Developers of Diablo 4 Draw Inspiration from Nostalgia When Expanding the Map

The development team of Diablo 4 drew inspiration from the past while choosing the additional regions to include in the Vessel of Hatred DLC expansion.

Fans of the Diablo series will easily recognize the lush forests of Kurast, as they were featured in the Vessel of Hatred and Spiritborn class trailers. This area was initially introduced in Diablo 2, when Diablo unleashed his brother, Mephisto, upon the region. However, after the Lord of Hatred was defeated and sent back to Hell, Kurast was left in ruins.

After being released at the conclusion of Diablo 4, Mephisto returns as the primary villain in Vessel of Hatred, continuing to instill fear in the residents of Kurast. Although it is not initially featured in the base game, the region’s border can be observed in the south west corner of the map.

So far, Mephisto has only shown up as the Bloody Wolf.

During Gamescom 2024, Rex Dickson, Lead Designer, and Tiffany K, Production Director of Diablo 4, announced that the map will expand with each new expansion. They also mentioned that they are drawing inspiration from the series’ past when selecting new locations to battle demons.

Dickson stated that while he did not want to discuss their future plans, it can be assumed that their goal is to expand the map in the future.

Watt further explained, “Sanctuary is a vast world with many areas waiting to be discovered. Drawing on nostalgia, Vessel of Hatred features the same underground location where Mephisto was imprisoned in Diablo 2, known as the Undercut of Kurast. However, it also incorporates a fresh spin on this iconic setting with a new Diablo twist.”

As Vessel of Hatred draws inspiration from Diablo 2’s third act, there is much anticipation for what the team will incorporate in their next DLC. If the 2025 expansion turns its attention to Baal, perhaps players will have the opportunity to revisit the Barbarian homeland of Harrogoth from Act 5.

In the event of Diablo’s inevitable return, we may have the opportunity to explore the Pandemonium Fortress of Act 4 once again. With Diablo 4 planning on releasing a new expansion annually, the map could expand significantly and incorporate the most beloved elements from previous installments.