Sunday 30 July 2023

A New Dawn for Diablo 4: The Redemption of the Maligned Steeds

 

In the world of Diablo 4, the winds of change are blowing. The game, known for its intense battles and immersive world, is about to undergo a transformation that will bring a sigh of relief to many players. The focus of this transformation? The much-maligned horses of Diablo 4. These creatures, once a source of frustration for players, are about to get a significant upgrade.

The Problem with Horses in Diablo 4

The horses in Diablo 4 have long been a bone of contention among players. These creatures, while necessary for traversing the vast landscapes of the game, have been notoriously difficult to handle. They've been described as "terrible" and "a giant pain to actually use in practice."

The issues with the horses are manifold. They get stuck on virtually every obstacle on the map, making navigation a chore. They're unable to break through barriers, forcing players to dismount and destroy the barricade manually before proceeding. And perhaps most frustratingly, they have a cooldown period that kicks in when you dismount, even if you do so accidentally.

The Promise of Change

Blizzard, the game's developer, has heard the players' complaints and is taking action. They've announced a series of changes that promise to make the horses more user-friendly and less of a hindrance to gameplay.

Firstly, horses will now be able to break through barriers when you charge at them, eliminating the need for awkward dismounts and manual destruction of barricades. This change alone will significantly streamline the gameplay experience.

Secondly, horses will no longer get stuck on every obstacle in their path. This change will make navigation smoother and less frustrating, allowing players to focus more on the game's core elements of combat and exploration.

Lastly, the cooldown period for horses will be eliminated when you dismount to climb up or down a cliff. This change will make the game's vertical navigation more seamless and less of a hassle.

The Bigger Picture

These changes aren't just about improving the horses in Diablo 4. They're part of a broader strategy by Blizzard to make the game more enjoyable and appealing to players. By improving the quality of life in the game, Blizzard hopes to make players more amenable to the idea of horses and, by extension, more likely to purchase horse-related cosmetics.

However, the question remains: did Diablo 4 really need horses in the first place? Some argue that the game could have done without them if Blizzard had simply added more fast travel points and increased the base movement speed. But that's a debate for another day.

The Future of Mounts in Diablo 4

The changes to the horses in Diablo 4 raise an interesting question: what does the future hold for mounts in the game? Blizzard has already introduced cosmetic microtransactions for horses, and it seems inevitable that they'll eventually expand this to include other types of mounts.

Imagine riding through the game's landscapes on the back of a demon or a mythical creature. This isn't as far-fetched as it might seem. After all, Blizzard's World of Warcraft has generated significant revenue through the sale of unique mounts.

But for now, the focus is on improving the horses in Diablo 4. It's a step in the right direction, and one that promises to make the game more enjoyable for players.

So, saddle up, adventurers. The horses of Diablo 4 are about to get a whole lot better.