LogInThe game reportedly won't launch in the two countries due to the ban on loot boxes.
Activision Blizzard has reportedly canceled the release of both the mobile and PC versions of the upcoming Diablo Immortal in Belgium and the Netherlands. That's according to a Dutch news outlet Tweakers which suggests that the reason for that might be the countries' legislation regarding loot boxes.
Tweakers reports that players in the two countries were initially able to pre-register for the game, although after the announcement of the release date, this option was disabled.
According to the outlet, a communication manager at Activision Blizzard Benelux confirmed that Diablo Immortal will not be released in Belgium and the Netherlands saying that "this is related to the current operating conditions for games in those countries."
Later, on the Diablo Immortal subreddit, a representative of the company also stated that the game will not be available in Belgium and Netherlands due to the countries' legislation. "The lootboxes in the game are against the law in your country, so unless the gambling restrictions change, the game will not be released in the Netherlands and Belgium," the post reads.
The representative also added that downloading the game in another country will also be illegal and if players from the two countries will manage to run the game anyway, Activision Blizzard "cannot guarantee" that they won't be banned for it.
Both countries have taken a strict stance on games with loot boxes. Back in 2018, Blizzard stopped selling loot boxes for real money in Belgium after Belgian Gaming Commission ruled out that games with such mechanics violate gambling laws in the country.
Diablo Immortal launches this Wednesday, June 2, and will be available for mobile and PC via open beta on Battle.net.
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