The developers from Blizzard have originally planned to release the mobile installment of the Diablo franchise this year, but these plans have changed. In a lengthy blog post on the official site, the team revealed that the Diablo Immortal release has been moved to the first half of 2022.
The extra time will allow the devs to iterate on PvP content like the Cycle of Strife to make it more accessible, alongside late-game PvE content like the Helliquary to make it more engaging. The team is also working to provide controller support for those who want to play the game in a different way.
The Blizzard team is going to be adding new PvE-centric Raids in the Helliquary system. Helliquary Bosses are now designed as a challenge for raids of 8 players to overcome. There will also be more meaningful interaction with the Bounties. For example, whenever you accept 4 bounties they will all be for the same zone. Additionally, Challenge Rifts will now reward new upgrade materials that can’t be obtained any other way. Now those with the gear, skill, and zeal to face these obstacles head-on will be the most rewarded.
The team is also going to take a close look at PvP: evaluate matchmaking, earning rankings, class balance, time to kill, and other defining elements to improve the Battleground in Diablo Immortal.
About Diablo Immortal:
Initially unveiled at BlizzCon 2018, Diablo Immortal takes place between Diablo II: Lord of Destruction and Diablo III, timeline-wise. Players can choose between 6 familiar classes such as Barbarian, Wizard, Crusader, Demon Hunter, Necromancer and Monk (no Witch Doctor, though).
The Worldstone lies shattered, yet great power remains within its corrupted fragments. Power that Diablo’s minions hope to harness to bring about the return of the Lord of Terror. The Archangel Tyrael is presumed dead, and mankind is left to deal with the aftermath of his actions. Fragments of the corrupted Worldstone taint the land, bringing forth ancient evils who are looking to harvest the stone’s power and use it to control humanity.