As much as Blizzard may insist otherwise, it feels likeDiablo 4has been on the back burner for the company in recent months. Despite getting off to a surprisingly strong start in 2023, the isometric action RPG has lately received little in the way of substantial content updates. While other, similar ARPGs likeLast EpochandPath of Exile 2have recently gotten major, game-changing patches,Diablo 4has practically received nothing more than different-colored Helltides and limited-time-only powers. The permanent additions toDiablo 4have been rather lacking, and this is especially evident in some of the recent announcements regarding the game.
Last week, Blizzard revealedits first-everDiablo 4roadmap, outlining the next year’s worth of content for the hit RPG. The reception to these plans has unfortunately not been that positive among the widerDiablocommunity. Rather than showing players that Blizzard is committed to supportingDiablo 4in the months to come, the roadmap has done little to assuage the game’s already grumpy fanbase. SomeDiablo 4fans have, in fact, found it to be rather underwhelming, especially compared to the bucketloads of new content that Blizzard added toDiablo 3in its seasonal updates. Looking at the roadmap as a whole, it’s easy to see why they’d think that.
Blizzard’s 2025 Roadmap for Diablo 4 Has Disappointed Many Fans
Diablo 4’s Upcoming Content Updates Aren’t That Exciting
According to the newly-revealed roadmap, Blizzard Entertainment will be introducinga Belial boss fight toDiablo 4sometime between April and July, in addition to some new Lair bosses, a new IP collaboration, an apparition incursion activity, a two-year anniversary event, and a Season Journey update. Then, from July to September, the company is going to bring new Horadric powers and Nightmare Dungeon activities to the game, as well as some highly-requested features like keyboard and mouse support on consoles. Finally, from September to December, Chaos powers and infernal hoards will be added toDiablo 4, alongside an earnable pet and a second IP collaboration.
TheDiablo 4roadmap provides some details about what players should expect from the game in 2026, as well. Blizzard is not only going to release a new paid expansion forDiablo 4next year, it will alsoadd leaderboardsand launch a new ranking system for the game, too. Blizzard has stressed that there are more unannounced features forDiablo 4in the works, but its promise hasn’t been enough to satisfy some fans. With the company currently struggling to maintain itsDiablo 4fan base, Grinding Gear Games has the perfect opportunity to steal the spotlight with its rival ARPG,Path of Exile 2.
Diablo 4’s Troubles Could Be a Boon for Path of Exile 2
Path of Exile 2was released in early access in late 2024, and its launch was incredibly successful, especially on PC. According to SteamDB, the game accrued more than half a million concurrent players on Steam, much more than the number of players thatDiablo 4had on the same platform. Granted,Path of Exile 2is a considerably cheaper game compared to the full-pricedDiablo 4, and it’s intended to be a free-to-play title when it leaves early access, butPoE2’s successis still nothing to scoff at.
Despite its immensely popular debut, it hasn’t all been sunshine and rainbows forPath of Exile 2. Earlier this month,thePoE 2community lambasted Grinding Gear Gamesover the changes that it made to the game in the newDawn of the Huntupdate, which turned the gameplay loop of the hit ARPG into a grindy, slow-paced slog. Even thoughPath of Exile 2has been review bombed on Steam, the player count for the game (at least on PC) is still rather strong. Blizzard’s current stumbles withDiablo 4could givePath of Exile 2the upper hand in the long run, as Grinding Gear Games could make up for its mistakes and dominate the ARPG space in 2025 without having to worry about competition too much.
Diablo 4
WHERE TO PLAY
Diablo® IV is the ultimate action RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish dungeons, and legendary loot. Embark on the campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through beautifully dark settings and a gripping story, or explore an expansive end game and shared world where players can meet in towns to trade, team up to battle world bosses, or descend into PVP zones to test their skills against other players – no lobbies necessary – with cross-play, cross-progression, and couch co-op on Xbox.This is only the beginning for Diablo® IV, with new events, stories, seasons, rewards, and more looming on the horizon.
