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New ‘Diablo IV’ Quarterly Update Turns to Weapons

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As the year draws to a close, Blizzard has released their fourth quarterly update for the upcoming Diablo IV. This time around, the update focuses on itemization including weapon types, item qualities, and some of the game’s new legendary and unique items.

As is the way with the series, grinding to get new gear is essential, and finding that one cool piece almost always makes it worth it. Diablo IV Game Director Luis Barriga touches on this in the update that the team “reviewed every aspect of itemization from top to bottom and reworked elements that [the team] felt weren’t living up to their potential” in order to put this aspect of the game on a “more solid foundational path”.

Lead Game Designer Joe Shely explains how the team has made “substantial changes to core itemization”, starting with class items. “We’ve also done a lot of work in the game engine to make weapons feel more real and physical,” says Shely. This now includes weapon speeds and inherent characteristics to all weapons. Examples given include wands should be faster than quarterstaves, and swords and maces should do different things.

Item qualities have also seen an overhaul. “We’re increasing the potential power of individual affixes on Magic items. We’re increasing the maximum number of affixes on Rare and better items in the endgame. Legendary affixes now roll randomly (Yes, really!) on Legendary Items. And Unique items will replace Mythics.” Speaking of Uniques, there will be a greater focus on these weapons in Diablo IV, with the team “embracing the fantasy of these build-around items with completely fixed affixes, heavily thematic and usually class-specific powers, and distinctive looks.”

You can read in detail what Blizzard has come up with in the link above. Diablo IV is currently being developed for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

Writer/Artist/Gamer from the Great White North. I try not to be boring.

Video Games

‘Predator: Hunting Grounds’ Coming to PS5, Xbox Series Later This Year; More Updates and Predators Coming Soon!

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After staking a claim on the PlayStation 4 and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, Predator: Hunting Grounds is set to arrive on the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series. To add to the news, original developer IllFonic is now the publisher for the asymmetrical multiplayer title, which will see major content updates in 2024 and 2025.

Per the press release, IllFonic will release two major upgrades in 2024. The April version 2.49 upgrade for the currently available PS4 and PC versions updates player movement, Predator and Fireteam weapon balance, UX improvements, and more. Look forward to more details on the Xbox and PS5 versions coming later this year, with new Predators also arriving later this year and in 2025.

“This game has a strong, enthusiastic player base and a vocal community that wants to see the game updated and supported,” says Charles Brungardt, CEO of IllFonic. “Now that IllFonic is publishing games, we knew we had to get Predator: Hunting Grounds back. We knew we needed to get back to the Chopper!”

The breakdown for Predator: Hunting Grounds goes like this:

  • April 2024: Patch 2.49 will cover the currently released PS4 and PC: Steam/Epic version of Predator: Hunting Grounds. The focus is on player movement, Fireteam weapon rework and balance, Predator weapon balance, and UX/playability improvements. More to come in the team’s patch notes.
  • Late 2024 Release: Xbox Series and PS5 Release: This release is focused on next-gen running on Unreal 4.27, Vivox, and Wwise, with a Standard Edition and a Digital Deluxe Edition offered.
  • Winter 2024: New Predators
  • Spring 2025: More new Predators

IllFonic is also at work on Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game, which is set to arrive June 4 for Xbox Series, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam.

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