Many gamers around the world were pleased when Blizzard announced and confirmed that the long-awaited Diablo 4 is currently in the works. There is no denying that Diablo is one of the most iconic franchises from the video game company. Thus, it would not come as a surprise if it would release more sequels after the upcoming fourth installment.
Blizzard first revealed Diablo 4 at the BlizzCon 2019, giving fans a few tidbits of some familiar returning character classes alongside a gory cinematic trailer. Come BlizzCon 2021, gaming enthusiasts finally got to see a whole lot more of the imminent title.
Are you thrilled about the forthcoming Diablo 4? Keep on reading to know more about its release date, trailer, classes, gameplay, and other important details.
Diablo 4 Release Date
While many fans have been expecting to finally get their hands to Diablo 4 this year, recent reports suggested that it is very unlikely to happen. Instead, there are claims that the fourth installment of the video game series could be expected in 2023 at the earliest.
To recall, Blizzard made a statement during its Q3 earnings call on Nov. 21, 2021, saying:
"While we are still planning to deliver a substantial amount of content from Blizzard next year, we are now planning for a later launch for Overwatch 2 and Diablo IV than originally envisaged.”
The possible 2023 release for Diablo 4 is a huge disappointment to those who have been crossing their fingers for quite some time now. On the bright side, the more time that goes by, the more details are unveiled about what players could expect from the new game.
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Diablo 4 Trailer And Classes
As of this writing, Blizzard already released trailers for Diablo 4’s four classes in action: Barbarian, Sorceress, Druid, and Rogue. You can watch all the trailers below:
The Barbarians are back with their massive strength and arsenal of weapons.
The Sorceress class is able to hurl lightning, ice, and fire at enemies from a distance.
The shapeshifting Druids were the first to be announced for Diablo 4. This class can use powers based on the earth and wind or imitate the shapes of animals like bears or wolves.
Blizzard added a fourth class at BlizzCon 2021 and called it the Rogue, who has not appeared by that name since the original Diablo dropped.
When Diablo 4 was announced at BlizzCon 2019, fans were treated with an announcement story cinematic and the first-ever gameplay trailer. However, given that the much-awaited video game is some time away, there is a possibility that everything in these videos could change.
Diablo 4 Gameplay And Other Important Details
Blizzard previously revealed that it is making big changes to items in Diablo 4. The video gaming company said it wants to give players more flexibility and encourage them not to ignore everything that is not a legendary-tier item.
Former game director Luis Barriga stated:
"We’re increasing the potential power of individual affixes on Magic items. We're increasing the maximum number of affixes on Rare and better items in the endgame. Legendary affixes now roll randomly (Yes, really!) on Legendary Items. And Unique items will replace Mythics."
Another change players could expect in Diablo 4 is the removal of inventory Tetris. Blizzard said it wants to “avoid interrupting gameplay with pockets of inventory management.”
Ancient items are also being replaced in Diablo 4. The video gaming company is using a system that would encourage more unique play styles. Gamers would earn a consumable that lets them attach a Legendary affix to non-Legendary weapons.
Lead systems designer David Kim wrote in a blog post:
"Our newest proposal hits a couple different feedback points: addressing the usefulness of Rare (Yellow) items as well as increasing the depth and complexity of player gear choices in the endgame.”
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However, Blizzard has yet to reveal how this system would work. The game developer, during its quarterly update in autumn 2020, divulged:
"In order to gain specific, minor bonuses, players would most likely have to carry around several extra pieces of gear, each with different amounts of Ancestral/Demonic/Angelic Power on them. You would then need to constantly calculate each of the power levels of those items and compare with their overall power. It felt like an excessive amount of bookkeeping for the player. However, one thing we really liked about the system was the gameplay of managing stats in meaningful ways to hit certain bonus thresholds that then make your items better suited for the playstyle you are going for. We need some more time for iteration/rework here and look forward to sharing more on itemization in our next quarterly blog."
Another update fans should look forward to in Diablo 4 is the three new stats: Angelic Power, Demonic Power, and Ancestral Power. Each of these stat has its own effect but they would also be used as pre-requisites for item affixes.
For starters, the Angelic Power increases the duration of beneficial effects such as healing and self-buffs, while Demonic Power increases the duration of all negative effects like damage over time and debuffs. Ancestral Power, on the other hand, increases the chance of on-hit effects, also known as increased proc chance.
Other Diablo 4 features players should watch out for include the new skill tree, the Enchantment System being made available to Sorceresses, a character customization system, and the reclassification of monsters to “families.” Additionally, the upcoming video game has a new game director after the harassment and discrimination lawsuit against Activision Blizzard by the California state.
The company has introduced senior game designer Joe Shely as the new Diablo 4 director. He used to design multiple World of Warcraft expansions before he officially become a senior game designer on Diablo 3.
In the Diablo 4 quarterly development blog from October 2021, Joe Shely wrote:
"Like many of you, our team has been reflecting upon recent events. A lot has happened since our last blog and the hard work of practicing the values we aspire to must continue. In parallel with that important work, development of Diablo 4 continues too."
Stay tuned to Epicstream for the latest news and updates about Diablo 4!