Jez Cordan from Windows Central had the opportunity to sit down with two Lead Diablo 4 Designers Colin Finer and Deric Nunez to talk about where the game is headed, and what still needs work. In their own words, Diablo 4 still has “a lot of untapped potential”, and Season 8 is part of a broader shift in how the team approaches design and player feedback.
Season 8 Aims to Fix Power Creep and Refocus Boss Battles
With Belial leading the seasonal chaos, Blizzard says the return of lair bosses in a new form marks a turning point. According to Nunez, the goal for Season 8 was to refine Diablo 4’s endgame loop by making lair bosses more central and removing economic blockers to make them more accessible.
“We want to boost the frequency that players are engaging with bosses,” said Nunez. “And raise the challenge while keeping the experience rewarding.“
Finer said that players had become too powerful in Season 7, diluting the thrill of challenge. By removing material costs and shifting the focus back to boss difficulty, the team hopes to reintroduce a meaningful climb for players in the boss ladder.
Philosophy Shift: Streamlined Loot, Smarter Progression
Another major focus is loot clarity and purpose. D4’s devs acknowledged that current itemization leaves players overwhelmed and future updates may include systems that auto-salvage obsolete gear into useful resources or offer reroll chances on better loot. It’s all part of a move toward smarter progression without clutter.
Meta-Progression and Battle Pass Controversy
The Reliquary introduced Season 8 has drawn criticism for feeling less rewarding than previous ones. Blizzard says the’yre listening to feedback and recognize the demand for more meaningful meta-progression.
“We’re open to more meta progression,” Finer noted, citing the ability to carry Paragon levels into Eternal as an early example.
What’s Next? More Core Focus, and Big Expansion in 2026!
When asked about D4’s log-term vision, Finer and Nunez confirmed that feedback is shaping the roadmap. Improvements to Infernal Hordes, Nightmare Dungeons, and Kurast Undercity are all in the pipeline.
“We’re very excited for the next expansion in 2026,” said Nunez. “There’s more we can offer, so much more.“
Head over to Windows Central for the full interview