PvP content for Diablo III had been discussed throughout the game's development,
but on March 9, 2012,
Blizzard announced that PvP had been delayed and would not
be included with the game's release. Lead designer Jay Wilson said in a post on
Battle.net that the PvP Arena system would arrive in a post-release patch; it
would include multiple Arena maps with themed locations and layouts, PvP-centric
achievements,
and a quick and easy matchmaking system.
"We'll also be adding a
personal progression system that will reward you for successfully bashing in the
other team's skulls", Wilson added.