One of many recurring gags within the Diablo sequence is the key cow stage. This refers to a secret space that’s full of weapon-toting cows who assault the participant ought to they be unlucky sufficient to encounter it. It first debuted in Diablo II, then made an look in Diablo III. This gag is such a outstanding fixture within the sequence that there’s even a Wikipedia web page for it. Nonetheless, it doesn’t sound like Diablo IV is maintaining with this long-held custom, however that hasn’t stopped gamers from looking for it.
In an interview with Kinda Humorous Video games (thanks, IGN), producer Rod Fergusson mentioned the cow stage was omitted from Diablo IV in an effort to maintain the world grounded.
“We wished to ensure it felt genuine to the form of gothic, darkish themes we now have. We’ve been actually centered on attempting to maintain it as grounded as doable,” Fergusson mentioned. “And due to that, there’s no secret stage in Diablo IV that individuals may be in search of as per earlier video games. However that doesn’t imply there gained’t be sooner or later.”
Fergusson says one factor, however elements of the Diablo group don’t imagine him. There’s a prolonged thread on the sport’s subreddit of followers coordinating searches all through the sport’s world. One consumer is satisfied a “Mysterious Portal” might be opened to a cow stage, and has been attempting to determine if an altar close to Hell’s entrance may be key discovering the place the violent cows may be hiding, in addition to checking on a fountain surrounded by 4 oxen pointing north, south, east, and west. A number of the causes for doubt come from some fairly deep-reaching references to Diablo’s previous. There’s a Bloody Picket Shard merchandise that has the letter “W” carved on the facet that followers imagine may be a reference to Wirt’s wood leg, and a Musty Tome that might be a Tome of City Portal, each of which have been required to achieve the unique hidden stage in Diablo II.
One other consumer has been testing cows all through Diablo IV’s world to see if they’ve any connection to the hypothetical secret stage, corresponding to killing them or utilizing sure emotes round them. However as of this writing, nobody has discovered the key cow stage in Diablo IV. Maybe Fergusson is telling the reality, and there’s no cow stage within the new recreation. However he may be mendacity. And that uncertainty retains curious gamers looking.
Whereas we are able to’t provide help to discover the military of cows intent on claiming your life, try Kotaku’s intensive tips about being a greater participant.