Creating compelling names for in-game challenges is no simple task, especially for the developers of Diablo 4 who face the challenge of finding fresh, evocative terms for menacing activities, having already used iconic titles like Helltide and Nightmare Dungeon.

In a recent interview, lead game designer Colin Finer pointed out that this might be one of the hardest challenges they encounter, stating, “I would say it’s probably one of the most difficult design challenges.”

Translation:

Creating appealing names for daunting in-game tasks is a complex challenge, especially for the team behind Diablo 4, who find it hard to come up with new, haunting terms for terrifying activities, having already utilized famous designations such as Helltide and Nightmare Dungeon.

Deric Nunez, another designer, echoed this, confirming that the names evolve continuously during initial development phases: “We go through many rounds of iterations and internal dev names that change on a weekly basis, especially when the season is just getting kicked off.”

Translation:

Deric Nunez, a fellow designer, reinforced this, stating that the names continuously change during early development stages: “We undergo numerous rounds of iterations and internal development titles that fluctuate weekly, particularly at the season’s start.”

The developers continue to strive for a balance between creative storytelling while maintaining clarity and a distinct identity in the terminology they choose.

Diablo 4 Image
(Image credit: Blizzard)
In the upcoming Season 8, players will encounter two versions of the demon Belial, humorously dubbed baby Belial and Gigabelial during development, illustrating the lighthearted nature even amidst grim content.

Finer and Nunez are aware of the weight these names carry within the development team, demonstrating their dedication to both creativity and player engagement.