Cow ranges are a proud custom within the Diablo video games. They’ve appeared in a single kind or one other in each Diablo II and Diablo III, and followers have each purpose to count on that there’s a model in Diablo 4 as nicely. But if it exists, it’s nicely hidden, and Blizzard positively isn’t confirming a method or one other.
Still, we couldn’t assist asking Diablo IV producer Joe Piepiora concerning the famed bovine degree in our current interview within the run-up to the discharge of Season 1, which is titled Season of the Malignant. Not solely did Piepiora refuse to verify whether or not the cow degree was actual, he claimed he didn’t even know what followers have been speaking about.
“I do not know what a cow degree is, so I do not actually perceive the curiosity in it. I get requested this lots once I speak to folks and possibly I simply do not get the reference,” Piepiora mentioned. “It simply looks as if there’s loads of stuff occurring the place the individuals are all the time asking about cows and so they need to know concerning the cow degree after which I’m like, ‘I do not know. What do you even imply? What is that this about?’”
A proud custom
The reference that Piepiora claims to be confused about dates again to Diablo II, which included a particular degree that includes hundreds and a great deal of cows. Aside from being amusing, it was truly fairly helpful because the cows supplied a wholesome quantity of expertise factors whereas placing up little resistance (finally the XP features have been nerfed). Its sequel, Diablo III, an space referred to as “Not the Cow Level” was applied with infernal bovines.
Director Rod Fergusson has claimed that Diablo IV doesn’t have a cow degree as a result of it’s at odds with the “grounded” really feel of the sport.
I do not know what a cow degree is, so I do not actually perceive the curiosity in it
“We wished to verify it felt genuine to the sort of gothic, darkish themes we’ve got. We’ve been actually targeted on making an attempt to maintain it as grounded as doable. And due to that, there is not any secret degree in Diablo 4 that folks may be searching for as per earlier video games. But that does not imply there will not be sooner or later,” Fergusson mentioned.
Sure sufficient, Diablo IV’s cow degree has remained nicely hidden – assuming it exists in any respect – and Piepiora refuses to supply any hints a method or one other. When we laid out the historical past of the cow degree for him, he solely shrugged and mentioned that he doesn’t perceive the reference. At Blizzard, the primary rule appears to be, “Don’t speak concerning the cow degree.”
Blizzard faces backlash
In the meantime, Blizzard has loads of different points to take care of. Fan backlash over stability adjustments main as much as Season 1’s launch are at a fever pitch, and Sorceress gamers are notably sad. Elsewhere, Piepiora addressed questions on Unique merchandise drop charges in addition to plans to deal with Hardcore Player disconnects with the Scroll of Escape.
Diablo IV launched again in June and rapidly turned one of many bestselling Blizzard video games of all time. In our evaluate we wrote, “Diablo 4 is a shocking sequel with close to excellent endgame and development design that makes it completely excruciating to place down.”
For extra information, take a look at our Altar of Lillith information in addition to our map of Diablo IV’s Sanctuary, in addition to updates on the Rebirth characteristic and the Scroll of Escape
Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director in addition to co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
