Diablo 4 dev explains how D2 caused the game’s loot issues at launch

Brand GM Rod Fergusson has explained how Diablo 4’s initial loot grinding problems were caused by Diablo 2.

Diablo 4’s loot grind wasn’t well-received at launch. Critics and players found the never-ending search for better gear tedious, partly because the prospective items weren’t anything to write home about.

In addition, itemization felt unbalanced, and rare uniques were few and far between. Season 4: Loot Reborn altered course in this regard, with an itemization overhaul that improved the grind, crafting, and endgame.

Such changes have left many wondering why Diablo 4’s loot grind lacked this level of refinement from the outset. Sitting down with Windows Central, Diablo GM Rod Fergusson explained the origins of these issues.

Blizzard Entertainment

Blizzard took inspiration from Diablo 2 when building the latest entry, specifically embracing the “long grind” for powerful items.

“You can go three years before you find the Uber you’re looking for,” Fergusson said of D2. Developers, thus, assumed players wouldn’t mind a similar progression cadence in Diablo 4.

“And so we launched that way with D4 and we found out very quickly that if you don’t give me my Uber in my season, then I’m upset. And so we’re like, oh, wow, okay… now we actually have an uber currency, uber unique currency that you can go make the one.

“If you’re not finding it, you can actually go make it for yourself, right? …It’s just a kind of a recognition of how much players have changed in 20 years,” Fergusson explained.

The improved loot system introduced in Diablo 4 Season 4 gives players more control over the grind, courtesy of additions like Masterworking.

Fortunately, unlike mechanics introduced in previous seasons, much of what players like about Season 4 will stick around long-term. This includes Masterworking, Tempering, Helltide updates, and The Pit.