Elon Musk’s admission to paying for account boosting in Diablo IV 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 use of account boosting, a violation of both games’ terms of service. This practice involves paying others to level up accounts, granting an unfair advantage.
Following the revelation, both Blizzard and Grinding Gear Games have remained silent on whether they will ban Musk’s accounts. Players have expressed disappointment and concern on official forums, arguing that allowing such behavior undermines fair play and the credibility of anti-real money trading (RMT) enforcement. One Path of Exile player questioned whether billionaires can now bypass the rules, while a Diablo IV player pointed out Musk’s admission as grounds for a ban.
Both companies declined to comment on individual player accounts or enforcement actions when contacted by IGN. Musk, who previously boasted about his high rankings in both games, now admits account boosting was necessary to compete with Asian players. He clarified that while his gameplay streams are genuine, his high-level character achievements involved others playing his account. This admission followed earlier skepticism about his gaming prowess, given his demanding schedule and apparent lack of understanding of game mechanics in a recent livestream.
The musician Grimes, Musk’s former partner, defended him on Twitter, claiming he achieved high rankings in Diablo IV and other games. Further allegations emerged suggesting his Path of Exile 2 character was active while he was in Washington for the Trump inauguration, adding fuel to the controversy. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between competitive gaming, RMT, and the actions of high-profile players.
