Elon Musk's Account Boosting: Concerns Raised in Diablo and PoE Communities

Elon Musk's alleged cheating in Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2 has sparked controversy, with fans questioning the game developers' response. Screenshots of a private conversation revealed Musk's admission to paying for account boosting, a violation of both games' terms of service.

Account boosting, where a player pays another to level up their account, is a clear breach of Blizzard Entertainment's (Diablo 4) and Grinding Gear Games' (Path of Exile 2) rules. Despite this, both companies have refused to comment on whether they will ban Musk's accounts, leading to accusations of preferential treatment for a high-profile individual.

Players on both game's forums expressed disappointment and concern that Musk's actions, openly admitted, appear to go unpunished. The perceived lack of consequence undermines the integrity of the games' competitive environments and raises questions about the fairness of their respective real-money trading (RMT) enforcement policies.

Musk's previous boasts about his gaming prowess, including a claim to be among the top 20 Diablo 4 players globally, have been called into question. His performance in a Path of Exile 2 livestream also drew criticism for its apparent lack of understanding of game mechanics. These factors fueled speculation about account boosting before Musk's admission.

The conversation with YouTuber NikoWrex confirmed Musk's use of account boosting, justifying it as 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. Musk's ex-partner, Grimes, offered a defense, claiming to have witnessed his skill in other games.

Further allegations emerged when Musk's Path of Exile 2 character showed activity while he was in Washington D.C. for Trump's inauguration, suggesting continued use of account boosting. The situation highlights the ongoing debate about fairness, competitive integrity, and the enforcement of rules in online gaming, particularly concerning high-profile individuals.