Diablo 4 devs discuss Vessel of Hatred’s endgame activities and new Mercenary characters

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As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I can confidently say that Diablo 4’s Vessel of Hatred expansion has me buzzing like never before! The promise of fresh content, particularly the Dark Citadel co-op experience and the Kurast Undercity activity, is music to this old gamer’s ears.

The approaching expansion for Diablo 4, titled “Vessel of Hatred,” seems imminent, and it’s clear that the development team at Blizzard has paid close attention to the feedback about the original game’s lack of endgame content.

The studio announced that the upcoming update will include a fresh co-op experience set in Dark Citadel and a new activity called Kurast Undercity, as well as sharing insights on these features during my interviews with Aislyn Hall, Systems Designer, and Brent Gibson, Associate Game Director at Gamescom.

Ways to play

Reflecting on Seasons 4 and 5, which were warmly embraced by our audience, Hall commented, “It appears that one key takeaway and something that has been further validated in Season 5 is the desire for a variety of engaging activities.”

They are interested in exploring multiple strategies for playing the game. Not just Kurast Undercity, but we will also introduce the Dark Citadel.

“We’re just adding to that repertoire of different ways to play Diablo.”

“Kurast Undercity is a time attack, multi-layered Dungeon”, Gibson adds.

At the start of the dungeon, you have the power to place a token as a tribute, which alters the difficulty of the challenges ahead. This allows you to take on greater risks and potentially reap higher rewards. As we progress through Season 5, we’ll be uncovering insights that could influence this process.

“You look at Kurast Undercity as that mid-to-late stage portion of gameplay,” he adds.

“In the thick of things, it’s essential to engage in an action that elevates your progression and offers desired incentives. This is an excellent method for gamers to shape the results they aspire for during gameplay.”

After that, we find the grand fortress known as the Dark Citadel, designed primarily for the thriving group of gamers who enjoy playing together in a cooperative setting.

Instead of the standard approach, there exists a dedicated community for this aspect. Our role is to rally this collaborative community, enabling us to incorporate features such as group finder. This not only benefits the cooperative gaming experience but also facilitates players connecting with each other to explore all the existing content within the game.

Hall points to the differences in gameplay pacing between the two activities, too.

“The Kurast Undercity is incredibly fast-paced and relies heavily on momentum,” she notes. “To make the most of your time there, it’s essential to move swiftly and eliminate enemies to extend your stay in the Kurast Undercity.”

In the Dark Citadel, teamwork and critical thinking are highly valued. You’ll encounter problems that necessitate a group effort, and you’ll need to strategize your approach to various situations. These elements come together in Vessel of Hatred, offering fresh gameplay dynamics not yet explored in Diablo 4.

Small party vibe

One significant enhancement in Vessel of Hatred involves the introduction of Mercenaries. These secondary characters, much like companions, can fill diverse roles such as support, damage, or tanking. Moreover, they bring an array of abilities that your character class might not possess on its own.

Gibson clarifies, “We have many individuals who prefer to play on their own. Consequently, in each of our classes, there’s usually a section that caters particularly well to these solo players.”

“How about this idea: ‘Couldn’t you imagine having an expert join you who complements your team’s abilities by filling any skill gaps in your setup?'”

Each character serves a unique purpose, making it beneficial for various gameplay scenarios. For instance, if you’re using a squishy build like a Sorcerer, you might require a tank to accompany you. In moments when your health is depleting, the tank can step in and absorb some of the damage for you.

The game fosters a casual social atmosphere for infrequent multiplayer gamers, but it goes beyond that by allowing characters to be deployed as reinforcements. This feature sets it apart from the Diablo 3 experience.

“Regardless if we’re playing together, I could call upon Mercenaries as backup, entering at specified conditions. This way, they don’t trail behind me, causing minimal damage, instead, the Barbarian swoops in swiftly, erects a shield to absorb some of that damage, and then exits the scene.”

Hall mentions, “There’s a great deal of flexibility for tailoring these elements according to the context, where they can be called upon as backup.”

“Not only should you choose a mercenary who complements your build, but also coordinate their entry so it aligns perfectly with what your reinforcements are currently doing.”

To learn more about our discussion with the team, don’t forget to explore the possibilities that might arise following Vessel of Hatred, and also discover the reasons they continue to discuss Reaper of Souls even a decade since its launch.

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2024-08-29 16:13