Diablo 2: Resurrected accessibility learnings from technical alpha detailed

Ben Bayliss2 minute read

Update [July 14]: In an official tweet, it has been confirmed that Diablo 2: Resurrected will support text-to-speech and screen reader support for accessibility.

Blizzard Entertainment ran a technical beta for the upcoming Diablo 2: Resurrected and noted some accessibility learnings.

While the original game was released in 2000, at this year’s BlizzCon 2021, a remaster titled Diablo 2: Resurrected was announced and has been confirmed to be launching on multiple platforms later this year. The action RPG will allow players to play the game as it was back in the year 2000, or to play with upgraded visuals. A Diablo 2: Resurrected technical beta held back in April has allowed developers Blizzard and Vicarious Visions to take some accessibility learnings according to a new blog post.

Quite close to the top of the post there’s a dedicated accessibility heading that details Diablo 2: Resurrected accessibility features heading to the game. Auto-gold pick-up is one feature that will likely allow characters to pick up gold automatically instead of manually gathering it. There are to be large font modes and adjustments to gamma and contrast can be used to improve readability. There’s also UI scaling but this is a feature for PC users.

“we’ve taken strides to equip players with customization options to suit their needs. With these options, players may tweak the visibility of their HUD and graphics, finding the ideal balance between beautiful and gritty, or whatever their preference may be.” the blog post reads. It’s also teased that Blizzard and Vicarious Visions will be revealing more information at a later date in regards to accessibility.

Watch Diablo® II: Resurrected™ Street Date Trailer on YouTube

As for other notable details, Item names in the UI will be toggleable with a single tap instead of a hold input as will the “Compare” feature. Of course, players can choose what input to use. Inventory will have 3 tabs for better organization of loot. The automap has been improved for readability.

These changes will be available to players in August for a limited time beta for those that have pre-ordered the game on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. At current, Diablo 2: Resurrected will be launching sometime in September 2021 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch and will feature the above accessibility improvements at launch.

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Ben
BaylissEditor-in-ChiefHe/Him

Ben is the one in charge of keeping the content cogs at Can I Play That? turning. Deafness means that he has a focus on discussing captions, but with experience in consultancy and advocacy, he covers what bases he can. Having written about accessibility in video games at DualShockers, GamesRadar+, GamesIndustry.biz, Wireframe, and more he continues his advocacy at CIPT. He was actually awarded a Good Games Writing award for an article he wrote here! He enjoys a range of games, but anything that’s open-world and with a photo mode will probably be his cup of tea. You can get in touch with him at: ben@caniplaythat.com

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