Zaven Haroutunian
Reporting and statements that mention Zaven Haroutunian.
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Diablo 4 is Coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in September, to be Unveiled at Gamescom 2026 – Rumor
Rumors suggest Diablo 4 will be released on Nintendo Switch 2 in September for $69.99, with an official announcement expected at Gamescom 2026. The report also details the Lord of Hatred expansion, which was previously released for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, and received a mixed review.
Blizzard was working on Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred before the base RPG even launched, and that's why some of its…
Blizzard Entertainment was developing the Diablo 4 expansion, Lord of Hatred, even before the base game's launch in May 2023. Associate game director Zaven Haroutunian stated that the significant development resources allocated to this expansion highlight Blizzard's growth. The expansion is described as a foundational shakeup to the core systems of the action RPG.
Diablo 4 lead says "there's often no ideal solution" when it comes to doing anything in the action-RPG:…
Zaven Haroutunian, associate game director for Diablo 4, discussed the challenges of game development, particularly in action-RPGs where ideal solutions are often elusive. He highlighted the importance of player feedback and iterative adjustments, citing recent additions like the Warlord and Paladin classes in the Lord of Hatred expansion as examples of strategic repositioning and customization.
Blizzard Sure Is Dragging Out Diablo 4's Secret Cow Level Reveal
Players are still searching for Diablo 4's secret cow level, a long-standing tradition in the franchise, even after the release of the Lord of Hatred expansion. While new clues and items have emerged, including a cow skull trophy and a map fragment, the actual level remains elusive. Blizzard appears to be enjoying the ongoing mystery, with developers hinting at secrets within the game's endgame content.
"Lord of Hatred is the best Diablo 4 has ever been," Blizzard says
Blizzard Entertainment developers Zaven Haroutunian and Colin Finer believe Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred represents the game at its finest, calling it the ultimate expression of the action RPG. While the expansion refines endgame systems like War Plans and adds customization through Talismans and the Horadric Cube, it aims to elevate the experience to rival competitors and conclude the Mephisto saga.
Diablo 4 needs "aspirational content" to challenge players, director agrees, but don't discredit more…
Diablo 4 associate game director Zaven Haroutunian agrees that the game needs "aspirational content" but believes it should not be the sole focus. He stated that the upcoming Lord of Hatred expansion aims to provide players with opportunities to set their own goals, catering to various player types and motivations.
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.
Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred Represents the Action RPG At its Best, Say Developers
Blizzard Entertainment developers Zavan Haroutunian and Colin Finer described Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred as the ultimate expression of the action RPG. The expansion, releasing April 28th, introduces new features and refinements, including a revamped Horadric Cube and rune system, designed as a love letter to fans. It will be available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred – Narrative Deep-Dive With Blizzard | IGN First
Blizzard Entertainment's Associate Game Director Zaven Haroutunian and Lead Narrative Designer Matt Burns discuss the narrative of Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred, the upcoming expansion for the action-RPG. The interview delves into the story elements that form the core of the new content.
Diablo 4's Constant Changes Make It "Really Hard For Players To Keep Up With," Blizzard Says
Blizzard acknowledges that Diablo 4's frequent foundational changes make it difficult for players to keep up, but the company believes these updates are necessary to avoid 'obsolete' game elements. Game director Zaven Haroutunian stated that these 'transformational arcs' are natural for the ARPG genre. The upcoming Lord of Hatred expansion will introduce new classes, rework skill trees, and add a new difficulty system.
Dealing trillions of damage in Diablo 4 isn't a problem worth worrying about as long as 'there's something that makes it meaningful', game director says: 'I know a lot of it is from fear'
Diablo 4 associate game director Zaven Haroutunian addressed concerns about damage number scaling with the upcoming Lord of Hatred expansion. He clarified that new torment tiers are intended to fill existing scaling gaps rather than extend them indefinitely, aiming to provide more meaningful endgame progression and activity variety. This approach seeks to give purpose to high damage numbers without trivializing content.
"It's going to be really f***ing hard": Diablo 4 is getting 8 new difficulty tiers in Lord of Hatred because Blizzard wants OP builds to actually have to try
Diablo 4's upcoming Lord of Hatred expansion will introduce eight new difficulty tiers called Torment to challenge overpowered builds. Associate game director Zaven Haroutunian explained that this approach aims to provide a better risk/reward system for players. The expansion, releasing April 28, will feature a more granular progression through these tiers, with the final level described as "really fucking hard."
Diablo 4: Lord Of Hatred Will Have 12 Torment Difficulty Levels To Grind
The upcoming Diablo 4 expansion, Lord of Hatred, will introduce 12 Torment difficulty levels, significantly increasing the current four tiers. Blizzard aims to keep the endgame relevant for players by offering more granular rewards and a higher aspirational challenge, with Torment 12 being exceptionally difficult. This overhaul, along with other changes like the removal of passive skills and the addition of new classes, aims to refine the player experience.
Blizzard wants Diablo 4's outrageous damage numbers to mean something again in Lord of Hatred, so it's letting you crank the difficulty up to near-impossible levels: 'It's going to be really f*cking hard'
Blizzard Entertainment is increasing the difficulty tiers in Diablo 4's upcoming Lord of Hatred expansion from four to twelve. This change aims to make player power gains more meaningful and provide a greater challenge, with the highest tier described as 'really fucking hard.' The expansion will also introduce a loot filter and the Horadric Cube crafting system.
