You can consider Diablo fans as some of the most patient gamers on Earth, even if a lot of their calmness and composure is forced upon them. Blizzard lays claim to one of the most beautifully developed ARPG franchises on the planet, with many considering Diablo the prime example of what makes a good dungeon-crawling experience. Developers put a lot of love and passion into the series, and each title they release seems leaps and bounds better than its predecessor. It's no wonder the wait for most gamers seems agonizing.

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Such an engaging, story-driven, loot-filled experience, takes time to craft and Blizzard makes sure that each Diablo entry gets just as much attention as the last. Unfortunately, that means development times can be incredibly lengthy, with 12 years passing between Diablo 2 and Diablo 3. Players have already been waiting 9 years for the fourth entry in the series and it's possible they'll have to wait a few years longer before they see it.

Here's a look at everything we know about Diablo 4 so far, including gameplay, lore, trailers, rumors, and more.

Fans have been anxiously awaiting the release of Diablo 4 for years now. It's unclear how long the title itself has been in development but Diablo 3 is officially 9-years-old as of May 2021. That's quite the wait for dedicated fans but it is important to note that Diablo 3 wasn't released until almost 12 years after Diablo 2 first arrived on-scene back in June 2002. Hopefully, players won't have to wait that long to get their hands on Blizzard's upcoming dungeon-crawling ARPG.

Unfortunately, we do know that Diablo 4 definitely won't be hitting store shelves in 2021. During Blizzard's Quarterly Financial Call, Activision chief financial officer Dennis Durkin gave the sad news that; "Our outlook does not include Diablo 4 or Overwatch 2 launching in 2021." This shouldn't come as much surprise to those that follow Blizzard's news closely concerning the Diablo franchise as the company has been adamant about producing their upcoming mobile title, Diablo Immortal. Regardless of the surprising amount of backlash surrounding the mobile game, fans should expect to see it dropping sometime later this year. Since it's highly unlikely that Blizzard would release both Diablo Immortal and Diablo 4 at the same time, it's safe to assume there won't be any "surprise release announcements" for 2021.

It's entirely possible that players could get their hands on Diablo 4 in 2022, but even that timeframe should be taken with a grain of salt. It's still possible that Diablo 4 won't arrive until 2023 or later. That said, here's all we know about Diablo 4's development:

• Gameplay footage has been seen for the Druid.
• Five classes are planned for launch.
• The game plans to return to Diablo's darker roots.
• Developers want to create a much bigger and more interconnected world.
• It may still be quite a ways off. In 2019, game director Luis Barriga said the title was "not coming out soon - not even Blizzard soon."

Back in 2019, fans were introduced to their first look at Diablo 4's new story with the "By Three They Come" cinematic announcement trailer. The callback to a "darker" Diablo storyline filled with profane imagery and blasphemous tones is very apparent in the trailer, players are introduced to a rather intimidating villain, Lilith.

Blizzard also released a Gameplay trailer to get fans even more hyped for the upcoming release. Although short, it does showcase a small bit of gameplay from three different classes; the Barbarian, the Sorceress, and the Druid. In its current form, the gameplay looks similar to Diablo 3, albeit with much better visuals.

When the first announcement trailer dropped in 2019, fans were shown three classes. A fourth was announced earlier this year (Feburary 2021) with the Rogue, a fast-moving terror that boasts high DPS and maneuverability. The announcement trailer featured a touch of backstory for the character while also showcasing a nice chunk of action-packed gameplay.

We don't currently have any concrete evidence concerning Diablo 4's complete launch plans but we do know that the title is planned to hit PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, per the announcement in 2019. That said, it's important to note that console choices could change depending on how long it takes for the title to release. It's probable players will still get access to Diablo 4 on the Xbox One and PS4, thanks to its top-down ARPG style, but it's also likely that fans who own a PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X would also get access to the title, considering how "old" those consoles will be if Diablo 4 doesn't drop until 2023 or later.

For now, the only information we have concerning the future release is that both PC and console versions are being developed simultaneously, so there should be no "waiting for a port" come release time.

Although many fans can look forward a "traditional Diablo" experience, there are still a lot of unique and interesting changes that developers are planning to make in the newest title. Although we don't know even a fraction of what to expect with Diablo 4 when it eventually releases, there are still a lot of exciting gameplay elements to unpack so far. Here's a look at everything we know concerning the gameplay and theme for the upcoming dungeon-crawler.

Fans have come to expect specific gameplay elements when it comes to the Diablo series. The biggest draw for the series has been its loot-based climb towards perfection, giving players a massive pool of ever-changing items that allow them to create unique and entertaining builds for each class. But these builds would be nothing if it wasn't for the series' engaging, entertaining, and fluid top-down action combat. Whether it's point-and-click or multi-axis movement, the combat experience in the Diablo is unparalleled in the ARPG space. It's been replicated over the years with titles like Torchlight and Path of Exile but there is something special about the way Blizzard balances frantic gameplay with beautifully animated attacks.

Although we don't know a ton concerning the "specifics" of combat and how it works, it's safe to assume from the gameplay trailer that it's very similar to Diablo 3.

• 30 - 40 percent of a skill tree can be filled at once.
• Each character has their own unique skill tree filled with skills and passives.
• Each class is also awarded an attribute point while leveling up.
• Attribute points can be placed into areas like; Strength, Willpower, Dexterity, or Intelligence.

The newest skill tree system in Diablo 4 is, well, a tree itself. The pre-Alpha footage showcases a mighty, branching tree with tons of available skills and enhancements. A large network of blood-red roots can also be seen spreading from the trunk, with red dotted nodes spread out across them. These roots hold the nodes for Passive Points. Each class will have access to its own tree but the revamped system won't allow players to create "an unstoppable juggernaut" that can simply max out every possible branch. As it currently stands, developers are aiming for 30-40 percent "fill" on a skill tree at any given time. This means that players will be able to fill around 1/3 of the Skill Tree by endgame. This should create a system that will allow gamers to try out tons of different builds.

Diablo 4 will breathe fresh air into the franchise by introducing three new stats that players will need to pay attention to. These stats will affect gameplay in a previously unseen way for the franchise and developers are hopeful that they will give fans even more customization for their builds. When the title finally releases, expect to see the following stats show up on certain pieces of loot:

• Ancestral Power - Will increase the chance for on-hit skills and abilities to proc. If a skill has the opportunity to "trigger an effect" on a particular enemy, Ancestral Power will help that effect happen more often.
• Angelic Power - Will increase the duration of positive buffs. Anything that gives the player "better stats" and "enhancements" is fair game for Angelic Power. Healing could be increased, buffs could last longer, etc.
• Demonic Power - Will increase the duration of negative debuffs. Demonic Power will cause damage over time to last longer so that it hits harder. You can also expect it to increase the duration of debuffs like "lowering armor values" or "decreasing speed."

Diablo's developers are always trying to create new and unique ways to enhance the series' gameplay experience, especially when it concerns loot. Since, at its core, Diablo's endgame is all about finding and possessing the best loot possible, it's easy to understand why Blizzard puts so much effort into balancing the massive Loot Pool found in each game. To help better address concerns in Diablo 4, Blizzard is removing Ancient Items completely.

For those unfamiliar, Ancient Items in Diablo 3 were specialized Legendary drops that would provide a massive buff to damage dealt, while simultaneously protecting the player with a decrease to damage taken. These items will be replaced with a new "consumable" that can be earned and then "attached" to non-Legendary items. This will allow players much better customization by letting them create their "own Ancient Items," so to speak.

This new system should create a better end game and allow players to create tons of different builds as they won't have to search endlessly for specific Ancient Items.

One of the biggest issues that has plagued the Diablo series in the past is the sometimes obnoxious inventory system. Items would take up particular space within a grid-like bag, similar to the system found in most Resident Evil games. The only way to "keep loot" was to place it into the Stash found at each hometown or hub. Even the stash itself featured this Tetris-like inventory management, making it quite the headache when it came to organizing loot.

Thankfully, developers have decided to go easy on players this time around, and Diablo 4 is ditching the grid-based inventory in favor of something else. We don't know exactly what this new inventory will look like but Blizzard wants to "avoid interrupting gameplay with pockets of inventory management."

With Diablo 4, Blizzard is planning to create an interconnected world, unlike anything we've seen for the franchise so far. Past iterations of Diablo have felt like "smaller, controlled adventures" that players could undergo solo or with a group of their friends. This really helped to amp up the feeling of being "alone and overwhelmed by enemies." Diablo 4's Shared Worlds will open things up considerably, placing players into levels that feel less lonely and feature other players who are undergoing similar quests.

• Shared Worlds will allow players to see one another in the overworld.
• There will be no queue system to enter an area.
• Dungeons and certain environments will be Solo or Party only. Only the overworld is public.
• In order to keep the "mood" of the game intact, player populations will be controlled in certain areas (towns will be more populated publically while desolate areas will be sparse).
• There is no game-wide difficulty in Shared World areas.
• Scaling will still happen when friends join solo players.
• Dungeons will have their own difficulty options available at the start.

Unfortunately, because of their desire to create an immersive player-based experience, Diablo 4 will be Online Only. Players will not be able to play the game offline.

Those looking to try their builds against other players will be happy to know that Blizzard is including PVP in Diablo 4. Players will be able to enter specialized zones in order to seek out special loot and items not available in other areas of the game but those who don't wish to deal with the stress of PVP can completely opt-out. Here's a look at everything you can expect from the PVP experience in Diablo 4:

• PVP will take place in special zones called Fields of Hatred.
• Players will encounter both monsters and players within the Fields of Hatred.
• A special currency called Shards of Hatred will drop from monsters.
• Players can cleanse Shards of Hatred to make them useable as currency.
• Prior to being cleansed, players can drop shards if defeated. (That can be collected by other players).
• Hardcore characters will still die permanently if defeated in PVP.
• Cleansed shards can be used as currency at special vendors for new gear.

Although Diablo may have originated on PC, that doesn't mean mouse and keyboard is the best control method for the dungeon crawler. The Diablo franchise has always been a PC-first affair but Blizzard has tried its best recently to branch out onto other platforms and bring the beloved ARPG to console players. By doing so, many players discovered just how good it feels to use a console-based controller to decimate their enemies.

Diablo 4 marks the first time that the PC and console versions of the franchise will be developed simultaneously and has given developers additional freedoms when it comes to controls and optimization. The PC version will offer full controller support, as well as some additional UI options (possibly on console too) like:

• Open individual UI screens separately when playing Local Co-Op.
• Switch between Mouse and Keyboard or Controller without "throwing players off."
• Choose where the action bar is: either middle center or bottom left.
• Choose what button operates "main attack" by rebinding it.

The Diablo franchise is mostly known for its engaging, fast-paced top-down ARPG combat system but the series also features deep and entertaining lore. Many fans are just as invested in the ongoing struggle between angels and demons as they are the frenetic loot-based dungeon crawling. Diablo 4 looks to continue the tradition with a darker storyline that revolves around a powerful Queen and a world thrown into turmoil.

The Diablo 4 teaser trailer introduced players to a rather demonic-looking horned figure named Lilith. Although the newest iteration will mark the first time she's been included as the main villain (or at least one of them), the character has been seen throughout the Diablo franchise in the path. Her first appearance was in Diablo 2, where she was included as an enemy only during the Pandemonium Event. She was absent from Diablo 3 but is still "mentioned" via writings the player can discover within the Pandemonium Fortress of Act V. Lilith appears to play a major part in Diablo 4 but players aren't yet clear just how prominent she will be in the "main conflict."

Lilith is actually a very important part of the lore spread across Diablo's universe. She's the daughter of Dul'Mephistos, the Lord of Hatred, who is one of the three Prime Evils. She's also a sister to the powerful demon Lucion, and the niece of big bad Diablo himself. Lillith is classified as the Queen of the Succubi and is directly responsible for the creation of the first Nephalem, after sharing time with archangel Inarius.

Here are some other interesting tidbits about the imposing villainess:

• She's capable of shifting forms between a "human-like being" to that of a terrifying beast of "of tooth and claw, of spike and blade."
• She has a human form that looks incredibly normal but some animals and other creatures can still "tell something is off about her."
• She can possess a human and put their consciousness into a sleeping state. She is also capable of reading someone's memories through this method.
• Lilith can teleport.
• Her appearance has changed over the years, with her original character model in Diablo 2 being a re-color of Andariel.

The "By Three They Come" teaser sets up the world of Diablo 4 and its main conflict, although we don't know much past Lilith's awakening. The trailer showcases a group of explorers making their way through an underground area, before being chased by Zombies. After fleeing into a nearby chamber, it is revealed that one of the adventurers is actually a sinister Cultist-like being, who sacrifices the other adventurers upon nearby altars, causing Lilith to pass once more into the mortal coil.

It is said that just her arrival alone has caused turmoil throughout Sanctuary, causing latent darkness in the hearts of humans to grow, with many turning into full-blown worshippers and avatars. We will also see some of Lilith's "agents," who are responsible for helping to spread paranoia and mistrust throughout the world.

Diablo 4 is taking its enemies in an entirely new direction compared to its predecessors. Fans are familiar with the many demonic and blasphemous creatures found throughout the Diablo franchise but developers want Diablo 4 to feel more like an interconnected story that features exciting lore and richly designed biomes. Because of this, Diablo 4's enemies will be classified into "families," rather than be presented as a random mish-mash of creatures, demons, and corrupted humans.

Here's a look at some of the families that developers have unveiled so far:

The Drowned are a grotesque group of undead enemies that stalk the coastlines of Sanctuary, grabbing their victims and pulling them towards a watery grave. They vary in appearance, with multiple unit types, but all share water and ship-themed aesthetics.

• Drowned were once nothing more than a folktale that parents used to scare children into behaving.
• Many pointed to the Drowned as responsible for kidnappings near coastal areas but these rumors were dispelled as nothing more than imagination.
• They completely overrun the coastlines of Scosglen in Diablo 4.
• Some forms of Drowned include Juggernaut, Tidewalker, Wretch, and Deckhand. There is also a unique mob named Merinth of the Deep.

The Cannibals are a family of humans-turned-flesh eaters that stalk lonely caravans and crowd unsuspecting adventurers like livestock. The group is said to be brutal, malicious, and strong, with a never-ending hunger that only grows with each meal.

• No one knows exactly where the Cannibals originated from but some suspect they are an old tribe of Barbarians.
• Cannibals have no ranged units and instead overwhelm players with swift and brutal melee attacks.
• Their headquarters is located in the Dry Steppes.
• There are four different Cannibal units, each equipped with their own unique weapon that gives them access to an array of attacks. There are those that wield a greatsword, dual axes, a halberd, or a spiked club.

Not much has been said about the Cultists in Diablo 4 but the group has been prevalent across the franchise, with many variations showing up in Diablo 3. Cultists are usually corrupted humans or worshippers that use staves, magical attacks, and summons to attack players. These enemies can come in all shapes and sizes, with some even turning into Dark Thralls and slashing at players with melee attacks.

With Diablo 4 facing a lengthy development process, even from the time of writing, it's easy to understand why content-hungry gamers and dedicated Diablo fans would spread rumors like wildfire. Any crumb of information regarding the highly-anticipated ARPG release is always going to garner excitement and it's often a one-off comment from a developer or Blizzard community member will be held under extreme analysis from players.

Here's a look at some of the most prominent rumors concerning Diablo 4.

Fans have definitely been a bit vocal concerning the lack of Diablo 4 development news and progress. With almost a decade of time passing since Diablo 3 released, it's easy to see why dedicated fans are starting to get a bit anxious about getting their hands on the next installment. This is perhaps the main reason that so many fans lambasted the reveal for Diablo Immortal, although some suggest the game will be a good way to fill time and get that "Diablo fix" before the next release drops.

That said, developers are actually quite satisfied with the production of Diablo 4 and actually believe the title is "exceeding expectations." During a Blizzard Entertainment earnings call, Chief operating officer Daniel Alegre stated that Diablo 4 will “advance the art of the action-RPG genre,” and that the franchise itself was “nearing the start of its reincarnation.”

Microtransactions are a touchy subject for some players, especially when it comes to a franchise they know and love. Even some of the most successful AAA titles on the market are now looking at additional ways to monetize their games past the initial cost at launch. Diablo has been a fairly microtransaction-free series for the most part, aside from DLC expansions which are usually met with positivity from fans.

During Blizzcon 2019, Joe Shely was asked about potential monetization strategies for Diablo 4 post-launch.  According to the lead designer, “Diablo IV will be available as a base game, and […] we’re going to have expansions. You also will be able to acquire cosmetics in the game.” As of now, it's unclear just how much these cosmetics will cost or if they will be obtainable in any other capacity outside of microtransactions.

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