Blizzard Entertainment’s Diablo 4 looked sumptuously dark, both in terms of tone and lighting, when it was revealed at BlizzCon. While it’s not coming anytime soon, some new gameplay footage has emerged courtesy of Game Informer. It sees the Barbarian in action, traveling to some terrifying dungeons to slay foes.

As noted by Blizzard, the overall look of the game – from its environments to its UI – is inspired by Diablo 2. The combat channels Diablo 3 with its crispness and impact and one of the bosses – Merinth of the Deep, Drowned Witch – looks suitably grotesque. You really can’t ask more from a Diablo game, to be honest.

Diablo 4 is in development for Xbox One, PS4, and PC. Details on its shared world and end-game aspects like Keyed Dungeons can be seen here. The game won’t have an Auction House, side-stepping the problems that Diablo 3 had at launch, but it will allow trading. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.

Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch 2 was one of the major announcements at BlizzCon 2019. Though it was leaked beforehand (something which the development team wasn’t happy about), we heard more about how the sequel would handle the current game. Essentially, current owners will gain access to all of the new heroes, maps, and modes coming in the sequel.

The existing game’s launcher will be updated accordingly and all of the current 31 heroes will receive new looks. Only the new PvE missions have to be paid for but getting Blizzard to cater to legacy owners wasn’t easy. Speaking to Kotaku Australia, director Jeff Kaplan said, “It’s very challenging because the industry has done things the same way for so long. And so it’s hard to get people, push them out of their comfort zone and say, hey I think we could do it a better way.”

Kaplan believes that catering to current players is “the right thing” and will ensure the game’s long-term success. “I try to tell them if we do what’s right by the players, they will be happy, we we will have a better game, and we will end up in a better place in the long run.

“Rather than having this short sighted thinking that’s usually driven by anxiety of ‘the only way to get players to play Overwatch 2 is to cut off all the Overwatch 1 players and starve them out and force them to come over’ and, you know, make that game just sort of die on the vine.”

This isn’t new territory – Kaplan also had a tough time convincing the company to make all maps, modes and heroes in the base game free. “The fact that we were going to include all future heroes and all future maps, you know, moving forward on basically a boxed game was unheard of at the time. A lot of the people at the company had to take a big leap and go, wait, nobody else is doing this. And we challenged. We said, we think this is right: if I’m a player of the game this feels right and fair.”

Overwatch 2 is in development for Xbox One, PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch. It doesn’t currently have a release date, and Kaplan said he has “no idea” when it’s coming out. Regardless, more details are expected at BlizzCon 2020, so stay tuned.

If you happened to be hibernating throughout the weekend, Blizzard Entertainment announced that Overwatch 2 was in development. It confirmed new PvE missions, replayable Hero Missions, abilities and whatnot. There’s also a new PvP mode called Push along with new heroes like Sojourn.

Here’s the catch though: Overwatch 2 will actually be an update to the current game’s launcher. All PvP modes and heroes will be available to legacy owners, and their collection of cosmetics will carry forward. The new PvE missions will be the main differentiating factor. That and the updated looks for all the current heroes.

Is it really a sequel in that respect? VG247 was at a BlizzCon group interview and spoke to director Jeff Kaplan, who explained the process of visualizing a sequel. “When we came up with the idea, we said ‘What would a sequel to Overwatch look like?’ Obviously there’s the big points like we want this story experience, we want this highly playable co-op PvE that we’re calling Hero Missions, we want to build a progression system with talents behind it, and we were thinking if it’s a sequel to the game, what else does it need?

“We wanted to create new PvP modes so we created Push. We also wanted to have multiple maps of that mode – Toronto is the only Push map we have, but beyond that, we want to have all-new PvP maps for all our existing modes – Control, Escort, Assault. What would any sequel do? As we got going, we started to add new looks for all the characters that we’re extremely proud of, we built a whole new interface, we upgraded the engine. We are building a true sequel.”

It was then that the topic of legacy owners potentially feeling left behind with the new game’s release. This motivated the developer to connect both games and ensure that progress carried over while new heroes/modes were free for all.

“We made a bunch of decisions to make it so nobody felt left behind. I’m sure we’ve all played games where we were enjoying it immensely and a sequel came out, we were not allowed to play that sequel, and all the progression that we had didn’t come forward with us. It just felt like a bummer. I almost want to challenge everyone back: why is it okay if we do the wrong thing by the player? Which is not give them the new maps, not pull the progression forward, is it okay to call it a sequel? But if we let everyone play, ‘Oh, it’s just a mode that you’re getting’.

“I don’t subscribe to that at all – I think the game is absolutely a sequel. It’s a huge game, and I think not only are we trying to do right by our players – current Overwatch fans who aren’t interested in Overwatch 2 – I’m hoping that we’re doing right by players of games that have sequels that are nothing to do with Overwatch. I hope we actually influence the industry a little bit. Progression can come forward with you, and players of the earlier version can play the new version with people. It’s all semantics, but I really believe we’re doing the right thing by our players,” said Kaplan.

Overwatch 2 doesn’t have a release date – and Kaplan has no idea when it’s coming out – but it’s in development for Xbox One, PS4, PC and Nintendo Switch. As always, stay tuned for more details.

While Diablo 4 hogged all the headlines and attention at BlizzCon 2019, Blizzard Entertainment’s controversial Diablo Immortal received some new gameplay footage and details. You can check out the trailer below which showcases some new zones among other things. We even get to see some Legendary Items and how they affect gameplay.

Diablo Immortal sports shared zones, guilds and instanced dungeons for four players. However, it’s possible to play solo, choosing from six classes: Barbarian, Monk, Wizard, Crusader, Demon Hunter and Necromancer. Each class as an Ultimate Ability but this serves to enhance their regular attacks. Meanwhile, Legendaries can alter your abilities in unique ways (like Storm Bringer creating a giant lightning hammer strike for the Barbarian).

The mobile title will receive “continued support and regular content updates” post-launch including new dungeons, bosses, zones and so on. With regards to microtransactions, Blizzard said, “It’s too early to share details, but we want to make a Diablo game players love and to support it for years to come. We plan to achieve that by creating an ecosystem that accounts for and welcomes every type of player—from our most die-hard Diablo veterans to those who’ll be exploring Sanctuary for the first time.”

Though it was announced last year and has made significant progress, Diablo Immortal doesn’t have a release date yet. Blizzard said, “It takes significant time to meet the Blizzard quality level we’re aiming for, and we have a lot of ambitious goals for Diablo Immortal.” Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.

Blizzard Entertainment’s reveal of Overwatch 2 at BlizzCon 2019 was quite interesting with its promise of story missions, hero abilities and Hero Missions. While its essentially replacing the base game, allowing all legacy owners to play as future heroes and carry over cosmetics, the sequel doesn’t have a firm release date. Speaking at the Overwatch: What’s Next panel, director Jeff Kaplan said he has “no idea” when it will release.

As PC Gamer reported, Kaplan said, “I don’t know. I have no idea. Like, just let us make it great, that’s what we care about more than anything. We don’t have a date in mind.” The Overwatch team will also be “going dark” as it works on the game.

Kaplan further added (as per VG247) that the idea was to release the game when it was good and ready. “I know it’s a lame answer, I’m super sorry, and it’s not like this top-secret thing that the last thing we want to tell players. It’s just that we don’t know.

“What’s important to us at Blizzard, on all our games, is that the game is awesome and the players are like ‘Yes, this is ready and now’s the time.’ I don’t have a date, It’s not this year, that’s a pretty safe answer. I have a feeling we’ll be talking about Overwatch 2 again next year at BlizzCon. If that helps.” Kaplan also said you shouldn’t expect 21 new heroes at launch like the base game had (though there will be “multiple” new heroes to play).

Overwatch 2 is currently in development for Xbox One, PS4, PC and Nintendo Switch, which is intriguing given that the next generation of consoles arrive next year. It’s highly possible the sequel comes to those platforms but again, that likely won’t be next year. Perhaps BlizzCon 2020 will have news of a beta? Time will tell.

Overwatch will still receive updates in the meantime. At least one new hero is coming to the base game with many suspecting it to be Echo. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.

The initial reveal of Blizzard Entertainment’s Diablo 4 was fairly straightforward with an impressive cinematic trailer and gameplay video. One thing that popped up in a panel afterwards is the game being a shared world experience. That means you’ll encounter other players, out in the wild, and can also trade with them in towns.

How will the shared world affect other gameplay aspects? We already know that all versions of the game will be online only with no offline options. You can’t disable seeing other players either though it’s possible to solo all content. Speaking to PC Gamer, lead designer Joe Shely along with executive producer and Blizzard co-founder Allen Adham offered even more details on what to expect.

First off, game-wide difficulty levels (like the Torment system) are gone though Hardcore mode is still a thing. Difficulty options can be selected in dungeons though. Enemies will scale to your level but some areas will be more challenging than others (and you’ll still wreak havoc on monsters by finding more powerful gear).

Solo and partied players will see dungeons private to them. The same applies to areas “relevant to the campaign” though this changes depending on one’s progression. Interestingly, towns will be more populated but venturing into the wastes will see less players encountered. You’ll team up with other players during World Events though the number of supported players is unknown.

In terms of end-game activities, Keyed Dungeons were mention. You use keys to convert a regular dungeon into a much more difficult version. Given that there are “hundreds” of dungeons in the game, it’ll be interesting to see how keys change up the gameplay.

Diablo 4 is in development for Xbox One, PS4 and PC. It’s not coming anytime soon as per Blizzard so stay tuned – we’re in it for the long haul.

Blizzard made the long-awaited Diablo 4 announcement at BlizzCon 2019, and though the game won’t be out anytime soon, we’ve still learnt a lot of details about it- such as its blessed lack of an auction house. We learned other details about its actual design as well, and one of the most interesting pieces of info to emerge from Blizzard’s panel is that the game would feature a shared open world, essentially functioning as an MMORPG.

That, unsurprisingly, means that Diablo 4 won’t have an offline mode, and will require a persistent internet connection if you want to play it. Though you will be able to play solo, the game’s shared world and its integration of online activities – such as PvP, trading, and more – will mean that you’ll always need to be online regardless.

“There’s a large, seamless, connected, and shared space in the world, going down into dungeons, being able to group with your friends, trading and PvP,” Diablo 4’s lead designer Joe Shely told PC Gamer. “We feel that the best way to experience that is in a world that is online.”

Meanwhile, there’s some good news for those who will be playing the game on consoles (which I’m assuming will be the PS5 and Xbox Scarlett, since the game is supposed to be a ways off from launch). Diablo 4’s console versions will support two player local co-op, which, for a game like Diablo, is great news. Though one might wonder whether Blizzard will look into increasing that number from two.

Either way, stay tuned to GamingBolt for more news coming out of BlizzCon.

Among the other big announcements that Blizzard Entertainment made at BlizzCon 2019, it confirmed that Overwatch 2 was in development. It introduces new Story missions and hero upgrades along with a new PvP mode (with all heroes and modes being available to legacy owners). While releasing at an unknown date, director Jeff Kaplan did confirm a new hero would be coming to the current game.

Speaking to VG247, Kaplan stated that, “We have plans to for at least one new hero to hit the service outside of Overwatch 2. Sojourn is an Overwatch 2 character that we’ve confirmed, so you know it’s not her that’s coming soon.” Sojourn was revealed during the gameplay trailer for the sequel though more details on her abilities have yet to be revealed.

It seems that Echo, who was introduced during McCree’s “Reunion” short, might be the next hero. She was showcased during the Overwatch 2 cinematic trailer and the development team confirmed in the past that she would be a new hero. When she’ll arrive is a different matter entirely but given that the latest hero Sigma was added in August, Echo could debut in December or January 2020.

Overwatch 2 is currently in development for Xbox One, PS4, PC and Nintendo Switch. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.

Blizzard Entertainment unveiled Diablo 4 at BlizzCon 2019, confirming the dark gory aesthetic that fans have been craving since Diablo 2. Though the game is a ways off, the developer has confirmed a few things. For instance, the real money Auction House that caused much controversy at Diablo 3’s launch won’t be coming back.

Blizzard confirmed the same to Polygon, and noted that trading was still available. “There are a lot of great elements to trade if it’s done in a contained way. So we’ve got some pretty solid ideas on how to make trade viable without letting it disrupt the game.” 

You’ll be able to trade loot with other players in towns – which serve as social hubs. If you’re part of a guild, then a guild leader might also distribute the loot appropriately. It’s somewhat like World of Warcraft though whether there will be raids on the same scale remains to be seen.

Diablo 4 is currently in development for Xbox One, PS4 and PC. Set several decades after Diablo 3, it sees Lilith, the creator of all humanity, being resurrected for nefarious purposes. Playing as one of five classes – with the Sorceress, Barbarian and Druid revealed thus far – players will take on legions of demons in an attempt to stop Lilith.

With the announcement of Overwatch 2, Blizzard Entertainment seeks to expand on its hero shooter franchise with story missions, upgrade abilities and more. However, it’s staying true to its PvP roots and confirmed that all new maps and heroes in the sequel will be playable for the first game’s owners. Players from both games can even play together.

We already know that Sojourn will be a new hero in the sequel along with Echo. New maps for PvP include the likes of Toronto along with the new mode Push. But what about all the emotes and achievements that players unlocked in the first game?

As it turns out, those will carry over into Overwatch 2. So if you decide to jump into the sequel and want all of your cosmetics for the existing 31 heroes to be available, your wish is Jeff’s command. Those who decide to stay in the current game will still be able to enjoy new PvP content (though only one new PvP map has been confirmed).

Overwatch 2 doesn’t have a release date but it’s confirmed for PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Nintendo Switch. Stay tuned for more details.