Calls for Diablo 4 single-player intensify following DDoS attack and lengthy downtime

Diablo 4
(Image credit: Blizzard)

Calls for an offline single-player option for Diablo 4 are intensifying after a recent DDoS attack led to some lengthy downtime.

Players were left unable to play Diablo 4 for several hours over the weekend following a DDoS attack, and as the action-RPG is 'always online', even those wanting to play single-player couldn't do so whilst the servers were down.

This has led to a feeling of Déjà vu among players over on the Diablo 4 subreddit who found themselves in the very same boat 11 years ago when Diablo 3 launched, and they're just as unhappy about being forced to play online now as they were back then.

Posted this 11 years ago, sadly still relevant from r/diablo4

"Give the people offline mode!" pleads one Diablo 4 fan in the comments. Another writes: "I paid for the game. It can be played single-player. That is the ONLY interest I have. But nope, gotta be online."

Others who like to fly solo in Diablo 4 are also venting their frustration on Twitter. "I just want to play single-player. I hate this forced online crap!" says @dolphinmagi. "We should be able to play Diablo 4 offline single-player. This is why I hate this always online bulls***," writes an equally ticked-off @statesminds. Also miffed by Blizzard's decision to have Diablo 4 always require an internet connection is @T0mBucha, who says: "Diablo 4 DDoS attack is a clear message that the game NEEDS A SINGLE PLAYER OPTION."

Fortunately, the servers appear to be up and running again for now. In a tweet posted yesterday, Blizzard said, "The DDOS attacks that we were monitoring have ended," and players on the Diablo 4 subreddit say they've been able to log in without any problems. Still, with no offline option in sight, it seems that Diablo 4 fans will have no choice but to wait it out whenever this sort of situation arises.

Server issues aside, Diablo 4 is a joy to play. "Sharp refinements to combat, gear, and loot systems make this one of the best action-RPGs in years," we said in our Diablo 4 review. "And the expressive open world shows there's still room for Blizzard to expand on the core Diablo concept."

Check out our Diablo 4 World Tiers guide to see how each tier affects enemy difficulty and the rewards you receive.

Anne-Marie Ostler
Freelance Writer

Originally from Ireland, I moved to the UK in 2014 to pursue a Games Journalism and PR degree at Staffordshire University. Following that, I've freelanced for GamesMaster, Games TM, Official PlayStation Magazine and, more recently, Play and 12DOVE. My love of gaming sprang from successfully defeating that first Goomba in Super Mario Bros on the NES. These days, PlayStation is my jam. When not gaming or writing, I can usually be found scouring the internet for anything Tomb Raider related to add to my out of control memorabilia collection.