Diablo IV Is Fully Online-Only, Even For Console Players
Blizzard certainly held a number of memorable announcements during the company’s yearly BlizzCon event, the long-awaited likes of Diablo IV being chief among them. As apparent by the game’s reveal trailer and subsequent gameplay showcase, the new entry is looking to go in a decidedly darker direction, harkening back to the gothic horror of the old days in Diablo II. However, it appears not every aspect is taking the throwback route, as Diablo IV is currently on track to be an online-only game.
This revelation comes from a new report from GameSpot, which recalls a recent Q&A session held during BlizzCon 2019. On the panel was Diablo IV lead designer Angela Del Priore, who answered a fan’s question regarding whether or not the game will support an offline mode. “We are not going to support an offline mode,” Del Priore revealed. “But as I said before, nothing in Diablo IV is going to require partying up. You can play solo and dungeons are private. Campaign quest areas will [also] remain private.”
Diablo IV being an online-only game may not be that surprising considering Diablo III had also refrained from including an offline mode. However, this internet requirement was notably only ever put in place for PC players, allowing those on consoles to confront the Lord of Terror in both online and offline capacities. However, it appears this is no longer this case, as a Blizzard representative (also via GameSpot) confirmed Diablo IV will indeed be online-only for all versions of the game: PC, as well as PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Some players are sure to take issue with a shared-world approach to Diablo IV, especially as online server issues infamously hindered the initial 2012 launch for Diablo III. Though, one may also want to consider how improved this online structure has become over the years, with regular, relatively less-frustrating updates hitting the game as recently as this past summer. With this in mind, Blizzard is likely confident in providing an online-only experience for Diablo IV, at least enough to rope-in console players for the ride.
Diablo IV is scheduled to release for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One sometime in 2021.
What do you think? Are you bummed out that Diablo IV is going the online route, or are you used to it at this point? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter and Facebook to be informed of the latest gaming and entertainment news 24 hours a day! For more headlines recently featured on DFTG, check out these next few news stories:
Eric Hall2712 Posts
Phone-browsing Wikipedia in one hand and clutching his trusty controller in the other, the legendary Eric Hall spreads his wealth of knowledge as a writer for Don't Feed the Gamers. Be sure to catch his biweekly "Throwback Thursday" segment for a nostalgic look at trivia from the past.
