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, kicked off his talk by addressing one of the franchise's most notable setbacks: Error 37. This error famously plagued the launch of Diablo 3, blocking players from accessing the game due to overwhelming server demand. It sparked widespread criticism and even became a meme. However, Blizzard managed to rectify the issue, and Diablo 3 eventually succeeded after significant effort and time. Fergusson emphasized the importance of preventing such failures as Diablo evolves into a more complex live service game, especially with Diablo 4's frequent updates, ongoing seasons, and planned expansions. A repeat of Error 37 could be devastating for Diablo 4's long-term success as a live service juggernaut.

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 key strategies for ensuring the resilience of Diablo 4: scaling the game effectively, maintaining a steady flow of content, avoiding an over-attachment to design purity, and keeping players informed about upcoming developments. His focus was on retaining players over the long term through detailed content roadmaps and seasons-ahead planning, which marks a significant shift from the traditional release model of past Diablo games. This approach aligns with the broader trend of AAA titles committing to long-term live service models.

When asked about the future of Diablo 4, Fergusson hinted that while the game might not be eternal, it is designed to last for many years. He drew a comparison to Destiny, which aimed to be a ten-year game but faced challenges. Fergusson stressed the importance of respecting players' time and providing a clear vision of the game's future, acknowledging the significant investment players make in terms of hours played.

Fergusson also shared insights into the development timeline for Diablo 4's second expansion, Vessel of Hatred, which is slated for release in 2026. Initially planned for an annual release, the timeline was extended due to the need to prioritize immediate updates and the first season's launch. Fergusson expressed caution about setting firm timelines, learning from past experiences of announcing plans too early.

Ruining the Surprise…on Purpose

Fergusson's approach to transparency is evident in his team's decision to use tools like the Public Test Realm (PTR) and content roadmaps, despite initial reservations about spoiling surprises for players. He believes that it's better to "ruin the surprise for 10,000 people so that millions of people have a great season." This mindset reflects a willingness to sacrifice short-term excitement for long-term player satisfaction and game stability. Fergusson also noted the challenges of expanding the PTR to consoles, a goal Blizzard is working on with the support of Xbox.

The inclusion of Diablo 4 on Game Pass, facilitated by Xbox, is another strategic move to broaden the game's reach. Fergusson compared this to the decision to release Diablo 4 on Steam, emphasizing the importance of removing barriers to entry and attracting new players continuously.

All Hours Diablo

In our conversation, Fergusson shared his personal gaming habits, revealing his top three games of 2024 by playtime: NHL 24, Destiny 2, and, unsurprisingly, Diablo 4. With over 650 hours logged on his home account, Fergusson's dedication to Diablo 4 is clear. He enjoys playing as a Companion Druid and recently started a Dance of Knives Rogue, underscoring his deep connection to the game. Fergusson explained how the habit-forming nature of live service games keeps him engaged, even amidst other titles like Cyberpunk and The Witcher 3. His passion for Diablo, both professionally and personally, drives his vision for the game's future.