Diablo 4is the upcoming sequel in Blizzard’s dungeon-crawling fantasy franchise, but there’s one big thing Blizzard should keep in mind. 2020 has been an understandably tumultuous year for game developers, with many projects being put on hold or delayed as studios work from home.
Not only that, but the debut of the next-gen consoles as both Sony and Microsoft increasingly line up exclusives for their new hardware makes the future of the gaming industry as unclear as ever. There’s one feature, however, thatDiablo 4should take from Sony’s approach toSpider-Man: Miles Morales.
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Miles Morales Ultimate Edition
There are few things the SonySpider-Mangames and theDiablofranchise have in common.Diablohas multiple classes, is a multiplayer fantasy dungeon-crawler with a gothic color palette, and has armies of angels and demons.Spider-Manis an action-adventure superhero game where players can swing through the skyscrapers of Marvel’s New York. However, the featureDiablo 4should include is not actually a part ofSpider-Man: Miles Morales’ game design itself.
Two versions ofSpider-Man: Miles Moraleswill be released on July 31, 2025: the Standard Edition, andMiles MoralesUltimate Edition. The Standard Edition contains only the new content fromMiles Morales, and costs $49.99, around 10 dollars cheaper than the standard price for triple-A games for around the last 15 years. The Ultimate Edition costs $69.99, and includes a remastered version of Sony and Insomniac’s originalSpider-Mangame for the PS5.
This helps soften the blow of a trend across the new triple-A releases as gaming enters the next generation of consoles. Sony announced in September that many next-gen games like theDemon’s SoulsremakeandDestruction All Starswill be releasing for around $70, a $10 price hike from the previous industry standard. Xbox followed shortly afterwards, making it clear that $70 is quickly becoming the new standard for triple-A games.
Despite the Ultimate Edition costing around $70, this makes theSpider-Man: Miles Moralespackage a pretty good deal. For an average of $35 each, gamers can get two full SonySpider-Mangames for PS5, which may help the company regain some good faith after the price-hike. Other evidence suggests that consumers will“happily” pay $70 for triple-A titles, but if nothing else the package deal could tip some gamers in favor of the PS5 when choosing their next-gen console this holiday season.
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Diablo 2 Resurrected
Blizzard has been remastering several of its old games over the last few years.Warcraft 3: Reforgedrecreated the classic RTS, thoughWarcraft 3: Reforgedhad its controversies. There have been rumors thatDiablo 2is next on Blizzard’s docket, with the project namedDiablo 2 Resurrected. While these rumors remain to be proven true, Blizzard should consider packaging theDiablo 2remaster in withDiablo 4.
This wouldn’t be the first time Blizzard has done a package deal either. WhenDiablo 3released, it was made free to download forWorld of Warcraftplayerswho committed to another full year of theirWoWsubscription. Between the new consoles, the price-hike, and the pandemic, wallets are tight for many gamers at the moment, and deals like these could decide which games they go for when trying to get the best value for money.
The rumoredDiablo 2remake, if packaged withDiablo 4, could also remind Blizzard fans of what made them fall in love with the company to begin with.Diablo 3was successful but less acclaimed than the previous installment. Fortunately, Blizzard has an opportunity to look at the successes and limitations of theSpider-Man: Miles MoralesUltimate Edition when making its decision.
Diablo 4is in development.
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