“At the time when we were working on [the remaster], we wondered if the old saved files would work and we kind of pushed and it worked! And we thought, ‘ok, this is the best resource of all’, “said Cederquist. That means players will be able to pick up where they left off if they still have access to the files, with all the audiovisual updates exclusive to the remastering in tow.The number of people who still have 20-year-old defenses in hand is probably pretty slim, but it’s a lovely nod to how reverent the team is in bringing the original game to modern machines. Resurrected is effectively playing the original game, with a layer of updated 3D clothing on top. As executive producer Rod Fergusson told us at BlizzCon, “it’s a remastering, not a remake. We wanted The games.”
Diablo 2: Resurrected will feature 4K graphics, 7.1 surround sound, updated 3D models and remastered cutscenes when it launches later this year – but you can switch between the original and new visuals at the press of a button. It will be available on a wide variety of platforms, including PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch.
Earlier this week, we learned that Diablo 2: Resurrected will offer an alpha for one player and a multiplayer. Players can sign up for the game’s technical program via Battle.net. The game was revealed during this year’s Blizzcon, which also offered ads like the Blizzard Arcade Collection and World of Warcraft The Burning Crusade Classic.
Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.