The multiplayer beta of Diablo 2 Resurrected is currently running on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. However, those wanting to play on consoles with other players may encounter a problem, as an important feature is missing there: the lobby.
What is the lobby? In the lobby, you can create games and browse already created rounds to join them. This way, you can quickly and easily find players in Diablo 2 without having to invite friends directly.
Previously, in the original Diablo 2, this option was available via Battle.net. The PC version of the remaster still offers a lobby. However, this feature is currently missing on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S in the current early access beta.
The beta has some minor and major issues at launch, but the absence of the lobby is currently troubling some of the fans in feedback (via reddit.com).
Why is it important? You can freely name your game. The name of a lobby typically describes what is planned there. This makes it easy to find groups for specific activities, such as:
- Quests and leveling
- PvP
- Trading
- Boss runs and farming
The famous “Baal runs,” where the end boss of Lord of Destruction is specifically farmed, were only truly efficient through the lobby. Now players on consoles are missing this option.
Fans on consoles need alternatives
How can you still play together on consoles? Diablo 2 Resurrected offers the regular party function of each platform on PlayStation and Xbox. You can invite friends and play with them as usual.
This means that if you are looking for farming groups or players to trade with, you first need to find each other on a third-party platform like Reddit or the forum and then add each other as friends. The chat is also platform-bound.
Alternatively, the multiplayer of the remaster works on consoles like that of Diablo 3. You can join random open games from others, but you have no guarantee that you will end up with the right group.
Is the lobby coming back? It is hard to say. The feature belongs to the original game, though Diablo 3 also did not provide a lobby in the console port. However, something could still change before the release on September 23.
At the moment, Diablo 2 is also not playable in couch co-op, only online on consoles. With this feature, you could at least meet directly with friends for a gaming night.
This feature has already made Diablo 3 one of the best couch co-op games on MeinMMO:
The coolest couch co-op games – What the MeinMMO editorial team plays in 2021
