Are Diablo fans getting too old for the old-school item grind?

Longtime Diablo fans are experiencing a shift in their preferences as developers of Diablo IV realize players no longer enjoy the extensive grind for rare items that characterized earlier games like Diablo II. Blizzard's general manager of Diablo, Rod Fergusson, noted that players now expect a more streamlined experience with quicker rewards. To address this, updates to Diablo IV have introduced Resplendent Sparks, allowing players to craft high-end items they struggle to find through random drops. This change reflects a shift in player demographics over the years, with the core audience likely having more responsibilities and less time for extensive gaming sessions. The evolution of Diablo's item progression system highlights the changing value of players' time and the need to adapt to modern gaming preferences. Blizzard aims to strike a balance between rewarding player investment and respecting their time constraints in Diablo IV, catering to a player base that values efficiency and reliable progression.