Yes, You Have to Install Battle.net to Play Diablo 4 via PC Game Pass

Diablo 4 hits Game Pass this week as the first Blizzard game on Microsoft’s subscription service since the $69 billion buyout of Activision Blizzard. However, there are a few hoops you need to jump through if you want to get stuck in on PC.

After Diablo 4 goes into Game Pass on March 28, it will be available as part of the PC Game Pass subscription. As outlined by Megan Spurr, Community Lead, Xbox Game Pass, in a post on Xbox.com, here’s how PC players can install Diablo 4 via Game Pass:

• Open the Xbox App on PC and make sure you are signed in with your Microsoft account tied to your Game Pass membership. Then click on Diablo 4 and then the Install button.
• Click “Install Battle.net” when prompted and complete the installation. (If you already have Battle.net installed, you’ll skip to the next step automatically)
• You’ll be prompted to connect your Battle.net account to your Microsoft account. If you already have a Battle.net account you can log in to complete the connection, or from here you can create a Battle.net account to make the connection.
• Once you have downloaded Battle.net and connected your accounts, you can complete the installation of Diablo 4!

Based on these instructions, installing Diablo 4 via Game Pass is not as seamless a process as PC subscribers had hoped for when Microsoft announced Blizzard games would hit the subscription service. Microsoft will no-doubt be hoping for less friction when other Blizzard games inevitably hit Game Pass in the future, but for now, players are essentially playing through Battle.net under the guise of Game Pass.

PC Game Pass subscribers have also expressed the lack of achievements with Diablo 4. Battle.net has an achievements system of its own, but some had hoped that playing the action role-playing game through PC Game Pass would incorporate the achievements the Xbox version already has.

If you’re planning to play Diablo 4 via Game Pass, check out IGN’s comprehensive Diablo 4 guide hub for everything you need to know.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.