Is Diablo 4 Making the Right Move by Shifting PTR Livestreams to Discord Sitdowns?

• What Are Sanctuary Sitdowns?
• Is It a Good Idea to Replace Livestreams With Discord Events?

What Are Sanctuary Sitdowns?

Blizzard has recently announced a significant change in how they will communicate updates for the Public Test Realm (PTR) for Diablo 4. Instead of the usual livestreams that players have come to expect, the team is introducing a new format called "Sanctuary Sitdowns" conducted via Discord. This news follows the confirmation that there will not be a Season 10 PTR livestream.

Sanctuary Sitdowns are essentially voice chat discussions where participants can listen to developers discuss upcoming changes and events. The first such sitdown is scheduled for Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 18:00 (CEST Paris/Berlin time). Developers Aislyn Hall, Charles Dunn, and Ben Fletcher will be participating, alongside host Cliptis, to discuss Season 10 and the PTR, which will also include a Q&A segment for fans to ask their burning questions directly to the developers.

Is It a Good Idea to Replace Livestreams With Discord Events?

This shift to Discord events has elicited a mixed response from the community. On one hand, some players argue that this format effectively locks out a portion of the player base. Unlike more accessible platforms such as Twitch or YouTube, participating in a Sanctuary Sitdown requires a Discord account, which may deter some players from engaging. Currently, only 190 individuals have registered their interest for Thursday's event, representing a fraction of the typical audience for livestreams.

One of the central concerns about these Discord events is their exclusivity: because they're held through Discord, there will be no recordings or VODs available for those who cannot attend live. In contrast, traditional livestreams on Twitch or YouTube allowed players to catch up on missed content anytime they liked. For those with work commitments, sleep schedules, or different time zones, this change feels like a missed opportunity for many players to stay in the loop. In the past, crucial information revealed during Discord sitdowns was often inaccessible unless players found unofficial recordings.

Another prevailing issue is whether Blizzard is seeking to reduce the amount of direct feedback from the community. Many players have expressed skepticism about whether the questions posed during the Q&A will be predetermined or filtered, limiting genuine interaction with the developers.

However, not every player is critical of this new format. Some see it as a welcome change, citing that previous PTR livestreams often yielded little in the way of substantial new information. Instead of relying on livestreams, these players suggest that Blizzard could simply publish patch notes directly. For them, the Sanctuary Sitdowns represent a more relaxed avenue for connecting with the development team, provided that the Q&A session delivers meaningful insights.

Regardless of the ongoing debate, one thing is certain: players are keen for accurate and timely updates on Diablo 4's evolving landscape. Keep an eye on our latest news from the Sanctuary Sitdown this Thursday, where we will report back on the key details that emerged! And for those looking to enhance their gameplay experience, don't forget to check out Diablo 4 items for sale to help you on your journey.