Diablo IV

The core formula for the series' gameplay revolved around gradually obtaining stronger equipment by defeating increasingly difficult enemies.[8] Enemies are fought using different character class skills which can be customised by equipment and talent trees. This concept is used to progress through the story and quests.[9] Enemies are split into monster families which are defined by a theme, combat style, and their location.[10] Each family contains different archetypes that hold different roles allowing for synergies of speciality abilities between family members.[10] To differentiate between them, they have unique silhouettes, stances and weapons.[11]

Creative director Sebastian Stepien explained the goal to create a more "grounded" story than Diablo III.[12] In order to achieve this, the plot revolves around the simple folk of Sanctuary rather than "politics, kings, or another high-fantasy theme".[12]

The playable character's effectiveness in combat is determined by their attributes and their boosts from equipped items.[13] Offensive attributes include attack and critical chance which improve damage output. Defensive stats include elemental resistance and defense which improve how much damage can be taken.[14] Diablo IV introduces three 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.[15] 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.[16] Gear can further be 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 rune will be active. These two items combine to form a runeword that then can be applied to an item.[17] 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.[18] The auction house, a feature removed in Diablo III as it bypassed the game's concept of gear-progression, was removed.[19][18] Limited time seasons return to the game, which alter legendary powers to shift the meta-game.[20]

Microtransactions are included in the form of cosmetic items.[21] The game is unable to be played offline and will require an internet connection.[22]

Character classes

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

Three classes were revealed at Blizzcon 2019 – Barbarian, Sorceress, and Druid - with five total being available at launch.[6]

• Barbarians have the ability to switch between weapons while in combat.
• Sorceress is an elemental mage type character wielding fire, cold, and lightning magics. Cold magic has the ability to slow, freeze, and eventually shatter enemies, killing them instantly.
• The Druid class, returning from Diablo II, can shapeshift between human, werewolf, and werebear forms. They also possess earth and storm magics.

Appearance is customizable rather than being tied to a class. These include choosing a character portrait, or the skin color of their character.[23] Mount appearance can be customized.[23] Skill trees exist allowing for ability customization.[24]

Set in the Diablo series' world of Sanctuary, Diablo IV takes place following the aftermath 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][7]

Prior to the game's events, Lilith and the angel Inarius created the realm of Sanctuary to provide refuge. This demon-angel relationship led to the birth of the Nephalem, a powerful race that the protagonist falls under. Those in Sanctuary believe 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 PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.[1] Development of the PC and console builds is happening simultaneously.[10] Diablo IV's game director is Luis Barriga, who worked on Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, and World of Warcraft: Legion.[44][45][30]

Game designer Jesse McCree stated that the aesthetic of the game was inspired by that of heavy metal.[46]

Before the announcement, there was evidence of its imminence in a description for a Diablo artbook.[47] In celebration of the Diablo IV announcement, Blizzcon 2019 physical and virtual ticket holders received a cosmetic based on the wings of Lilith.[48]

• Official website