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 not with tales of triumph, but with a candid discussion about one of the franchise's most notorious setbacks: Error 37. This error, which plagued the launch of Diablo 3, barred countless players from accessing the game due to overwhelming server demand. The incident drew significant criticism towards Blizzard and even became a meme within the gaming community. Despite this rocky start, Blizzard managed to resolve the issue, and Diablo 3 eventually found success after extensive efforts. However, the memory of Error 37 has driven Blizzard and Fergusson to ensure such a debacle never repeats, especially as Diablo evolves into a more intricate live service model with regular updates, seasons, and expansions. With Diablo 4, the series has fully embraced the live service approach, making the avoidance of another Error 37 critical to maintaining player trust and engagement.

Diablo, Immortal

During the DICE Summit 2025 in Las Vegas, I had the opportunity to speak with Rod Fergusson following his presentation titled "Evolving Sanctuary: Building a Resilient Live-Service Game in Diablo IV." In his talk, Fergusson outlined four essential strategies for ensuring the resilience of Diablo 4: scaling the game effectively, maintaining a steady flow of content, being flexible with design purity, and keeping players informed about upcoming features, even if it means sacrificing some surprises.

Fergusson emphasized the importance of keeping players engaged over the long term, highlighting the shift from the traditional model of numbered releases to a more dynamic live service approach. This new direction for Diablo aims to keep the game relevant and engaging for years, contrasting with the longer intervals between past Diablo releases.

When asked about the future of Diablo 4, Fergusson expressed a desire for the game to remain active for many years, though he stopped short of calling it "eternal." He drew a comparison to Destiny, which initially aimed for a ten-year lifespan but adjusted its plans. Fergusson stressed the importance of respecting players' time and commitment, ensuring they see a clear path forward for the game.

Fergusson also shared insights into the development timeline for Diablo 4's expansions. Originally planning for annual expansions, the team had to adjust the release of the second expansion, Vessel of Hatred, to 2026 due to the need to prioritize immediate updates and the first season's launch. This shift resulted in an 18-month gap between the game's launch and the expansion, rather than the planned 12 months. Fergusson remains cautious about setting firm timelines, preferring to provide players with a sense of security without overcommitting.

Ruining the Surprise…on Purpose

Fergusson's approach to transparency is a key aspect of Diablo 4's development. He discussed the use of content roadmaps and the Public Test Realm (PTR), where players can test upcoming patches before they go live. Initially, the team was hesitant about spoiling surprises, but Fergusson now believes that it's better to "ruin the surprise for 10,000 people so that millions of people have a great season." This philosophy extends to handling data leaks, where the impact on a small subset of players is weighed against the overall player experience.

One of the challenges Fergusson faces is expanding the PTR to console players, currently limited to PC due to certification issues. However, with the support of parent company Xbox, Blizzard is working to overcome these obstacles. Fergusson also highlighted the benefits of Diablo 4's inclusion on Game Pass, which removes barriers to entry and attracts a broader player base, similar to the decision to release the game on Steam alongside Battle.net.

All Hours Diablo

In our conversation, I asked Fergusson about his recent gaming experiences and whether he had played Path of Exile 2, given the comparisons to Diablo 4. He dismissed the comparisons, noting that the two games are fundamentally different. However, he acknowledged the need to consider players who enjoy both games, particularly in scheduling seasons to avoid conflicts.

Fergusson shared his top three games of 2024 by playtime: NHL 24 in third place, Destiny 2 in second, and, unsurprisingly, Diablo 4 in first. With over 650 hours logged on his personal account, Fergusson's dedication to Diablo is evident. He currently plays as a Companion Druid and has recently started a Dance of Knives Rogue, showcasing his deep engagement with the game. His passion for Diablo, which led him to join the team five years ago, continues to drive his personal and professional commitment to the franchise.