Diablo III players have been waiting for PvP ever since Blizzard dropped it from release, pleading for patience as the competitive modes just weren't up to snuff yet. Soon fans will get to duel their fellow loot-ridden player characters, though the main event has gone back to the drawing board.
"[I]n continuing to develop [team deathmatch], playtest it, and put it in front of other developers within the company, we've found that it falls short of our expectations for a high-quality Blizzard experience," said Diablo III lead developer Jay Wilson in a news post. The mode has been demonstrated several times with positive player reactions, he said, but it just didn't have enough long-term appeal after the novelty of smacking each other with giant swords and fireballs wore off.
Wilson said team deathmatch's replacement modes will "feel more appropriate" for the game by playing up class strengths, objectives, and potential PvE rewards. Whenever those modes release, they will be free.
Bloodthirsty players will get duelling support as a consolation prize in patch 1.0.7, which is scheduled for sometime after the new year.
