Gamers favorite games: Diablo IV

• What is Diablo IV?
• What is Blizzard Entertainment?
• What are hack’n’slash games?
• What is the history of the Diablo series?
• What editions of Diablo IV are available to buy?
• What is Diablo IV Battle Pass?
• What platforms is Diablo IV available on
• Why do gamers like the Diablo series?

What is Diablo IV?

Diablo IV is an action role-playing hack’n’slash game developed by Blizzard Entertainment, the fourth installment in the popular Diablo series. Although the game had not been released yet, and its release date is planned to June 6th 2023 or June 2nd for pre-order owners. It was announced during BlizzCon in November 2019. Diablo IV is set in the dark fantasy world of Sanctuary, where players can choose from several character classes, each with unique abilities, to battle against the forces of evil.

Set in the grim fantasy world of Sanctuary, the narrative of Diablo IV unfolds as the menacing Burning Hells invade once more. The responsibility of repelling this invasion falls upon the shoulders of the playable characters, who are the last line of defense. Spearheading the dark forces is Lilith, a formidable demoness who has returned from an eon-long exile through a sinister ritual.

What is Blizzard Entertainment?

Blizzard Entertainment is an American video game developer and publisher, founded in 1991 as Silicon & Synapse by Michael Morhaime, Frank Pearce, and Allen Adham. The company, which is headquartered in Irvine, California, is renowned for creating some of the most popular and critically acclaimed gaming franchises.

Blizzard is known for its high-quality games and commitment to long-term support, as well as its emphasis on storytelling and engaging gameplay. The company’s most famous franchises include Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, and Overwatch, which are characterized by their rich lore, immersive worlds, and highly competitive online multiplayer components.

Throughout its history, Blizzard has received numerous awards and accolades for its innovative game design and strong fan communities. The company has also played a significant role in shaping the video game industry, with titles such as World of Warcraft popularizing the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) genre and setting new standards for online gaming experiences.

What are hack’n’slash games?

Hack and slash games, also known as hack’n’slash or sometimes action role-playing games (ARPGs), are a subgenre of video games that emphasize combat and action through melee or ranged attacks. These games often feature fast-paced gameplay, numerous enemies, and a focus on defeating opponents using a variety of weapons, abilities, and combo attacks.

In hack and slash games, players typically navigate through levels or open-world environments, battling enemies along the way and occasionally solving puzzles or completing quests. Character progression is an essential aspect of these games, as players can often level up, learn new skills, and acquire new equipment to become more powerful.

The term “hack and slash” originally referred to tabletop role-playing games with a strong focus on combat, but it has since been adopted to describe video games with similar characteristics. Some well-known hack and slash games include the Diablo series, Path of Exile, and the Torchlight series, among others.

What is the history of the Diablo series?

The Diablo series is a highly popular action role-playing game (ARPG) franchise developed by Blizzard Entertainment. The series is set in the dark fantasy world of Sanctuary, where players battle demonic forces and collect loot while progressing through the story. The main games in the series are:

1. Diablo (1996): The first game in the series, Diablo was released for PC and later ported to other platforms. Players could choose from three character classes—Warrior, Rogue, or Sorcerer—and venture into the depths of Tristram’s cathedral to defeat the Lord of Terror, Diablo. The game introduced the iconic isometric perspective, randomly generated dungeons, and a real-time combat system that would become staples of the series.
2. Diablo II (2000): Expanding on the original’s success, Diablo II introduced new character classes, a more extensive world with multiple acts, and enhanced gameplay mechanics. The game’s story followed the player character’s pursuit of the Dark Wanderer, who sought to unleash Diablo’s brothers, Mephisto and Baal. Diablo II was critically acclaimed and remains a fan favorite.
3. Diablo II: Lord of Destruction (2001): This expansion pack for Diablo II added two new character classes (the Druid and the Assassin), new items, and a fifth act to the game’s storyline. The expansion also introduced the concept of “Rune Words,” which allowed players to customize their equipment with powerful bonuses.
4. Diablo III (2012): The third installment in the series was released after a long development period, and it featured an entirely new game engine, updated graphics, and refined gameplay mechanics. Diablo III introduced the Auction House system, which allowed players to trade items using in-game gold or real-world currency. The game’s story revolved around the fight against the forces of the Burning Hells and the Angel of Death, Malthael. Diablo III received mixed reactions from fans due to its initial always-online requirement and various design choices.
5. Diablo III: Reaper of Souls (2014): This expansion pack for Diablo III addressed many of the criticisms directed at the base game, adding a new character class (the Crusader), a new act, and an endgame-focused Adventure Mode. Reaper of Souls removed the controversial Auction House system and introduced Loot 2.0, which significantly improved the game’s itemization and loot drops.
6. Diablo III: Rise of the Necromancer (2017): DLC which introduced the Necromancer class to Diablo III.
7. Diablo IV (2023): The fourth installment in the series was announced at BlizzCon 2019, set to be released in June 2023. Diablo IV is set in the world of Sanctuary and features both single-player and multiplayer modes, with a return to the series’ darker, gothic aesthetic. The game is expected to build on the gameplay mechanics of its predecessors, offering new character classes, an open-world environment, and a focus on action, character progression, and loot collection.

In addition to these main entries, the Diablo series has spawned various spin-offs, such as the mobile game Diablo Immortal available also for PC.

What editions of Diablo IV are available to buy?

Diablo IV will offer three main editions to choose from:

1. 1. Diablo IV Standard Edition: This edition would include the base game with a small amount of additional content and bonuses:
      
      • A copy of Diablo IV on your preferred platform.
      • Early Access to the open beta started on March 17.
      • Light Bearer Mount
      • The Inarius Wing and Inarius Murloc Pet from Diablo III.
      • Amalgam of Rage Mount from World of Warcraft.
      • The Umber Winged Darkness Cosmetics Set from Diablo Immortal.
   2. Diablo IV Deluxe Edition: In addition to the base game, the Deluxe Edition feature more exclusive in-game items, cosmetics, or other digital content that enhances the player experience:

• A copy of Diablo IV
• Early Access to the open beta started on March 17.
• Light Bearer Mount
• The Inarius Wing and Inarius Murloc Pet from Diablo III.
• Amalgam of Rage Mount from World of Warcraft.
• The Umber Winged Darkness Cosmetics Set from Diablo Immortal.
• 4 days early access to the full game.
• Temptation Mount.
• The armor of the Hellborne Carapace Mount.
• Premium Seasonal Battle Pass Unlock.

1. Diablo IV Ultimate Edition: The most premium option, the Ultimate Edition contains not only the base game and digital content from the Deluxe Edition but also additional in-game items:
   
   • A copy of Diablo IV
   • Early Access to the open beta started on March 17.
   • Light Bearer Mount
   • The Inarius Wing and Inarius Murloc Pet from Diablo III.
   • Amalgam of Rage Mount from World of Warcraft.
   • The Umber Winged Darkness Cosmetics Set from Diablo Immortal.
   • 4 days early access to the full game.
   • Temptation Mount.
   • The armor of the Hellborne Carapace Mount.
   • Premium Seasonal Battle Pass Unlock.
   • Accelerated Seasonal Battle Pass Unlocks and being able to skip 20 Tiers of the Battle Pass and unlock those cosmetics instantly.
   • Wings of the Creator Emote.

What is Diablo IV Battle Pass?

The Diablo 4 Battle Pass offers cosmetics and premium currency rewards as players progress through the game. It is important to emphasize that these cosmetics do not impact character statistics, ensuring that no essential armor sets or weapons are missed.

While players can buy tiers, doing so does not accelerate the acquisition of Season Boosts. These Boosts cannot be upgraded solely through tier purchases; players must also reach level milestones to apply them. In other words, Season Boosts must be earned, not bought.

All other tier rewards, however, can be unlocked instantly upon purchasing tiers. The Diablo 4 Battle Pass is anticipated to cost around $10, as announced during the official Diablo 4 livestream when developers provided details about various game aspects. This price is comparable to the Battle Passes for Fortnite, Warzone, and Apex Legends.

What platforms is Diablo IV available on?

Based on Blizzard Entertainment’s announcements, the game is being developed for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S platforms.

On PC the game will be available through the Battle.net platform.

Why do gamers like the Diablo series?

The Diablo series has garnered a dedicated fan base due to a variety of factors that make the games engaging and enjoyable for gamers. Some of the key reasons include:

1. Engaging gameplay: Diablo’s fast-paced action, real-time combat, and hack-and-slash mechanics keep players actively engaged in the game. The satisfying combat experience, coupled with the need to strategize against different enemy types, offers an exciting and challenging experience.
2. Character customization and progression: The series offers a diverse range of character classes, each with unique abilities and playstyles. As players progress through the game, they can level up their characters, learn new skills, and collect powerful equipment, making character progression an integral part of the experience.
3. Randomly generated content: Diablo’s randomly generated dungeons, loot, and monster spawns ensure that each play through feels fresh and unique, increasing replayability and encouraging players to experiment with different character builds and strategies.
4. Rich lore and atmosphere: The dark, gothic setting of the world of Sanctuary, combined with compelling stories and memorable characters, creates an immersive atmosphere that draws players into the game. The series’ well-developed lore adds depth to the experience and keeps players invested in the narrative.
5. Cooperative multiplayer: The ability to team up with friends or other players online to tackle difficult challenges, share loot, and strategize together adds a social element to the game and enhances the overall experience.
6. Loot collection and itemization: The series is known for its emphasis on acquiring powerful and rare items through defeating enemies, completing quests, and exploring dungeons. The excitement of finding a rare piece of equipment or a powerful weapon adds an element of surprise and reward to the gameplay.
7. Regular updates and expansions: Blizzard Entertainment has a reputation for providing long-term support for its games, with regular content updates, expansions, and quality-of-life improvements that keep the game fresh and engaging for players over time.