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Get ready, Diablo Immortal players—Patch 3.2 is about to change everything. With the return of the Dark Lord and an arsenal of game-defining features, this update promises to take you to uncharted realms of terror.
We sat down with Senior Narrative Designer Ryan Quinn and Senior Game Designer Nan Jiang to discuss the ambitious scope of this upcoming patch. From the return of Diablo himself to exciting new gameplay elements, Patch 3.2 is set to redefine the Diablo Immortal experience.
Diablo’s Return: The Dark Lord Returns
The return of Diablo is perhaps the most eagerly awaited moment for fans. When we asked Ryan about revisiting classic bosses like Malthael or Lilith, he explained how they balance nostalgia with fresh ideas:
“For us, it’s kind of like a 50-50 balance between nostalgia and bringing out the old hits and characters that people know, while also making something new. We always go for ‘coolness’ first, and then we make sure it fits with the story and timeline.”
Nan Jiang teased that Diablo IV fans have even more to look forward to in the future:
“You may have noticed our growing cooperation with Diablo IV. Expect to see characters like Shiva and the ice boss make their way into Diablo Immortal as well.”
New Collaborations on the Horizon?
The recent World of Warcraft crossover was a massive hit, and both Ryan and Nan couldn’t have been happier with how it was received. Ryan shared his excitement:
“We had an awesome time doing it. We’re huge WoW fans, and it’s great to see the positive response.”
But Nan teased that the collaboration train isn’t stopping with Blizzard properties:
“This was the biggest collaboration we’ve done so far, and it was extremely successful. While I can’t spoil anything, we’re exploring collaborations not just with Blizzard IPs but potentially with others as well.”
A New Era for Diablo Immortal: The Age of Unmaking Ends
Patch 3.2 marks the conclusion of the Age of Unmaking and transitions into a new chapter of the Diablo Immortal saga. Ryan explained the importance of this narrative turning point:
“When we complete a story arc, we want to give players a moment to breathe, experience some catharsis, and see the resolution of what’s gone on. But as always with Diablo, there are ‘plans within plans.’ The power vacuum left by these events will affect demons, mortals, and Sanctuary itself.”
For lore enthusiasts, Patch 3.2 is packed with deep character histories and even includes a comic focusing on one pivotal character’s relationship with Diablo.
“Most of the story’s big characters have hidden lore in spades,” Ryan said, “and we’ve even got a comic coming out that dives deep into one of them.”
World’s Crown: A Metal-Lover’s Dream Zone
Prepare yourself for World’s Crown, a new zone like no other. Inspired by a mix of Antarctica, Pompeii after Mount Vesuvius, and a heavy metal album cover, this zone is a haunting, blood-soaked landscape full of ominous craters and corpse pyramids.
Ryan described the visual inspiration behind World’s Crown:
“This zone has everything—a lake of blood, corpse pyramids, and basalt craters that bring to life everything we’ve imagined. It’s kind of like being in a living nightmare. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart.”
Nan added a hint of the challenge ahead:
“Even with the best items, we want players to feel the challenge. We’re making sure it’s not going to be easy to get through, no matter how strong you are.”
Challenger Dungeons: A New Twist on Replayability
One of the most exciting additions in Patch 3.2 is Challenger Dungeons. These dungeons introduce random modifiers, ensuring that every run feels fresh and unpredictable.
Nan explained the philosophy behind this feature:
“We want to add a refreshing feeling to repetitive content. Higher drop chances, guaranteed weekly set drops—it’s all there, but it’s optional for players.”
Ryan emphasized the importance of player mastery:
“It’s about rewarding players who push their builds and master technical play. We want to make sure that every dungeon run feels rewarding, whether you’re testing your limits or just trying to enjoy the chaos.”
The Ultimate Battle: Diablo’s Final Stand
The battle against Diablo in Patch 3.2 is the culmination of over a year of development. With three core mechanics and multiple phases, this boss fight promises to be the most ambitious yet. Nan explained:
“We’ve incorporated three core mechanics into Diablo’s fight. Each phase offers something completely different. You’ll face an overwhelming darkness, only to break through with the shining light of El’druin.”
Ryan shared the narrative stakes:
“Diablo’s goal is to unmake Sanctuary and fuse it with the Realm of Terror, creating an endless cycle of fear and consolidating his power over Hell. It’s an all-out war for the future of the world.”
New Mechanics for New Players
For newcomers, Patch 3.2 offers systems to help ease you into the game while preserving the core challenge Diablo fans love. Nan provided some advice for those struggling with missions:
“Do some grinding if you find missions hard. And remember, complete the main quest and the Crucible of Justice storyline to prepare for the Diablo fight. It’s all about pacing yourself and getting ready for the final showdown.”
A Labor of Love: Developer Insights
Both Ryan and Nan reflected on their pride in the update. Ryan spoke about seeing the world come to life:
“Seeing the lake of blood, corpse pyramids, and basalt craters really brought everything together. It made me think, ‘Yeah, we did it. We nailed it.’”
Nan shared a lighter moment about redesigning Diablo’s fire skill:
“The first version felt so weak we had to scrap it. But the final result is exactly what Diablo should feel like—powerful, destructive, and terrifying.”
A Final Message to the Players
As Patch 3.2 nears launch, both developers expressed their deep gratitude to the community.
Ryan thanked the players, saying, “Thank you for playing and for caring about this game. We’ve been teasing Diablo’s return since 2022, and seeing it come to fruition is incredibly rewarding. But Immortal’s story is far from over.”
Nan highlighted their commitment to improvement, saying, “We hear your feedback and are dedicated to making the game even better. This patch is our biggest yet, and we can’t wait for you to dive in.”
Are you prepared for the ultimate battle against the Lord of Terror?
In the meantime, if you’re curious about trying out the game and want to learn more, head over to their official website here. Additionally, if you enjoyed this interview, be sure to check out our other interviews with industry experts here!
