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

Rod Fergusson, the general manager of the Diablo series, kicked off his presentation at the DICE Summit 2025 with a candid discussion about one of the franchise's most notorious setbacks: Error 37. This error famously plagued the launch of Diablo 3, overwhelming the servers as an unprecedented number of players tried to log in simultaneously. The resulting backlash was significant, with Error 37 becoming a meme that highlighted the challenges Blizzard faced. Despite the rocky start, Blizzard's efforts paid off, and Diablo 3 eventually became a success story. However, the lesson learned from Error 37 has profoundly influenced the development strategy for Diablo 4, especially as it transitions into a more robust live service model with frequent updates, ongoing seasons, and planned expansions.

During my conversation with Fergusson at the DICE Summit in Las Vegas, following his talk titled "Evolving Sanctuary: Building a Resilient Live-Service Game in Diablo IV," he emphasized four critical elements for ensuring the longevity and stability of Diablo 4: scaling the game effectively, maintaining a steady flow of content, being flexible with design purity, and keeping players well-informed about future updates. Fergusson's focus was clear: to keep players engaged over the long term, which marks a significant shift from the traditional model of releasing new, numbered games every few years to a continuous live service approach.

Diablo, Immortal

When asked about the future of Diablo 4, Fergusson expressed a vision of longevity, likening it to Blizzard's enduring MMO, World of Warcraft. He stated, "We want it to be around for years. I don't know if it's eternal... We want people to see the road ahead, because we know that, to play a Diablo game, you're probably putting hundreds of hours in and we want people to know that we're respecting their time and that we're not just here and gone."

Reflecting on the time between past Diablo releases, Fergusson noted the decade-long gaps between Diablo 2 and 3, and 3 and 4. However, Diablo 4's approach to updates and expansions is much more aggressive. The team has already faced challenges, such as delaying the second expansion, Vessel of Hatred, from a planned one-year interval to 18 months due to necessary shifts in focus towards immediate updates and the game's first season. Fergusson remains cautious about setting rigid timelines, learning from past experiences not to commit too early.

Ruining the Surprise…on Purpose

Fergusson's talk also touched on the importance of transparency, including the use of content roadmaps and the Public Test Realm (PTR). Initially hesitant about spoiling surprises, the team now prioritizes player satisfaction over secrecy. "You just realize that it's better to ruin the surprise for 10,000 people so that millions of people have a great season," Fergusson explained. The PTR, currently limited to PC users via Battle.net due to console certification challenges, is something Blizzard is actively working to expand, with support from parent company Xbox.

Diablo 4's availability on Xbox Game Pass is another strategic move to reduce entry barriers and attract more players, similar to its release on Steam. Fergusson highlighted the difference between premium live services like Diablo 4 and free-to-play models like Diablo Immortal, noting that Game Pass helps sustain a steady influx of new players.

All Hours Diablo

In our final discussion, I inquired about Fergusson's recent gaming habits. He dismissed comparisons between Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2, emphasizing their distinct differences but acknowledging the shared player base. Fergusson's top three games of 2024 by playtime included NHL 24, Destiny 2, and, unsurprisingly, Diablo 4, with a staggering 650 hours on his home account alone. His current characters include a Companion Druid and a Dance of Knives Rogue, showcasing his deep personal connection to the game.

Fergusson's dedication to Diablo is evident not just in his professional role but in his personal gaming life. "It's something about the habit of the game," he remarked, explaining his tendency to return to Diablo despite diversions into other titles like Cyberpunk and Witcher 3. His commitment to the game, both as a player and a developer, underscores Blizzard's ambition to make Diablo 4 a lasting and evolving experience for its community.