This past month, Blizzard revealed the much-demanded remaster of Diablo 2 was in development. Diablo 2 Resurrected will polish the visuals of the original game, add some much-needed functionality to modernize the game's menus and online, and otherwise deliver the authentic Diablo 2 experience fans want. Few likely predicted just how far developer Vicarious Visions would go to preserve Diablo 2's authenticity, though. Even the original game's save files are apparently being protected.
In a recent interview, Diablo 2 Resurrected producer Matthew Cederquist confirmed that the new game will allow players to import their save files from the original game. Obviously, this doesn't include multiplayer characters which are verified online. But those hoping to carry over their Diablo 2 single-player character files (or hacked save files for fun) will be able to import them to Diablo 2 Resurrected with apparent ease.
As for why Vicarious Visions decided to include the feature, Cederquist makes it sound in the IGN Middle East interview like it was a surprisingly simple endeavor. The team was already well into working on Diablo 2 Resurrected and decided to see if it could work. In Cederquist's words, the team just short of "shoved it in" and it worked. He's likely underplaying the work involved or at least how well it initially imported into the in-development game. Nevertheless, if it works, it works.
This feature may not be for everyone. Diablo 2 is over 20 years old, after all. The vast majority of players will immediately start a new game and never look back. But the decision to support this feature goes to show just how much Vicarious Visions values the dedicated fanbase of Diablo 2. It's the Diablo 2 stalwarts who have kept their save files over the years. It's the most dedicated fans who preserve saves to compare statistics over time. This decision is for them. It's just another example of Diablo 2 Resurrected's authenticity.
The ability to transfer save files also opens an interesting opportunity for Diablo fans to start early. Diablo 2 is currently available on Blizzard's official store, after all. If players are tired of waiting for Diablo 2 Resurrected to arrive, they can start playing now on the old version of the game and transfer to the new game down the line.
Blizzard's continued dedication to both its past titles and future titles remains evident. As with Blizzard's current rollout of classic World of Warcraft and its expansions, even as World of Warcraft's new Shadowlands expansion does well, Diablo 2 Resurrection will help lead into the release of Diablo 4.
Diablo 2 Resurrected is currently in development for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: IGN Middle East