Here Is How Much Data ‘Diablo 3’ Uses

Diablo III was first launched in 2012 and since then has been made available on various platforms. The latest version was released in 2018 for the Nintendo Switch, allowing players to enjoy the game while on the move. Although this sounds great in theory, the game, like many others, necessitates a more or less steady internet connection. Additionally, cellular data usage for gaming can be costly as well as subject to limitations on data usage per month. If you’re thinking about purchasing (or returning), Diablo III and you plan on using your mobile data to play it. You must be wondering how much data Diablo 3 uses? 

Diablo 3 data usage overview 

Diablo 3 can be played in single-player mode, co-op mode, and a multiplayer mode that supports up to 4 players. The game is so far available on Windows, OSX, and Nintendo Switch. This is what we’re most interested in today, considering that if you own a Mac, a laptop, or a Switch, you are most likely to use a hotspot and your mobile data to play games on the move. 

When it comes to the data usage of the game itself, it’s pretty low as far as games go. It’s estimated to be between 10 and 20 megabytes per hour, which, compared to an hour of watching YouTube is practically nothing. But as the author of the analysis pointed out, everything depends on whether you’re doing some “heavy solo play” or you’re hanging around in a single area for a long time. 

Generally, the more people you have around you, the more data you will spend. This is because the server has to synchronize not only your movements and actions but the movements and actions of players around you as well. Those packets of information that are synced with the server are small in size, but they can eventually add up and munch through that monthly data cap rather fast.

If you plan on downloading the game via your mobile data, you might reconsider this. Diablo III for Windows requires up to 25 gigs of space, and this is for the base game only, as the game might update itself further once you launch it for the first time. Considering the hardware restrictions of Nintendo Switch, this version of the game is significantly smaller and requires 15.7 GB of free space + whatever update is required when you launch the game for the first time.

A huge initial download size saves you a ton of mobile data in the long run. The more in-game assets the game downloads and installs on your device, the less mobile data you will use overall. 

How to save mobile data when playing Diablo 3 and other games online 

The answer to this question depends on what you’re planning on doing in the game. If you plan to go on farming runs and clear huge packs of mobs, you’re probably going to spend more data than if you’re just idling in the same position. If you plan on having a few friends join you, expect to spend more data than if you are farming solo. 

When it comes to other types of games, the most likely culprit for enormous data usage are ads. Most games available on smart devices these days use the free-to-play model and rely on ads for funding. Every time an ad is displayed to you, it means that the asset has been downloaded. This can result in a huge loss of data, especially if video ads are in question. 

Ads are a necessary evil these days if we want to enjoy stuff for free. However, that doesn’t mean that they do not interfere with the overall experience of the product you’re using. Ads put additional strain on your battery usage and data usage and can result in more resources spent depending on how many ads are shown to you.

Another factor to consider when you’re playing online games is whether you’re playing browser games or a game that requires installation. Browser games usually require more mobile data since assets are constantly being downloaded, so keep that in mind. 

As you can see, Diablo 3 has a lower mobile data usage than you would expect. Still, I don’t recommend that you perform group activities when on mobile data to avoid draining your battery and your monthly data cap. Especially downloading the game or updating it when you are using cellular data. That kind of data consumption can easily be ten times higher than your usual data usage.

Still, you can expect to spend less data playing video games while on the move than browsing social networks or watching videos, as those types of media need to constantly download assets so they can be shown to you. 

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