Blizzard Entertainment has announced that the original Diablo game that launched in 1996 is now available at GOG.com — however, the DRM-free GOG version has been optimized for current systems by GOG.

This is a very unusual move by Blizzard Entertainment, but considering the vast GOG playerbase, this could be interpreted as a sign of things to come. Tapping into that pool of players can be seen as a way to bring new players into Diablo Immortal, and better yet… a Diablo II: Remastered.

It is no surprise that Diablo II: Remastered will be developed after Warcraft III: Reforged ships. It’s just a matter of when Blizzard will announce it, when beta testing begins, and when it ships.

Q: Is Diablo II coming to GOG.COM?

A: Diablo II and Diablo II: Lord of Destruction are currently available for purchase digitally on the Battle.net Shop. We have no additional announcements at this time.

Q: What is different between the Battle.net and GOG-enhanced versions of the game?

A: The original Battle.net version of the game is completely unchanged and allows players to connect to one another through Blizzard’s Battle.net online-gaming service.

The GOG-enhanced version offers several quality of life additions, including minor audio fixes, up-scaling support for resolution and refresh rate control, and compatibility fixes. Please note that this version cannot connect to Battle.net and only supports multiplayer via LAN and P2P connection.

Blizzard provided a FAQ for those who wish to learn more about this GOG enhanced version of the original Diablo game.

You can order Diablo for $9.99 at GOG.com at the following page.

On December 31, 1996, Diablo introduced the world to the dark, foreboding realm of Sanctuary. Heroes braved the depths below Tristram Cathedral to take on the Lord of Terror himself, kicking off an ongoing legacy in the world of action role-playing games. Today, players can once again explore this timeless Blizzard classic as it becomes available digitally and DRM-free for the first time ever, exclusively on GOG.COM! Diablo has been lovingly preserved in its original form, featuring HD resolution support and compatibility fixes brought to you by the GOG team to ensure compatibility with modern PC operating systems. Play on your own or with friends via network or direct IP. Explore randomly generated rooms, corridors, traps, treasures, monsters, and stairways, all rendered in their original three-dimensional, SVGA enhanced graphics. Ready to go back to where it all started? Diablo is available now direct from GOG.COM for $9.99!
 

PRESS RELEASE

Blizzard Entertainment and GOG.COM Bring Back the Original Diablo®
Seminal Action-RPG Diablo is Available Now | Warcraft: Orcs & Humans and Warcraft II to Follow

March 7th —Blizzard Entertainment and GOG.COM have teamed up to rerelease select classic Blizzard games, beginning with Diablo®, Blizzard’s legendary 1996 action role-playing game that introduced players to the harsh—and deeply rewarding—world of Sanctuary.

The original Diablo is available now via digital distribution for the first time ever on GOG.COM. Players looking for the authentic Diablo experience can play the game as it was in 1996, with period-appropriate 20 FPS SVGA graphics, and the ability to matchmake through the classic version of Blizzard’s Battle.net® online-gaming service. Blizzard and GOG.COM have collaborated on an updated version of the game, which includes out-of-the-box Windows 10 compatibility, and a host of bug fixes. Players can choose either version of the game from a launcher.

“We were bummed that these iconic games weren’t available to our players, so we‘re very happy to work with the crew at GOG.com to rectify that,” said Rob Bridenbecker, Vice President and Executive Producer, Blizzard Entertainment. “This has been a long time coming and we hope our players will be excited to jump back into these classic titles.”

In addition to bringing back the first Diablo, Blizzard is planning other GOG.COM re-releases of Warcraft: Orcs & Humans and Warcraft II. More information on the return to Azeroth will be revealed soon.

“Crawling through the original Diablo’s dungeons, together with Blizzard, is a feeling of pure excitement,” said Oleg Klapovsky, SVP at GOG. “It’s a personal thing for many of us, and the most wished-for game in our community. Taking the first few steps beneath the Tristram Cathedral, listening to the guidance of Cain the Elder—it’s all coming back, for old souls and newcomers alike.”

Diablo is available now via GOG.COM for Windows at $9.99.

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