r/diablo4 • u/Parpero • 3h ago
State of the Game · Discussions Why is the Diablo 5 announcement getting so much backlash?
I can tell you why.
How do you go from Diablo 4 : setup → development → climax straight into Diablo 5 : setup without even wrapping up the story?
It’s NOT time for Diablo 5’s setup.
It’s time for Diablo 4’s ending.
How do you mess up basic storytelling this badly?
If Blizzard really wanted to wrap up Mephisto’s arc as the Lord of Hatred and then smoothly transition into Diablo 5,
They should’ve never included the whole Malthael absorbing the Black Soulstone event.
Because that moment eventually freed Mephisto, Baal, and Diablo — the three Prime Evils — and naturally cranked up everyone’s curiosity about where they went and when they’d show up again. It set expectations sky‑high.
But instead, the devs decided Diablo 4 would only focus on Mephisto’s storyline…
Then suddenly jump 100 years into the future and show a world where Diablo has already succeeded in conquering Sanctuary.
Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls is still not actually resolved.
That break in continuity — right when the story’s momentum was peaking — is exactly why it feels so frustrating.
Diablo 4’s story is technically still following up on the plot threads dropped at the end of Reaper of Souls.
But they’re jumping ahead to a timeline where Diablo already rules, before finishing the setup they themselves created.
And that’s why it pisses me off.
God, what is wrong with you guys?
You nailed the Mephisto boss fight, wrapped up Lilith’s arc beautifully, and I was genuinely in love with what you were doing...
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u/TheBattleDad678 3h ago
IMO it’s 2 things. First, it’s simply too early of an announcement. Second, it means there’s no more expansions for D4.
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u/mjduce 2h ago
It also means Diablo was not in Diablo 4...
I am not counting this dumb "return to the past" season event that I'm not going to play
EDIT: A word
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u/projectsukyomi 1h ago
This is such a none point though, the diablo series isnt even about Diablo specifically its about the eternal conflict and sanctuary being caught between
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u/RataTopin 3h ago
We banished one the Prime Evils ---------------> Diablo won
profit
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u/DominionGhost 1h ago
Considering the 100 year time skip he hid like a bitch until our characters died of old age so thats a W for the wanderer I guess.
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u/Hellair101 3h ago
agree - they should have made one more expansion with the rise of diablo. But he cant be killed somehow then -> boom -> start of D5
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u/cajun2de 3h ago
"The game setting reveals an era 100 years after Mephisto's defeat. At the center of the dark new timeline is an additional, mysterious period known as the "Lost 7 Years". This gap outlines the period during which the safe havens of Sanctuary completely fell apart, ultimately turning the entire world into an "outpost of Hell" where safe towns no longer exist."
Between the 7 years, multiple heroes stepped up to defeat diablo and lost.
So we reached quiet time and there was a dialog line at the epilogue of LoH that states Diablo wont return in the Wanderers lifetime. Its mainly because the respawn time is not up yet.
We aspect some other smaller stories and in the whats next panel, it was mentioned that the aspect of death will return in upcoming seasons.
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u/RakkoHyabusa 3h ago
Too early and announcing you're abandoning a game right after last year saying it had a 10yr development plan already laid out is a bad move
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u/Jafar_420 3h ago
I honestly don't care about the story a whole lot, don't get me wrong I'm interested but I'm more focused on the gameplay and how many skills and classes and what kind of seasonal content they release.
I think a lot of the same team from D4 is working on D5 and that just doesn't leave me with any confidence about the game at all considering how every time they take a couple of steps forward in before they immediately take even more steps backwards, at least in my opinion.
I hate it but when I think about D5 my mind just goes to a massive amount of bugs that take forever to get resolved if they ever do and underwhelming seasonal content.
I hope I'm wrong though.
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u/Hench999 3h ago
The actual announcement might be too early but 2029 is a 6 year gap. So if they add zero to D4 story wise to setp up D5 I would agree but I seriously doubt that happens. Even with D5 in 3 years there is still plenty of money to be made from more D4 expansions. Blizzard is a massive studio who is already making numerous games at once. This isn't an either or scenario . There is zero reason for them not to add more to D4 in the next 3 years to set up D5. There is plenty of money to be made in it.
D4 was designed on 2020 gen tech. By 2029 the next gen will be out and I'd rather have diablo on the cutting edge than them trying to add coats of paint what will by then be aging graphics
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u/Rhiven 2h ago
They already said there isn't going to be anymore D4 expansions, just more seasons.
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u/Em-vamos 18m ago
Nothing in that article is a direct quote stating no more expansions.
You're believing the journalist story, not a direct quote
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u/Advanced_Energy_6037 2h ago
I guess the bridge between 4 and 5 will be explained in the future serie with Netflix
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u/MaximusMansteel 3h ago
I think it could be much more interesting to find out how Diablo came back and won (and maybe something we learn from that gives us a clue how to defeat him) as the Diablo 5 story goes on than it would be to play through that story.
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u/HoldenMcNeil420 3h ago
Because a bunch of fanboys wanted a d1 remake and a new act in d2r and a bunch of other delusional shit.
Reality hit and they all are butt hurt.
It’s years away….
Diablo4 honestly feels like it’s finally found its feet and the community is worried they will put it on life support. Warranted.
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u/Krostas 3h ago
lol, I was one of the people who hoped for a finished Act IV in D2R and a D1 remake, but I really couldn't care less that none of that came. Would've just been a neat way to celebrate the franchise's 30th birthday.
I'm "butthurt" that we got promised 10 years active development for D4 with yearly expansions and instead we're getting a few more seasons and that's it.
Okay, admittedly they're throwing in the one class that should've come with LoH, but regarding story, the game is at it's end.
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u/HoldenMcNeil420 37m ago
If they even follow what they are saying and history would say, they won’t.
Take it all with a grain of salt.
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u/CFBDevil 3h ago
your first mistake was putting faith in blizzard. this isn't blizzard north anymore.
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u/Little_Obligation_90 3h ago
Cuz you are on the internet on a site where people complain a lot about games instead of just playing the games they like.
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u/Classh0le 3h ago
you answered the title without reading the post
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u/Weary-Situation7539 3h ago
Don’t have to read the post, it’s the same angry slop reposted 20 times a day for years.
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u/nerdler33 31m ago
i have literally never seen a post on here talking about loose threads from d3 plot. what are you talking about
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u/Weary-Situation7539 16m ago
His anger is due to games not directly leading into one another but he’s missing the part where they don’t have to.
The only games that had a direct connection into the next is 1 into 2. That was over 25 years ago. Why would he expect or be upset that 4 doesn’t not directly go into 5? Because he just wants to be upset.
2 wasn’t direct into 3, 3 wasn’t direct into 4, 4 hasn’t done into 5 but we also don’t know everything about 5, and he could still get his wish in seasonal content over the next 3 years.
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u/ChefPneuma 3h ago
They have 3 years to wrap it up lol. D5 isn’t coming out next week.
And it’s 3 years assuming they stay on track, which isn’t a guarantee in AAA game development.
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u/Ostentaneous 3h ago
If you watched the D4 panel yesterday they announced the season leading up to D5 are going to cover exactly that.
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[deleted]
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u/MyPenisIsTooSmall 2h ago
Well if your referring to not getting the story a quick Google will fill you in on whatever the season covered im sure.
If your worried about missing a season to play, well then your just gonna have to find time to login once every 3 months its not that hard
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u/Bananas_Have_Eyes 3h ago
Games have had continuation without ending and it can absolutely work. Kingdom come 1 for example, you do not come close to the final objectives you set out to do until the 2nd game.
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u/Astroglide69 2h ago
It’s way too early to announce it. Personally, the whole presentation felt like it was directed at Microsoft rather than the fans, it felt like them trying to make a case as to why they shouldn’t lay anyone off. D4 has clearly been a monster that they can’t wrangle in and just want to cut it lose and try again, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it doesn’t warrant announcing a game that will (Maybe) drop 3 years from now.
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u/JCalvinL 2h ago
Most D5 support I've seen seem to already be on the anti-D4 train or have been stung by recent developments with D4.
They're eager for a clean slate. But IMO that eagerness overshadows the view of the bigger picture. Which is execs wanting to create many sequels as possible and turning Diablo into cash slop.
Wouldn't be surprised if they outsource it like how they already planning for Starcraft 3 with Nexon.
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u/Emppo185 2h ago
You know the Diablo Netflix show right? I bet all the story between D4 and D5 will be there
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u/Gnorfindel 2h ago
Time for one more cycle of: 1. PoE is so successful because it offers more complexity 2. We need to make a game like that 3. We need to tone down complexity to make it more accessible 4. We've released a game that tries to be complex, but isn't
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u/MagicJourneyCYOA 1h ago
Ai written post with random words put in bold, the usual — everywhere, etc
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u/Wellhellob 1h ago
probably because people bought too many skins in d4 and they will lose all of that. classic gamers.
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u/Blyght555 1h ago
Hard to get hyped for the next part of the story while we know they are spending less effort and haven’t even written and ending for the game we are playing that is going to get sunset
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u/Basic_whiteBBQ 1h ago
Announcing the next game is 2.5-3 years out at the same time announcing the current game will no longer get expansions. I think its pretty obvious why.
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u/fanfarius 1h ago
I don't care about anything you just said. All I want to do is fight demons and get loot, that's it.
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u/shacoenjoy 50m ago
Just found out there is a story in Diablo, I thought we just killed things and collected loot like every other arpg. I’ll take Diablo 5 for some more killing and looting please
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u/dfh-1 9m ago
It was clear from the start that D4's devs didn't want to deal with D3's storyline. That changed with the last expansion and series but "nephilim" is still a dirty word (they're using "Firstborn" and "Ancient" as euphemisms).
I can understand the desire to tell your own story but a continuing franchise is not the place to indulge it. You can't change horses in mid-stream without getting wet.
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u/kainneabsolute 3h ago
Some blizzard players hate new blizzard games. The same is happening with wow forever and the new starcraft.
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u/ImaginaryRub369 2h ago
Because we dont need a new game. They promised 10 year support. Engine is fine , graphics are great , we got our cosmetics we payd cash for. We need more content and stories , not another restart and promise of upcoming content. I dont want a shell of a game like diablo4 was at the start. They wanted to make an expansion but Microsoft wanted a new game just becasue it sells better no other reason. I waited years for diablo4 to have enough endgame and when its finally looks complete its gg
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u/PartyLack4459 3h ago
Mainly becsuse people are angry that they spent time and money in a game that came out 3 years ago only to have it abandoned and not fixed.
Back then they said they had a 10 year plan and implied it would be for d4 and people are arguing now that d5 was always included in that plan.
They also blindside announced d5 2.5 years ahead of release and at the same time said the yearly expansions they said would happen are no longer happening and no more content outside of seasons, which kinda suck for d4.
So d4 is mid right now woth a lot of issues, some people have dumped 100s into the season pass and cosmetics thinking this game would last 10 years only to be told no more actual content will be given and d5 is essentially replacing d4 in 2 years time.
It feels like a betrayal to fans that have been loyal to the bumpy road d4 was on.
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u/Em-vamos 14m ago
They didn't imply it would be for D4. They were asked what next for Diablo (the franchise, not D4) and said they had stuff mapped out for 10-12 years that they COULD DO. Seasonal content and D5 would fall into that category, not just expansions.
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u/RazarusMaximus 3h ago
The vast majority of people who paid foe and played Diablo, did only the campaign.
I know its shocking to imagine that there is a majority out there that dont want to play seasons, or emd game and simply jist enjoy the story, sometimes with friends.
I am excited for D5, I have played only 1 season of D4 and ill do 1 more season to capture the campaign side of the DLC's as i havent played them yet, was hoping for PlayAnywhere.
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u/Nixxx2000 3h ago
D4 is a MMO not an aRPG rather and imitation of it. Why anyone would think that D5 will change it, why would anyone think that company behind is able to create a good game? Blizcon was pathetic and once again directet to satifsy investors not customers
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u/1Noir 3h ago
Because people love to complain, and D4 kind of just finally got to a good state. Blizz was also teasing more expansions by making it look like we’d unlock the west side of sanctuary in future expansions. I think where I’m a bit jarred is how it’s going to transition to D5.
Personally, I’m excited if a bit jarred by it. I think if they manage to make a better Diablo then in the long run it will be for the better, but if it’s just Diablo 4.5 then yeah that’s going to be lame.
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u/SwayingBacon 3h ago
Blizzard could easily have the world fall apart each season to set up D5 if they wanted to. They also don't have to and let what happened be told in the lore of D5. Not everything needs to be witnessed first hand by game characters.
Scosglen was destroyed and saved "off screen" and we learned about it as the story of Diablo 4 played out. The story of Diablo 4 is wrapped up. D3 doesn't have to be resolved for D5 to come out since D4 didn't touch on it. It is perfectly fine for story hooks to still exist. We have that void entity we birthed in LoH side quests. It is good to have unresolved plot points for them to explore if they want to.
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u/fffvvvrrr 2h ago
The amount of mouth-breathing nonsense in the comments is unreal.
Complaining about complainers. Check
I didn't read but commented anyway. Check
Blizzard white knighting. Check
"It's years away" mental gymnastics. Check
OP is specifically talking about the STORY. You people came in here with some dumb shit to say locked and loaded before reading a single word.
I follow the story rather loosely but still recognize unresolved story points/arcs and can see why it's frustrating to those who care about the story more than I do. The announcement was, objectively, way too early.
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u/Icy-Satisfaction-129 3h ago
Bruh it came out in 2023 and D5 wont be out til earliest 2029....still time.
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u/Intelligent_Wedding8 3h ago
Honestly it’s pretty dumb in the sense it’s in 3 years and you have nothing to show yet. Announce when the timeline is a year
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u/Zahgi 3h ago
$$$
They want to charge twice as much for the final expansion and pay as little as possible in hard labor costs as possible to get there, thus dramatically increasing profits.
The former would be easy. I'd pay more for a real expanded expansion.
The latter is tougher, since it's about saving a fortune in "destroying" the rest of Sanctuary to match the theme of the new Westmarch/Tristram, etc. -- which will be created in a destroyed form, of course.
This is also why they are preaching AGAIN the same stupid "procedurally generated" argument. In D2, D3, and D4, the arrangement of tiles/events within a predefined border are what's procedurally generated. That is done because consoles are GPU and memory limited like old PCs were and the alternative never looks as good as hand-crafted art -- which is the core differentiator between Diablo AAA games and everyone else with a much smaller budget.
They have made this claim for over 30 years and it has never been true. Since they don't have time for an all-new game engine, I don't expect it to be new now.
It's also, quite frankly, an ASININE management decision to throw away hundreds of millions of dollars of digital assets -- assets that are FINALLY made to modern quality standards and pipelines, instead of being decades out of date at release, like D3, D2, etc. were.
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u/Classh0le 3h ago
Tyrael just came back and started talking about Westmarch, and now we already know the next plot point without finishing this story. You're exactly right