• Diablo III Celebrates 10 Years

    Diablo III Celebrates 10 Years

    Diablo III is celebrating its 10th anniversary! In addition to double bounty caches for the remainder of Season 26 and Echoing Nightmare becoming a permanent feature, you can also purchase the 10th anniversary artwork from the official gear store.

     

    Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment (Official Post)

    Diablo III Celebrates 10 Years

     

    Exactly 10 years ago today, brave Nephalem arrived in the town of New Tristram to investigate a falling star. This discovery would give way to a divine ally and a quest to stop a sinister plot to destroy Sanctuary and the High Heavens. Even after the final blow was struck, and Diablo defeated, these same valiant Nephalem continued to protect those in need. We—and Sanctuary—thank you for your decade-worth of valor, dedication, and your vanquishing of endless nightmarish threats to have been birthed by the Burning Hells.

     

    Remember, this 10-year milestone for Diablo III was made possible by YOU, Nephalem, many of whom have spent countless hours demon-slaying, looting, and creating memorable moments to look back on. To show our undying appreciation for the support of more than 65 million Nephalem worldwide over the past 10 years, we have an exciting announcement for the Echoing Nightmare and will be providing a mid-season buff. But first, we want to thank you once more for celebrating the 10th anniversary of Diablo III with us!

    Echoing Nightmare Update

    Since Season 26 began, many Nephalem have sought to avenge their fallen allies in the Echoing Nightmare. We have received positive feedback around the Echoing Nightmare and are truly glad to see you’ve enjoyed battling the horrors of Nephalem’s past while gaining experience and powerful loot along the way.

     

    Therefore, the Echoing Nightmare will become a permanent feature in Diablo III. Creating challenging, new, and exciting end-game experiences is always top of mind for us, so we’re excited to be keeping this experience around for good. This experience will be available for year-round play. If you have not had the opportunity to try the Echoing Nightmare out yet, get a taste of what it entails from our Season 26 blog.

    Mid-Season Double Bounties Event

    The reward for hunting down some of Sanctuary’s most wanted just got a little sweeter! All bounties will be doubled from now until Season 26 ends. Here’s a breakdown of how you’ll have the chance to score more Legendary loot, such as the coveted Ring of Royal Grandeur.

     

    After completing all five bounties in an act, you will be rewarded with twice the Horadric Caches you would normally receive, as dictated by the difficulty level you’re playing on. Reward drop rates will remain unchanged during this event. But more caches mean more opportunities to obtain that essential piece of gear that will bolster your Nephalem’s build. For a refresher on the bounty-exclusive Legendary items that may be obtained from Horadric Caches, check out our Game Guide.

     

    There are many hardy foes peppered throughout Sanctuary for you to collect the bounty on—venture forth and dare to lay claim to the spoils!

    Immortalize Ten Years of Diablo III

    Diablo III will only turn 10 once. Adorn your wall with imagery forged from the Burning Hell’s finest artisans by getting the exclusive 10th Anniversary Diablo III artwork. Make haste, Nephalem, they’re HOT!

  • Diablo Immortal Pre-Release Set Bonus Changes

    Diablo Immortal Pre-Release Set Bonus Changes

    One of the changes from Diablo Immortal's closed beta to launch is the addition of a 6 set bonus on set items. We have an early look at what those set bonuses may be, but please keep in mind that things may change before the June 2nd release date.

     


    DiabloFans Quote:


    Set Changes

    Grace of the Flagellant

      • 2/6 Bonus - All continual damage, Channeled damage, and persistent continually ground done damage increased by 15%.
      • 4/6 Bonus -
        • Old - After dealing continual damage 5 times against an enemy, you will deal 239 additional damage.
        • New - Each time you damage an individual enemy 5 times, you will do 287 additional damage to that enemy.
      • 6/6 Bonus - Each time you deal damage, you have a 4% chance to unleash a lightning strike, dealing 1724 damage to all nearby enemies and Stunning them for 2 seconds. Cannot occur more often than once every 40 seconds.

    Untouchable Mountebank

      • 2/6 Bonus - Each time you take damage, you have a 20% chance to gain a shield that absorbs 958 damage equal to 13% of your maximum damage Life . Cannot occur more often that than once every 9 seconds.
      • 4/6 Bonus -
        • Old - While shielded by this set, you gain up to 30% increased movement speed and can move unhindered through monsters.
        • New - Each time you take damage, you have a 20% chance to gain a shield that absorbs damage equal to 13% of your maximum Life. Cannot occur more often than once every 9 seconds.
      • 6/6 Bonus - Each time you take damage, you have a 20% chance to gain a shield that absorbs damage equal to 13% of your maximum Life. Cannot occur more often than once every 9 seconds.

    War Rags of Shal'baas

      • 4/6 Bonus -
        • Old - Your Primary Attack speed increases with each consecutive attack, up to a maximum of 25% increase.
        • New - Your Primary Attacks gradually increase your Attack Speed, up to a maximum of 25%.
      • 6/6 Bonus - Your Primary Attacks have a 5% chance to increase your Attack Speed for 10 seconds. Cannot occur more often than once every 30 seconds.

    Issatar Imbued

      • 2/6 Bonus -
        • Old - Increases all damage you deal by 10% for 1 seconds after using a non-Channeled skill.
        • New - Each time you defeat an enemy, you gain 30% increased Movement Speed for 2 seconds.
      • 4/6 Bonus -
        • Old - Increases your critical strike chance by 15% for 1 seconds after using a non-Channeled skill.
        • New - Damage dealt increased by 2.5% for every 5% increase in your Movement Speed, up to a maximum damage increase of 25%.
      • 6/6 Bonus - Each time you defeat an enemy, you have a 10% chance to gain an orbiting soul orb for 10 seconds, which deals 263 damage when it passes through an enemy. Cannot gain a soul orb more often than once every 40 seconds.

    Windloft Perfection

      • 2/6 Bonus - Gain Thousand Winds, increasing your Movement Speed by 15%. Thousand Winds increased deactivates for 3 seconds if you by take 10% damage .
      • 4/6 Bonus -
        • Old - For every 5% increase to your movement speed, you deal 1% increased damage, up to a maximum damage increase of 14%.
        • New - Increases your damage done by 20% while Thousand Winds is active.
      • 6/6 Bonus - Gain a shield that makes you immune to damage 5 times while Thousand Winds is active. Cannot gain this shield more often than once every 40 seconds.

    Shepherd's Call to Wolves

      • 2/6 Bonus - Damage done by Your summons deal increased 15% by more 15% damage .
      • 4/6 Bonus -
        • Old - Critical strike chance for you and your summons increased by 3% per active summon, up to a maximum increase of 18%.
        • New - Critical Hit Chance increased by 3% for each of your summons, up to a maximum of 18%.
      • 6/6 Bonus - Your summons enter a frenzied state for 10 seconds each time one of them critically hits. The frenzied state increases their damage and Attack Speed by 100%. Cannot occur more often than once every 40 seconds.

    Feasting Baron's Pack

      • 2/6 Bonus - Increases the duration of your effects abilities that cause enemy loss of control by 20% 30% .
      • 4/6 Bonus -
        • Old - Each time you use a skill to cause an enemy loss of control, the cooldown of your skills that inflict loss of control is decreased by 5%, up to a maximum decrease of 30%.
        • New - Increases damage done from all sources by 15% to enemies suffering under your loss of control effects.
      • 6/6 Bonus - Unleash a nova of ice each time you defeat an enemy afflicted by your loss of control effects, dealing 766 damage to nearby enemies and Freezing them for 4 seconds. Cannot occur more often than once every 40 seconds.

    Vithu's Urges

    • 2/6 Bonus -
      • Old - Each time you use a skill to buff an ally, you also heal that ally for 383 Life.
      • New - Increases the duration of all beneficial effects on you or your party members by 30%.
    • 4/6 Bonus -
      • Old - Each time you use a skill to buff an ally, you also briefly grant them 50% increased movement speed.
      • New - Increases the target's Attack Speed by 30% for 3 seconds each time you use a skill to grant a beneficial effect to yourself or a party member.
    • 6/6 Bonus - Each time you use a skill to buff yourself or a party member, creates an area of apotheosis for 10 seconds that grants 15% Life Drain to yourself and any party members within the area. Cannot occur more often than once every 40 seconds.
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  • Zone Preview: Realm of Damnation

    Zone Preview: Realm of Damnation

    Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment (Official Post)

    Zone Preview: Realm of Damnation

     

    If you haven’t followed Diablo Immortal’s Closed Beta Test, this preview picks up where the zone of Frozen Tundra leaves off. If you missed that preview, you can catch up here. Spoilers ahead.

     

    Diablo® Immortal’s™ launch storyline sends you racing after the cataclysmic shards of the Worldstone, the artifact used to create Sanctuary. After you’ve explored frozen wastes and festering swamps and cemeteries choked with the risen dead, your quest will take you somewhere people who played the Closed Beta haven’t seen yet.

     

    The Realm of Damnation is the personal hell of a demon lord. It’s a corner of the Burning Hells where Skarn, the mastermind pursuing the Worldstone shards, gets to play judge, jury, and executioner (repeatedly).

     

    I’m Ryan Quinn, Narrative Designer on Diablo Immortal, and I’ll be your guide to Skarn’s plane of agony and rebirth along with Hunter Schulz, Art Director.

     

    At the end of the Frozen Tundra story quest, you’ll follow Skarn into his lair and uncover what he’s been planning for humanity and the Worldstone—but you won’t immediately come face to face with the Lord of Damnation or all of his forces.

    The Forest of Misery

    There is an impulse to limit hellish landscapes to one note, and there shouldn't be a question whether you are in Hell or not, but Diablo Immortal’s zone maps are large, and we really like having visual variation to keep your journey interesting and make it easier to remember locations and cool moments.

     

    First, you’ll need to fight through the twisted canopies of the Forest of Misery. In the darkness swarm Rasplets and Gnarled Pawns, demons who’ve failed Skarn and had their bodies fused with parts of the realm as punishment.

     

    The Old Growth, voiced by James Goode, is the most massive, venerable danger in the woods.

     

    We tried to reflect environmental shapes and colors in the Realm of Damnation's creature design (taking a breather from the classic reddish demon you see elsewhere in the fires of Hell).

    We wanted the pawns to feel at home in this environment, as if they had evolved there, or at the very least been transformed by it.

     

    The Last Vestige

    Years ago, a group of angel sentinels discovered the Realm of Damnation while it was taking shape from hellish chaos. Cut off from the Heavens and trapped, they’ve carved out a foothold in Skarn’s home. As you leave the Forest of Misery behind, you’ll join the survivors in their besieged encampment: The Last Vestige.

    The angels’ warleader, Verathiel, is utterly relentless; her band has been hunting demonic threats outside the Battlefields of Eternity for eons. But being stranded in the Realm of Damnation is a greater challenge than any they’ve faced. As the wielder of the angelic dagger Yl’nira, you have a chance to gather some allies in Hell. . .if you can save them from a truly awful fate.

    Skarn, Lord of Damnation

    At the end of Diablo II: Lord of Destruction™, the archangel Tyrael realized that the Worldstone had been corrupted, and he shattered it before it could doom all of Sanctuary. The resulting disaster discorporated Tyrael, and ruined Arreat and much of the north. Skarn wants nothing more than to pick up the pieces.

     

    Painting by Brom

     

    Yet little has been recorded of him. At the defeat of the Prime Evils in Diablo II, war was raging within the Hells, with no clear victor despite great evils like Azmodan and Belial claiming massive realms of their own. Skarn flourished during this age, but demonologists cannot say whether he led an army, or simply used the conflict as an opportunity to capture parts of the Hells for himself. Most do not even know him by name.

     

    What is clear about Skarn is his abiding interest in humanity. In just a few years, he has gathered a massive cult of followers who tempt and deceive to swell their ranks among the Western Kingdoms. The power of creation is nearly at their disposal.

    Sounds of the Realm

    Our audio team really pushed themselves to make sure Skarn’s cruelty and grand ambitions take root in every ominous corner of the zone. Give a listen to “Realm of Damnation.”

     

    You’ll hear plenty from Skarn, voiced by Steve Blum, and Verathiel, voiced by Kimberly Brooks, once the Realm of Damnation is in your hands.

    Demon Gates

    Nothing about this environment is inviting--it's a graveyard of bones and spiny rocks! Thin membranes underneath it all hold back the hellish, fiery core from below.

     

    Skarn’s domain is bloated with activities, and you can expect the same kinds of wilderness gameplay present in Immortal’s other zones: lairs, bounties, events, quests, and plenty of loot.

     

    Zones in Diablo Immortal are vast spaces packed with enemies, events, hidden lairs, and treasure. As a point of reference: in red, the map outline of Diablo III's Fields of Misery; in blue, the Realm of Damnation.

     

    There are also unique challenges you’d only find in Hell. Demon Gates appear multiple times per day in random locations throughout the Realm of Damnation. To bolster his armies, Skarn has opened his doors to demons from elsewhere in the Burning Hells. Demons arrive through portals throughout the zone on a timer—with a party of three, you can hunt down where they’ll emerge, enter their gateways, and kill them before they lend further power to the legions of Damnation. These fights are kinetic encounters with significant rewards, and you’ll be able to earn bonus loot from three per day.

    New Dungeon – Pit of Anguish

    Similarly vital to Skarn’s plot are the Pits of Anguish—spawning pools for Abyssal Gargantuans buried deep in the Hells. One pit in particular serves as our dungeon for the zone; when you set foot on its shores, you’ll battle blade-wielding demonic cultivators and tackle a screen-filling boss fight with the most blood by volume of any in the game.

     

    Zaka is one of the more memorable enemies you'll run into in the Realm of Damnation. One thing that isn't instantly clear is this illustration in his size; there's also a twist to this boss battle we're excited to see players react to.

     

    In every Diablo game, your journey takes you from landscapes that are bleak and seemingly real to places that are truly otherworldly. We’re excited to show off a new facet of the Burning Hells, one that’s got a couple twists on the lava and horns you might expect.

     

    Don’t let that statement worry you. We still love lava and horns—you'll see. On behalf of the Diablo Immortal team: we hope you are ready for Hell!

  • Diablo Immortal Class Skill Changes

    Diablo Immortal Class Skill Changes

    We have an early look at what class skills have been changed in Diablo Immortal leading up to launch. Please bear in mind that the game is still in development and things are subject to change before the June 2nd release date.

     


    DiabloFans Quote:


    Skill Changes

    Wizard

      • Arcane Torrent - Channel a barrage of arcane projectiles, each dealing 273 136 damage to all enemies in an area. Using Arcane Torrent slowly consumes its energy, which recovers while Arcane Torrent is not in use.
      • Slow Time - Invoke a bubble of warped time and space for 6.25 seconds at a location, reducing the attack and movement speeds of affected enemies by 50% 80% , and slowing the movement of enemy projectiles by 80%. The attack and movement speed reduction effects are reduced by 50% against players .

    Barbarian

      • Cleave - Unleash a powerful attack that deals 506 770 damage to all enemies in front of you, and causes them to Bleed for 507 258 damage over 3 seconds. Maximum 3 charges.
      • Demoralize - Release a ferocious shout that forces nearby monsters to attack you, deals 368 437 damage to all nearby enemies, and reduces their damage done by 30% for 8 seconds.
      • Ground Stomp - Smash the ground, Stunning nearby enemies for 1.5 seconds and dealing 607 damage. Charging longer increases range, and Stun duration up to 3 seconds.
      • Grab -
        • Old - Seize a nearby monster and wield it as a weapon, replacing your Primary Attack with a swing for 379 to 656 damage against all enemies directly in front of you. Activate again to throw the monster, dealing 574 damage to enemies in a direction.
        • New - Seize a nearby enemy and wield it as a weapon. Activate again to throw the enemy, dealing 723 damage to enemies in a direction. Monsters are grabbed for 4 seconds and players for 2 seconds.

    Monk

      • Fists of Thunder - Teleport to a nearby enemy and unleash a rapid succession of punches that each deal 579 to 924 damage. You can teleport again after every third hit. Each enemy player can be a teleport target only once every 5 seconds.
      • Deadly Reach - Project lines of piercing force that deal 492 to 689 damage to the target and 173 231 to 243 324 damage to enemies behind the target.

    Demonhunter

      • Knife Trap - Place a Knife Trap that explodes when an enemy approaches, shooting knives that deal 799 937 damage to all nearby enemies. Maximum 3 charges. You can have up to 3 traps at one time, but they cannot be placed to overlap each other. Placed traps take 1.4 seconds to arm and turn invisible.
      • Rain of Vengeance - Fire a massive volley of arrows into the air that rain down for several seconds, dealing 1632 1448 damage to all enemies in the area over 4 seconds.
      • Escape - Jab your blade forward at all enemies in front of you, dealing 575 damage and inflicting 80% reduced movement speed for 4 seconds, while tumbling backward to escape.Escape can be activated a second time within 3 seconds after it hits an enemy.
      • Spinning Chakram - Launch a spinning Chakram that deals 677 745 damage to all enemies in its path, and then deals 135 203 damage on its return path. Catching the Chakram on its return path will reset its cooldown, but no more than 3 times every 12 seconds.

    Crusader

      • Draw and Quarter - Mount a celestial war horse for 5 seconds, dispelling all movement impairing effects, increasing your movement speed by 60%, and replacing your Primary Attack. Holy chains will bind up to 8 6 nearby monsters, dragging them as you ride and repeatedly dealing 213 186 damage.
      • Consecration - Consecrate the ground around you, dealing 2064 1836 damage to all nearby enemies over 6 seconds.
      • Shield Charge - Charge forward with your shield, pushing all enemies in your path and inflicting 694 579 damage. Enemies colliding with terrain will be Stunned for 3 seconds.
      • Sacred Chain - Throw holy chains that bounce between enemies, striking up to 6 targets and dealing 489 590 damage to each. The chains Stun enemies for 8 seconds, but are dispelled by damage. Duration reduced to 3 seconds on players.
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  • Diablo Immortal Is Coming To PC! World Wide Launch June 2nd!

    Diablo Immortal Is Coming To PC! World Wide Launch June 2nd!

    Blizzard has announced that Diablo Immortal will be releasing world wide on June 2nd for mobile & PC! The PC version will be in Beta for the world wide launch; however, all progress will carry over. Diablo Immortal will have full cross-play / cross-progression between PC and mobile.

     

    Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment (Official Post)

    Diablo® Immortal™: A New Plane Of Hell Opens For Mobile And PC On June 2

    A battle for the ages draws near. The Burning Hells’ flames flicker and crackle in anticipation, an omen they seek to communicate—Diablo® Immortal™ is coming! On June 2, brave adventurers in most regions* will take up arms against the demonic forces of Skarn, Lord of Damnation, as they uncover events taking place between Diablo II and Diablo III.

     

    Community feedback has been imperative to the development of Immortal and has influenced the game in many ways, as you’ll come to see. One recurring piece of feedback we especially took to heart was the desire to play Immortal on PC. Well, we are most pleased to announce this has been made a reality—in addition to releasing on Android and iOS devices, Diablo Immortal will also be free-to-play for Windows PC upon launch in Open Beta.

     

    This is an especially proud moment for us to announce, as Immortal represents a handful of firsts for both the Diablo franchise and Blizzard. Upon launch, Immortal will be the largest Diablo game we’ve released, home to more distinct zones, unique encounters, and satisfying ways to cut down demons than ever before. Immortal is also the first Blizzard game to be built from the ground up for mobile, delivering the same AAA demon-slaying experience you love but to be played from anywhere.

     

    Lastly, Immortal is the first MMOARPG Diablo game—providing the opportunity to socialize, play, and explore the world freely with other players in ways never previously experienced across the Diablo franchise.

    *Diablo Immortal will become available for some Asia-Pacific regions in the weeks following launch.

     

    DIABLO IMMORTAL ON PC

    It is important for us to assure you that Immortal will deliver an uncompromised AAA mobile experience when played on Windows PC. To assure this, Diablo Immortal will launch on PC in Open Beta. What this means is that you will be able to take the fight to the Burning Hell’s legions on PC upon launch with full cross-play and cross-progression support. During the PC Open Beta period, we will continue to collect player feedback, make changes, and fine-tune this version of Immortal until we feel it delivers a finalized experience for all courageous adventurers. With that said, we have already made a few adjustments to ensure playing Diablo Immortal on PC feels seamless for Sanctuary’s defenders.

     

    Wherever you may go, the opportunity to vanquish demonic invaders from Sanctuary shall follow—cross-play and cross-progression features between mobile and PC will make allying with other brave adventurers a breeze regardless of platform. When the PC version leaves the Open Beta period, all the progress and purchases you’ve made will be maintained.

     

    Aside from ease-of-access, we understand that comfort is key, especially for those longer gaming bouts. To provide players with more ways to play, Diablo Immortal will host controller support for both PC and mobile. Since the Closed Beta, we’ve modified controller functionality so adventurers will now use a free-cursor reticle controlled with a thumbstick to navigate menus. To type messages in-game, a touch screen or keyboard will be required. Providing you with the most optimal experience when using a controller to protect Sanctuary is a priority of ours, so after Diablo Immortal launches, we will continue to improve controller support.

     

    Additionally, the W/A/S/D/ directional keys may be used to move around the map for PC—a first for a Diablo game. And of course, you can still use mouse and keyboard to explore, loot, and keep Hell’s nightmares at bay.

     

    For more information about Diablo Immortal on PC, visit our Making PC blog.

     

    HELLISH LAUNCH CONTENT

    The time to assume the mantle of Barbarian, Crusader, Demon Hunter, Monk, Necromancer, or Wizard and fight for the fate of Sanctuary is closing in. As you ponder which class to walk the streets of Westmarch and beyond with, you may also be wondering—what dangers, or delightfully exciting challenges, will be available at launch?

     

    As you progress through Immortal’s story, you’ll traverse eight expansive zones, each with their own hellish styles. But don’t worry, the gates of Hell have been left open for the potential addition of more zones and content. While taking in the sights and felling demonic hordes in your wake, you’ll stumble across dangerous live events where all battle-hungry adventurers on the same server can team up to defy the odds and claim victory over the Burning Hells. And once you’re ready to tackle the Helliquary, our eight-player raid experience, you’ll be delighted to know formidable foes and alluring loot await, with more to come across monthly free content updates.

     

    Adventurers, we would like to thank you for your feedback across past Diablo Immortal Alphas and Betas. Much of which the Diablo Immortal team has used to make changes that will help provide the best playing experience possible. We cannot wait for you to heed the call on June 2!

     

    If you want to learn more about Diablo Immortal or pre-register, check out our website, or for real-time updates, follow our official Twitter.

    FAQ

    Q. What are the differences between PC Open Beta and Mobile?

    A: The main differences between playing Diablo Immortal on PC in Open Beta and Mobile will be seen in the UI and controller functionality. As we adjust these aspects during the PC Open Beta, they may create slight differences in the gameplay experience, but you can be assured that our intention is to replicate the same AAA experience on mobile for PC.

     

    Q. What will happen to my progress and purchases in the PC Open Beta?

    A: When the PC version leaves the Open Beta period, all the progress and purchases you’ve made will be maintained.

     

    Q. What do we plan to improve for PC?

    A: During the PC Open Beta period, we will continue to collect player feedback, make changes, and fine-tune Immortal for PC until we feel it delivers a finalized experience for all courageous adventurers.

     

    Q. Which countries will Diablo Immortal become available for in late June?

    A: Diablo Immortal will become available for the following Asia-Pacific regions later in June on PC and mobile: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Diablo Immortal will also be available in Vietnam on PC only during the same time.

     

    Q. How will cross-play and cross-progression function between PC and mobile?

    A: If you start playing Diablo Immortal on PC, you will first need to create an account on Battle.net or sign into your existing account. Alternatively, if you start playing Diablo Immortal on mobile, you may either sign in to your Battle.net account or you will be supplied a guest account. If you have a Battle.net account, then you will be able to seamlessly transfer in-between playing on either platform simply by logging into your Battle.net account.

     

     

    Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment (Official Post)

    Making Diablo Immortal For PC

    You asked, and we delivered! The team is proud to announce that Diablo Immortal will launch simultaneously on mobile and in Open Beta on PC—complete with cross-play and cross-progression. We have gone the extra mile to preserve major elements of the iconic Diablo control scheme so that you can slay monsters in the comfort of your own home chair.

    A BRIEF HISTORY

    The decision to develop Diablo Immortal for PC was one that the team went back and forth on for a large part of the development process. On one hand, we felt that we wouldn’t be doing the title justice by releasing a game originally designed for mobile on PC; on the other hand, we wanted to make sure the game reached as many players as possible—especially our most dedicated PC fans. In the end, the deciding factor was that we knew many of you would attempt to play this game through an emulator, thus leading us towards building a better experience. So stay awhile and listen as we delve into more details on the PC version of Diablo Immortal.

    A DIABOLIC CONTROL SCHEME

    FAMILIAR TOOLS

    To stay true to the Diablo experience, we meticulously translated the finger tapping and swiping controls from mobile into the age-old mouse and keyboard. Much like previous Diablo titles, you’ll be left-clicking to move your character and attack monsters while pressing keys to perform abilities and drink potions.

    Keyboard button mapping options for PC.

     

    The quest to determine our default control scheme involved many rounds of feedback from playtest sessions.We tried several alternative setups that didn’t quite hit the mark, and ultimately opted to return to the classic layout with some minor adjustments.

    NEW TO THE ARSENAL

    While not a part of Diablo’s history, we decided to include W/A/S/D directional controls as an additional movement tool. The reason behind this choice was that we felt it was an intuitive way to move your character around, instead of relentlessly left-clicking for both moving and attacking. In addition, moving while attacking simultaneously, such as with certain charged abilities, is native to the game on mobile and we wanted you to be able to do this too. A simple mouse control scheme would not have allowed for these operations

    .

    On PC, W/A/S/D can be used to move your character around.

     

    In the end, we felt that this was the correct scheme to give you the classic Diablo feeling, while also injecting some new options for you to experiment with. The controls should feel familiar and natural to ARPG players. And if you don’t prefer our scheme, we have included the ability to rebind controls to your personal preference. Pummel monsters in whichever way you see fit!

    CONTROLLER SUPPORT

    For all of the console gamers out there, we have included controller support for PC! The behaviors will mimic the mobile version—detection will be a seamless experience and many controls will be remappable to your liking as well.

     

     

     

    IMMORTALIZING THE USER INTERFACE

    SCALING THE HUD

    Diablo Immortal was built for mobile first, meaning UI elements tend to be larger while accommodating phone screen sizes. Scaling down the HUD was one of our first priorities—we want you to be able to see the game while also not accidentally clicking on the UI! And so, we have properly shrunk the portrait, mini map, top-level menu buttons, and ability icons to a comfortable size, maximizing your viewport for action.

     

    HUD elements have been scaled down to an appropriate size for PC.

     

    MENU INTERFACES

    We wanted to simultaneously ship mobile and PC to start building the cross-play MMO community together. This meant that keeping the interfaces intact across both platforms was extremely important, even if slightly large for the desktop experience. While there will not be many behaviors custom tailored for desktop, and some menu interactions may resemble their mobile counterparts, we made sure to include hotkeys for all major functions, eliminating the need to manually click each function.

    Menu interfaces will keep mobile scaling.

    CHAT EXPERIENCE

    All Blizzard desktop games come with the expectation of having a fully-functional chat system, integrated with all of Battle.net’s bells and whistles. We have gone to great lengths to ensure that Immortal is no different.

    PARTING THOUGHTS

    Diablo Immortal on PC is an experiment from Blizzard. We didn’t originally plan to put this game on desktop—but as soon as it became a possibility, we knew we had to take the time to make it happen. If you’re a longtime Diablo player, the result will feel a little different from other PC Diablo games—but we’re extremely excited about clicking Immortal’s demons dead with our mouse, and we hope you will be too. We understand that many of you are seasoned PC veterans, and we want to arm you with familiar tools as you journey back through Sanctuary. This is a thank you letter from Blizzard, and we hope to see you all in hell when PC enters Open Beta in June!