In the new quarterly update for Diablo IV, the team behind the game has discussed post-release content. There is a lot of new information regarding the seasons, as well as the shop and the season pass.
In the new blog update, Joseph Piepiora, the “Associate Game Director for Live Service”, and Kegan Clark, the “Director of Product”, discuss various content that will be important after the release of Diablo IV (via Blizzard).
After there was a lot of criticism of the mobile game Diablo Immortal due to pay-to-win mechanics, the developers seem to place great importance in the new statement regarding Diablo IV on alleviating players’ concerns. One must consider: Immortal is a free-to-play title, while Diablo IV will be released as a premium game.
It is emphasized several times that players will not be able to purchase gameplay advantages over others through the shop or the season pass in Diablo IV. It is primarily about cosmetic customization options.
We summarize how this will work in detail for you.
What is included in the shop and the season pass of Diablo IV?
This is how the shop works: The shop in Diablo IV is intended as a pure “accessory” shop, according to Kegan Clark. It is completely optional and should solely provide players the opportunity to customize their character’s appearance more intricately using “premium currency”.
“Accessories offer players even more options to customize the appearance of their characters,” the statement reads: “There are no items in the shop that provide a direct or indirect advantage in the game. Even if they look like powerful equipment pieces, they have no stats.”
All gameplay features are also accessible without the shop. Additionally, the shop is supposed to be transparent: “It is important to us that players know exactly what to expect before making a purchase. We have built in a preview so that players can examine every detail of the accessory on their character before deciding to make a purchase.”
Accordingly, there should also be no loot boxes or similar mechanics in the shop. Furthermore, the statement emphasizes that the best accessories should not be reserved for the shop: “Diablo IV will already offer hundreds of transmogs that can be unlocked in the game at launch, including dozens of armor sets in the highest graphics quality,” Clark says: “There are incredible items of unique and legendary quality that players can find without ever entering the shop. The shop only offers a greater variety, not fundamentally better options.”
Check out the trailer to see what classes await you in Diablo 4:
This is how the season pass works: According to Clark, the season pass is the second element into which one can invest money in Diablo IV if desired. It essentially follows the model of a battle pass from games like Fortnite or Warzone. Diablo IV will receive new seasons four times a year – always including a season pass.
The pass offers multiple tiers that players can climb through gameplay. There are two varieties for the season pass, a free option and a paid premium option.
Here too, the statement emphasizes: “The premium tiers do not provide any power or advantages over other players,” Clark says: “The free tiers of the pass give all players gameplay bonuses. Things that accelerate and simplify leveling a new seasonal character. In contrast, the rewards of the premium tier focus on aesthetics and provide significant value in the form of accessories and premium currency.”
The season boosts are supposed to be free for all players since they affect gameplay. However, players can also climb tiers in the pass by purchasing them – yet regarding the boosts, it should still not be possible to get them faster: “Players cannot improve season boosts solely by purchasing tiers,” Clark says. One must simultaneously earn milestone levels to use these boosts, while all other bonuses from the season pass are directly applicable: “In other words: There is no way to reach season boosts faster through purchasing tiers. You must earn them.”
Diablo IV will receive various seasons
This is how the seasons will run after release: As already mentioned with the season pass, Diablo IV will receive up to four new seasons per year, similar to Diablo 3.
They will not only bring the new season pass but also additional content:
- New features
- New quest lines
- New enemies
- New legendary items
- Balance adjustments
Moreover, the developers want to listen to player feedback on current seasons to introduce new features: “Based on the feedback we receive, the team will come up with gameplay-improving features and ideas for refinement to improve the overall experience,” explains Joe Puepiora: “The community will then be able to vote on the priorities.”
Live events are also supposed to take place, and a “seasonal journey” will be available. This consists of several challenges, ends with a particularly difficult boss, and is designed to help you progress faster in the season pass.
Overall, Diablo IV is going to be a long-term project: “For many years, an army of developers will continue to work on Diablo IV ,” promises Kegan Clark: “We have such exciting plans for the seasons that we want everyone to enjoy, whether they spend money or not.”
What do you think of the announcement for Diablo IV? Does it make you optimistic, did you expect it that way, or do you view the statement critically? Tell us in the comments!
