Blizzard says it’s perfectly fine to take a break after finishing certain goals inDiablo 4, so that players are fresh for the release of Season 1. While not a controversial comment, by any means, someDiablo 4players find it funny to hear a game developer of a live-service game so candidly encouraging players to take a break from playing the game. It perhaps shows an understanding of how to playDiablo 4in a healthy manner, even if it’s not the most profitable thing to encourage.
Diablo 4launched on June 5, so it has already been over a month since the game’s release. While the game can be played endlessly, there are finishing points where players may consider they’ve done everything they want to do. Examples include thecompletion ofDiablo 4’s campaign, the level 50 skill point cap, the World Tier 4 capstone dungeon, reaching level 100, or defeating the level 100 boss Echo of Lilith. Each requires increasingly significant amounts of time investment.
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While Blizzard would certainly love it if every player stuck withDiablo 4without pause, it understands that’s not realistic. During itslatest Blizzard campfire chat livestream,Diablo 4associate game director Joe Piepiora recommended that players “take a break to play something else for a little while” once they do everything they want to in the game. He even acknowledges that developers on theDiablo 4team do the same thing.
Of course, Piepiora still wants those players to come back toDiablo 4. He says that whenSeason 1 ofDiablo 4launches, that’s a “great time to come back.” He hopes thatDiablo 4players will have enjoyed what they’ve played of the game, and will want to return. That’s what the idea of a seasonal content schedule is all about. Season 1 will have new content to play, offering a fresh experience for new and returning players.
One of the harshest criticisms ofDiablo 4up to this point is that endgame feels like it doesn’t have enough tangible goals. Piepiora may not be acknowledging these criticisms specifically in his comments, but it’s clear that there’s an understanding.MostDiablo 4players will not get to level 100, and Blizzard doesn’t want players to be burnt out before it can start its post-launch content.
As refreshing as Piepiora’s response might be, there is a serious question of whetherDiablo 4’s live service planswill prove successful. It’s unclear how manyDiablo 4players are still playing a month after launch, how many will return for Season 1, and whether Season 1 will persuade them to continue playing after. Season 1 starts July 20 and will introduce a robust amount of new content. It might be worth revisiting forDiablo 4players currently taking a break.
Diablo 4is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
