Summary

  • General Manager Rod Fergusson explains that mini pets were not included in Diablo 4 at launch to maintain the game's authentic and grounded aesthetic.
  • Fergusson acknowledges the desire for mini pets and states that the team enjoys creating them, but wanted to ensure Diablo 4 was established in a specific tone before exploring additional features.
  • The introduction of non-combat pets, such as crows or imps, could add convenience to Diablo 4 without compromising its intended tone, and could also serve as a potential angle for microtransactions.

The absence of non-combat pets in Diablo 4 was felt by fans of its predecessor, and General Manager Rod Fergusson finally broke the silence on why the team decided against putting the feature in at launch. Pets in Diablo 3 had the genius role of collecting gold, allowing players more up-time in massacring the forces of the Burning Hells. Though the sequel has purposefully slowed down its gameplay to align more with Diablo 2, many fans feel this quality-of-life feature is missing in Diablo 4.

While Diablo 4's Season of Blood attempted to fix a laundry list of issues that players have been complaining about since beta, there is still a long way to go. New boss fights were introduced to the game, build variety has increased tremendously compared to launch, and Malignant Rings will try to bring the most fun aspect of Diablo 4's inaugural season as an evergreen feature in Patch 1.2.2. Though Blizzard was tight-lipped on details at BlizzCon 2023, both regarding Vessel of Hatred and Season 3, subsequent interviews have yielded plenty of interesting tidbits on the future of Diablo 4.

diablo 4 new classes blood knight spiritborn paladin crusader vessel of hatred
DIablo 4 Developer Discusses New Classes That Could Come to the Game

Adam Jackson discusses bringing new classes to Diablo 4 in the Vessel of Hatred expansion and beyond during a recent BlizzCon 2023 interview.

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“When we started out, we really wanted to establish ourselves in a very authentic way, a very grounded way." - Rod Fergusson

General Manager Rod Fergusson had an interview with TechRadar concerning the direction of the game, and when asked about the possibility of mini pets coming to Diablo 4, his reply was to never say never. “When we started out, we really wanted to establish ourselves in a very authentic way, a very grounded way," Fergusson explained, stating that the things that defined Diablo 3 such as "big wings" and "mini pets" would have felt out of place in the dark gothic world of Diablo 4 that team painstakingly created.

Diablo 4 How To Pet The Dog Guide Emote

“We get the desire [for mini pets] and we had fun with those as well. We like mini pets, we like to make all that stuff as well,” Fergusson declared, before adding: “But we wanted to make sure that Diablo 4 as sort of the reemergence – the tentpole version of our franchise – was coming in, in an authentic, grounded way that we could build from there. That's not saying we'll never do it, but it felt too early in season one.”

Though it remains to be seen what Vessel of Hatred will bring to Diablo 4, it will effectively be "season two," and there may be ways of reconciling non-combat pets with the grounded aesthetic of the game. Having a crow, bat, or even a small imp follow the player around, collecting gold and materials in their stead, would add plenty of convenience to Diablo 4 without ruining the tone that it's attempting to evoke. Given that microtransactions play a primary role in Diablo 4's monetization format, selling mini pet skins would also be a worthwhile angle for Blizzard to consider. Ultimately, players will have to wait until late 2024 for Kurast to open its doors and reveal what it has in store.

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Diablo 4 Tag Page Cover Art
9 /10

Diablo 4
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Action RPG
Hack and Slash
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Systems
PlayStation-1 Xbox-1 PC-1
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Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
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Released
June 5, 2023
ESRB
Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
Developer(s)
Blizzard
Publisher(s)
Blizzard
Engine
Proprietary Engine
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
Cross-Platform Play
All platforms
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
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Diablo® IV is the ultimate action-RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish dungeons, and legendary loot.

Embark on the epic campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through a gripping story in a beautifully dark world, or explore an expansive end game: battle iconic bosses for powerful loot, fight back the encroaching onslaught of Hell in Helltides, master the Forge to create your ultimate weapons and progress powerful characters, with cross-play and cross-progression on all available platforms.

Welcome to Hell

Discover the critically acclaimed franchise that defined the Action RPG genre. As the battle between the High Heavens and Burning Hells rages on, hatred devours Sanctuary as evil spreads and a new wave of cultists and worshippers arise to embrace Lilith’s coming. Only a brave few dare to face this threat and bring light to the all-consuming darkness.

Expansive Open World

Forge your own path through the corrupted lands of Sanctuary, an ever-growing, fully explorable world teeming with challenges, quests, enemies, and loot. Join your fellow adventurers, rescue and retake besieged towns, delve into nightmarish dungeons and uncover lost secrets as you fight back evil. The many zones of Sanctuary are yours to explore, and with rotating areas of extreme peril like World Bosses and Helltide, danger lurks at every turn.

Immersive Character Development

Create and customize your character to face the encroaching darkness. Choose from one of five classes and build your hero with skills, abilities and cosmetics, creating a champion that is uniquely your own. Grow stronger as you progress through powerful Skill Trees and develop even more unique end game specializations with Paragon Boards.

Legendary Gear, Epic Battles

Discover and experiment with a vast arsenal of powerful weapons, armor and more to fight back against the demons threatening Sanctuary. Explore unique combinations, create your own upgrades and collect a plethora of powerful tools to battle in immersive, action-packed combat against the deadliest of enemies.

Seasons & Events

The tales of Sanctuary continue to unfold. Create Seasonal Characters and join in fresh adventures - master new mechanics and take on the latest threats in each new Season. Complete harrowing feats of the Season Journey and earn new Battle Pass rewards. Plus, sharpen your swords and get in the spirit of the seasons when Limited-Time Events sweep through Sanctuary.

End Game Undertakings

There’s even more Diablo® IV to explore as you reach higher levels and more fearsome World Tiers. Face the greatest challenge yet as you take on the most powerful demons in The Pit, steel yourself against Uber Bosses to reap uber unique rewards, fight back overflowing armies of Hell as Helltides emerge across Sanctuary, battle larger-than-life World Bosses, and master the Forge to create the mightiest weapons fit for a hero.

Franchise
Diablo
Metascore
88
Genre(s)
Action RPG, Hack and Slash