Diablo 4 was initially envisioned as a more dynamic action-adventure game with permadeath, as shared by Josh Mosqueira, the director of Diablo 3.
Diablo 3 Director Envisioned a New Direction for Diablo 4
Roguelike Action-Adventure Concept for Diablo 4 Faced Multiple Challenges
Josh Mosqueira, the former director of Diablo 3, revealed that Diablo 4 could have taken a drastically different path from the traditional action-RPG format of the series. The game was initially conceived as a roguelike action-adventure, drawing inspiration from the Batman: Arkham series.
This insight comes from a chapter in Jason Schreier's book, "Play Nice: The Rise and Fall of Blizzard Entertainment," which was highlighted in a WIRED report. The narrative captures the transition from Diablo 3 to Diablo 4, with Mosqueira aiming to reinvent the franchise after what was perceived as the underwhelming reception of Diablo 3.
The early concept, codenamed "Hades," was developed with a small team of artists and designers. This version of Diablo 4 was planned to feature an over-the-shoulder camera perspective, departing from the series' traditional isometric view. The gameplay was intended to be more action-oriented and "punchier," akin to the Batman: Arkham games, and included a permadeath mechanic where a character's death would be permanent.
Despite the initial enthusiasm and support from Blizzard's executives for this experimental approach, various challenges arose that prevented the realization of this roguelike version of Diablo 4. The ambitious co-op multiplayer elements inspired by the Arkham series proved difficult to integrate, prompting concerns among the development team about whether the project still aligned with the core identity of Diablo. As designer Julian Love remarked, "The controls are different, the rewards are different, the monsters are different, the heroes are different. But it’s dark, so it’s the same." Ultimately, the team felt that the roguelike Diablo 4 would have been more akin to a new IP than a continuation of the Diablo series.
Diablo 4 has since moved forward with its first major expansion, "Vessel of Hatred," which introduces players to the dark realm of Nahantu in the year 1336. This expansion focuses on the sinister machinations of Mephisto, one of the Prime Evils, and his plans for Sanctuary. For a detailed look at this expansion, check out our review linked below!
