Blizzard is pulling out all the stops to celebrate Diablo's 30th anniversary, and the timing couldn't be better for newcomers. With the surprise announcement of an animated Diablo series coming to Netflix and the reveal that Diablo 5 is targeting a 2029 release, the franchise is back in the spotlight. Now, Steam users can jump into Diablo 4 for free—but only for a limited time.
The free trial runs until September 21 at 10:00 a.m. PT, giving players a few days to explore the dark, demon-infested world of Sanctuary. This isn't a permanent addition to your library; it's a temporary access window. If you want to keep playing after the deadline, you'll need to buy the game. Fortunately, Blizzard is also offering a hefty 75% discount during the promotion, dropping the price from $49.99 to just $12.49.
This free period lands right as Season 15: Season of Hell's Legacy kicks off. The season launched on September 15 after a brief server delay and is packed with anniversary-themed content. Players can dive into Waking Nightmares, a new activity that brings back iconic boss battles from across the series, along with fresh Soul Splinters and nostalgic rewards. Familiar faces like Deckard Cain, Mephisto, Baal, and Diablo himself are all part of the celebration.
For those who've never set foot in Sanctuary, Diablo 4 offers a sprawling open-world action RPG experience. Set decades after Diablo 3, the story follows Lilith's return and the demonic invasion that follows. You'll choose from multiple classes, each with unique abilities, and traverse a shared world filled with dungeons, strongholds, and world events. The campaign is massive—you won't finish it in a single evening—but the free trial gives you enough time to get a feel for the game's addictive loop of combat, character progression, and loot hunting.
The timing is perfect for fans who were reignited by the Netflix announcement. While details on the animated series are still scarce—no release date, cast, or plot specifics have been revealed—the buzz is undeniable. Netflix has been building a strong roster of video game adaptations, and Diablo is a major addition. For more on the streaming side, check out our coverage of Netflix's September sleeper hit.
Meanwhile, Diablo 5 is officially in the works, with Blizzard eyeing a spring 2029 launch. That's still a few years out, but the franchise is clearly gearing up for a massive comeback. If you're curious about the future of the series, we've got the details on Diablo 5's release window.
For now, the free trial is the perfect way to experience the game that's been captivating players since its original launch on June 6, 2023. It arrived on Steam on October 17, 2023, and is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. The Steam free trial ends September 21 at 10:00 a.m. PT, so don't wait too long to jump in.
Whether you're a lapsed fan or a complete newcomer, this is a golden opportunity to see what all the fuss is about. And with the Netflix series on the horizon, there's never been a better time to get acquainted with Sanctuary. If you're also a fan of other video game adaptations, you might want to check out Netflix's upcoming detective series for more streaming excitement.
