In its quarterly Diablo IV update, Blizzard showcased a range of new features they are working on for the upcoming RPG. The main focus of this update was of course the character customization and creation mode. Players can create their own unique characters in Diablo IV and tweak their appearances. This is a major jump from the handful of preset characters in Diablo 3.
Blizzard revealed that the ability to create a truly unique character in Diablo IV will allow players to stand out amongst the world around them. The new level of detail across the textures, hair, metal leather and other materials also creates a life-like visual aesthetic in Diablo IV.
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Diablo IV will feature what Blizzard called a “Lair”. Here, players can customize the look of their character using an exciting new Wardrobe system. You can mix and match through hundreds of armour components that are class-specific. You can then tweak the colour of each of these armour pieces and dye them using a range of inks. You can change a gold material into silver and replace a black cloth with a white cloth. Players can then dye each piece of their armour a different colour.
We made massive improvements to the level of detail, the surfacing of complex materials like skin, cloth simulation, hair, fur, metal, even down to the details of the highlights of the eyes and rivulets of perspiration. We built a robust character customization system that is entirely new to Diablo and it was a daunting amount of technical character work. These solutions had to work not just for a single character, but for hundreds of componentized armor sets, different body types, dozens of unique personas, and completely unique art for five distinct classes (to start). This was an entirely new challenge for our team to tackle.
All of this builds on the new camera and visual systems in place in Diablo IV. Blizzard says they have achieved a new level of visual fidelity in the game that helps bring all the characters and textures to life.
Here is a video clip in slow motion of the Rogues, which we recorded in our real-time engine. You can really enjoy the details and see how the light reacts with the materials. You will also be able to see some of our customization elements that I talked about earlier. Please note, the environment is a test scene that modelers use to look at their characters and many of these armors are works in progress and subject to change and polish.
Diablo IV Blood Bishop
A new boss was revealed in the update too called The Blood Bishop. Blizzard shared information on its visual design as well as its attack. The Blood Bishop is sort of like a walking pile of bones and blood. He then casts AOE damage through blood clots that expand and explode around the area. Blizzard says they designed him to look alive and this is apparent through his beating heart and blood flowing through his arteries.
Diablo IV Skeleton Lord
Another boss revealed during the update was The Skeleton Lord. This boss is all about the bones and Blizzard used hundreds of them to create a unique boss style. Not only is he made up entirely of bones, but his attacks are also based on them too. He summons skeletons and shoots up massive bone walls to prevent the player from walking freely in the area. His massive staff is also used for melee attacks.
There is so much to unpack in this new quarterly update and it is all easy on the eyes. You can read the full post over on Blizzard’s blog here.
