Big Diablo 4 streamer wins solo race to a max-level Hardcore, but fans question the whole thing after pre-release access

gamesradar.com:

Diablo 4 recently got its first level 100 hardcore character following a group effort from a bunch of streamers, and now another streamer, Wudijo, has won the solo race to a max-level hardcore. You can watch the big moment here. But as the dust settles on the race, which was promoted by Blizzard as a way to carve your name into Diablo 4 history (specifically a big statue), many fans are caught up on perceived unfair advantages granted by pre-release access. 

Diablo 4 is now officially out, but only after a few days of early access given to folks who pre-ordered the fancy editions of the game, hence why these streamers have already reached max level while your average demon slayer is still putting their shoes on. Of course, this wasn't the game's only early access period; betas and Server Slam aside, many streamers and community figures were given dedicated pre-release access to Diablo 4. 

Progress didn't transfer to the live game, but a relatively small group of people were able to play the game before everyone else – among other things, giving them more time to learn the best ways to grind. As folks predicted when Blizzard first announced plans to commemorate the first 1,000 hardcore players to hit level 100, this limited pre-release access has called the legitimacy of the race into question. 

Wudijo, being one of Diablo's biggest and most consistent streamers, was obviously among the pre-release players, as many series fans were quick to point out after he reached level 100 on his hardcore. To his credit, Wudijo held a post-embargo, pre-early access stream discussing his experience with the pre-release Diablo 4 build and some leveling strategies. Several build and leveling guides were also posted to his YouTube channel