Diablo
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Task Bar Hero has normalized real money item auction houses, and Blizzard must be raging
Task Bar Hero, a popular side-scrolling RPG on Steam, features a real money auction house where players can buy and sell in-game items for very low prices. This mechanic draws parallels to Diablo 3's controversial real money auction house, sparking debate within the community. The article questions the normalization of such systems in modern gaming, especially given the game's design that encourages long playtimes and potential pay-to-progress elements.
Blizzard Has “Tons of New Projects” in Development, Including “New Stuff” for Diablo – Rumor
According to a Bloomberg report, Blizzard Entertainment has numerous new projects in development, including new content for Diablo and a rumored StarCraft shooter, despite ongoing layoffs within Xbox. While Diablo 4 is considered a successful game, the uncertain work environment is highlighted. Potential announcements for these projects may occur at BlizzCon.
Xbox After The Layoffs: Studios Left And What They’re Making
Xbox has undergone significant restructuring, including layoffs and the divestment of five studios, as it aims to increase profitability and focus on major intellectual properties. This shake-up impacts numerous development teams and projects across Xbox Game Studios, Activision, Blizzard, and Bethesda, with a renewed focus on core franchises and a shift in business strategies like the exclusion of Call of Duty from Xbox Game Pass day-one launches.
13 years after raising $1 million on Kickstarter, dev of infamous JRPG breaks silence to say work will continue through…
After 13 years and $1 million raised on Kickstarter, the developer of the JRPG Project Phoenix has broken their silence to explain the prolonged development. Game director Hiroaki Yura apologized for the lack of updates, citing personal issues and the departure of a key programmer as reasons for the delays. He stated that the project is still alive and being funded by other studios he has built, with a new Discord server planned for more frequent communication.
Former Xbox boss Don Mattrick once reportedly suggested Halo 4 should have a real-money auction house like Diablo 3 infamously did
Former Xbox boss Don Mattrick reportedly suggested that Halo 4 should feature a real-money auction house for in-game items, similar to Diablo 3's controversial experiment. This idea was met with internal disbelief by the development team, who recognized the potential negative impact on the game's reputation and completion status. Halo 4 ultimately launched without such a feature, and Mattrick departed Microsoft in 2013.
Blizzard devs in the dark for now as president of the World of Warcraft and Diablo studio says they "can expect to hear more" soon about Microsoft's plan for the studio as Xbox faces 3,200 job cuts
Amid significant layoffs impacting approximately 3,200 positions at Xbox, Blizzard Entertainment president Johanna Faries has communicated to staff that more details regarding the studio's future under Microsoft will be shared soon. While Blizzard's major franchises like World of Warcraft and Diablo appear largely untouched for now, the company is bracing for potential restructuring and changes in the coming months.
Ex-Xbox dev slams game execs as ‘money grubbing idiots’ in quote of the year
A former Bungie and 343 Industries developer, Dan Callen, has criticized game executives, calling them 'stupid detached money grubbing idiots.' Callen shared an anecdote about former Xbox executive Don Mattrick suggesting Halo 4 should implement a real money auction house for mech skins, a concept that had previously failed in Diablo 3. This criticism comes amid recent layoffs at Sony and Microsoft, highlighting ongoing issues within the games industry.
Games Inbox: Is the Xbox doomed to failure?
Readers express concerns about the future of Xbox, citing recent studio closures and a reliance on aging franchises like Halo and Gears of War. The discussion also touches on the shift towards digital-only games, the impact on game preservation, and the potential for companies like Sony to influence Kickstarter campaigns.
Xbox Layoffs’ Effects on Blizzard Have Been “Comparatively Minimal” – Rumor
Blizzard Entertainment president Johanna Faries addressed staff regarding Xbox's recent layoffs, stating the impact on Blizzard has been comparatively minimal. While further details will be shared, the company plans to focus on its major franchises like Diablo, StarCraft, and Warcraft, with potential cross-media adaptations and BlizzCon 2026 still planned. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma indicated that the layoffs are part of a broader reset due to failed bets and overextension, with approximately 3,200 job cuts planned for the fiscal year.
"Game execs remain stupid detached money grubbing idiots": Former Xbox boss wanted Halo 4 to copy Diablo 3's horrible real-money auction house, dev says
A former Xbox executive, Don Mattrick, suggested that Halo 4 should implement a real-money auction house for in-game items, similar to Diablo 3's controversial feature. This suggestion was recalled by a recently laid-off Halo designer, Dan Callan, who criticized the detachment of executives from game development realities and the negative impact of such monetization strategies.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?
Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
State of Decay studio Undead Labs potentially up for closure, sources claim, with Bethesda and Blizzard also facing layoffs
Microsoft is reportedly planning significant layoffs across its gaming division, potentially including the closure of Undead Labs, the studio behind State of Decay. Bethesda and Blizzard Entertainment are also expected to face substantial job cuts as part of a company-wide "reset." Union workers are negotiating with management to protect jobs or secure severance packages amid these widespread reductions.
Blizzard’s Unannounced StarCraft Title: The Hard Facts
Evidence suggests Blizzard Entertainment is developing a new AAA open-world shooter set in the StarCraft universe, moving away from its Real-Time Strategy roots. The project is built on Unreal Engine and led by former Far Cry executive producer Dan Hay, indicating a significant shift in franchise direction and development strategy.
Diablo III’s 39th season, Shades of the Nephalem, is slated to launch tonight
Blizzard Entertainment announced that Diablo III's 39th season, Shades of the Nephalem, will launch tonight at 8 p.m. EDT. The season introduces the 'Shadows of the Past' feature, where activating Shrines or Pylons spawns a shadow clone of the player's class with a predetermined build. New cosmetics, including a pet named Belphegor, and a rotation of Conquests and class sets are also included.
DENMU ANNOUNCES $50 MILLION FUND DEDICATED TO VISIONARY GAME MAKERS
DENMU, a new video game investment house, has announced its initial $50 million fund dedicated to supporting visionary game makers across various platforms and genres. The company emphasizes an 'auteur-first' approach, aiming to bridge Eastern and Western markets and provide flexible capital for AAA, AA, indie, and mobile projects. Founded by Michael Fan and Ryan You, DENMU's team includes industry veterans from companies like Blizzard North and Top Hat Studios.
Diablo 4 finally adds a mode it should have had on day one, but all I can think about is skinny Roadhog
Diablo 4's Season of Death Awakening (Season 14) introduces significant endgame updates including proper leaderboards and the long-awaited Solo Self-Found mode. The season also features new 'Ruptures' mechanic, a free Warlock class trial, and an Overwatch collaboration, though the latter has drawn mixed reactions. The expansion, Lord of Hatred, has been praised for improving the game's structure and story.
Diablo 4: Lord Of Hatred Has Been Rated For Switch 2 In Taiwan
A rating for Diablo 4's 'Lord of Hatred' expansion has appeared on Taiwan's rating board, suggesting a potential release on the unreleased 'Switch 2' console. This follows a similar rating that surfaced in Indonesia earlier this year. Blizzard Entertainment has not officially confirmed any Switch versions of Diablo 4.
Diablo 4: Lord Of Hatred For Switch 2 Has Been Rated In Taiwan
The expansion Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred has received a rating in Taiwan for the upcoming Switch 2 console, following a similar rating for Nintendo Switch discovered in April. This expansion, which was released on other platforms in April 2026, introduces new classes and gameplay features. While this rating suggests a potential release, Blizzard Entertainment has not officially confirmed the Switch 2 version.
Warlock ‘n’ load: First impressions of Diablo Immortal’s 5.0, Lut Gholein, and the new Warlock
This preview covers Diablo Immortal's 5.0 update, introducing the new Warlock class and the Lut Gholein combat zone. While the Warlock is considered the least favorite iteration compared to Diablo II and Diablo IV, the update offers a welcome addition of content for the mobile Action RPG. The Lut Gholein zone faithfully recreates the Diablo II location and provides good loot, making it a potential grind spot for players.
Everything Announced For Dead by Daylight During Its 10th Anniversary Stream
Behaviour Interactive celebrated Dead by Daylight's 10th anniversary by announcing numerous updates, including new killers like Jason Voorhees, Art the Clown, and Frank Stone, and a new survivor, Shane Wiigwaas. The game will also receive a new mall map, various cosmetic crossovers with franchises like The Walking Dead and Silent Hill, and future additions like modding tools and new game modes. The studio also confirmed that a Dead by Daylight movie is in development with director Thordur Palsson.