exist separately.
Preserving Gaming History
Wilson believes that keeping new features within the DLC is a sign of respect for the original game.
He suggested that Blizzard is trying to protect the classic experience while still offering modern updates for players who want them.
This approach allows both versions of the game to exist without altering the core experience that many players remember.
Conclusion
The Reign of the Warlock DLC has sparked debate among fans, especially due to its pricing and paywalled features. However, Chris Wilson’s comments highlight a different perspective — one focused on preserving a classic game rather than changing it.
Whether players agree or not, the discussion shows how important Diablo 2 remains in gaming history.
