In Diablo, since the year 2000, there has been the “secret Cow Level,” a hidden, legendary place where the game was a bit crazier than usual. What about it in Diablo 4 ? Diablo head Rod Fergusson (Blizzard) explains why they consciously chose not to include it, at least at the release.
What is the secret Cow Level?
- The “Cow Level” is a special secret place in Diablo 2 that could only be accessed indirectly. The first time the “Cow Level” was seen was on April 1, 1999, and it was thought to be an April Fool’s joke. But when Diablo 2 was released a year later, players actually found access to the place on July 4, 2000 (via blizzardwatch).
- In that place, countless cows run around and a Cow King. Because there are especially many mobs in one spot, the secret Cow Level is ideal for characters who specialize in area damage, perfect for farming EXP and items.
- In Diablo 3, the place returned as “Not the Cow Level” and enjoyed renewed popularity.
We are covering the release of Diablo 4 in the live ticker.
Boss says: Anyone with business sense would have brought pets and wings to Diablo 4
What does Diablo say about the Cow Level? In a lengthy video interview about Diablo 4, the head of Diablo, Rod Fergusson, spoke on the subject. He stated: They wanted to keep everything “down to earth” in Diablo 3, which is why they also forwent wings and pets, the two things that were particularly prominent in Diablo 3 and which definitely had to be included in Diablo 4 from a marketing perspective:
- The interviewer asks: “What about cows, Rod? Are you a cow person? Let’s talk about cows.”
- Fergusson first laughs and says: “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
He then explains: They wanted to keep everything in the new Diablo “down to earth.” Diablo 4 should feel “authentic” and do justice to the Gothic theme.
Therefore, they also forwent wings and pets, the two particularly successful elements in Diablo 3, which anyone with “a touch of business sense” would definitely have included in Diablo 4:
“But we didn’t want 30 people in the village on launch day walking around with angelic or demonic wings on their backs and a bunch of dogs, cats, or whatever. That would have broken the immersion.”
Diablo 4 has no Cow Level in Season 1, but maybe in later Seasons
For the same reason that they want to keep the game authentically dark, there is also no secret level in Diablo 4 that people might be searching for.
“But that doesn’t mean it won’t come in the future.”
These are two completely different things, Ferguson says with a smile, what one can do in Season 1 or what one can do in Season 21. We will see if this wisdom also applies to Diablo 4.
We currently have the Diablo weeks on MeinMMO. For MMO fans, it is the biggest new game since February 2022, when Lost Ark was released on Steam.
More about our extensive coverage of Blizzard’s new hack and slash can be found here.
