Diablo V announced: Diablo IV must hold out until 2029 with new class
At BlizzCon, Blizzard officially announced Diablo V, signaling a major shift in the franchise's narrative and gameplay direction. While the new title prepares to take over the series, Diablo IV is entering its final stages of content expansion, with a roadmap stretching toward 2029.
A New Era for Diablo V
In Diablo V, the stakes have fundamentally changed: the Lord of Terror has won. Set 100 years after the events of the previous installment, Sanctuary has been conquered, and Diablo himself now wanders the world as a character. Instead of a quest to save the world, players will focus on liberation from this hellish landscape.
A key gameplay addition is the introduction of a mobile city in the form of a caravan. Players will travel with this caravan, which serves as a hub for NPCs who act as both quest givers and companions with their own unique storylines. This approach aims to deepen the narrative impact of side characters, building upon the storytelling focus established in Diablo IV.
Regarding character classes, Blizzard confirmed that the launch lineup will be larger than previous entries. Alongside the Monk and Demon Hunter, a new class called the Plague Knight will be available. This heavily armored class utilizes plagues as a source of energy to corrupt the battlefield. Additionally, the developers are bringing back equipment sets to facilitate diverse character builds, with gear becoming increasingly complex as players progress.
The release of Diablo V is currently slated for Spring 2029. This timeline reflects Microsoft's broader organizational restructuring, as the company seeks to demonstrate that recent studio layoffs will not impact its major franchise output.
The Future of Diablo IV
While Diablo V takes center stage, Diablo IV will receive one final major class addition next year: the Amazon. Fighting with spears and bows, the Amazon hails from the Skovos Islands (originally from Lord of Hatred). Notably, this will be released as a paid "Class Pack" rather than being included in a standard expansion.
Blizzard stated to PC Gamer that no further story expansions are planned for Diablo IV, as the narrative arc is considered complete. However, the game will continue to receive seasonal updates to bridge the gap to the sequel. Furthermore, Diablo IV will be available on the Nintendo Switch 2 starting next week. Blizzard emphasized that the game will receive support for a "very long time," even after the release of its successor.
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