Diablo 4 had a pretty solid launch in 2023, but the excitement waned a bit with its first seasonal update. The debut season faced heavy criticism from fans, largely due to nerfing most of the in-game builds and making it trickier to gain experience points. Blizzard Entertainment’s approach to this update was a letdown for many. However, the game made a bit of a comeback with the rollout of its second season in October 2023. Since then, the post-launch support has been a mixed bag, yet Diablo 4 has started winning back some of its core Action RPG crowd.
The game is currently in its seventh season, which kicked off at the end of January. However, keen fans are already looking forward to the next seasonal update. Blizzard recently revealed in their Campfire Chat livestream that the upcoming season will primarily aim to overhaul the boss battle system to make them more accessible. While this new season, yet to be named, is expected to begin shortly after April 29, 2025, it will face stiff competition. A number of other ARPGs are set to drop major content updates around the same time.
In the same period, Path of Exile 2, developed by Grinding Gear Games, is gearing up for a significant content patch across all platforms. Announced on the developer’s social media, this update, titled “Dawn of the Hunt,” introduces a fresh Huntress class, a new endgame boss battle featuring Tetzcal the Blazing Guardian, and a new weapon lock feature, among other enhancements. Set to release on April 4, this update hits the market just weeks prior to Diablo 4’s Season 8, potentially drawing away some of its audience. Many disenchanted Diablo 4 players have already gravitated towards Path of Exile 2, and this upcoming update could deepen the divide.
But it isn’t just Path of Exile 2 that will compete for player attention. Another game, Last Epoch from Eleventh Hour Games, is also rolling out big changes. The second season, “Tombs of the Erased,” brings a fresh faction, the Woven, along with new endgame content and a revamped Sentinel class. Originally slated for release on April 2, this update was delayed to April 17 in light of Path of Exile 2’s schedule, creating a jam-packed month for isometric RPG enthusiasts.
With three major ARPGs all launching considerable updates within weeks of each other, it’s a notably busy time for fans of the genre, and potentially a logistical headache for developers. For Blizzard, it might be worth considering pushing Diablo 4 Season 8’s start date back a bit to carve out more breathing room. Unfortunately, adjusting timelines may be easier said than done at this stage, but it could help Diablo regain some focus in a crowded market.
Diablo 4 is billed as the ultimate action RPG experience, promising endless foes to vanquish, myriad abilities to master, nightmarish dungeons, and legendary loot. Players can journey on the campaign alone or with friends, meeting unforgettable characters in beautifully somber settings. Beyond the campaign lies an expansive endgame where players can engage in trade, tackle world bosses, or test their might against others in PVP zones—all without relying on traditional lobbies, thanks to cross-play, cross-progression, and couch co-op on Xbox. This lays the groundwork for continued expansion, with new events, seasons, and rewards on the horizon.
