{"id":60233,"date":"2018-11-05T12:16:23","date_gmt":"2018-11-05T12:16:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pockettactics.com\/articles\/diablo-immortal-ios-android-diablo\/"},"modified":"2018-11-05T12:16:23","modified_gmt":"2018-11-05T12:16:23","slug":"diablo-is-coming-to-mobile-but-is-this-what-you-wanted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/2018\/11\/05\/diablo-is-coming-to-mobile-but-is-this-what-you-wanted\/","title":{"rendered":"Diablo is coming to Mobile – But is this what you wanted?"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Joe Robinson<\/span> 05 Nov 2018<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n

Do you know which article does surprisingly well for us? The one where we talk about the best games like Diablo<\/em> on iOS and Android<\/a>. Diablo<\/em> is THE defining action\/RPG, and a game that mobile users at least would love to see on their phone or tablet devices (I\u2019d say \u2018handheld\u2019, but you\u2019ve got that Switch version coming now).<\/p>\n

So, it\u2019s interesting to observe how\u2026 mixed, the reaction was to Diablo: Immortal<\/em><\/a>. To recap, this is a new action-RPG game designed in the same vein as Diablo 3<\/em>, and designed for mobile\u2026 it\u2019s just not Diablo III<\/em>, and so far, that\u2019s the game\u2019s biggest and only sin in the eyes of many.<\/p>\n

But while there\u2019s been a lot of fan backlash to Immortal over the weekend, but we\u2019re now starting to see some actual gameplay and more in-depth discussions emerging. For starters, take a look at the official gameplay trailer, as well as this hour-long gameplay demo wuith commentary from YouTube user Kraxell:<\/p>\n

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As far as controls go, you see to have a virtual joystick on the left hand-side, with the quick-access attack powers on the right hand side. Much like Diablo 3<\/em>, gameplay is about keeping yourself mobile (for long-range classes, at least), but also firing off those abilities as often as possible. TouchArcade notes<\/a> the controls are a lot like MOBA Arena of Valor<\/em>, and they (along with Kraxell and a few other commentators) seem to agree that Immortal<\/em> plays a lot like Diablo III<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Loot has always been central to the identity of Diablo<\/em> games, and specifically, the near-totally random system of \u201cloot fountains\u201d that beget slaying big-groups of mobs as quickly as possible to get what you need. According to Polygon at least<\/a>, Blizzard seem to be using Immortal<\/em> as a change to try something different. There will boss-specific loot, emulating games like Warframe<\/em> or Destiny 2<\/em>, but Blizzard maintain the old system will be there in some form as well.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also probably wishful thinking you could port Diablo III<\/em> whole-sale to mobile \u2013 changes will (and should) be made to account for the differing control scheme and player mentality. But to be honest, the basic gameplay interaction\/loop of Diablo 3<\/em> is something we\u2019ve already seen in other successful ARPG titles, and considering the game wasn\u2019t that graphically demanding to begin with, what will really set Immortal apart from being just D3<\/em> on mobile is the supporting mechanics, the window dressing, and more importantly, monetisation.<\/p>\n

\"diablo<\/p>\n

Speaking of which, the involvement of Chinese company NetEase may have some people concerned \u2013 China\u2019s mobile market seems exclusively geared towards freemium business models, and what games do make it out West don\u2019t do much to change this perception. Putting the company aside for a moment, C&C Rivals<\/em> and The Elder Scrolls: Blades<\/em> are also indicative of where western publishers see the value of mobile products.<\/p>\n

But you might be surprised to learn that NetEase have worked closely with Blizzard and others on a number of licensed properties. They\u2019re credited with launching Hearthstone<\/em> in the PRC, as well as being involved in Overwatch<\/em>, Heroes of the Storm<\/em> and Diablo III<\/em> itself in this territory. They took over publishing duties for EVE Online<\/em> in the Chinese market last month, and they\u2019ve even licensed Minecraft: Pocket Edition<\/em> for China. In this context is makes a lot more sense to have them involved in a game like Immortal<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Ultimately there\u2019s been no word on monetisation \u2013 but given the precedents that have been set, freemium seems likely. But where a company like EA has a terrible reputation when it comes to freemium design, Blizzard have largely kept their heads above the water \u2013 there are few horror stories of \u201cBlizzard F2P\u201d, so I imagine they\u2019ll be riding that good will as much as possible as more details are revealed over monetisation.<\/p>\n

\"Diablo<\/p>\n

So what do we know about Diablo: Immortal<\/em> at this point?<\/p>\n