If you have been keeping up with Diablo 4, then you might feel like the developers can’t seem to catch a break. Although the title from Activision-Blizzard’s in-house development team has seen a great deal of commercial success, there have been several set backs. If it’s not a treasure goblin instantly killing hardcore players or beginner level stat adjustments, then it is something else entirely. And unfortunately, instead of the typical patch work response, it is the skills of the developers taking the brunt of the joke.
The Diablo 4 YouTube channel recently released a video titled “Adventure with a Dev” to show off gameplay with a couple of the designers. The nearly eleven minute segment features Dini McMurry, a Senior Dungeon Designer, and Josey Meyer, an Associate Designer, playing the action RPG and exploring Belfry Zakara. The issue fans have brought up is the lack of knowledge or skill between the two Activision employees. They do not use basic spells or combat moves that would come easily to a seasoned Diablo 4 player.
The negativity surrounding this post became so prevalent, the Diablo 4 page turned off dislikes, which had pushed past 19K. It currently has less than 1K likes and a plethora of hateful comments.
One popular Twitch streamer, Asmongold, has even gone on record to criticize this recent showcase. The influencer had the following to say about the video:
“It doesn’t make sense to me. I think Blizzard really had a huge L with this video. Because they put two people who clearly have no idea what they’re doing. And all it does is open these two people up for criticism and hate from an entire community. People who made the decision to release this video should be ashamed of themselves.”
The Designers Face Backlash For the Diablo 4 Video, But the True Villain Is a Lack of Proper Communication and Gamer Outrage
While viewers continue to challenge the recent Diablo 4 clip, it shows some of the issues currently plaguing the gaming community. One of the main problems with this preview is certainly the fact that it was poorly marketed, however, it is also clear from the very start that the two designers are unfamiliar with the gameplay. The first words spoken are “do we have any emotes,” which is something any Diablo 4 player would know immediately.
The Diablo 4 team that edited and posted this segment could have better communicated what would be showcased. If the title had indicated the two designers were trying the game for the first time since completion, reactions might have been different. Instead, the post uses the term dev broadly and gamers interpreted the post as an indicative statement on all developers who worked on the project. Although we do not know exactly how much times these designers have played the game, if any, not all developers get the same hands on interaction. And as we know from the video supers, their jobs were focused more on dungeon designs, not gameplay functionality.
As to the community, part of the problem is the outrage of fans. There will always be a segment of gamers, with any title, looking to spread their distaste to others. Unfortunately, it is becoming more common for all mediums. The Diablo 4 marketing team could have done a better job, but it is no excuse to bully the designers. Fan criticism is important and can lead to important changes, but it should never be at the expense of innocent developers. This fiasco could have been managed in a better way, but it is partially trending due to meritless complaints.
What do you think of the Diablo 4 “Adventure with a Dev” video? Should Blizzard have been more careful with the way it marketed the post? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts.
Source: Diablo 4 and Asmongold TV
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