Diablo 5 Timing: Blizzard's Rod Fergusson on Diablo 4's Longevity

At the DICE Summit 2025, Rod Fergusson, the general manager of the Diablo series, opened his keynote speech by addressing not the triumphs but one of the franchise's most notable setbacks: Error 37. This error code famously plagued the launch of Diablo 3, blocking countless players from accessing the game due to server overload. The incident drew significant backlash against Blizzard, spawning memes and highlighting the challenges of managing a game launch with unprecedented player demand. Blizzard eventually resolved the issue, and Diablo 3 went on to become a success story after considerable effort. However, the memory of Error 37 continues to influence Blizzard's approach to game management, particularly as Diablo evolves into a more sophisticated live service model.

Diablo 4 represents a new era for the series, embracing the live service format with frequent updates, ongoing seasons, and planned expansions. Fergusson's talk, titled "Evolving Sanctuary: Building a Resilient Live-Service Game in Diablo IV," emphasized four crucial elements for ensuring the game's resilience: scalability, continuous content delivery, flexibility in design, and transparent communication about future updates. These elements are pivotal in maintaining player engagement over the long term, a shift from the traditional model of the Diablo series, which relied more heavily on periodic numbered releases and less frequent updates.

In a follow-up interview at the DICE Summit, Fergusson discussed the longevity of Diablo 4, hinting at its potential to become a long-lasting game akin to Blizzard's other flagship title, World of Warcraft. He expressed a desire for Diablo 4 to remain active for years, though he stopped short of labeling it as "eternal." Fergusson highlighted the importance of respecting player time and maintaining a clear vision of the game's future, contrasting this approach with past games like Destiny, which had promised a decade-long lifecycle but did not meet those expectations.

Fergusson also shared insights into the development timeline of Diablo 4's expansions. Initially planning for annual releases, the team had to adjust the schedule, pushing back the second expansion, Vessel of Hatred, to 2026. This delay was necessitated by the need to address immediate post-launch issues and the launch of the first season. Fergusson acknowledged the unpredictability of development and the importance of not committing to rigid timelines prematurely.

Transparency is another cornerstone of Blizzard's strategy for Diablo 4. Fergusson discussed the use of Public Test Realms (PTRs) and content roadmaps to keep players informed about upcoming changes. While initially hesitant about spoiling surprises, the team has come to prioritize player feedback and a smoother overall experience over maintaining secrecy. Fergusson emphasized that it's better to "ruin the surprise for 10,000 people so that millions of people have a great season," underscoring the value of PTRs in preventing major issues from affecting the broader player base.

The integration of Diablo 4 into Xbox Game Pass was also highlighted as a strategic move to lower entry barriers and attract a larger audience, similar to the decision to release the game on Steam alongside Battle.net. Fergusson contrasted this approach with the free-to-play model of Diablo Immortal, noting the different dynamics of player acquisition and retention between premium and free-to-play live services.

Finally, Fergusson shared his personal gaming habits, revealing his deep connection to Diablo 4. With 650 hours of playtime on his home account alone, he continues to engage with the game not just professionally but as a passionate player. He also addressed comparisons between Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2, acknowledging the distinctiveness of each game while considering how to cater to players who enjoy both titles.

Rod Fergusson's insights at the DICE Summit 2025 reflect Blizzard's commitment to evolving the Diablo series into a robust live service game, balancing the lessons of past failures with innovative strategies to ensure its future success and longevity.