Rod Fergusson on Diablo 5: 'Diablo 4 Will Last Years, Not Eternally'

At the DICE Summit 2025, Rod Fergusson, the general manager of the Diablo series, opened his keynote by reflecting on a significant past failure: Error 37. This error, which plagued the launch of Diablo 3, prevented countless players from accessing the game due to overwhelming server demand. The incident not only drew widespread criticism but also became a meme within the gaming community. Despite this rocky start, Blizzard managed to resolve the issue, and Diablo 3 eventually became a success. However, the experience left a lasting impact on Blizzard's approach to game launches and live services.

Fergusson's talk, titled "Evolving Sanctuary: Building a Resilient Live-Service Game in Diablo IV," focused on the strategies to prevent similar issues in the future, especially as Diablo evolves into a more complex live service model. Diablo 4, more than its predecessors, has fully embraced this model with frequent updates, ongoing seasons, and planned expansions. The stakes are high; another launch failure could be devastating for the game's longevity.

Diablo, Immortal

In a follow-up interview at the DICE Summit 2025 in Las Vegas, Fergusson elaborated on his vision for Diablo 4. He outlined four key components for ensuring the game's resilience: scaling the game effectively, maintaining a steady flow of content, being flexible with design purity, 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, contrasting the current live service model with the traditional release cycle of previous Diablo games. He discussed the content roadmaps and long-term planning, indicating a shift towards a more sustained and dynamic game experience.

When asked about the future of Diablo 4, Fergusson expressed a desire for the game to last for years, though he stopped short of calling it "eternal." He referenced Destiny's initial ten-year plan, which didn't fully materialize, and stressed the importance of respecting players' time and commitment.

Fergusson also shared insights into the development timeline for Diablo 4's expansions. The second expansion, Vessel of Hatred, 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 cornerstone of Fergusson's strategy for Diablo 4. 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." He acknowledged the challenges of data mining and leaks but emphasized that the benefits of transparency outweigh the drawbacks.

Fergusson also expressed a desire to expand the PTR to console players, currently limited to PC due to certification challenges. He highlighted the support from parent company Xbox, which has facilitated Diablo 4's inclusion on Game Pass, helping to attract a broader player base. This move is part of a broader strategy to reduce barriers to entry, 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 650 hours logged on his home account alone, Fergusson's passion for Diablo is evident. He currently enjoys playing as a Companion Druid and has recently started a Dance of Knives Rogue.

Fergusson's dedication to Diablo is not just professional but deeply personal. He described the habit-forming nature of the game, which keeps him coming back despite other gaming distractions. His commitment to Diablo, both as a player and a developer, underscores his vision for a resilient and engaging live service game that can captivate players for years to come.