Game Rant speaks with d4 items developers concerning the game's Fields of Hatred, which allows players to create progress even when they don't take care of PvP.

Blizzard's Diablo number of action RPGs includes a long and rich good reputation for competitive PvP, also it looks like the upcoming Diablo 4 won't build on this legacy and can also make PvP more accessible than ever before to players who might not be as excited about facing off against human opponents. Diablo games haven't particularly concentrated on PvP, but nevertheless, they've attracted a passionate community that is constantly on the host competitions for that original Diablo 27 years later. As a largely PvE-focused series, entering into this arena is definitely an intimidating prospect for players who may need a particular item earned through PvP.

In a roundtable interview with Diablo 4 Associate Game Director Joe Piepiora and Lead Game Producer Kayleigh Calder, Game Rant asked the developers a couple of questions about Diablo 4's Fields of Hatred PvP gameplay, and just how players generate the various cosmetic rewards which are exclusive towards the Fields of Hatred. Piepiora assured players the rewards can be acquired without necessarily needing to kill other players since progression is associated with the various activities within the Fields of Hatred. That being said, PvP remains the main function of the Fields of Hatred, so players will have to stay on their toes when they want to keep the fruits of the labor.

Diablo 4's PvP Rewards Aren't Exclusively Tied to PvP

The main element of Diablo 4's PvP may be the Fields of Hatred, high-risk high-reward free-for-all PvP zones inhabited by multiple players who are able to work on various tasks to generate the mode's Shards of Hatred currency. By tying this currency to PvE activities inside the Fields of Hatred, Diablo 4 makes it feasible for peaceful or less-competitive players to create meaningful progress toward the rewards they're after.

This system also heavily rewards skilled PvP players who are able to potentially accrue large levels of Shards of Hatred quickly by killing other players and taking their hard-earned shards. Although every Diablo 4 player includes a chance to generate rewards, the strongest competitors could make progress a lot more quickly.

Diablo 4's Fields of Hatred Has Lots of Gameplay Possibilities

The Fields of Hatred really is a far more dynamic PvP environment than something similar to Diablo Immortal's battlegrounds, which are always an 8v8 matchup between players. There are many activities players can participate in to earn their shards, including world bosses and local events.

The free-for-all PvP setting also enables some unpredictability in player interaction. Players might end up forming uneasy alliances, mutually agreeing to depart each other alone to pay attention to earning shards. This is reminiscent of The Division's Dark Zones where players sometimes choose to live and let live, even though the ever-present danger of things turning sideways keeps the strain level high all the time.

d4 items has gone out on June 6 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.