Blizzard Reassures, Diablo 4 Will Not Morph Into an MMORPG
Will Diablo 4 be closer to an MMORPG, or will it remain rooted in the action RPG genre? Blizzard assures that it is the latter, although some elements may be a bit blurred.
Wccftech conducted a short interview with two of the creators of Diablo IV - the game's lead producer Kayleigh Calder and co-director Joseph Piepiora. One of the topics discussed was the aspect of the game's "MMORPG-ness".
Specifically, the March open beta gave the impression that the upcoming work from Blizzard has many elements in common with, for example Lost Ark or - to a lesser extent - World of Warcraft. So there is a solid basis to assume that as we go deeper into the endgame there will be more elements native to MMORPGs - PvE raids or PvP features.
Piepiora assured, however, that Diablo IV will not be like Diablo Immortal. The fact that the latter contains such elements does not mean that they will be present in D4.
"We really want to make sure that Diablo IV remains firmly in the ARPG camp, like we're not really making an MMO. We are making an online game that does have that connected community feel in some places. So when we think about features that we'd be looking to add to Diablo IV in the future [...], we're thinking more along the lines that the features we will add are gonna serve the game that we've made, that we think would be really good for the community.
Now, again, the game is a live service and things will change over time. And what one person might say is strictly an MMO-only feature and what might look like an ARPG-only feature, I think it might get a little muddy over time, but we're not looking to make that game [an MMORPG - ed. note], if that makes sense."
Piepiora illustrated the studio's approach by answering another question- regarding classic roles played by players in MMORPGs, such as tank, healer or DPS.
In Diablo IV we will not experience this type of distinctions. Dealing as much damage as possible will prove important for all character classes, but each will do it in a different way and at different pace. In order to balance this at the beginning of the game, mechanics such as trapping enemies, stunning them or imposing debuffs - making them take more damage or preventing them from moving for a short time - have been added.
Many such skills - specifically, various barbarian shouts are indicated - will provide benefits to all players involved in a given battle. Thus, it is possible, so to speak, to create a "barb" supporting the team, but this will not be the only function performed by the class (or even the most important).
How Blizzard's approach will work in practice, we will find out on June 6 2023, when Diablo IV will debut on PC, PS4, PS5, XOne and XSX/S (those who preordered the Deluxe or Ultimate will be able to play a few days earlier).
