Elon Musk’s Account Boosting Controversy in Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2: Should He Be Banned or Cut Some Slack?
January 26, 2025It’s safe to say Elon Musk isn’t exactly known for playing by the rules. Whether he’s making headlines with Tesla’s new car models, running SpaceX missions to Mars, or stirring up drama on Twitter (now X, of course), Musk keeps things… interesting. But lately, it’s not just his business ventures or tweets that have gamers buzzing. No, this time, it’s his admitted use of account boosting in Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2 that’s got the gaming world talking. And, naturally, fans are divided on whether the world’s richest man should face consequences for his digital “cheating.”
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What Exactly is Account Boosting?
Before we dive into the drama, let’s first clear up what account boosting is all about. In simple terms, account boosting involves someone paying a player (or service) to level up their in-game character, usually to unlock higher-tier content or climb the leaderboards. It’s like hiring a professional to take your Diablo 4 or Path of Exile 2 character from “noob” to “god-tier.” On paper, it sounds kind of fun – who wouldn’t want to skip all the grind? But the problem is, that it violates the terms of service for most online games, including Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2.
If you’re a serious gamer (and let’s face it, you probably are if you’re reading this), you know that part of the fun in these RPGs is the journey – the loot grinding, levelling up, and finally becoming that hardcore legend. Boosting takes all that hard work away. It’s like cheating on a test and then boasting about getting an A+.
Musk’s ‘Honest’ Confession
In the ever-glamorous world of Musk’s personal life, it was a casual chat with a YouTuber that exposed his game-enhancing habits. Screenshots of their private conversation show Musk admitting to paying for account boosts in Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2. In his own words, Musk said: “It’s impossible to beat the players in Asia if you don’t, as they do!” So, according to Elon, unless you’re paying someone to do your dirty work, you’re stuck in the digital mud.
It’s a little surprising to hear someone like Musk, who’s famously ambitious and a fan of “working hard,” say that account boosting was the only way to keep up with international players. After all, this is the guy who literally runs a space exploration company. If anyone should have the time to grind their way up to the top in a game, you’d think it would be him. But hey, everyone needs a break, right? And apparently, his break involves paying others to level up his gaming profile. Who knew?
The Backlash: “Is This Fair Play?”
When the gaming community caught wind of Musk’s admission, the reactions were mixed – and understandably so. Many Path of Exile 2 and Diablo 4 players were not having it. Players in both communities started raising concerns about game integrity and fairness. One player on the Path of Exile forum summed it up well, asking, “So now billionaires can buy their way to the top of the Hardcore ladder? Where’s the accountability?”
That’s a valid point. Gaming, especially in competitive titles, is supposed to be about skill and time investment, not about how much money you can throw at a service to get your character to the top. Shouldn’t the whole point be to earn that spot yourself? Otherwise, what’s the fun in grinding if someone can just pay their way to the finish line?
The Developers’ Silence: Will Elon Be Banned?
Naturally, with the scandal out in the open, the next logical question was: will Elon Musk be banned for breaking the rules? Both Blizzard (developer of Diablo 4) and Grinding Gear Games (developer of Path of Exile 2) were quick to dodge the question. When contacted, both companies declined to comment on whether Musk’s accounts would face disciplinary actions. It’s not too surprising, though – in a world where some players have spent thousands of dollars on in-game purchases, banning a celebrity like Musk might feel like opening a can of worms.
Fans, however, were not impressed by this silence. One Diablo 4 player asked, “Shouldn’t Elon Musk’s account get banned if he’s admitting to account boosting?” Another player echoed similar sentiments: “I guess the rules only apply to the little guys?”
Does Musk Deserve a Ban, or Is This Just Part of the Game?
Let’s take a moment to step back and ask: should Musk really face a ban? After all, account boosting isn’t a new issue in gaming. Many players (perhaps you, reading this) have at least thought about using a boosting service, even if you haven’t gone through with it. Plus, if you’re the richest person on the planet with tons of other things on your plate (like, you know, building rockets and running Twitter), grinding for hours on end in an RPG might not seem like the most efficient use of your time. Can we really blame him for outsourcing the grind?
On the other hand, it’s still cheating, right? The rules are the rules, and if regular players get banned for this kind of thing, Musk should, too – or at least get a stern warning from the devs.
Grimes Comes to the Rescue (Sort of)
Of course, no story about Elon Musk is complete without a little bit of drama from his personal life. Enter Grimes, Musk’s partner, who came to his defence on Twitter (or X, if we’re being technical). She tweeted a few words in his favour, reminding everyone that Musk was once ranked as the top American druid in Diablo. That’s impressive, right? Well, at least it is if you believe in the whole “strange solace” thing Musk says he gets from gaming.
The Bottom Line: Is Account Boosting Really That Big of a Deal?
So, where does this leave us? Is account boosting really the end of the world? Probably not. It’s just another wrinkle in the ever-complicated world of online gaming. However, it does raise important questions about fairness, accountability, and what it means to be a “true” gamer.
Should Musk be banned for using boosting services in Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2? Or should we let the guy off the hook and accept that sometimes, even the richest people need a break from grinding?
As for me, I’ll just stick to my long, slow grind. After all, it’s the only thing that keeps me from cheating myself out of an epic loot drop.