Diablo III is developed as the definitive action role-playing game, and a true continuation of the Diablo series. Players will create a hero from one of five distinct classes, such as barbarian or witch doctor, each equipped with an array of spells and abilities. As these heroes adventure through rich and varied settings, unraveling an epic storyline and engaging in combat with hordes of monsters and challenging bosses, they’ll grow in experience and ability and acquire items of incredible power.

The game takes place on Sanctuary, a world of dark fantasy. Unbeknownst to most of its inhabitants, Sanctuary was saved some twenty years ago from the demonic forces of the underworld by a few brave and powerful heroes. Most of those warriors who directly faced Hell’s armies -- and were fortunate enough to survive -- went mad from their experiences. And most of the others have buried their haunted memories and pushed the horrors from their thoughts. In Diablo III, players will return to Sanctuary to confront evil in its many forms once again.

Diablo III will pick up the story twenty years after the events of Diablo II. Mephisto, Diablo, and Baal have been defeated, but the Worldstone, which once shielded the inhabitants of the world of Sanctuary from the forces of both the High Heavens and the Burning Hells, has been destroyed, and evil once again stirs in Tristram. Playing as a hero from one of five distinct character classes, players will acquire powerful items, spells, and abilities as they explore new and familiar areas of Sanctuary and battle hordes of demons to safeguard the world from the horrors that have arisen.

As the Burning Hells invade Sanctuary and all hope seems lost, an unlikely hero rises to restore balance to the world, calling forth an army of the dead and cleansing the land of evil.

From the crypts deep beneath Blizzard Entertainment came a dark invocation proclaiming that the Rise of the Necromancer packwill be unleashed June 27—available to those in the living realm digitally in-game on PC or through the online Blizzard Shop, PlayStation Store, and Xbox One Store.

Necromancers are grim spellcasters who draw upon the power of blood and bone and raise terrifying armies of undead minions from the remains of their vanquished foes. These brooding men and women are masters of the dark arts who seek to preserve the balance between the forces of life and death in Sanctuary—even if it requires detonating several thousand demon corpses along the way.

In addition to a new class, the Rise of the Necromancer pack contains a macabre assortment of curiosities to support any aspiring practitioner of forbidden magic, including:

• The twisted and misshapen Half-formed Golem in-game pet
• Cosmetic Wings of the Crypt Guardian
• Two additional character slots
• Two stash tabs (PC only)
• Necromancer portrait, banner, sigil, and accent, and Blood Master pennant

Acolytes of the dark arts can also unearth the most closely guarded secrets of the Priests of Rathma by studying the Book of the Necromancer. This archive chronicles the shadowy history of the necromancers and contains a grimoire of their spells, runes, weapons, and armor—an ideal resource for anyone who plans to take the necromancer through the challenges that comprise the Season 11 journey, beginning July 20.

"We're excited to continue our celebration of the20th anniversary of Diabloby reimagining one of the community's all-time favorite classes in the Rise of the Necromancer pack," said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. "We look forward to seeing a new generation of necromancers exploring Adventure Mode, discovering new character builds, and exploding corpses in Greater Rifts throughout Sanctuary."

The Night of the Necromancer celebration kicks off tonight at 5 p.m. PDT on Twitch as senior game designer Travis Day joins Nerdist's Jessica Chobot as she raises hell on a new necromancer, streaming her play experience from a haunted location. After teaming up, Chobot will be left to fend for herself as she attempts to survive from dusk till dawn.

Console gamers who have yet to experience Diablo III will be able to pick up the digital-only Eternal Collection, which includes the Rise of the Necromancer pack, Diablo III, and the Reaper of Souls expansion for PS4 or Xbox One. This expansive all-in-one collection is a perfect jumping-in point for anyone who may have missed out on what many consider to be the definitive couch co-op gaming experience.

The Rise of the Necromancer pack will be available for Windows and Mac PCs, as well as for PS4 and Xbox One, on June 27 for $14.99 USD. The epic Diablo III: Eternal Collection bundle will be available to PlayStation Plus members on PS4 and Xbox Live Gold members on Xbox One for a limited time at a special introductory price of $39.99 (reg. $59.99 SRP).