Blizzard Takes Pity on Diablo 4 Players; Major Change to Seasons

Writing about the Campfire Chat stream (see video below), during which the developers of Diablo IV discussed the changes and new features awaiting the game in the near future, we mentioned the upcoming "big, real patch" and making the endgame more enjoyable. However, we did not touch on seasonal gameplay, which may be of particular interest to the community.

A few days ago we informed about the concerns plaguing its members about the first season, due to start in the second half of July. In a nutshell:

1. fans were concerned that they would have to repeat many of the rather boring activities that they had already complete in the course of normal play;
2. some even signaled that such a necessity would discourage them from playing seasons.

Uncovered map

It's hard to say whether Blizzard listened to the community's voice and "took pity" on it, or maybe it didn't have such drastic plans from the beginning. Either way, the recording fragment beginning at 57:50 reveals that the seasons in Diablo IV will be much more merciful than it seemed so far.

1. First of all, players will enter the season with the map uncovered as much as they've managed to explore it so far - in other words, areas visited during campaign gameplay will not be hidden by the fog of war.
2. Importantly, however, it will be necessary to reactivate teleports in human enclaves - this will provide both experience and reputation.

What about reputation?

Does this mean that the latter will have to be earned all over again? Yes, but:

1. any bonuses you have received for it in particular regions - skill points, healing potion charges, paragon points, etc. - will be retained, unlocking them once again will not be necessary;
2. the same applies to the bonuses provided by Lilith's altars - nevertheless, it will still be possible to interact with them to gain experience and reputation (the icons of those we activated during normal gameplay will not disappear from the map, which will make things significantly easier);
3. In addition, reputation will not have to be collected from scratch, for example, we will start playing with the rep we got for discovering the various game regions (as long as we have actually discovered them, of course).

Faster gameplay

So we will be earning reputation, but for the sake of it, so to speak - while leveling up a seasonal character.

1. This should go quite smoothly, given the aforementioned bonuses....
2. ...as well as the possibility to skip the story campaign - which we have known about for a long time - and the fact that we will be able to use a mount from the beginning.
3. What's more, it's possible to do side quests, which are quite a good source of experience.

In fact, the only unknown is the possible access to previously unlocked aspects in the Codex of Power. However, even if it becomes necessary to acquire them from scratch, having access to all dungeons and a mount, completing those suitable for our class and character build should not take too long.

1. Diablo 4 - game guide