Early Diablo 4 Designs: A Roguelike Action-Adventure
Diablo 3's director, Josh Mosqueira, recently revealed that Diablo 4's initial concept was a significant departure from the series' established formula. Instead of the familiar action-RPG gameplay, the team envisioned a more dynamic action-adventure title, heavily inspired by the Batman: Arkham series and incorporating roguelike elements, including permadeath.
A Radical Reimagining: Project Hades
This ambitious project, codenamed "Hades," involved a shift to a third-person over-the-shoulder camera perspective, a "punchier" combat system, and the high-stakes challenge of permadeath. A small team, working alongside Mosqueira, developed early concepts for this drastically different Diablo experience.
Challenges and a Shift in Direction
While Mosqueira had executive support for this innovative approach, several hurdles emerged. The ambitious co-op multiplayer aspects proved particularly challenging, leading to internal questioning about the game's identity. As designer Julian Love pointed out, the core mechanics diverged significantly from traditional Diablo gameplay, raising concerns that "Hades" was essentially a new IP altogether.
The Final Product and Recent Expansion
Ultimately, the "Hades" vision was abandoned, resulting in the Diablo 4 we know today. The game recently launched its first major expansion, "Vessel of Hatred," which takes players to the ominous realm of Nahantu in 1336, exploring Mephisto's machinations. This expansion offers a glimpse into the darker corners of Sanctuary's history.
