Diablo 4 will probably lack popular PoE feature. This is a step back from earlier announcements
Loot filter won't be coming to Diablo 4, at least not anytime soon. 8th Season of the game will bring big updates - a bit later than announced.
The 7th season of Diablo 4 will last two weeks longer because the developers need time to "finalize" the next one. Unfortunately, this one also will not bring one of the most desired changes by players.
As they first noticed this change in the game, they realized that the seasonal schedule suddenly announced that the Season of Witchcraft wouldn't end until April 29 (via Wowhead). Later, the delay was confirmed by Rod Fergusson, who oversees the Diablo brand at Blizzard studio.
The developer explained on X that the team is focusing on an approach that prioritizes "serving the game, not planning" and needs to devote more time to "baking" new content and "major improvements" that will be added to Diablo IV in the 8th season.
Loot filter not for Diablo 4
Even before Fergusson's post, Blizzard Entertainment released material in which Ruben "Bludshedd" Marquez answered the most frequently asked questions from Diablo 4 players.
The developer, who is part of the team responsible for communication with fans, addressed many issues, including class balance, interface improvements, the loot system, uninteresting goods from a certain trader, and the weakening or reduction of barriers. All these issues are being considered by the developer.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about another point mentioned by Marquez. Blizzard doesn't plan to introduce a loot filter option to Diablo 4. The loot filter doesn't align with the developers' vision for the game's concept. In this, the player has to use "every part of the animal." Read: all loot, even those worthless, should find some use, even if only for obtaining materials.
Broken promise?
Fans weren't convinced by the explanations. The lack of loot filter options, present even in the first Path of Exile, has long been a pain for players, as it practically forces them to sift through piles of uninteresting items. Some internet users are even speculating that, for some reason, Blizzard is unable to add such mechanics or even automatic item picking.
Marquez's mention offers some hope that Blizzard will attentively consider players' feedback regarding loot overall and its filtering options. This is a generalization, but apparently, players cannot expect anything more in the near future.
Marquez's words contradict the statement of, among others, Joe Shely, who mentioned in November 2023 that the studio doesn't yet have a release date for the loot filter (via PC Gamer). Could it really have caused Blizzard so many problems that the developer completely gave up on this option for now?
