Diablo IV Originally Envisioned as an Arkham-style Roguelike

Initially envisioned as a roguelite action-adventure title with a "punchier" combat system and permadeath, Diablo 4 underwent a significant design shift, as revealed by former Diablo 3 director Josh Mosqueira. This revelation comes from Jason Schreier's book, Play Nice: The Rise and Fall of Blizzard Entertainment, detailing the development struggles leading to the game's final form.

Mosqueira, aiming to distance Diablo 4 from the perceived shortcomings of Diablo 3, spearheaded a project codenamed "Hades." This iteration featured an over-the-shoulder camera perspective, mirroring the action-oriented combat of the Batman: Arkham series. The inclusion of permadeath further amplified the roguelite elements.

However, the ambitious vision encountered several hurdles. The planned co-op multiplayer proved exceptionally challenging to implement, leading to internal debates about the game's Diablo identity. As one designer pondered, the core mechanics diverged so significantly that the question arose: "Was this Diablo anymore?" Ultimately, the team concluded that the roguelike approach would essentially create a new IP, prompting a return to more familiar Diablo gameplay.

Despite its initial conceptual divergence, Diablo 4 has recently launched its first major expansion, "Vessel of Hatred." This DLC plunges players into the dark world of Nahantu in 1336, uncovering Mephisto's sinister plot within Sanctuary.