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 reflection on 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 prevention of another Error 37-like incident crucial for its long-term viability.

Diablo, Immortal

During the DICE Summit 2025 in Las Vegas, I had the opportunity to discuss 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 maintaining the resilience of Diablo 4: scaling the game effectively, ensuring a steady flow of content, maintaining flexibility in design, and keeping players informed about future updates, 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 sustained live service approach. This new direction for Diablo aims to keep the game relevant and engaging for years, much like other successful AAA titles that have adopted similar strategies.

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, the team planned for annual expansions, but the second expansion, Vessel of Hatred, was delayed to 2026 due to the need to prioritize immediate updates and the first season's launch. This adjustment extended the time between the game's launch and the expansion to 18 months. Fergusson is cautious about setting firm timelines for future expansions, preferring to wait until the team is confident in their plans before making public announcements.

Ruining the Surprise…on Purpose

Fergusson's approach to transparency is a key aspect of Diablo 4's live service model. The team plans to release a content roadmap in April and utilize the Public Test Realm (PTR) to allow players to test upcoming patches before they go live. Initially, there were concerns about spoiling surprises for players, but Fergusson believes that the benefits of transparency outweigh the drawbacks. He argues that it's better to "ruin the surprise for 10,000 people so that millions of people have a great season," even if the PTR feedback is negative, as it helps avoid larger issues down the line.

Expanding the PTR to consoles is a current challenge, primarily due to certification issues and the complexities of releasing new builds. However, with the support of parent company Xbox, Blizzard is working to overcome these obstacles. Fergusson also highlighted the advantage of having Diablo 4 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. He revealed that he has logged 650 hours on his home retail account, not including work time, and is currently playing as a Companion Druid and a Dance of Knives Rogue. His passion for Diablo is evident, as he continues to play the game extensively despite his professional involvement.

Fergusson's dedication to Diablo and his strategic vision for its future as a live service game underscore Blizzard's commitment to evolving the franchise while learning from past mistakes. By prioritizing player engagement, transparency, and long-term sustainability, Diablo 4 aims to become a lasting fixture in the gaming landscape.