BlizzConline is ongoing and Diablo 4 is a primary focus of this year's event. Yesterday during the BlizzCon keynote the new Rogue class was revealed, but that wasn't the full extent of Blizzard's planned reveals. Now Blizzard has also released an extended look at many of Diablo 4's open-world features in a new video. The video breaks down a variety of open-world functionality, including PvP zones and events, as well as mount use in the open world and mount collection.
For Diablo 4, Blizzard has come up with a clever structure that allows for open-world PvP in a narratively-supported way. These open-world regions are described as areas where Mephisto's hatred has bubbled up from the earth, creating a Field of Hatred. Within these fields, players embrace the opportunity to slaughter other players. These Fields of Hatred PvP zones are entirely optional, of course, but offer a variety of unique rewards and challenges including the unique currency Shards of Hatred.
Fields of Hatred aren't purely PvP, however. Blizzard wants to encourage players to visit these areas regardless of whether they're PvP-minded or not. As such, Fields of Hatred also have a variety of PvE content within them. Monsters, events, and chests will be plentiful in Fields of Hatred, all of which rewarding Shards of Hatred, too. PvP could still occur at any second, however. But it gives PvE players the opportunity to experiment with the content.
PvE players won't be able to just sneak in, kill some monsters, and sneak out of a Field of Hatred, however. Shards of Hatred have to be purified within the zone before they can be used. This is done through a purification ritual, not unlike The Division's Dark Zone extractions. Once purified, Shards of Hatred can't be dropped. But until they're purified, a player will drop their unpurified Shards of Hatred to enemy PvPers.
Blizzard does give Diablo 4 PvE players some advantage against PvPers in the Fields of Hatred. Those who kill other players will appear on others' mini-maps. That way, those avoiding PvP can dodge these players and try to find others who may be less aggressive to try and do a purification ritual with.
The Diablo 4 trailer doesn't focus solely on Fields of Hatred and PvP, however. It also briefly touches on exploration and mounts. Some details about earning and collecting mounts are shared, as well as mount customization. Suffice to say, it's a lot like World of Warcraft. Players will be able to earn and collect mounts through a variety of means. Blizzard wants players to explore, challenge themselves, and be rewarded for it. That's what Diablo 4 appears to be all about.
Diablo 4 is in development for PC and consoles.