Diablo III is an action role-playing game made by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the third game in the Diablo series. The game came out for computers running Microsoft Windows and OS X in May 2012. It was later released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in September 2013, for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in August 2014, and for Nintendo Switch in November 2018. The story takes place 20 years after the events of Diablo II. Players choose from seven different character classes—Barbarian, Crusader, Demon Hunter, Monk, Necromancer, Witch Doctor, or Wizard—and must defeat the main villain, Diablo.
An expansion called Reaper of Souls was released for computers in March 2014. It was included with the Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition for consoles in August 2014. Another expansion, The Rise of the Necromancer, was released for Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in June 2017. Diablo III: Eternal Collection, which includes both Reaper of Souls and The Rise of the Necromancer, was released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in June 2017 and for Nintendo Switch in November 2018.
The game received good reviews, but some people criticized its always-on DRM feature. It broke the record for the fastest-selling PC game, selling more than 3.5 million copies in the first 24 hours. It was the best-selling PC game of 2012, with over 12 million copies sold. By August 2015, sales had reached over 30 million copies. A sequel, Diablo IV, was announced in 2019 and released on June 5, 2023.
Gameplay
Diablo III is an action role-playing game with fast, real-time combat and a special type of 3D graphics called an isometric view. The game uses dark fantasy themes, and players take on the role of a hero who must save the world of Sanctuary from evil forces. Players can choose a character class, earn experience to level up, and collect better equipment.
Equipment quality is randomly determined. Basic items have simple stats, while higher-quality items have extra features like increased damage, better stats, or sockets for gem upgrades. Magic items have up to three random traits, rare items have up to six, and legendary items have up to eight. Set items are a special type of legendary item that give extra bonuses when multiple items from the same set are worn. Stronger monsters drop better items with higher stats and bonuses.
The game uses a custom 3D engine with special effects, such as destructible environments that show damage. It was designed to work on many systems without needing DirectX 10. The game’s view is similar to earlier games in the series, with enemies using the 3D environment in creative ways, like climbing walls.
Multiplayer is possible through Blizzard’s Battle.net service, using features from StarCraft II. Players can join or leave co-op sessions. Unlike Diablo II, Diablo III requires an internet connection for all games due to its digital rights management system.
The game includes a new quest system, random level and encounter generators, and different gameplay experiences each time it is played. Gold can be collected by touching it or standing near it, and health orbs drop from enemies instead of requiring potions. A skill bar replaces the old system, allowing more skills to be used quickly.
Skill runes are special modifiers that change how skills work, often altering their effects. For example, a rune might change a fire attack to ice. Players can create hardcore characters that cannot be revived if they die. These characters are ranked separately and can only team with other hardcore players.
Artisans are NPCs who sell and craft items. Players can gather materials by breaking down items, which are used to create new ones with random bonuses. Unlike Diablo II, rare and magic items can also be enhanced. Artisans improve their skills through crafting, and their shop changes as they level up.
Followers are NPCs that help the player. Three followers are available, each with unique skills. They gain experience and better gear as they level up. Only one follower can accompany the player at a time. Originally, followers were only usable in Normal mode, but they became available in harder difficulties.
Diablo III had two auction houses: one for trading in-game gold and another for buying/selling items with real money. The real-money auction was not available in Hardcore mode. Blizzard removed the real-money auction in South Korea due to laws against gambling. Fees were charged for auctions, and the real-money auction was closed in 2014.
In 2013, a game director said the auction houses hurt the game, but they could not be removed easily. Both auction houses were shut down in March 2014, with a deadline for claiming items in June 2014.
Plot
The game takes place in Sanctuary, the dark fantasy world of the Diablo series, twenty years after the events of Diablo II. Deckard Cain and his ward Leah are in Tristram Cathedral (the same cathedral from the original Diablo game) investigating ancient texts about a troubling prophecy. A mysterious star falls from the sky and hits the cathedral, creating a large crater where Deckard Cain disappears.
The Nephalem (the player's character) arrives in the town of New Tristram to investigate the fallen star. They join Leah to go to the cathedral and rescue Cain. After saving him, they learn that the only path to the fallen star is to defeat the Skeleton King (once called King Leoric). The Nephalem defeats him and finds a stranger where the star landed. The stranger only remembers a sword that broke into three pieces when he fell.
The Nephalem finds two of the sword pieces. However, Maghda, leader of the Dark Coven, finds the third piece and tries to make Cain repair the sword. Leah stops her by using magical power, forcing Maghda to kill Cain and escape with the stranger. Before dying, Cain fixes the sword and discovers it is of angelic origin. He asks the Nephalem to return the sword to the stranger. After freeing the stranger from the Butcher in the dungeons beneath Leoric's manor and giving him the sword, the stranger's memories return. He is revealed to be Archangel Tyrael, the Aspect of Justice. Tyrael gave up his divinity to become mortal and warn Sanctuary about the arrival of the demon lords.
The Nephalem, Leah, and Tyrael travel to the city of Caldeum. The Nephalem leaves to find Maghda. At the Khasim Outpost, demons working for Belial, the Lord of Lies, have captured and replaced the guards. When the Nephalem frees them, they reclaim the outpost and gain access to Alcarnus, where the Nephalem fights and kills Maghda. The Nephalem returns to Caldeum to rescue Leah from Belial's forces, who are disguised as the guards of the young Emperor Hakan II. They escape into the city's sewers. Leah reveals that her mother, Adria (the witch of Tristram from the original game), is still alive. The Nephalem helps Leah rescue Adria from her imprisonment in the sewers.
Adria explains that the key to stopping the forces of Hell is the Black Soulstone, created by the renegade Horadrim Zoltan Kulle. The stone can trap the souls of all seven Lords of Hell. Leah says Kulle was killed before he could finish the stone, and his severed head was sealed away. Adria tells the Nephalem to find the head. After retrieving it, Leah revives the ghost of Zoltan Kulle, who agrees to deliver the Black Soulstone if the Nephalem helps him restore his body. After the Nephalem finds Kulle's body, Leah brings him back to life. The Nephalem then enters the archive's inner sanctum to find the Black Soulstone but must fight Kulle when he tells the Nephalem to abandon the quest.
Returning to Caldeum, the Nephalem finds the city under attack by Belial's forces. Leah and Adria fight their way to the palace with the Nephalem, revealing Belial has taken the form of Emperor Hakan II to trick them. They defeat Belial, and Leah traps his soul in the Black Soulstone, saving Caldeum. She then sees Azmodan, the Lord of Sin and the last remaining Lord of Hell, who is invading Sanctuary from the crater of Mount Arreat (destroyed by Tyrael in Diablo II: Lord of Destruction).
The Nephalem travels to Bastion's Keep with Tyrael, their followers, Leah, and Adria, only to find it under attack by Azmodan's army. Tyrael tells the Nephalem to help the defenders. After that, the Nephalem enters the stronghold, where Azmodan's forces have breached the lower levels. They defeat Ghom, the Lord of Gluttony, destroy Azmodan's siege weapons, and travel to the crater of Arreat. There, they defeat Cydaea, Azmodan's consort, the Maiden of Lust, and finally defeat Azmodan in the mountain's core. Leah seals Azmodan's soul in the Black Soulstone.
They return to Bastion's Keep but discover Adria has betrayed them. Adria reveals she has been working for Diablo, the Lord of Terror, from the beginning. She uses the Black Soulstone to resurrect Diablo, forcing Leah to be his vessel. With the souls of all the Lords of Hell inside him, Diablo becomes the Prime Evil and attacks the High Heavens.
The Nephalem and Tyrael arrive at the High Heavens to find it under attack. Imperius, the Aspect of Valor, blames the Nephalem and Tyrael for their downfall, causing Tyrael to feel despair. However, the Nephalem stays determined. They meet Itherael, the Aspect of Fate, who tells the Nephalem to rescue Auriel, the Aspect of Hope. Restoring hope to Heaven's forces, the Nephalem is instructed by Auriel to close the Hell Rifts. After completing this, the Nephalem finds Tyrael, who has overcome his despair. Together, they try to stop Diablo from reaching the Crystal Arch, the source of Heaven's power. They fight Izual, Tyrael's corrupted former lieutenant (thought to have died in Diablo II), before defeating Diablo. His physical form is destroyed, and the Black Soulstone falls from the High Heavens, still intact.
After the battle, Tyrael chooses to rejoin the Angiris Council as the new Aspect of Wisdom but remains a mortal, dedicating himself to creating a lasting alliance between angels and humans. The story continues in Act V, in the expansion Diablo III: Reaper of Souls.
Development
Work on Diablo III started in 2001 while Blizzard North was still active. The game was officially announced on June 28, 2008, during the Blizzard Worldwide Invitational in Paris, France. The original artistic design was different from what was shown during the 2008 demonstration. It went through three changes before meeting the team’s standards. The game was released at the same time for Windows and macOS computers. It required an internet connection to play, even for single-player mode.
The game uses a custom physics engine developed by Blizzard, replacing the earlier use of Havok’s physics engine. It includes destructible environments with in-game damage effects.
Jay Wilson, a former designer at Relic Entertainment who worked on Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War and Company of Heroes, was the lead designer for Diablo III. Leonard Boyarsky, one of the six co-creators of Fallout, was the lead world designer.
On May 9, 2011, Blizzard announced the game would enter external beta testing in the third quarter of 2011. On September 7, 2011, Blizzard’s community manager confirmed the start of a closed public beta test with limited external testing by employees and their families. Testers did not have to sign a non-disclosure agreement. The open beta began on April 20, 2012, and ended on May 1, 2012. The game was released for Windows and OS X on May 15, 2012.
At Apple’s 2012 Worldwide Developers Conference, it was announced that Diablo III would support Apple’s Retina display. A Blizzard representative confirmed the work to optimize the game engine for high-density screens, stating the changes were mainly for visual improvements.
Patch 1.0.4 introduced the paragon leveling system. After reaching level 60, players could continue earning experience points to gain paragon levels (up to 100). Each paragon level increased core stats, magic find, and gold find. Patch 1.0.5 added the Monster Power system, allowing players to adjust monster difficulty levels from 0 to 10. Patch 1.0.7 introduced the first PvP mode, called "Brawling," and new item crafting options.
To celebrate Diablo’s 20th anniversary, a free patch called The Darkening of Tristram was released in 2016. It recreated the original game, including a 16-level dungeon, four bosses from the 1996 version, and special graphics filters. The patch launched on November 4, 2016.
On January 10, 2012, Blizzard’s community manager tweeted that Josh Mosqueira was the lead designer for a console version of Diablo III. A Blizzard spokesperson later clarified the tweet only meant the company was exploring a console release, not confirming any platform.
At Sony’s 2013 Press Conference, Chris Metzen announced Diablo III would be released for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. Activision Blizzard confirmed the PlayStation 3 version would launch in 2013. On June 6, 2013, Blizzard announced the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions would release on September 3, 2013. Square Enix published the PlayStation 3 version in Japan on January 30, 2014.
In August 2013, developers began working on a PlayStation 4 version titled Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition. They focused on using features of the PS4 controller, such as the TouchPad and Share button. On May 20, 2014, Blizzard announced the game would launch for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 on August 19, 2014. It ran at 1080p resolution on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
On June 27, 2017, Diablo III: Eternal Collection, which included all previous expansions, was released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The Switch version included exclusive content inspired by The Legend of Zelda and supported Amiibo.
Russell Brower composed the original music for the game. Additional music was written by Derek Duke, Glenn Stafford, Joseph Lawrence, Neal Acree, Laurence Juber, and Edo Guidotti. Brower aimed to follow the Wagnerian style from the Lord of Destruction expansion. The Overture, the game’s main theme, was performed by the Eminence Symphony Orchestra and released on iTunes in 2009. A similar composition appeared in the game’s cinematic teaser. The Tristram theme from the first Diablo game, used in Diablo II, was adapted for Diablo III. The Irish choral group Anúna contributed to the soundtrack. A full soundtrack was released on iTunes alongside the game’s launch and included in the Collector’s Edition.
Marketing and release
In October 2011, Blizzard introduced an "annual pass" for World of Warcraft at BlizzCon. Players who signed up for a 12-month subscription received a free digital copy of Diablo III when it was released, guaranteed beta access to the Mists of Pandaria expansion, and a special Diablo-inspired mount called Tyrael's Charger in World of Warcraft.
Diablo III was released on May 15, 2012. Players could choose between two retail boxed versions, a standard edition or a collector's edition, or pre-order the game through Battle.net and download the installer in advance. On May 14, 2012, those who purchased the downloadable version could install the game and its updates. On May 15, 2012, the retail version became available at stores like GameStop for midnight launches. At this time, Battle.net servers for Diablo III became active, allowing players to begin playing. However, the game launch faced challenges due to heavy server traffic, causing errors such as error 37, which displayed the message: "The servers are busy at this time. Please try again later." These issues made the game unplayable for some users, while others encountered in-game bugs. Connection problems continued throughout May 2012, but Blizzard added more servers and resolved most issues as the number of players stabilized. The "always online" requirement for the PC version meant players with poor internet connections still faced difficulties.
A minor controversy occurred in Australia when retailer Game went into voluntary administration the day before Diablo III's release, preventing it from honoring pre-orders or offering refunds. In response, Blizzard Entertainment provided affected customers with credits to purchase the digital version of the game.
On April 23, 2015, Diablo III was released in China after approval by the Ministry of Culture. The game was previously sold under the name "Big Pineapple" (大菠萝 Da Boluo), which sounds similar to "Diablo" in Mandarin Chinese to avoid a sales ban.
A demo version of the game, called the Starter Edition, was released alongside the full version. This demo allows players to complete Act 1 up to the Skeleton King boss encounter with a level cap of 13. Initially, the Starter Edition was only available through guest pass codes included with boxed versions of the game. Players could later upgrade to the full game through their Battle.net accounts. The Starter Edition became available to all users on August 14, 2012.
At Gamescom 2013, Blizzard announced Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, the first expansion pack. The expansion features Malthael, the fallen angel of wisdom, as its main villain and takes place in the city of Westmarch, inspired by Gothic medieval locations. It includes a new hero called the Crusader, a level cap increase to 70, improvements to loot drops with an enchanting system to change item stats, the ability to change item appearances using transmogrification, and an improved Paragon leveling system that is account-wide and has no level cap. Reaper of Souls was released on March 25, 2014, for Windows and macOS versions of Diablo III. The expansion was later included in the Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition for consoles, released on August 19, 2014, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. This edition expanded the base game on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and introduced the game to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One for the first time. A second expansion was being developed at the time of Reaper of Souls' release but was later canceled as Blizzard focused more on World of Warcraft.
The Rise of the Necromancer expansion was released for Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in June 2017.
Reception
Diablo III received "generally positive reviews" from critics, according to Metacritic, a website that collects and summarizes game reviews.
GamesRadar+ praised the game's opening scenes and its references to earlier Diablo games, saying, "we liked what we saw." IGN highlighted the new skill system, explaining that unlike Diablo II, where players often regretted how they used their ability points, Diablo III allows players to try different strategies and find what works best for their play style. IGN also said the new systems made the game easier to enjoy. The website praised the game's rune and loot systems, randomly generated levels, and the fun unpredictability of the gameplay. It noted that the game feels easy to use and praised the sound and voice acting.
Rock, Paper, Shotgun gave mixed feedback during the game's beta testing. It said the game was more direct and easier to use than earlier versions but criticized the lack of an offline single-player mode, which caused lag during single-player gameplay. After the game was released, the website still disliked the requirement to stay connected to the internet for all gameplay and said the game was enjoyable but did not bring new ideas to its genre.
Many users criticized the game's digital rights management (DRM), which requires players to stay connected to the internet at all times, making an offline single-player mode impossible. Erik Kain, a writer for Forbes, said the online requirement was unnecessary for single-player mode and criticized Blizzard for using its influence to set a bad example for the gaming industry. Alex Mayberry, a senior producer for Diablo III, explained that other games like StarCraft II and World of Warcraft also use online authentication, and that this is now common in the gaming industry.
Gaming Blend supported the game's fanbase, pointing to high user ratings on Metacritic and Amazon. It argued that the gaming industry is too quick to defend companies' decisions, even when they limit game availability. The article's author, William Usher, said journalists should have acknowledged players' concerns instead of supporting companies. While Gaming Blend disliked the always-online DRM, it gave the game a positive review, saying it offered fun opportunities for experimentation and was enjoyable to replay. The review called the game "smooth and entertaining." A critic from GameArena questioned how Blizzard failed to create reliable networking for Diablo III and noted the lack of competitive multiplayer.
Many users criticized the game's art style, saying it was too bright and colorful compared to the darker tone of earlier games. This led to petitions asking Blizzard to change the design. Keith Lee, the game's lead producer, explained that color helps create contrast and highlights in the game. He also noted that unlike previous games, players now explore outdoor areas. A humorous section called "Whimsyshire" (also known as the "Pony Level") was added as a joke for players who disliked the game's design.
The Black Soulstone footage won the "Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Commercial or Video Game Trailer" award from the Visual Effects Society. The Switch version of Diablo III was nominated for the Freedom Tower Award for Best Remake at the New York Game Awards 2019.
At the 16th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, the 2012 PC version of Diablo III was nominated for "Role-Playing/Massively Multiplayer Game of the Year," and for outstanding achievements in "Online Gameplay," "Original Music Composition," and "Sound Design." At the 17th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, the 2013 console version won "Role-Playing/Massively Multiplayer Game of the Year" and was nominated for "Online Game of the Year."
Before its release, Diablo III broke several presale records and became the most pre-ordered PC game on Amazon. Activision Blizzard reported that Diablo III sold over 3.5 million copies in its first 24 hours and more than 6.3 million copies in its first week, including 1.2 million players who received the game through the World of Warcraft annual pass. On its first day, the game had 4.7 million players worldwide. By July 2012, more than 10 million people had played the game. Diablo III remains the fastest-selling PC game and one of the best-selling PC games of all time. By the end of 2012, it had sold over 12 million copies. By March 2013, it had about 1 million daily players and 3 million unique monthly players. By May 2013, 14.5 million unique players had played the game, and by August 2015, it had sold over 30 million copies worldwide.
Controversies
On May 28, 2012, the Fair Trade Commission in South Korea searched Blizzard Entertainment's offices because the company was accused of breaking consumer rights laws, including possible violations of rules about online shopping and business agreements in Korea. Players in Korea asked Blizzard for refunds for not being able to play Diablo III, but Blizzard said the refund policy in the sales agreement prevented them from giving refunds. Hundreds of gamers officially reported these issues to the FTC, and in June 2012, Blizzard began offering full refunds to players.
On June 15, 2012, a French consumer group called UFC Que Choisir said it had received 1,500 complaints in four days about internet connection problems with Diablo III. Because of these complaints, the group asked Blizzard to fix the issues permanently by June 30, 2012, and to "share all information clearly and openly about problems as soon as possible." They also requested that players receive money back for any difficulties they faced. Additionally, they asked the French government to examine games that require online-only digital rights management. On June 28, Blizzard responded to UFC Que Choisir, explaining that the Diablo III box clearly stated a high-speed internet connection was needed and that most stability problems had been resolved.
The German Federation of Consumer Organizations warned that it would take legal action if Blizzard did not address complaints about unclear information on the German version of the Diablo III box by July 27, 2012. The complaints focused on the requirement for the game to stay connected to the internet constantly and the inability to resell the digital version of the game.