Inside Xbox Series X | Optimized for S – Diablo II: Resurrected

One of the biggest benefits of all that power in hardware is giving developers the ability to create games optimized for Xbox Series X | S. This means that they have taken full advantage of the unique capabilities of Xbox Series X | Yes, both for new titles created natively with the development environment of Xbox Series X | It’s like for previously released titles that have been rebuilt specifically for the console. In our Inside Xbox Series X series | S Optimized, These Creators Will Share Behind The Scenes Accounts Of How They Are Optimizing Their Titles For Xbox Series X | Yes and what that means for the future of gaming. Today, we’ll talk to Vicarious Visions (a Blizzard Entertainment company) Design Director, Rob Gallerani, about optimization. Diablo II: Risen for Xbox Series X | S.

---

Q: “What excites you most to develop and carry Diablo II: Risen to life in next-gen hardware? “

TOCreating games with the latest gaming hardware is exciting because it can take your vision to a new level of fidelity. On Diablo II: Risen, we are modernizing one of the most beloved PC games of all time. That means faithfully recreating the memories shared by millions of players over the past 20 years, while at the same time making the game more accessible as we introduce the game to a newer audience. That is a huge responsibility and we are determined to get it right.

Visually preserving nostalgia for the classical experience was essential. We even give players the freedom to time travel between D2R and the original game with the push of a button. The higher the visual contrast between the two, the more impressive it feels. The capabilities of Xbox Series X | S really allowed us to push the boundaries by bringing the original 2D sprite-based game to a fully physics-based 3D game, rendered with dynamic lighting and resolutions up to 4K. It is surreal. Playing now Diablo II on a console in front of a big screen TV in 4K is one of my favorite ways to experience the game.

Q: In addition to benefiting from the power and performance of Xbox Series X | S for faster loading times, etc., what features of Xbox Series X | S was more excited to explore by taking advantage of the development of Diablo II: Risen?

TO: Xbox Series X | S gives us a lot of power, but it also puts us in front of new players who play differently, especially compared to how the 21-year-old classic was played. With the original Diablo II, online games as we know them today were just beginning. Remember dial-up modems? Or ask the family not to talk on the phone while trying to do Baal races?

When we adapt the Diablo II experience for console gamers, we wanted to find a way to simplify or make it easier for players to bond with each other, rather than having to rely on individual lobbies. Players can now invite their friends to their game directly or use the Party Finder to team up with other players in Sanctuary. That being said, after our beta, we have seen many console players requesting more options to better navigate multiplayer activities. Therefore, we have implemented additional options for the Party Finder feature. This will allow players to better coordinate and find others who perform the same missions as them.

Q: How will these enhancements affect a player’s experience with Diablo II: Risen?

TO: The improvements offered by the Xbox Series X | S cannot be underestimated. Quality of life features like Quick Resume in offline play allow players to switch from one game to our game seamlessly, saving the current game state at a time when the player needs it minimized. Additionally, players will be able to load the game itself and zones faster. Xbox Series X Players | S can choose to play Diablo II: Risen in Quality mode or Performance mode, giving them maximum flexibility for a style of play that suits them.

Q: How do you expect the fans of Diablo II: Risen will respond when played on Xbox Series X | S with these improvements?

TO: The fantastic thing is that the technology Xbox Series X | S has allowed us to bring a first-rate experience of this remastering to so many new players. An iconic title that defined the genre has now been designed to be played in a contemporary way. At the same time, we hope veteran players with fond memories of the original PC game will enjoy it again, in whole new ways. For the first time ever, gamers will be able to play this 21-year-old game in the highest graphics and audio fidelity, mimicking the specs of the best experiences played on today’s high-end PCs. The excellent performance and enhancements offered by this hardware will amaze gamers who venture into Diablo II: Risen.

Q: What’s it like to develop on Xbox Series X | Yes

TO: Powerful hardware that can handle the graphics we are placing Diablo II: Risen helps us achieve our vision: bring Diablo II in the modern era. The original game featured deep systems, iconic character classes, and timeless gameplay. Combine all of that with modernized visuals and audio, and Diablo II: Risen pays homage to a legendary ARPG and makes it more contemporary for today’s audience.

Q: What does Smart Delivery mean for your game and how are you contributing Diablo II: Risen to the fans?

TO: Smart Delivery makes it easy for us to deliver the best possible version of the game to Xbox players. If they upgrade their hardware, Diablo II: Risen will go along with them. We also support cross-generation play on Xbox, so you never have to choose between updating and playing with your friends.

Q: What does Xbox Series X development allow? S on current or future projects that you couldn’t have accomplished with the previous generation of consoles?

TO: Sanctuary has never been more immersive. Our players will play a classic game that will run as fast as it did in 2D, but with incredible 3D high definition images, amplified by the 4K resolutions emulated on PC. To complement the incredible graphics, Xbox Series X players | S will be able to experience their journey in an epic 7.1 surround sound output.

---

Thanks, Rob, for taking the time to sit down with us today to discuss all these exciting optimizations for Xbox Series X | S. Diablo II: Risen Available to Pre-Order Today on the Xbox Store and Released for Xbox One and Xbox Series X | S on September 23.