Blizzard is announcing plans for what it calls "Quarterly Updates" for Diablo 4's ongoing development. These quarterly reports will offer insight into Diablo 4's development by providing team members the opportunity to talk about specific parts of the game fans might be interested in or excited for. The first Diablo 4 Quarterly Update focuses on UI development, including PC controller supporter and couch co-op, and in-game encounters, including the introduction of a new enemy "family" named the Cannibals.
A large portion of the update is written by Blizzard lead UI designer Angela Del Priore. Angela focuses on several topics, but two in particular stand out. The first is confirmation that the PC version of Diablo 4 will support controllers. She breaks down how the UI on PC will have some customizability for Diablo 4 players who want to swap between mouse and keyboard and controller as they please.
Del Priore also talks about 2-player co-op. Couch co-op was very popular with Diablo 3, but it's being improved in Diablo 4 so that both players can explore their menus at the same time on the same screen. This way, both players can adjust their equipment, choose new skills, or invest in their talent trees while their partner still fights or adjusts their own customizations.
The next part of the Quarterly Update is written by Senior Encounter Designer Candace Thomas. Thomas starts her section of the update by breaking down what a monster "Family" is in Diablo 4. Families are thematically-similar groups of enemies that work together in unique ways to offer interesting and challenging Diablo 4 gameplay elements. For example, the Drowned family has five enemy types: a bruiser, a ranged DPS, a melee DPS, a "swarmer," and a dungeon boss. Families include the Fallen from past Diablo games, the Drowned, and a new Family named the Cannibals.
The Cannibals are newly introduced to Diablo players. They're akin to exiled barbarians now living in the Dry Steppes region, though they've since spread across the world. Befitting their Family name, the Cannibals eat their prey. As an enemy Family, the Cannibals are interesting in that they have no ranged DPS. Rather, they'll rush their target and overwhelm them with their unclean axes and swords. Blizzard's goal being to create a frenetic enemy Family that gives players little time to react.
Diablo 4 game director Luis Barriga says that these quarterly updates will attempt to cover a "wide variety of subjects." The team will try to cover everything from lore to music. Barriga asks fans to tell Blizzard what else they'd like to hear about in the year ahead.
Diablo 4 has no announced release window but is confirmed for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.