Diablo 4got off to a relatively strong start in 2023, though much of the momentum for the game was lost with the release of its first seasonal update.Diablo 4Season 1 was subject to immense scrutiny by fans for not only nerfing most of the builds in the game, but also making it a lot harder to acquire experience points. Blizzard Entertainment’s handling of the update was undeniably disappointing, butDiablo 4was, at the very least, able to recover somewhat with its second season, which came out in October 2023. The post-launch support forDiablo 4since then has been a bit of a mixed bag in terms of quality, but the game has mostly found its footing with the core ARPG audience.
Diablo 4’s current and seventh season began in late January, but a new seasonal update for the game is already on the horizon. Blizzard revealed during a recent Campfire Chat livestream thatDiablo 4’s next seasonwill focus primarily on revamping the game’s boss battles to make them easier and more accessible. Although Season 8 doesn’t have an official name yet, it’s supposed to go live sometime after June 10, 2025, the day that Season 7 ends. The timeframe thatDiablo 4Season 8 will be launched in is highly competitive, since there are several other ARPGs that are going to receive notable content updates in the same month.
Diablo 4 Season 8 is Going to Face a Lot of Competition
Path of Exile 2 is Getting a New Content Update in the Same Month as Diablo 4
Grinding Gear Games’popularDiablo-inspired early-access ARPG,Path of Exile 2, is about to get a sizable new patch on all platforms. The New Zealand-based developer confirmed on its social media accounts that the update,titledDawn of the Hunt, will include a new Huntress class, a new endgame boss battle involving Tetzcal, the Blazing Guardian, and a weapon lock feature, among other things.Dawn of the Huntis currently scheduled to be released on April 4, only a few days from now.
Path of Exile 2’s patch is coming out less than a month beforeDiablo 4Season 8’s launch. Considering that both of these games are isometric action RPGs that appeal to the same target audience, this may be a big concern for Blizzard’s hit game.Path of Exile 2’sDawn of the Huntupdate could end up overshadowingDiablo 4’s upcoming season. Many disgruntled Blizzard fans have alreadymoved on to Grinding Gear Games' latest RPGdue to their gripes withDiablo 4, and this may exacerbate the problem.
Last Epoch Season 2 is Also Launching in April
Path of Exile 2andDiablo 4aren’t the only isometric ARPGs that are getting major new content updates next month because Eleventh Hour Games’Last Epochis receiving one, as well.Last Epoch’s second upcoming seasonal update, officially named Tombs of the Erased, is going to introduce a new faction called the Woven, alongside some new endgame content and an overhaul of the Sentinel class.Last EpochSeason 2 was originally going to be releasedon April 2, just two days prior to the launch ofPath of Exile 2’sDawn of the Huntupdate. to make room forPath of Exile 2, however, Eleventh Hour Games recently postponed the season’s launch date to April 17, roughly two weeks later.
Diablo 4 Season 8 May Benefit from Being Delayed a Few Weeks
The fact that not one, not two, but three major isometric action RPGs are receiving large updates within a few weeks of each other is a surprise, but, from a developer’s standpoint, not necessarily a welcome one. Given how crowded the month appears to be,Diablo 4Season 8 may have a hard timeattracting as large an audience as it normally would. Even though it’s likely too late for Blizzard to change things, it may be in the company’s best interest to push the launch date forDiablo 4Season 8 back a few weeks, just to give the game some much-needed space.
Diablo 4
WHERE TO PLAY
Diablo® IV is the ultimate action RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish dungeons, and legendary loot. Embark on the campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through beautifully dark settings and a gripping story, or explore an expansive end game and shared world where players can meet in towns to trade, team up to battle world bosses, or descend into PVP zones to test their skills against other players – no lobbies necessary – with cross-play, cross-progression, and couch co-op on Xbox.This is only the beginning for Diablo® IV, with new events, stories, seasons, rewards, and more looming on the horizon.
