Get Your Free Buff During Diablo 3's 2nd Anniversary

What's hard to believe is that Diablo III is already two years old. Seemingly just yesterday, we were reporting on the latest insider mumbo jumbo, believing what they said even though the info may have been half right. Now we're two years into the life of a game that's only gotten better with age. We're also several months into the game's first expansion pack, Reaper of Souls. Oh my, how time flies.

"On May 15, 2012, the gates of the Burning Hells opened and Diablo III was unleashed onto the world," writes Blizzard. "Since then, millions of heroes have been created, billions of hours have been spent in games, and trillions of demons have been slaughtered without mercy."

So what does Blizzard plan to do on Diablo III’s second birthday? Have cake and ice cream? Possibly so, although we'll never receive a slice. But Diablo III players will get a goodie bag in the form of a buff. Starting Thursday, May 15, and ending Thursday, May 22, Diablo III gamers who log in during that time will receive double Rift Fragments, and a +100 percent boost to their chance to find Legendary items.

"The buff is only available on PC and Mac, but it will apply to all characters and stack with similar bonuses," Blizzard adds.

Earlier this week, Blizzard announced the upcoming launch of Diablo III: Reaper of Souls – Ultimate Evil Edition for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, and the Xbox One and Xbox 360 consoles. All four versions will feature four-player same-screen multiplayer and online multiplayer.

"The Ultimate Evil Edition introduces even more ways for players to share their adventures," stated Blizzard's PR. "A new Apprentice mode boosts low-level players' power while adventuring with high-level friends, making it easier than ever to play together. Players will also be able to share treasures with other players on their friends lists via an in-game mail system, including mysterious Player Gifts containing rare loot for the adventurer whose name they bear."

Console players can purchase Diablo III: Reaper of Souls – Ultimate Evil Edition beginning August 19. The game will cost $59.99 for the two new consoles, and $39.99 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Those who pre-purchase the game will receive the exclusive in-game Infernal Pauldrons "transmogrifiable" shoulder plates as a bonus.