Diablo 4 Was a Batman Arkham-Style Roguelite Initially

Initially conceived as a radically different game, Diablo 4 was envisioned as a fast-paced, action-adventure title with permadeath mechanics, according to Diablo 3 director Josh Mosqueira.

Diablo 4's Near-Miss: A Roguelike Action-Adventure

Ambitious Vision, Complex Reality: Why the Roguelike Diablo 4 Never Was

A recent WIRED report, drawing from Jason Schreier's upcoming book Play Nice: The Rise and Fall of Blizzard Entertainment, reveals a fascinating alternate reality for Diablo 4. Instead of the familiar action-RPG formula, Mosqueira's initial concept, codenamed "Hades," was a bold departure, aiming for a Batman: Arkham-style experience with roguelike elements.

This vision, involving a select group of artists and designers, featured a third-person perspective (replacing the series' isometric view), punchier combat, and the unforgiving mechanic of permadeath.

While Blizzard executives initially supported this experimental approach, several challenges ultimately derailed the project. The ambitious co-op multiplayer design proved particularly problematic, leading to internal questioning of the game's Diablo identity. As designer Julian Love noted, the core gameplay diverged significantly from the series' established norms. Ultimately, the team concluded that "Hades" was effectively a new IP, not a Diablo game.

Diablo 4 recently released its first major expansion, Vessel of Hatred, transporting players to the ominous realm of Nahantu in 1336. This expansion explores Mephisto's sinister machinations within Sanctuary. [Link to Diablo 4 DLC review (optional)]