An LoD editor is a type of computer program that is used to edit various aspects of the computer game Diablo II®. LoD refers to Lord of Destruction®, the name of the expansion released for Diablo II®, which updated the original game in numerous ways and added a number of new features, graphics, and items to the game. Since LoD added so much to the game, most editors used to make alterations to the game are intended for use with copies of the original game with the expansion installed. An LoD editor will typically allow a user to create new levels to play in and explore, change textures and appearances of various aspects of the world, and alter existing levels to make them different.
Diablo II® was released by Blizzard Entertainment® in 2000, with the expansion released the following year. The game is played in an isometric view, from a camera perspective located above the player’s character, and gameplay typically consists of dungeon exploration, finding items, battling large groups of monsters, and advancing the player’s character. With the immense popularity of the game, a number of software programs were designed and released by fans to allow people to alter the game files to make new and interesting experiences beyond what the developers designed.
An LoD editor is one of these types of programs and allows a user to access the source code and artwork for the game. This can be done for a number of different reasons, though visual alterations are among the most common. More extensive work with an LoD editor can be done to change existing areas within the game or create entirely new areas. These types of creations are typically released for download by the creators of such modified content, called “mods,” so other fans can enjoy them. Since the contents of the game are the intellectual property of Blizzard Entertainment®, an LoD editor should not be used to create mods for sale, as this would violate copyright laws.
One of the major features of Diablo II® and the expansion is the ability to play for free online through Blizzard Entertainment®’s online service called Battle.net®. This service includes extensive tools to prevent cheating or abuse of the game by players. Content created through an LoD editor should not be used with the online component of the game, as it could lead to a player’s account being banned from the service or similar penalties.