Elon Musk's alleged cheating in Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2 has sparked controversy, with fans questioning the integrity of the games and demanding action from developers Blizzard Entertainment and Grinding Gear Games.
Screenshots of a private conversation revealed Musk's admission to paying for account boosting, a violation of both games' terms of service. Account boosting involves paying another player to level up one's account, giving an unfair advantage. Blizzard's EULA explicitly prohibits this practice.
Following the revelation, both developers have faced pressure to ban Musk's accounts. Players expressed outrage on official forums, questioning the fairness of the games and the lack of apparent consequences for a high-profile offender. Grinding Gear Games and Blizzard Entertainment both declined to comment on individual player accounts or enforcement actions.
Musk previously boasted about his gaming skills, claiming a top 20 global ranking in Diablo 4 and possessing a high-level Path of Exile 2 character (since deceased). He attributed gaming to stress relief. However, his claims were met with skepticism due to his demanding schedule and apparent lack of in-game understanding demonstrated during a livestream.
The controversy escalated when a video surfaced showing Musk admitting to account boosting on X (formerly Twitter), claiming it was necessary to compete with Asian players. He clarified that while his streamed gameplay was genuine, his high-level character achievements were not solely his own. He also questioned the need for an apology.
Musk's ex-partner, Grimes, defended him on Twitter, claiming to have witnessed his gaming achievements firsthand. Further allegations emerged suggesting his Path of Exile 2 character was active while Musk attended Trump's inauguration in Washington, adding fuel to the fire. The situation highlights the ongoing debate surrounding fairness, competitive integrity, and the consequences of cheating in online gaming, particularly when high-profile individuals are involved.
