A recent interview with Rod Fergusson, Head of the Diablo franchise, and Gavian Whishaw, Diablo 4 Executive Producer, has surfaced following Gamescom, revealing interesting details about how Diablo is evolving at Blizzard and what is in store for Diablo 4. Here are some highlights of this interview.
Big Changes Coming in Season 6
Season 6 promises significant updates to player progression and difficulty, while Vessel of Hatred addresses the desire for more story content. There is plenty more to explore, but one key takeaway is this comparison Fergusson made: “What we like to say is, what Season 4 did for loot, Season 6 does for progression!”
Game Pass Impact
Despite joining Game Pass, Fergusson insists that this has not changed Blizzard’s overall strategy for Diablo. The team sees Game Pass as a great way to expand Diablo 4’s reach and bring in more players.
“And so all the things that we are doing beyond making a great game is making sure it is available to as many players as possible.”
Active Player Base of Diablo 3
“Our goal is to make the content and the features so desirable that people want to come and play Diablo 4. We are not actively trying to push them away from Diablo 3.”
Even with Diablo 4’s success, Diablo 3 still has a large, active player base. Fergusson talked about Blizzard’s appreciation for the Diablo 3 community, stating that they are not pushing players to abandon it, but rather wait for them to naturally switch over to Diablo 4 through new and exciting content.
Season Resets and Fresh Starts
“Generally speaking, ARPG players want to try a new build every season, and it is a great opportunity to have fun exploring new metas and setups.”
Fergusson emphasized the importance of seasons in Diablo 4, explaining how they create opportunities for new players to join without feeling left behind. Each season offers a fresh start, letting players explore new builds and themes. But it also allows the team to develop new features and test them out.
“The whole goal of seasons is to create a temporary sandbox where we can experiment, try new things, and come up with novel ways to play.”
Longevity and Player Feedback
Diablo 4 is set to be supported for years, with regular updates, expansions, and new features. Rod and Gavian stressed how important player feedback is in shaping the future of the game.
“What is exciting is taking player feedback, implementing it, and then seeing the community respond positively. It is a continuous cycle of improvement and evolution!”
Overall, the article provided an interesting glimpse into the future of Diablo. With a strong focus on player feedback, we are hopeful that Blizzard will continue delivering great experiences and exciting new features. But first, let’s focus on the much-anticipated Vessel of Hatred!
Thanks to Video Games Chronicle for this interview. You can read the full article HERE.