On March 4, Diablo 4 caught Xbox players off guard by delaying the much-anticipated March of the Goblins update for their platform. Many players eagerly awaiting the launch were surprised when no update prompt appeared. Some took to social media to see if others were experiencing the same issue, only to find that players on other platforms had already begun participating in the event.
This isn’t the first time Diablo 4 players have faced unexpected delays. A major instance was the delay of Season 8, which players eventually accepted. However, unlike previous delays that affected all platforms, the delay of the March of the Goblins update was limited to Xbox players, leading to frustration. Some fans criticized Blizzard for releasing the update on other platforms, arguing that it diminished the experience for Xbox players.
When the event was initially launched, Xbox players noticed the Goblin Statue in central Kyovashad but found that the event wasn’t active on their servers. At the same time, Rich Bantegui, senior community manager for Diablo 4, posted an update on the game’s official forum, acknowledging the issue. His post stated, “Patch 2.1.3 & March of the Goblins is currently delayed [on Xbox], and we expect an update to be available later today.” The issue was quickly resolved, and just three hours later, Bantegui confirmed that Xbox players could now download the update like everyone else.
Xbox Players Had to Wait for the March Update in Diablo 4
The exact cause of the delay is still unclear, but some players have speculated that Xbox’s slower patch review process may have been to blame. Xbox is known for taking longer to approve game updates compared to other platforms, leading some to point the finger at Xbox’s policies for the delay. This situation has drawn comparisons to a similar delay when ConcernedApe faced issues with the Stardew Valley 1.6 update on Game Pass, which some believe reflects Xbox’s poor patch management.
While delays are always frustrating, Xbox players seem content with Blizzard’s prompt response to the issue. Had the delay lasted longer, players might have missed out on valuable loot. Goblins, which have a higher chance of appearing during the March of the Goblins event, will remain in the game after the event ends but will appear less frequently. A longer delay would have meant fewer opportunities for players to encounter these creatures, potentially slowing their progression. However, it’s likely that Blizzard will extend the event for Xbox players to make up for the setback. Thankfully, the issue has been resolved, and now the entire community can enjoy hunting the new and revamped Treasure Goblins in Diablo 4.
