14 DAY TRIAL // The development team at Blizzard says that it has no plans to add offline play to the PC version of Diablo 3, despite the fact that the option is at the moment available to all those who have the console version of the title.
Joshua Mosquera, the game director, tells Eurogamer that, “Diablo plays best when you’re playing with other people. Because not a lot of people connect their consoles to the internet, that’s where the whole idea of having to get four people on the same couch playing together. That’s how we get that social aspect.”
Much of the promotional effort for the console versions for Diablo 3 has been focused on the way the experience is designed to bring players together and give them options to interact with one another.
The developer adds, “on PC, we really want players to feel they’re part of the bigger Blizzard and Diablo community. It’s a choice of platform and opportunity for our players to benefit from. There’s a more secure item trading environment, but also a more social environment.”
Diablo 3 has been launched for more than one year, but the company still has long-term plans to increase the appeal of the always connected experience.
Gamers can look forward to an improved matchmaking service, which makes sure that players are paired up with others that are at the same level, a new social system and more interesting rewards for those who are trying out cooperative play.
Blizzard is also currently getting ready to deploy a new system linked to items that will make sure that the Auction House is less important to the Diablo 3 experience.
At the same time, the company is working on Reaper of Souls, the first official expansion for the game, designed to introduce a new playable class, the Crusader, alongside more varied enemies and new areas to explore.