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 an overwhelming influx of simultaneous logins. The resulting backlash and the subsequent meme culture around Error 37 underscored the critical need for robust server infrastructure. Blizzard eventually rectified the issue, and Diablo 3 went on to become a success story, but the lesson learned was clear: such failures must be avoided at all costs, especially as Diablo evolves into a more intricate live service model with Diablo 4.

Diablo 4 represents a significant shift towards a live service model, with regular updates, ongoing seasons, and planned expansions. Fergusson emphasized the importance of scaling the game effectively, maintaining a steady flow of content, being flexible with design purity, and keeping the community informed about future developments. These elements are crucial for ensuring the longevity and resilience of Diablo 4 as a live service game.

Diablo, Immortal

In a follow-up interview at the DICE Summit 2025 in Las Vegas, Fergusson elaborated on his vision for Diablo 4. He highlighted the team's commitment to keeping players engaged over the long term, contrasting this approach with the more sporadic updates of previous Diablo titles. The focus on a detailed content roadmap and planning seasons well in advance signals a departure from the traditional model of releasing new numbered entries every few years.

When asked about the future of Diablo 4, Fergusson expressed a desire for the game to remain relevant for years to come, though he stopped short of calling it "eternal." He drew parallels with other successful live service games like Destiny, noting the importance of respecting players' time and investment. Fergusson also mentioned the significant gap between the releases of Diablo 2 and 3, and 3 and 4, but emphasized that Diablo 4's aggressive update schedule is a new approach under his leadership since joining in 2020.

Fergusson shared insights into the development of Diablo 4's second expansion, Vessel of Hatred, which was delayed to 2026 due to the need to prioritize immediate updates and the first season's launch. He learned from this experience not to commit to specific timelines too early, preferring to provide players with a general sense of when to expect new content.

Ruining the Surprise…on Purpose

Transparency is a key aspect of Fergusson's strategy for Diablo 4. He discussed the use of a Public Test Realm (PTR) and content roadmaps, which allow players to preview upcoming changes. 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 approach helps avoid major issues that could arise from unexpected changes.

Fergusson also mentioned the challenges of expanding the PTR to consoles, citing certification issues and the complexities of releasing new builds. However, with the support of parent company Xbox, Blizzard is working to overcome these hurdles. The inclusion of Diablo 4 on Game Pass is another strategic move to attract a broader player base, similar to the decision to release the game on Steam alongside Battle.net.

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 evident. He enjoys playing as a Companion Druid and recently started a Dance of Knives Rogue, showcasing his deep engagement with the game.

Fergusson's passion for Diablo is not just professional; it's personal. He described the habit-forming nature of live service games, which keep him coming back despite distractions from other titles like Cyberpunk and The Witcher 3. His commitment to Diablo underscores his vision for the game's future as a lasting, engaging experience for players worldwide.