Putting in the hours at the demon factory
Diablo IV is set to tackle a seasonal model, which includes a battle pass system. And in a new interview over at PC Gamer, associate game director Joe Piepiora talks a bit about how much time it will take to see the pass through.
In the season, you’ll be able to start a new seasonal character to take from level 1 to 100. Doing activities and ticking off objectives on the “seasonal journey” will earn progress in the battle pass.
“Right now, the battle pass, when you’re figuring in completing the season journey alongside doing other content in the game, you’re looking at roughly 80 hours worth of time invested to complete the entirety of the battle pass,” Piepiora said. “To level a character to level 100 could take a little longer than that based on how you play.”
The battle pass will have a free track, with bonuses like XP boosts. There will also be a premium, strictly cosmetic track. Piepiora said it’s likely that a player will finish the battle pass before reaching max level in the season, which adheres to Blizzard’s philosophy for Diablo IV of letting players get what they want and move on. Still, 80 hours seems like a pretty high mark to clear for a seasonal pass.
Stay a while and listen
The seasons also include new quests, though to what extent is a little unclear. GM Rod Fergusson noted on social media that Seasons and Expansions will be talked about later, but these Seasons are “new quest lines that help to provide context to new seasonal mechanics – not a new campaign.” Additionally, these will be a part of the free season track.
Still, it seems like Diablo IV is shaping up alright. Impressions from the recent beta weekends seemed positive. Even as Activision Blizzard itself is at the center of all the Microsoft-Sony squabbling, the Diablo team seems to going full steam ahead towards its June 6 launch date. I’m not sure if I’m 80-hours-a-pass sold yet, but I’m certainly intrigued.
