In Diablo 4 you fight demons and other inhabitants of hell. Lilith, the title character with her horns and wings, is even the mother of Sanctuary. Some people do not like this at all – and they do not want anything from the game to be publicly visible. Now they are protesting.
This is the advertisement for Diablo:
- Blizzard has already launched major advertising campaigns for Diablo 4 before its release, including partnerships with KFC and eulogies from Megan Fox for embarrassing deaths.
- For advertising purposes, fans could even get Diablo motifs tattooed for beta access. This also happened here in Germany.
- Especially in the USA, large posters with Lilith were everywhere, announcing to everyone: the gates of hell are opening and you are all welcome. This upset some people.
Previously, an advertisement in New York went viral because a fire illuminated the background gruesomely well (cover image; from Nick Newman via Twitter).
What is the problem of the people? In an official complaint to a regulatory authority in the USA, a citizen complains about the advertisement for Diablo 4 in the city of Melbourne (via AdStandards). The advertisement is offensive to him or her as a Christian and Catholic.
An image of the devil is totally unacceptable, and the picture is inappropriate for children. The children of the complainant even had nightmares from just seeing this advertisement:
This image is frightening for children because a demonically looking character stares into the camera, creating the effect that he is looking directly at the viewer. [The banner] hangs in a prominent place next to a busy freeway, where children can clearly see it.
The relevant authority has already reviewed the advertisement and found that it does not violate any guidelines. However, this is not the first time that Christians have protested against the advertisement for Diablo 4.
There was even a very impressive live event with a Lilith statue in Berlin:
“Awakened” Christians protest against demonic influence
For the campaign with KFC, fans could obtain codes at the fast-food chain if they purchased certain products. There was also advertising for Diablo 4 on the drink containers in the stores in certain countries.
As a user shows on Reddit, at least one person has already publicly complained about the advertisement here. The name Lilith belongs to a “very real” demon studied by demonologists.
People like them, “awakened Christians”, who take the “spirit world” very seriously, do not think that such a thing is a joke. They strictly reject it.
Fans of the game cannot take the criticism of the advertisement too seriously. They even mock: if the image of Lilith gives children nightmares, that is very successful and sustainable marketing. This way she stays longer in their memory.
Others compare this to complaints about GTA 3. At that time, there were worries from people that society would collapse because one could beat up virtual prostitutes. It is these people who are “painting the devil on the wall.”
What is particularly interesting is that the critics apparently have not even engaged with the game. Otherwise, they would know that in Diablo you ensure that there are fewer demons, and do not worship them. At least Blizzard has provided a way to actually worship Lilith:
Diablo 4 opens its own cathedral where you can now worship Lilith
