Diablo 4 was only playable for the last time for a few days before release. The problem: MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus was still on the road when the server slam started. The solution: he simply bought a much too expensive laptop to gamble on the go. Amazingly, it worked really well.
Both my boss Leya Jankowski and our editor-in-chief Schuhmann asked me at almost the same time: “Are you crazy?” I didn’t understand the question. So yes, I am, but what does that have to do with the purchase?
Just before the start of the server slam on May 12th, I bought a new laptop, an MSI Katana with a powerful RTX 4070 in it. Cost point: 1,500 euros offered by Alternate, without an operating system. With Windows 11 and an external drive, I get 1,700 euros.
Why did I do that when I just bought a new computer for 3,500 euros and a 4090? Quite simply: Thursday and Friday we went to a further training course. It was scheduled before Blizzard suddenly announced the beta.
Since my journey was quite long, I was still on the train when the server slam started. As a Diablo lead and fan of the series, it was clear to me: I have to gamble on the go. No sooner said than done, money spent.
Some of you might laugh now and say: “You idiot, with the bad Deutsche Bahn network and Diablo 4’s online obligation?” But it actually went really, really well and shortened my journey considerably.
By the way, this time I gambled on a sorceress. Unfortunately I forgot to take photos on the train – but it was late and I was tired. You can see the trailer for the class here:
Diablo 4: Official Trailer from The Enchantress
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1 disconnect, 1 death – otherwise absolutely no problems
In total I was on the road for 6 hours: about 2.5 hours on the ICE, about 2.5 hours on the IC and an hour layover in between. I was only able to play Diablo in the IC because the servers hadn’t gone online before. But I already installed the server slam in advance.
I wanted to start punctually at 9 p.m. and … first had to download a new graphics card driver. Apparently I forgot that when setting up the computer. The just 800 MB took a proud half hour.
After the installation I was finally able to get started. With experience from the last beta and concern about server slams, I expected queues. But nothing, I came straight in. I later read that many fans felt the launch was one of Blizzard’s best to date.
For two hours I gambled almost trouble-free. Occasional rubber banding, a single disconnect, and a death from lag. The connection was much worse than at home, but at least good enough to be able to play.
I have to say that I can’t even blame the railways. The network was as fast as possible, but on the corresponding route there are more dead spots than network coverage. Accordingly, my problems are more due to the lack of expansion.
To test how bad it can really get, I ventured into a dungeon. Right on the leg that I knew had a terrible network. It wasn’t playable… but it was a very interesting experience. I cut the worst moments together for you:
Diablo 4 in the W-LAN of Deutsche Bahn: The worst moments
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The laptop is surprisingly good, I’ve been missing out for years
As a dedicated PC gamer, I’ve always scoffed at laptops. For me, the things were little more than a crutch to bridge trips or to be able to work on the go. I never found them good for gambling.
My new katana taught me better. Even though I forgot the graphics card drivers for the time being, the games looked really good, I didn’t experience any stuttering, the resolution is excellent. Incidentally, I spent my outward journey on Thursday with Age of Wonders 4 diligent work.
Funnily enough, we currently have a deal on the site where my laptop is available from Otto. In fact, that’s a coincidence.
Apart from the size and a lack of a second monitor, I really can’t fault this part. It has been many years since my last exposure to gaming laptops. And as my colleague and hardware expert Benedikt Schlotmann explained to me, to my amazement: a lot has happened in this area in the last 5 years.
Admittedly, I’ve actually wanted a laptop for a while. Only my rational brain always told me that I didn’t need it. Diablo 4 was now the best excuse to invest.
Ironically, Diablo tempted me to make my last purchase, a gaming tablet for 250 euros. In case you’re wondering: my tablet has been lying on my table since then and keeps complaining about the low battery level, but is hardly ever used anymore… Whether the laptop fares better remains to be seen.