Once upon a time, I rated Diablo 4 an illustrious 10/10 – a rare accolade that stands as one of only two perfect scores I’ve issued throughout my extensive career. Following that, I awarded Vessel of Hatred an impressive 9/10, describing it as “Diablo 2, but even better.” This new DLC not only sets the stage for an intense new chapter in Sanctuary’s storied saga but also ignites a narrative brimming with potential surprises and unexpected developments. Consequently, it raises intriguing questions about the future of its mobile-focused counterpart, Diablo Immortal, which seemingly finds itself trailing in popularity after the blockbuster launch of Diablo 4. In an exclusive interview with PCGamesN, I delve into the thoughts of lead content designer Scott Burgess and senior game designer Nan Jiang regarding their ambitious plans to ensure Diablo Immortal remains alive and thriving.
The core difference is, of course, the distinct primary platform of Diablo Immortal. While Diablo 4 is meticulously crafted for PC and consoles, its mobile-based sibling targets the dynamic mobile gaming market. “Hey, you’re sitting on your couch; you should play Immortal! There’s really no excuse,” Burgess tells me enthusiastically. “You could even be playing in your car – assuming you’re using cruise control, of course. That’s the crux of it: through that aspect, we’re catering to slightly different audiences.”
“We do have crossover for sure; many players happily transition between both games. But beyond that, we’re simply focused on what feels right for the Diablo audience. We’re dedicated to creating a game that we deem enjoyable, and we’re not overly concerned about cannibalizing our player base because we’re not witnessing that phenomenon – instead, it appears both titles are thriving independently.”
Jiang concurs with Burgess, emphasizing, “I believe we [Diablo 4 and Diablo Immortal] are truly distinct entities. Our development team executed a fantastic job with Diablo 4; it serves as a nostalgic homage to the original Diablo experience, whereas Diablo Immortal is fundamentally mobile-oriented. That inherent focus is the key differentiator.”
“We’re in a very healthy state because we’ve discovered that a significant portion of Immortal’s players have never experienced Diablo before, which is fantastic. We’re broadening the audience since there are no barriers – being free to play means there are zero commitments connected with jumping into our game. If you’ve never heard of Diablo, we welcome you with open arms. If you’re looking for something fresh beyond the other four games, come back to us. We consistently have new content available for you. Ultimately, we’re dedicated to supporting one another.”
Regarding the game’s storylines, it’s noteworthy that Diablo Immortal occupies a narrative space between the events of Diablo 2 and Diablo 3, occurring a mere five years after the conclusion of the Dark Wanderer’s journey. By placing the games at such a considerable temporal distance from one another, there remains little risk of narrative overlap, even as Diablo 4-themed cosmetics make sporadic appearances in Immortal (who can forget those iconic Lilith skins?).
“We’re orchestrating opportunities for cross-story interactions here and there, but our primary focus is on telling distinct stories. [Diablo 4] charts the course of the overarching narrative, while we delve into the captivating in-between tales. This presents its own challenges as we strive to ensure all loose threads converge seamlessly, but it’s an enjoyable process. There exists a wealth of fertile ground for narrative exploration within this rich universe.”
Speaking of fertile ground, Diablo Immortal is currently celebrating its collaboration with World of Warcraft, featuring an anniversary event that brings the chilling Lich King to Sanctuary and introduces a captivating array of WoW-themed cosmetics (the Illidan one is absolutely essential). When we inquired about this exciting development, Burgess and Jiang revealed that the mightiest adversary in Diablo Immortal may very well be one of its smallest foes (although perhaps not quite).
If you find yourself engaged in battle against Mephisto’s relentless hordes in Diablo 4, we also have a comprehensive rundown of the best Diablo 4 classes, along with an overview of the optimal Diablo 4 Spiritborn build – we wholeheartedly recommend the Centipede design.
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How do player feedback and design choices influence the development of features in Diablo Immortal?
And thematic connections,” Jiang explains. “This way, fans of both games can enjoy a cohesive experience, while newcomers can still dive in without feeling lost.”
In our discussion, we also touched upon player feedback and the recent issue some players have experienced at Paragon 99 in Diablo Immortal. “It’s not a bug, but a designed feature,” Burgess clarifies. “When players reach that level, we want to encourage them to explore inventory management and unlock new challenges. It’s a way to deepen engagement as they prepare for the next level of difficulties, like Hell 2.”
I asked how the team plans to keep players enthusiastic about Diablo Immortal amidst the glowing reception of Diablo 4. “Continuous updates and content drops are key,” Burgess assures me. “Our players are our partners in this journey. We listen, adapt, and innovate, ensuring that what we create resonates with our community.”
Jiang adds, “We’ve seen great success with events and themed content that keeps players invested. Our commitment is to create a game that both pays homage to the legacy of Diablo while also introducing new features and enhancements.”
As we wrapped up the interview, both designers expressed a hopeful outlook for the road ahead. “The world of Sanctuary is vast,” Jiang noted, “and our doors are always open for exploration, whether it’s through new mobile experiences or the beloved classic gameplay of Diablo.”
With the ambitious plans laid out by the Diablo Immortal team, it seems both games can continue to thrive. As players look forward to what’s next, Burgess and Jiang are committed to crafting experiences that invite both old fans and newcomers into the ever-expanding universe of Diablo.
