This is similar in spirit to the infamous "auction house" that launched with "Diablo 3," a feature that generated so much outrage and blowback that Activision Blizzard had to retool the entire game to remove the feature. But gaming companies will often try and try again to get consumers to play along. Instead of an auction house, we have a marketplace where players can sell gems to each other for "platinum," an in-game currency that can be earned through play or purchased outright by spending "eternal orbs," currency bought by real-world cash. If any of these explanations sound convoluted to you as a reader, it's all by design. Many free-to-play games obfuscate their gambling or monetization mechanics to hide that the game's systems are designed to push player spending.

Since then, "Diablo Immortal" has boosted its reputation, as alpha and beta tests proved the game was a full-throated, classic Diablo experience. The Diablo series is one of the most influential in modern game design, popularizing gameplay loops that center acquiring randomized "loot" to make your role-playing character more powerful. "Diablo 2," which was recently remastered, cemented this loop, while "Diablo 3," which Cheng also worked on, streamlined and evolved it.

On the same day it released Diablo III on Nintendo Switch, Blizzard announced it's bringing the Diablo franchise to even more platforms. The studio revealed at Blizzcon that Diablo Immortal, which is coming to iOS and Android, will be the first mobile game in the series. The action RPG is set after Diablo II: Lord of Destruction and before Diablo III. It features six customizable classes (Barbarian, Crusader, Demon Hunter, Monk, Necromancer and Wizard) with more planned for the future. You'll be able to drop in and out of groups in the MMO and take part in "dynamic events" across Sanctuary.