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Diablo Developers Discuss the Warlock, Lord of Hatred Expansion, and the Future of the Franchise
In the latest episode of The Official Xbox Podcast, studio guests — Diablo IV Director Brent Gibson and Diablo Legacy Lead Producer (including Diablo II: Resurrected) Matthew Cederquist — shared details about the development of the Diablo series, timed for the upcoming 30th anniversary of the franchise.
The conversation paid special attention to the Warlock class, announced for several games in the series. The developers emphasized that this class's journey evolves across three projects. In Diablo II, Warlocks are just beginning to master the dark arts. In Diablo Immortal and Diablo IV, the gradual refinement of their teachings is visible. And in Diablo IV, the class appears in its "final" form: the player faces not novices, but masters of demonology and Hell magic, building upon the experience of their predecessors.
When implementing the Warlock into Diablo II: Resurrected, the team aimed for a delicate balance. The class needed to fit organically into the style and gameplay of the second part while evoking different emotions in players: a sense of freshness for newcomers and a feeling of nostalgia for long-time fans. For Diablo IV, the key guiding question was: "What does one become who has turned away from the Light and lived among demons for decades?" — this question set the direction for developing the character's image.
A significant part of the conversation touched on the Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred expansion. The developers confirmed that adding the Paladin to Diablo IV was a response to numerous community requests. Its early release allowed players to get acquainted with the basic set of abilities, and by the time the expansion launches, the class will undergo a significant overhaul — primarily, the class talent tree will change.
The central theme of Lord of Hatred is the conflict between Light and Hell. The Paladin and the Warlock act as embodiments of these forces, defending humanity in Sanctuary, but each in their own way. The plot has shifted its focus: instead of the forces of Hell trying to destroy Sanctuary, players will see their desire to transform the world. To confront Mephisto, the Wanderer will have to secure the support of an unexpected ally — Lilith, Mephisto's daughter, who perished at the end of the original Diablo IV.
Brent Gibson promised: "We've prepared so much awesome content. A fantastic campaign that everyone will definitely love, and at its end, you'll face a boss battle that you certainly won't want to miss."
The developers noted that key efforts in creating Lord of Hatred are focused on two areas.
- First, a deep rework of endgame systems.
- Second, a rework of the talent tree for all classes — this should significantly expand the variability of skill usage.
Interesting facts about the team were also mentioned during the podcast. For instance, the most experienced project member is named Jason Reiger: he worked as a programmer on the original Diablo II at Blizzard North starting in 1999, participated in the creation of Diablo III and Diablo IV, and now holds the position of Senior Technical Director and is working on Lord of Hatred. Matthew Cederquist, in turn, admitted that he plays various Diablo games daily and knows all the nuances of the universe inside out.
Concluding the conversation, the developers avoided revealing surprises for BlizzCon 2026 but fervently urged fans to keep an eye on the event. They also emphasized the role of the gaming community: player feedback actively influences decision-making. For example, numerous comments about the Reign of the Warlock expansion for Diablo II have already been considered in the team's plans — this could lead to new updates for the second part of the series.