Rod Fergusson, the boss of the Diablo series, acknowledges that the time will eventually come to transition away from the PS4 and Xbox One. However, he believes that time has not arrived yet. Fergusson emphasized the importance of knowing when is the right “time and place” to drop support for older consoles, which have been in existence for over a decade. He expressed his commitment to releasing content exclusively for the current gen PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Despite the advancements in technology and the lifespan of the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, Fergusson believes there is still potential for the older hardware, particularly in the case of Diablo 4.
Fergusson explained that Diablo 4 has a long development road ahead, and decisions need to be made regarding the inclusion of certain features that may not be supported by the minimum specifications or older generation consoles. While there are technical features exclusive to the current-gen platforms, such as ray tracing, the content remains consistent across all platforms. This creative challenge was acknowledged by Diablo art director John Mueller, who discussed the process of finding solutions to ensure gameplay experiences were equal across different generations.
The conversations held by Fergusson and Mueller suggests that there may come a time when Diablo 4 surpasses the capabilities of the PS4 and Xbox One, leading to the discontinuation of support for these platforms. Past examples from other game franchises, such as Square Enix’s decision to end support for Final Fantasy 14 on the PS3 in 2017, point towards a natural progression in gaming technology. Fergusson highlighted the ongoing discussion within the development team about introducing new features and assessing whether they are feasible on current supported platforms. The potential for future growth and innovation may ultimately dictate when the transition away from last-gen consoles occurs.
The evolving landscape of gaming technology requires constant evaluation and adaptation. Fergusson emphasized the need to consider the capabilities of older hardware when introducing new features, ensuring that existing players are not left behind. Mueller echoed this sentiment by highlighting the team’s ability to find alternative solutions and workarounds to maintain a consistent gameplay experience across all platforms. The creative challenges posed by supporting multiple generations of consoles have driven the team to explore innovative strategies and push the boundaries of what is technologically possible.
While the gaming industry continues to evolve rapidly, the decision to move on from last-gen consoles must be carefully considered. The development team behind Diablo 4 is navigating this transition thoughtfully, balancing the need for innovation with the practical limitations of existing hardware. As technology advances and player expectations continue to rise, finding the right balance between maintaining support for older consoles and embracing new features on current-gen platforms will be crucial for the success of Diablo 4 in the future.
Leave a Reply