Maroc - 3RD-STRIKE.COM - A La Une - 28/Jan 15:22

Diablo IV Season of Witchcraft Developer Interview

Diablo IV’s Season of Witchcraft invites the Wanderer to aid the mysterious Witches of Hawezar in their efforts to recover the stolen heads from the Tree of Whispers. With new uncanny powers, Legendary rewards, and grotesque enemies, try not to lose your head while madness spreads across Sanctuary. Season of Witchcraft promises to cast a captivating spell over Diablo IV, blending dark magic, immersive lore, and thrilling gameplay. Timothy Ismay (Lead Game Producer) and Sydney Adams (Senior Quest Designer) discuss the inspiration, art direction, and exciting new features that players can expect in this season steeped in magic and mystery. Q: What inspired creating a season focused on witchcraft?  Ismay: “The inspiration for Season of Witchcraft stemmed from a desire to set a new foundation for future seasons. Witchcraft gave the team the perfect opportunity to explore and try something new and fresh with darker and more mystical themes rooted in the Diablo IV atmosphere.” “This season allowed us to craft an experience that delves into magic and rituals in a way that feels frightening and compelling and will definitely keep the players hooked.” Q: How was the art direction chosen?  Adams: “We wanted the visuals to be as evocative as the gameplay, which is beautiful yet unsettling. Every design choice was made to immerse players in a world that feels deeply connected to witchcraft; the art aimed to evoke a sense of both beauty and dread while also keeping a balance between the haunting and the majestic. The team also made sure to pay homage to existing witch lore, particularly from Diablo III. We brought back fan favourite elements like Pirahnado, Firebats, and the Poison Frog servant, ensuring that the visuals felt familiar yet fresh.” Q: What can you tell us about the new questline?   Adams: “In this season, players will embark on a journey that unravels the mysteries of the Witches of Hawezar. The questline is packed with lore-rich moments and choices that reveal the true extent of their power.” “The Season of Witchcraft centres around the mystery of stolen heads from the Tree of Whispers, which is an important part of the questline. Someone has scattered these heads across Sanctuary, and they’re spreading a strange rot that infects the living, creating the fearsome Headrotten foes. The questline focuses on Gelena, Caidin, and Ouna, the Witches of Hawezar, enlisting the Wanderer’s help to recover the stolen heads. In return, they grant access to their powers, which include eldritch abilities, magic tied to growth and decay, and psyche. As players assist the witches, they’ll gain deeper insights into the coven, their motives, and their unique way of getting the power.” “The questline ties closely to seasonal activities, like hunting fugitive heads, teaming up with other players, completing improved Whispers, and taking on challenging dungeons with customisable rewards. All these activities lead to the main goal of finding the thief and restoring the Tree of Whispers to its gruesome glory.” Q: Are there any real-world art and media that inspired the season? It looks like you were inspired by the European historical and folklore take on witches. Can you explain further? Adams: “Yes, a variety of real-world art and media-inspired Season of Witchcraft. Inspiration came from a variety of sources for the witchcraft theme. Like Elphaba in Wicked, which was timely for this, as she’s seen as an outcast (not to say anyone in this season is green!). Diablo III, especially the witch powers and the Witch Doctor class. “The Season of Witchcraft incorporates three central witches as a significant narrative element, paying homage to wiccan influences, particularly the archetypes of the Maiden, Mother, and Crone, representing the different stages of life and wisdom. The trio of witches in Season of Witchcraft also connects to Greek mythology, specifically the Three Fates: Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. Each witch carries distinct influences, blending the cultural and mythological elements to deepen their characters. Ouna, from Nahantu, is inspired by the latest expansion and draws from Mesoamerican culture. This influence is evident in her attire, tribal markings, and connection to nature and animals. Gelena, the leader of the witches, wears attire that prominently features the evil eye, a symbol of protection found across many cultures. Caidin, in contrast, embodies a shamanic medicine man archetype, wielding a knife and poultices and showcasing bushcraft and apothecary influences, which reflect a multicultural approach to his design. Their altars and rituals further enrich the narrative, incorporating symbols and practices from various cultures, making their magic and stories feel diverse and universally resonant.” “The incorporation of these witches not only deepens the season’s narrative but also allows the theme to resonate with players who are familiar with these archetypes from mythology, folklore, and pop culture. We drew inspiration from European history and tales, particularly its interpretation of witches as powerful, often misunderstood figures. These inspirations helped us shape a season that feels authentic yet filled with the dark fantasy edge players expect from Diablo IV.” Q: What is the lore behind the Witches of Hawezar?  Adams: “Without giving away any spoilers, the Witches of Hawezar are deeply rooted in the Diablo IV world; they are both feared and revered, and their power is tied to the region’s hostile swamps. Unlike many forces in Sanctuary, the witches are neither aligned with good nor evil. Instead, they are self-motivated, driven by their own interests and survival rather than larger cosmic battles. The coven is central to their survival and strength. Witches, when isolated, can be easily defeated, but together, they form a united front, and this unity allows them to protect one another. Hawezar is a safe place for witches because it’s dangerous, unpleasant swamps keep most outsiders away. The tough landscape makes it a private and secure spot for witches to gather without being disturbed. “The Season of Witchcraft revolves around the stolen heads from the Tree of Whispers, a central element in the storyline. The Tree of Whispers plays a pivotal role in the season. The location has been transformed into a hub of activity where players will engage with new seasonal events. These activities include hunting fugitive heads, collaborating with other players, completing new and improved Whispers, and taking on challenging dungeons with modular rewards.” “The Hawezar Witches’ story is one of survival and mysticism, where dark magic is a tool to navigate the harsh and dark land. We made sure players will enjoy uncovering secrets of these Witches as more than just villains; they’re an integral part of the world’s fabric.” Q: Where are the Witches of Hawezar placed in the eternal battle between Heaven and Hell? Adams: “The Witches of Hawezar stand apart in the eternal battle between Heaven and Hell. This makes them a neutral but complex force in the Diablo world. The witches seek knowledge above all else, choosing their actions whether to heal or harm based on their own judgement. Their refusal to follow traditional sides adds depth to their role in the story.” Q: What enemies will people be able to face in Season of Witchcraft? Adams: “Players will face terrifying foes like the Headrotten, who comprise of heads from the Tree of Whispers, and the designs draw inspiration from a mix of iconic horror and folklore. Influences include John Carpenter’s The Thing, Swamp Thing, and the eerie bear from Annihilation. Elements of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and The Green Knight also shaped their creation, further inspiring our art team. This blend of horror and mythology brings a unique and chilling enemy to the game that we haven’t seen before.” Q: What Legendaries, Uniques and Gear will people be able to acquire? Ismay: “We have crafted new items tailored to witchcraft-inspired builds, including unique gear pieces that amplify dark magic and ritualistic gameplay styles. Players can look forward to eight new Legendary Aspects and eight new Unique items, providing fresh gameplay opportunities and build options for all classes. Even if players return to a previously mastered class, the new items and aspects will allow for new strategies and playstyles.” “For example, the Mantle of Mountain’s Fury, a unique chest armour for Barbarians, empowers Hammer of the Ancients to create seismic lines triggering explosive earthquakes and opening powerful new damage combos. The Assassin’s Stride, a unique Rogue boot, permanently imbues all mobility skills with shadow damage, enhancing high-mobility builds. Sorcerers gain access to the Strike of Stormhorn, a unique focus that increases the size of Ball Lightning and causes it to explode on impact, offering a transformative way to use this skill. These new items and Aspects promise exciting options for all players, making this season engaging and rewarding.” Q: Are there new quality-of-life features coming in Season of Witchcraft?   Ismay: “Yes! In Season of Witchcraft, we’re introducing a major quality-of-life feature: the Armory. This new system lets players save loadouts of their character, including snapshots of selected gear, skill trees, paragon boards, and any class-specific mechanics. Players can load these snapshots at any time, allowing them to switch between builds easily. This allows players to experiment with multiple playstyles on a single character without resetting or rebuilding everything.” Q: What are you most excited for players to experience?   Adams: “We can’t wait for players to explore the unique witch powers we have designed. They bring a fresh, dynamic element to gameplay that we think players will love experimenting with.” Ismay: “For me, it’s seeing how players utilise the new builds. The combinations and strategies this season enables will lead to incredibly creative gameplay moments for players!” Diablo IV: Season of Witchcraft is available from 21st January. If you want to learn more about Diablo IV, check out the Diablo website, or for real-time updates, follow the official X.”