Blizzard Faces Challenges in Creating Diablo 4's Spiritborn Class for Vessel of Hatred Expansion
SHARE
In developing Diablo 4’s new Spiritborn class, Blizzard’s team faced significant challenges, requiring extensive experimentation to determine its unique gameplay. The Spiritborn, debuting in the Vessel of Hatred expansion, is Blizzard’s first new class for the series, a departure from familiar archetypes like the Warlock or Rogue. This presented a unique challenge as there were no established expectations or precedents for what the Spiritborn should embody.
Class designer Bjorn Mikkelson highlighted that the Spiritborn’s concept was elusive due to its unfamiliarity. Unlike traditional classes with clear, predefined roles, the Spiritborn was a blank slate, necessitating an extensive brainstorming process to define its identity and gameplay mechanics. Mikkelson noted that this process was more abstract compared to designing classes with established identities.
The team focused on thematic elements such as the jungle and spiritual aspects to inspire the class. This approach aimed to create a gameplay experience that resonates with players while staying true to the new class’s concept. They explored how to integrate these elements into the Spiritborn’s design, seeking to establish a coherent and engaging class identity.
To achieve this, Blizzard’s developers created around 60 different prototype skills for the Spiritborn. This extensive experimentation was essential to find a combination of abilities that felt both enjoyable and distinct. The iterative process involved testing various skills to identify what would best resonate with players and fit the class’s intended role.
The Spiritborn will be introduced in the Vessel of Hatred expansion, scheduled for release on October 8. For those interested in a deeper understanding of the class’s development, a detailed interview with Mikkelson provides additional insights into the creation process and the challenges faced by the team.