After a remarkable appearance at the Game Awards 2022, Diablo 4 is set for next June. A release expected for almost ten years and a major challenge for a struggling Blizzard.
[Mis à jour le 13 décembre 2022 à 15h19] Finally, Diablo 4 has an official release date. Blizzard dazzled us at the Game Awards 2022 with a new trailer for its flagship hack’n’slash. A new release from one of the most legendary franchises in the history of video games, and a major project for a studio handicapped by various scandals, both in its operation and in some of its recent releases. The release of Diablo IV will therefore be an opportunity for Blizzard to reassure its fans, especially since the game is emerging as one of the most ambitious projects of recent years.
This is the information not to be missed after these few minutes of epic combat in a cinematic of which only Blizzard has the secret, Diablo 4 will be released on June 6, 2023 on PC via Battle.net, PS5, PS4, Xbox One and Xbox Series. A release awaited for almost a decade by fans of the series, and a game that is both innovative and full of promise if we are to believe the latest statements from Blizzard. It is true that the American studio has an interest in going straight on the issues of in-game monetization and randomness if it does not want to repeat the scandal that was the release of Diablo Immortal.
As often in recent years, Diablo 4 will be released in three different editions, a Standard edition (€59.99 on PC, €69.99 on consoles), a Digital Deluxe edition (€79.99 on PC, €89.99 on consoles) and an Ultimate Edition (€89.99 on PC, €99.99 on consoles). Besides the differences in terms of Diablo 3, Diablo 4 and World of Warcraft cosmetics, it can be noted that only the Deluxe and Ultimate versions will give early access to the game 4 days before its release, and that all pre-orders will allow access in advance to the open beta of the game which will take place later in the year. The different editions:
- Inarius Wings and Inarius Murloc Pet for Diablo® III**
- Amalgam of Rage Mount for World of Warcraft®**
- Umbre’s Winged Darkness Ornament Set for Diablo Immortal™**
- Inarius Wings and Inarius Murloc Pet for Diablo® III**
- Amalgam of Rage Mount for World of Warcraft®**
- Umbre’s Winged Darkness Ornament Set for Diablo Immortal™**
- Up to 4 days early access to Diablo IV launch***
- Diablo® IV Season Battle Pass
- Temptation mount for Diablo® IV
- Inferno Shell Mount Armor for Diablo® IV
- Inarius Wings and Inarius Murloc Pet for Diablo® III**
- Amalgam of Rage Mount for World of Warcraft®**
- Umbre’s Winged Darkness Ornament Set for Diablo Immortal™**
- Up to 4 days early access to Diablo IV launch***
- Levels unlocked in the Diablo® IV Seasonal Battle Pass (includes access to the Premium Battle Pass, 20 unlocked levels, and a cosmetic item).
- Temptation mount for Diablo® IV
- Inferno Shell Mount Armor for Diablo® IV
- Creator’s Wings Emote for Diablo® IV
The Diablo 4 Alpha has already started, allowing various testers to familiarize themselves with character customization, new online features and above all to provide Blizzard with crucial information on the proper functioning of the game. rest of the players, they will have to wait for the beta of Diablo 4 to discover the desolate expanses and the sinister dungeons. This beta does not have a date yet, but it will be open earlier to players who have pre-ordered the Deluxe and Ultimate editions of the game. Do not wait until at least April 2023.
After the relative scandal surrounding the release of Diablo Immortal (quickly renamed Diablo Immoral by fans), Blizzard badly needed some good publicity at The Game Awards 2022. It was during the ceremony that Diablo IV appeared for the second time this year, revealing a trailer in synthetic images and new information. And the legendary hack’n’slash license seems to be making a comeback. In addition to the relatively impressive graphics observed this summer in the trailer just above, and its still enjoyable combat, the game presented us with some new features in a Diablo game. We find there the visual character customization, which takes an apparent part in the game without seeming very advanced for the moment, but also that of the style of play which offers you different ways to go and slaughter demons. Of course, the latter goes through different objects and skill trees that you can equip and unlock as you wish.
In addition to these relatively expected elements, we also had the right to some statistics and size information during the Xbox Showcase last summer. Diablo IV will include more than 150 dungeons, which you can explore at your leisure thanks to the new open world system. These dungeons will be divided into different categories, and some Strongholds can be taken from the hands of Evil to be transformed into welcoming cities. A feature that allows you to have a real impact on the world around you by shaping it through your different choices. Speaking of impact on the world, you can also create groups of players to overcome World Boss events for an even more focused experience on multiplayer interaction.
To make a good role-playing game, you must of course offer several game archetypes to your players. The keystone of Diablo games, classes are of course part of the gameplay of the future Diablo 4. There are currently 5 different types of characters, with more or less expected classes. First, the eternal Barbarians, who specialize in hand-to-hand combat and crowd control, second, the Druids, who transform from one animal to another to fend off waves of attackers while commanding the magic of wind, earth and storm. The third class offered in Diablo 4 are the sinister Necromancers, who use blood and shadow magic to defeat their opponents, while the Rogues are peerless fighters mastering ranged damage and close combat. Finally, the last class announced is the Sorceress, a mage controlling the ferocity of nature.
If Diablo has always established itself as a cooperative game, generally up to four players, Diablo IV intends to push the plug a little further. The game takes up its principle of groups, which can go from 1 to 4 players, but its open world really embraces its MMO ambition. Indeed, the game will only be accessible online, and different groups of players will be able to meet on the large expanses of its plains, deserts, roads and mountains and participate in common activities (world bosses, events, etc.) . The dungeons will remain instanced so there’s no way to come across another group of adventurers there.
We are not going to cut corners, yes Diablo 4 will fully integrate crossplay between consoles and PC. As the first title in the franchise to be released on PC and consoles, the game had to integrate elements of communication between its different media, in the name of a more developed multiplayer experience than ever. PS5, Xbox Series X|S and mouse keyboard users will therefore be able to share their games fully from A to Z. Also note that all multiplayer content will be available in crossplay, including major world events that bring together several groups. of heroes.