Would D4 being D2.5 be enough?

[Wildmoon]

Let's say Blizzard go back to the root and make D4 as close to D2 as possible with new graphics and some obvious improvements. Do you think the traditional format of ARPG can push D4 to be among the top dogs like LoL, WoW, Fortnite and such? PoE is the best iteration of that format currently right? It still achieved only medicre success in the big picture. Ultimately do you think it is still worth it to pour a lot of resource to create a new game built around the traditional format?

[Seramore]

...how else would they make the game?

[Wildmoon]

...how else would they make the game?

I don't know. They experimented with Dark Soul stuff and ditched it.

[Denizly]

D4 doesn't need to compete with the "top dogs" you listed, just PoE (and potentially other ARPGs that come out).

Twitch views aren't everything, and Diablo has no competition value like those other games, unless you count leader-boards for a new season.
This would change if they add PvP arena or something in D4.

[Wildmoon]

D4 doesn't need to compete with the "top dogs" you listed, just PoE (and potentially other ARPGs that come out).

Twitch views aren't everything, and Diablo has no competition value like those other games, unless you count leader-boards for a new season.
This would change if they add PvP arena or something in D4.

I listed those because they make a ton of money. Blizzard obviously wants D4 to make a ton of money. I doubt they aim for PoE's position. Overwatch is currently considered to be doing not so well and it likely is doing better PoE which is considered to be doing well. That kind of standard is likely for D4 as well.

[Denizly]

I listed those because they make a ton of money. Blizzard obviously wants D4 to make a ton of money. I doubt they aim for PoE's position. Overwatch is currently considered to be doing not so well and it likely is doing better PoE which is considered to be doing well. That kind of standard is likely for D4 as well.

It can never make that money. D4 will have a box cost, and maybe expansions. No store.
WoW has box cost + sub + in game store. LoL / Fortnite have in game stores. PoE has in game store.

One makes money once (box), others provide a constant stream of revenue.

D4 can never be more profitable then these games, not without a in game store.

[Wildmoon]

It can never make that money. D4 will have a box cost, and maybe expansions. No store.
WoW has box cost + sub + in game store. LoL / Fortnite have in game stores. PoE has in game store.

One makes money once (box), others provide a constant stream of revenue.

D4 can never be more profitable then these games, not without a in game store.

They will problably find a way to monetize the game past the box cost. That much is given. My question is mainly that if the traditional ARPG format has in it the potential to be very popular.

[Kolvarg]

Do you think the traditional format of ARPG can push D4 to be among the top dogs like LoL, WoW, Fortnite and such?

I don't think any game will be among those any time soon, let alone a Diablo one. Those are games that transcended player count barriers in many ways not because of what they are, but because of what essentially is viral popularity.

ARPGs in general have been a pretty stagnant genre for decades, so I wouldn't expect a new Diablo game to get anywhere near those levels of players.

With that said, Diablo 3 is in the top15 best selling games of all time at 30M sales. While I could see them experimenting with 3rd-person view mechanics, or other types of "spin-off", economically-wise they really don't have to do anything different to be successful.

The only certainty is that whatever it is will eventually be ported to consoles.

[letssee]

i want a skyrim but with diablo universe and multiplayer

[Denizly]

They will problably find a way to monetize the game past the box cost. That much is given. My question is mainly that if the traditional ARPG format has in it the potential to be very popular.

It's popular, otherwise they wouldn't be making it. As for post launch monetization, I'm surprised D3 wasn't hit with a cosmetics store.
I do think they'll do it for D4. Sell cosmetics, stash space, class packs. Those would work well and IMO wouldn't cause a community outrage (like say selling gear would).

[DarkBlade6]

It can never make that money. D4 will have a box cost, and maybe expansions. No store.
WoW has box cost + sub + in game store. LoL / Fortnite have in game stores. PoE has in game store.

One makes money once (box), others provide a constant stream of revenue.

D4 can never be more profitable then these games, not without a in game store.

I wouldn't be surprised if they add a Wing/Cosmetic/Pet store or some kind of loot boxes system for cosmetic to D4. Also, they will probably release more classes mid expansion behind a pay wall (ala Necromancer), considering how popular that was.

[derpkitteh]

i think they realize they need to pander with D4 to unfuck all the fuck ups they've had recently.

i'm 75% sure it'll be like D2 with enhanced graphics. the story will probably be shit though.

[DarkBlade6]

i think they realize they need to pander with D4 to unfuck all the fuck ups they've had recently.

i'm 75% sure it'll be like D2 with enhanced graphics. the story will probably be shit though.

well... we're talking about Diablo here, the story has never really been the main selling factor

[ls-]

It can never make that money. D4 will have a box cost, and maybe expansions. No store.
WoW has box cost + sub + in game store. LoL / Fortnite have in game stores. PoE has in game store.

One makes money once (box), others provide a constant stream of revenue.

D4 can never be more profitable then these games, not without a in game store.

Since when $60 AAA games can't have an in-game store? Having one is THE standard nowadays, unfortunately. Nothing stops Blizz from selling cosmetics and whatnot in D4. I'm surprised they haven't doubled down on cosmetics in WoW yet since their closest competitor, FF14, has a box cost, a sub, and an in-game store w/ quite an assortment of cosmetic items.

[Dawon]

I actually have no idea how they should make D4, I mean we played 3 iterations of the same:ish hack'n'slash looter now so a D4 that follow the same game type would probably just feel like another expansion for D3. I hope they make something new and refreshing, but god knows what! :/

[Wildmoon]

I actually have no idea how they should make D4, I mean we played 3 iterations of the same:ish hack'n'slash looter now so a D4 that follow the same game type would probably just feel like another expansion for D3. I hope they make something new and refreshing, but god knows what! :/

That's basically the same opinion as mine. I don't see the way forward.

[cuafpr]

i'm still hoping they change it up and go 3rd person open-world RPG for a diablo game.

[BicycleMafioso]

I dunno, I quite like D3 in its current 2.6.6 iteration. I picked it up in s17 after many years of dormancy (rmah was still a thing when I quit). I get that many got burnt along the way and it being too late for them, before the game became what it is right now, but I really like the end product.

I never did play DII though. I would rather them make a good game now than them necessarily being held hostage to past games and the lovers of them. *shrug* trying to repeat past successes and fight with nostalgia is a losing battle. If people want to play DII again, make a remaster, and let D4 stand alone.

[thilicen]

Diablo 2 with more balance for some pvp stuff could be pretty awesome.

[Wangming]

All I know is they need to add a method to monetize it. If Blizzard can't get money out of D4 on a regular basis, they are just going to abandon it like they did 3.