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Blizzard’s newly announced Diablo 4 will be online-only across PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 (via GameSpot).
This is fine. Overwatch, StarCraft, and World of Warcraft also need an internet connection to play and Diablo 3 on PC has asked its players for an online authentication from the beginning. But, Diablo 3 on consoles does have an option to play offline, which sparked speculation that the in-development Diablo 4 would follow suit. At a BlizzCon 2019 panel, lead designer Angela Del Priore clarified whether single-player and an offline mode would be included in the new game.
‘We are not going to support an offline mode,’ Del Priore said. ‘But as I said before, nothing in DIablo 4 is going to require partying up. You can play solo and dungeons are private. Campaign quest areas will [also] remain private.’ Regarding the question of an offline mode for consoles, Blizzard confirmed to GameSpot that the game will be online-only for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as well.
Diablo 4’s world will have designated zones to engage in ‘consensual’ PvP combat, but Sanctuary will not be relegated to a panorama for events to happen within but without it. ‘We've only seen glimpses into Sanctuary in previous Diablo games, but those glimpses have enthralled us and captured our imaginations,’ game director Luis Barriga said. ‘With Diablo 4, we want to put the world of Sanctuary front and center. We want every character, every monster, every faction to have a sense of place.’
In addition, Lilith appeared at the end of the Diablo 4 cinematic trailer, confirming her involvement in the story of the new game. She popped up in that artbook, cradling the skull of Diablo, which seems to suggest she’ll be sitting comfortably on his throne and waiting for poor, unfortunate souls to challenge her power.
Diablo 4 is in development and will be coming to PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
