Diablo IV

The core formula for the series' gameplay revolves around gradually obtaining stronger equipment by defeating increasingly difficult enemies.[10] Enemies are fought using different character class skills which can be customized by equipment and talent trees. This concept is used to progress through the story and quests.[11] Enemies are split into monster families which are defined by a theme, combat style, and their location.[12] Each family contains different archetypes that hold different roles allowing for synergies of specialty abilities between family members.[12] To differentiate between them, they have unique silhouettes, stances and weapons.[13]

Creative director Sebastian Stepien explained that the goal was to create a more "grounded" story than Diablo III.[14] In order to achieve this, the plot revolves around the simple folk of Sanctuary rather than "politics, kings, or another high-fantasy theme."[14]

The playable character's effectiveness in combat is determined by their attributes and their boosts from equipped items.[15] Offensive attributes include attack and critical chance which increase damage output. Defensive stats include elemental resistance and defense which increase how much damage can be taken.[16] Diablo IV introduces three new attributes: Angelic, Demonic, and Ancestral Power. Angelic and Demonic Power alter the duration of beneficial and negative effects respectively. Ancestral Power increases the chance of effects being applied to another entity.[17] Weapons and gear have increasing rarity which are a general indicator of their power. The rarest items have unique effects that alter more than just the character's parameters.[18] Gear can be further customised with runes and runewords. These items allow players to upgrade selected items with additional effects. They are split into two groups: condition runes, and effect runes. Effect runes describe the additional effects. Conditions runes describe the situations under which the effect runes will be active. These two items combine to form a runeword that then can be applied to an item.[19] In an interview with lead game designer Joe Shely and senior producer Tiffany Wat, it was revealed that trading and crafting will be available in the game but will be limited to resources outside of the most powerful items.[20] Limited-time seasons return to the game, which alter legendary powers to shift the meta-game.[21]

Microtransactions are included in the form of cosmetic items.[22] The game cannot be played offline and will require an internet connection.[23]

Character classes

The Barbarian, Sorcerer, and Druid classes in the game's demo.

Five classes have been announced. The Barbarian, Sorcerer, and Druid classes were announced at BlizzCon 2019,[8] while a fourth, the Rogue class, was announced at BlizzCon 2021. The fifth class, the Necromancer, was announced in 2022.

• The Barbarian, which appears in Diablo II and Diablo III, has the ability to switch between weapons while in combat.
• The Sorcerer, returning from the first game and Diablo II, is an elemental mage-type character wielding fire, ice, and lightning magic.
• The Druid, returning from Diablo II, can shapeshift between human, werewolf, and werebear forms, and possesses earthen and storm magics.
• The Rogue, returning from the first game, is a quick-moving combatant that alternates between bladed melee or ranged combat with a bow.
• The Necromancer, returning from Diablo II and Diablo III, utilizes dark magic for summoning and attacks.[24]

Character appearance is customizable rather than being tied to a class. These include choosing a character portrait and the skin color of their character.[25] Mount appearances can be customized.[25] Skill trees exist, allowing for ability customization.[26]

Set in the Diablo series' world of Sanctuary, Diablo IV takes place 30 years after the events of Diablo III: Reaper of Souls.[37][38] Cultists have summoned the main antagonist and daughter of Mephisto, Lilith.[39] After the events of previous games, the forces of demons and angels have been depleted, allowing an opening for her to establish power in Sanctuary.[40][9]

Prior to the game's events, Lilith and the angel Inarius created the realm of Sanctuary to provide refuge for those who wished to escape the eternal conflict between the High Heavens and the Burning Hells. This demon-angel relationship led to the birth of the Nephalem, a race that the protagonist falls under; neither Angel nor Demon, but a distinct combination of both. Those in Sanctuary believed that this power would bring attention to their shelter and, as a result, the inhabitants spoke of destroying them. Lilith, not wanting her children to be killed, destroyed any that opposed her, causing Inarius to banish her to the void.[41][42][43]

Diablo IV was announced on November 1, 2019 at Blizzcon 2019, and is planned to be released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.[2][44] Development of the PC and console builds is happening simultaneously.[12] Diablo IV's game director was Luis Barriga, who worked on Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, and World of Warcraft: Legion.[45][46][32]

Game designer Jesse McCree stated that the aesthetic of the game was inspired by that of heavy metal.[47] Their artistic direction tried to achieve an aesthetic between that of the second and third game in the series, with the darkness of Diablo II and the hand-painted feel of Diablo III and medieval fine art.[48] The development team drew on past editions of Diablo to design characters. For example, the Rogue was intended to capture the high dexterity gameplay of the second game's Assassin and the third game's Demon Hunter.[49]

As of July 2021, Barriga and McCree were no longer employed at Blizzard following the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing v. Activision Blizzard lawsuit.[50][51][52]

Following the departure of interim co-lead Jen Oneal, Blizzard announced that Diablo IV would not be released in 2022, citing high employee turnover.[53] Blizzard further announced that the game would be monetized by selling cosmetic items and its season pass, as opposed to selling item upgrades like in Diablo Immortal.[54] On June 12, 2022, a 2023 release was announced.[44] During The Game Awards 2022 event, Blizzard announced that the game would release on June 6.[5]

Users of the open beta have reported issues with playing on a Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti graphics card with has resulted in the game running poorly with frequent overheating and crashing. Some users have reported that the game has caused their graphics card to stop working.[55] Both Blizzard and Nvidia reported in March 2023 that they were working to resolve the issue.[56]

Before the announcement, there was evidence for an imminent announcement in a description for a Diablo artbook.[57] In celebration of the Diablo IV announcement, Blizzcon 2019 virtual ticket holders received a set of in-game cosmetic wings based on the wings of Lilith.[58]

The game was promoted at The Game Awards 2022 with a new trailer and a performance of "Lilith" by singer Halsey.[59]

Blizzard Entertainment has announced open access beta weekend for Diablo IV, from March 17–19 in early access for those who have pre-ordered the game, and March 24–26 for everyone.[60] On April 20, Blizzard Entertainment announced the second open access beta weekend for Diablo IV, known as the "Server Slam", this time from May 12-14.[61]

• Official website