The Future of Diablo 3

Based on what Blizzy has done with Diablo3, here are some of my predictions on how the game will continue to be developed in the coming months. Blizzy will have to continue to churn out new content every 2-3 months in order to keep players coming back so expect bits and pieces of updates every patch.

• PvP Arena
• Yes, this is common news, but what I meant is that it won't just be the standard 2v2, 3v3 or 4v4 arena. There will be variations and objective based arenas
• Large arena up to 8v8
• Free-for-all Coliseum arenas up to 40 players

• Custom Games
• This will surely happen in order to increase player with player interaction
• Capture the Flag
• Hold the point
• Hero Defense 
• DoTA / AoS styled maps (may not happen since Blizzy is making Blizzard Allstars) 
• There will be free basic custom maps and there will be more popular custom maps that players have to buy.

*Since Blizzy plans to sell maps, I highly doubt they will provide any mods for players to make maps. If they did, players will be able to publish and sell their maps for other players to play and Blizzy will take a cut of the profit.

• Pets
• This is already available in WoW and will eventually be implemented in Diablo3.
• Pets will be used to help pick-up gold and loot.
• Pets will have pet based gear
• Able to level up and have skills.
• Pets cannot partake in PvE (Player vs Environment) but will be able to join in PvP and Pet vs. Pet activities.
• There will be Pet vs. Pet Arena where players pitch their pet against another players pet to get top ranking in ladder, etc.

*Introduction of Pet will increase the total number of types of item/gear in the game thus indirectly increase volume in Gold & Real Money Auction House resulting in more profits for Blizzy.

• Gambling / Betting / Stakes
• With PvP and Pet vs. Pet in place, this will follow next.
• There will be intense ranked ladders, weekly, monthly, seasonal, etc.
• You can watch live matches and place bets on a particular player, team, score, player that deals most damage, etc.
• This will be cash only using Blizzard Bucks.

*This may not be implemented in all countries as Blizzy will run into legal issues but if they manage to break the barriers, this will be huge and provide a steady flow of cash to their vaults.

• Improved Crafting
• On top of the current weapon and armor crafting, players will be able to make a variety of temporary buff items
• Scrolls - grants temporary aura or personal buff
• Resource Potions - 5 types of potion for each class
• Enchantments - Used on items to temporarily add effects 

• Vanity
• This is last on my list as it has the lowest chance of actually being implemented.
• Diablo3 has a immense selection of items which players can wear in order to look different and cool.
• But if they did, items like Diablo Horns, Angel Wings (already present in collector edition), Cowboy Hats, etc. could be sold in Real Money Auction House only.

That is all for now till my crystal ball reveals more to me. All the above is based on my observation of Blizzy's direction to continuously turn all their games into a cash cow in order to replace WoW that is scheduled to die in the new few years, my scouring of the internet for information and my years of playing a variety of MMOs.

If you have any predictions, just let me know :)

Only if...