Blizzard have changed the rules of the Hardcore level 100 contest after community backlash. Many posts sprung up in the last few days criticizing the fact that those given review copies and similar access to the pre-release version would have a significant advantage over other players. In response, Blizzard have added a new section of the rules excluding these players from participating in the contest. We’ve already seen some community members voluntarily take themselves out of the running, but now it’s official.

Updated Contest Rules (Source)

AND (VII) WERE NOT PREVIOUSLY INVITED TO DOWNLOAD THE PRE-RELEASE REVIEW VERSION OF THE GAME DURING THE MONTH OF MAY 2023.

You can read the full competition rules here.

Now, obviously some of those players will still be racing for the first Hardcore level 100. However, they will not be eligible to enter the contest itself. This means that only players that have had no experience with the game other than the public betas will be able to get their names on the Lilith statue.

General manager of the Diablo franchise, Rod Fergusson, also commented on the new rules:

For those wondering about the Hardcore 100 challenge, those that played the review build over the last two weeks are not eligible. Good luck to those that try. I won’t because I know I’m going to die (plus employees can’t participate either). https://t.co/qf8f7NiFFg

— Rod Fergusson (@RodFergusson) May 29, 2023

Speaking of the statue, Blizzard President Mike Ybarra recently clarified the details on that:

This statue will sit on the campus of Blizzard and can be moved to BlizzCon and other events. Immortalize yourself, gamers.

I’ll see you in game next week! https://t.co/bjsjawaoA2

— Mike Ybarra (@Qwik) May 27, 2023

And he also thanked the community for their swift feedback on the problems:

FYI – thanks for all the feedback to the team on this one. https://t.co/wrN45mXI63

— Mike Ybarra (@Qwik) May 29, 2023