It's been a hot minute since we've heard about Diablo 4, three months in fact. But the developers are back with a quarterly update and a new batch of screenshots.
The takeaway from the latest blog post is that Diablo 4's aesthetic is centered around "low fantasy, dark gothic horror." Game director Joe Shely (who replaced Luis Barriga) is eager to show the team's progress in defining themes, which gives the game its "distinctive visual style."
(*two*)
(Image credit: Activision Blizzard)Art director Chris Ryder explains that the key to creating immersive environments lies in the two fundamental pillars "old masters" and "a return to the dark." Heavy on the dark it seems, because I'm having a hard time doing anything to some of these screenshots without altering my screen brightness. Or squint really hard.
“Using these pillars helped us stay consistent and aligned with the visual tone of Diablo 4,” says Ryder.
"The 'Old Masters' pillar gives us a lens to filter our art, given the techniques used by classical painters such as Rembrandt, with their controlled use of detail, range of tones, and expert use of color palettes.
"The 'return to darkness' pillar is a guide on everything from dungeons to lighting, and embodies the idea that Sanctuary is a dark and dangerous medieval gothic world."
Diablo 4's environments are described as a "darker, more grounded version" than previous entries in the series. Although the team makes it clear that this is achieved through believability rather than realism.
This is conveyed by the game's architecture, the artifacts found in the dungeons, and the open world itself. Weather patterns and regional biomes are based on these features, all of which are firmly rooted in the "sense of history" that the medieval world of Sanctuary brings with it.
While it may seem like the lighting director was inspired by Game of Thrones' The Long Night, not all areas of Sanctuary are shrouded in darkness. Lighting plays a huge role in the game and is crucial in setting the tone that supports the "return to the dark" pillar.
“As you explore the open world of Diablo 4, you'll find many variations in lighting and weather,” says Associate Lighting Director Ben Hutchings. "...on the coast of Scosglen you can see the misty and icy atmosphere inspired by the highlands and moors.
"Throughout the game, we strove for a strong, natural palette, allowing us to create a visual space for the game that also achieves a gritty tone suitable for the world of Sanctuary."
Elsewhere in the game, in the settlement of Kyovoshad, Hutchings explains how "the use of mist, soft shadows, and indirect lighting" is used to "create soft lighting."
"This softness is central to Diablo 4's lighting aesthetic: it provides a grounded and natural setting. Our goal is to give Kyovoshad a thick, lived-in feel with warm, earthy tones, giving it a breathy palette."
Diablo 4 will feature a shared open world with five distinct areas to explore and loot. In addition to lighting and aesthetics, breakable and interactive props lend themselves to making the world believable; after all, what kind of adventurer can walk through a town without breaking a few pots, at the very least?
With over 150 randomized dungeons and a living world to explore, we can't wait to get stuck into it. Unfortunately, we're looking at 2023 at the earliest, so these screenshots will have to see you through until the next update.