Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2 Devs Won’t Say Whether They’ll Ban Elon Musk for Account Boosting

Elon Musk's admission to paying for account boosting in Diablo IV and Path of Exile 2 has sparked controversy, prompting questions about the integrity of the games and the developers' response. Screenshots of a private conversation revealed Musk's use of account boosting, a violation of both games' terms of service that involves paying others to level up accounts. This practice, explicitly prohibited by Blizzard's EULA, allows players to artificially inflate their rank.

Following the revelation, both Blizzard Entertainment and Grinding Gear Games have declined to comment on whether Musk's accounts will be banned. This silence has fueled criticism from players who feel the developers are failing to uphold the game's rules, particularly given Musk's public admission. Forum posts express disappointment and concern that a billionaire can circumvent the rules, undermining fair play and the integrity of the ranked leaderboards.

Musk has previously boasted about his gaming prowess, claiming a top 20 global ranking in Diablo IV and possessing a high-level Path of Exile 2 character (since deceased). However, his gameplay has been questioned, with some suggesting his skill level didn't match his claimed achievements. This led to speculation about account boosting, confirmed by Musk's own admission in a direct message conversation. He justified his actions by claiming it was necessary to compete with Asian players. He clarified that while he streams and posts gameplay videos genuinely, his high-level characters were achieved through account boosting, requiring multiple players. Musk questioned the need for an apology.

Musk's ex-partner, Grimes, defended him, claiming to have witnessed his gaming achievements. Further allegations arose when Musk's Path of Exile 2 character appeared online while he was in Washington D.C. for Trump's inauguration, adding to the controversy. The situation highlights the ongoing debate about fair play, the enforcement of game rules, and the impact of high-profile individuals on online gaming communities.