"Blizzard's Rod Fergusson on Diablo 4's Longevity and Diablo 5 Timing"

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 overwhelming server demand. The issue not only drew widespread criticism but also became a meme within the gaming community. Blizzard eventually resolved the problem, and Diablo 3 went on to achieve success, but the experience left a lasting impact on the team's approach to game launches and live services.

With Diablo 4, Blizzard has embraced the live service model more fully than ever before, aiming to avoid any repeat of the Error 37 debacle. The game is designed to evolve continuously through frequent updates, ongoing seasons, and major expansions. Fergusson emphasized the importance of resilience in building a live-service game, highlighting four key components: 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 element of surprise.

Diablo, Immortal

During the summit in Las Vegas, I had the opportunity to speak with Fergusson following his talk titled "Evolving Sanctuary: Building a Resilient Live-Service Game in Diablo IV." He outlined 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 shift towards a live service model is evident in the detailed content roadmaps and season planning, which aim to keep the game fresh and engaging for years to come.

When asked about the longevity of Diablo 4, Fergusson expressed a desire for the game to remain relevant for a significant period, though he stopped short of calling it eternal. He drew parallels with other long-lasting games like Destiny, noting the importance of respecting players' time and investment. The gap between Diablo 2 and 3, and then 3 and 4, was over a decade each, but Diablo 4's aggressive update schedule marks a new era for the franchise, especially under Fergusson's leadership since joining in 2020.

Fergusson also discussed the challenges of planning expansions, citing the delay of Diablo 4's second expansion, Vessel of Hatred, to 2026. Originally planned for a yearly release, the timeline was extended due to the need to prioritize immediate updates and the first season's launch. He emphasized a cautious approach to future announcements, learning from past experiences not to commit to specific timelines prematurely.

Ruining the Surprise...on Purpose

Transparency is a cornerstone of Fergusson's strategy for Diablo 4. 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 noted that it's better to "ruin the surprise for 10,000 people so that millions of people have a great season," emphasizing the importance of player feedback and avoiding major issues that could arise from unanticipated changes.

Fergusson also expressed interest in expanding the PTR to console players, acknowledging the current limitations due to certification challenges. The support from parent company Xbox is seen as a positive step towards achieving this goal. Additionally, the inclusion of Diablo 4 on Game Pass is viewed as a way to lower entry barriers and attract 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, stating that the two games are fundamentally different. However, he acknowledged the need to consider players who enjoy both games, particularly in terms of scheduling seasons to avoid conflicts.

Fergusson shared his top three games of 2024 by playtime: NHL 24, Destiny 2, and, unsurprisingly, Diablo 4, with a staggering 650 hours on his personal account. He described his current characters, a Companion Druid and a Dance of Knives Rogue, and his deep-rooted passion for the game. Despite his busy schedule, Fergusson's love for Diablo remains undiminished, reflecting the game's enduring appeal and his commitment to its future.