During a GDC 2025 talk, Blizzard lead software engineer Patrick Ferland revealed that Greater Affixes, those powerful item bonuses players now chase like crazy, were actually a last-minute addition during development of the Loot Reborn season.
“Literally, we had two weeks left in the development schedule when someone even proposed it,” Ferland said, as reported by GamesRadar+.
Luckily, thanks to Diablo 4’s flexible backend and data structure, the team was able to add the feature without risking the entire build falling apart. If you are not familiar, Greater Affixes are boosted versions of normal affixes. They always roll at the highest possible value and get a 1.5x multiplier on top. They also come with a special sound cue and icon, which makes them easy to spot in your loot pile, and very much worth hunting for.
While Diablo 4’s item system has taken its fair share of criticism, Loot Reborn definitely marked a turning point. It streamlined loot drops and made powerful items feel exciting again, especially with Greater Affixes in the mix.
The story behind their last-minute addition is a great reminder that sometimes, the best parts of a game are born out of bold, late ideas.
For more details, you can check out the original article on GamesRadar+.
