Diablo 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Diablo 2 across the outlets.
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Diablo 2's biggest fan, Grim Dawn, gets its final and "largest expansion ever" in July, adding a new region that's almost as big as the base RPG
Crate Entertainment announced that Grim Dawn's final and largest expansion, Fangs of Asterkarn, will be released on July 23. The expansion adds a new region that expands the game world by over 30%, new roguelike dungeons, and a Berserker mastery. A free v1.3 update will also accompany the expansion, bringing quality-of-life improvements.
Diablo creators worried "RPGs were so overwrought with statistics that the genre had shrunk to a tiny audience," so they wanted it to be like "how we'd played Dungeons & Dragons as kids"
Max Schaefer, co-founder of Condor (later Blizzard North), discussed the early design philosophy of Diablo, aiming to simplify RPGs by focusing on core mechanics like hitting monsters and gaining loot, inspired by childhood Dungeons & Dragons experiences. This approach was intended to counter the overly complex statistics and penalties found in many contemporary RPGs, making the genre more accessible and rewarding for players.
Engagement Ring
In a single month, nearly 2 million warlocks were created by Diablo 2 players on PC. This surge in character creation highlights significant player engagement with the game's class options.
Diablo 2 players made nearly 2 million warlocks in a single month
Blizzard Entertainment's 26-year-old game Diablo 2 saw a surge in popularity following the addition of the warlock class in its first expansion in 25 years. Between February 11 and March 11, players created nearly 2 million warlocks and collectively played the expansion for over 93 million hours. Lead producer Matthew Cederquist noted the rapid player engagement with new builds and guides.
Diablo 4 Cow Level Seemingly Found, but There Could Be More
Players have reportedly discovered and completed Diablo 4's secret cow level, which requires the new Lord of Hatred expansion. The Cow King boss within the level drops an item called 'Prime Rib,' leading to speculation about further secrets. Diablo 4 and its Lord of Hatred expansion are available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
After three years of dead ends and cheeky developer comments, Diablo 4 players have finally found the cow level
After a three-year search, Diablo 4 players have discovered the game's secret cow level, a long-standing tradition in the Diablo series. The discovery involves a multi-step quest requiring items from the base game and the upcoming Vessel of Hatred expansion, culminating in access to a hidden island with enemy bovines and the Cow King boss.
Diablo In Diablo 4? It Could Still Be A While (Or Possibly Never)
The Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred expansion concludes the current storyline, but the next major antagonist is likely to be Baal, the Lord of Destruction, rather than Diablo himself, based on lore and prophecies. While Diablo's return is a possibility, it may be reserved for a future installment like Diablo 5, especially given the oracle's prophecy suggesting his return would not occur in the current lifetime.
After 3 years, Diablo 4's secret cow level is finally uncovered following Lord of Hatred, immediately labelled "boring" compared to Diablo 2 and 3's versions: "Needs more cows"
After three years, Diablo 4's secret cow level has been discovered shortly after the Lord of Hatred expansion's release. While the level features bovine enemies and a Cow King, some players find it less engaging and lacking compared to the versions in Diablo 2 and Diablo 3, citing a lack of "moo" sounds and overall whimsy.
Diablo 4's Cow Level Found At Last, And It Rewards The Most Ludicrous Item In Diablo History
After years of searching, players have finally discovered Diablo 4's secret cow level, accessible through a complex questline involving new items and the Horadric Cube. The level culminates in a fight with The Cow King, who drops The Cow King's Crown, a unique Mythic helm with a different, humorous affix for each day of the week.
The original Diablo studio was saved from bankruptcy by Blizzard's timely acquisition offer: "The taxman was literally at the door, threatening to shut us down"
The original Diablo studio, Condor, was on the brink of bankruptcy in the early '90s before Blizzard Entertainment made a timely acquisition offer. This financial lifeline allowed the developers to fully realize their vision for the game, which became a best-selling action-RPG upon its release in 1997. The acquisition also paved the way for successful sequels like Diablo 2.
Recension – Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred
The Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred expansion concludes the story arc involving Lilith and Mephisto, introducing two new classes, Paladin and Warlock, and a new region, Skovos. While the narrative ties up loose ends satisfactorily, the core gameplay loop feels dated and repetitive. The expansion offers a revamped experience tree and endgame systems, but the overall atmosphere of Sanctuary has diminished due to frequent in-game events.
Disruptive Games Opens Playtests for Bermuda Triangle Co-op Horror Extraction Game ‘Wreck Runners'
Disruptive Games has announced Wreck Runners, a co-op extraction horror game set in the Bermuda Triangle, for PC. The game is currently holding playtests on Steam until May 11th, allowing players to experience its physics-driven multiplayer gameplay. Players will salvage loot while battling environmental hazards and creatures in a shapeshifting world.
Blizzard – toppar, floppar och omöjliga förväntningar
Blizzard Entertainment has a storied history marked by both critical acclaim and fan disappointment, from the groundbreaking Warcraft, Diablo, and Starcraft series to the monumental success of World of Warcraft. Despite challenges with titles like Diablo 3 and Warcraft 3: Reforged, and a shift towards monetization, the company continues to be a significant force in the gaming industry, with its legacy often judged against its past triumphs.
Blizzard brought Korn out of its 4-year hiatus to write a song for Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred, confirming that nu metal is…
Blizzard Entertainment has partnered with the band Korn to create a new song, "Reward The Scars," for the upcoming Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred expansion. The song and its accompanying music video, featuring the demon lord Mephisto, aim to evoke nostalgia and complement the game's dark themes. Korn's lead singer, Jonathan Davis, is a known gamer and former World of Warcraft guild leader.
Diablo 4's Long-Searched-For Cow Level Could Finally Be Real In Lord Of Hatred
The upcoming Diablo 4 expansion, Lord of Hatred, launching April 28, may finally introduce the long-rumored secret cow level. Evidence includes developer comments about new secrets, cow-related items found in early press copies, and the addition of the Horadric Cube, which was used in previous Diablo titles to access secret levels. Blizzard developers have also been seen wearing cow-themed shirts, further fueling speculation.
First impressions of Diablo IV Lord of Hatred and the Paladin class
This preview of Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred focuses on the return of the Paladin class and the expansion's narrative progression. The author found the gameplay smoother and more engaging than the base Diablo IV, with improved itemization and new systems like the horadric cube and warplans. While the Paladin class is a strong addition, the article suggests the game still needs to forge a more distinct identity within the ARPG genre.
With Diablo 4's Lord of Hatred DLC, Blizzard "intentionally" added at least one "basically useless" item just for the new Horadric Cube
Blizzard Entertainment has intentionally included a "basically useless" item in Diablo 4's upcoming Lord of Hatred expansion, which will be a target for the new Horadric Cube. This feature, inspired by Diablo 2, aims to provide endgame itemization customization by allowing players to upgrade gear or create new items using salvaged components.
Diablo 4 Is Bringing Back A Classic Feature Fans Have Begged For Since Launch
The upcoming Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred expansion, launching April 28, will reintroduce a classic map overlay feature that fans have requested since the game's initial release. This update, version 3.0, will also bring significant revamps to skill trees, endgame systems, and introduce new classes and difficulty tiers.
15 years ago, anyone could send PC Gamer magazine text messages. We got some weird ones
This article looks back at the early 2010s when PC Gamer magazine allowed readers to send text messages for a fee. It highlights humorous and unusual messages received, contrasting them with modern communication methods. The piece also includes reader reviews submitted via text.
Fable’s Development Was Helped by Blizzard’s Cinematics Team
Microsoft Gaming's chief content officer Matt Booty revealed that Blizzard's cinematics team assisted Playground Games with Fable's development. This collaboration is part of a broader initiative to foster synergy between Xbox Game Studios, with other examples including Compulsion Games using Activision's MoCap studio and Rare helping Double Fine with multiplayer features. Fable is slated for a Fall release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
