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HomeTech & SciencesFind out how to play this legendary classic online

Find out how to play this legendary classic online

Diablo is back on your browsers: Find out how to replay this legendary classic online!

Diablo, the cult game launched in 1997 by Blizzard North, is back on almost all web browsers. Thanks to an innovative conversion, fans can now dive back into this dark and captivating universe, directly from their browser, without complicated installation.

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A new life for Diablo on web browsers

The classic action-RPG game Diablo continues to attract a huge following even after decades. While Diablo IV launched in 2023, a new initiative is allowing fans to replay the original directly in their browsers. A developer has created a web-based conversion of the game, based on an open-source project that optimizes Diablo for modern browsers. The move is a true tribute to fans, offering them an experience that is faithful to the original while being accessible on modern devices.

The magic of reverse engineering

The conversion project is based on the work of the Devilution team, which took on the complex task of reverse engineering Diablo's source code. The developer adapted this code to work with WebAssembly, a technology that allows heavy applications to run directly in a browser. All external dependencies were removed, and the user interface, essential for a smooth experience, was entirely recreated in JavaScript. The game's menus and event handling were significantly modified to integrate with the modern JavaScript programming model.

Quick and easy access to Diablo's web port

To access this web version of Diablo, simply go to the page hosting the project. The latter offers a shareware version of the game, allowing you to test part of the original content for free. For those who have the diabdat.mpq file, it is possible to upload this file to the page to unlock the entire game. A save management system has also been integrated, although some difficulties have been encountered when using it. However, the ability to play Diablo on any device connected to the Internet remains a major asset for those nostalgic for the game.

A return to the roots thanks to GOG.com

For those who want an even more complete experience, Diablo has also been available on GOG.com since 2019, accompanied by the Hellfire expansion and a compatibility layer for modern Windows systems. For around โ‚ฌ10, users can get a DRM-free digital copy, including the file needed to play the web version. If you still have an original CD-ROM of the game, you can also use the diabdat.mpq file from it to enjoy the online version.

Avoiding Copyright Pitfalls

The current conversion project is not the first attempt to bring Diablo to the web. In 2019, a similar version based on the Devilution code was released, but it quickly disappeared due to copyright issues. To avoid these pitfalls, the developer of the current version allows users to provide their own copy of the game, thus avoiding any risk of copyright infringement.

My gaming experience on the web port

Having lost my original version of Diablo, I tested the shareware version of the game on Firefox on Windows 10. The web port works well overall, although the graphics seem slightly slower and less responsive than I remember. Still, the ability to replay one of the greatest PC games of all time, right on a smartphone, is an extremely appealing experience for any Diablo fan.

The benefits and challenges of this conversion

Diablo's return to browsers is great news for retrogaming fans. However, this version still has some limitations, particularly in terms of performance and compatibility with different devices. Despite this, this initiative gives new life to an iconic game, making it accessible to a new generation of players while allowing veterans to relive their epic adventures. The technical challenges taken on by the developer, including adapting the game to WebAssembly and JavaScript, are to be commended and show how active and passionate the Diablo fan community remains.

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This article explores Diablo's rebirth on web browsers through an innovative conversion. Accessible to both new players and long-time fans, this online version allows for a rediscovery of a timeless classic while overcoming the technical and legal challenges associated with such an undertaking.

Source: Developer's Twitter