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

Rod Fergusson, the general manager of the Diablo series, kicked off his talk at the DICE Summit 2025 by addressing one of the franchise's most notable setbacks: Error 37. This infamous error plagued the launch of Diablo 3, preventing 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 become a success, albeit after significant effort and time.

However, the memory of Error 37 has left a lasting impact on Blizzard and Fergusson, who are determined to prevent similar issues as Diablo evolves into a more intricate live service model. With Diablo 4, the series has fully embraced this approach, featuring frequent updates, ongoing seasons, and planned expansions. A repeat of Error 37 could be disastrous, especially as Blizzard aims to maintain Diablo 4's longevity beyond its major content releases.

Diablo, Immortal

During the DICE Summit 2025 in Las Vegas, I had the opportunity to speak with Fergusson following his presentation titled "Evolving Sanctuary: Building a Resilient Live-Service Game in Diablo IV." In his talk, he outlined four key strategies for ensuring the resilience of Diablo 4: 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, highlighting the team's commitment to detailed content roadmaps and planning for future seasons. This approach marks a significant shift from the traditional model of the Diablo series, which relied more on periodic expansions and updates. The move towards a live service model reflects a broader trend in the gaming industry, where major titles are designed to evolve continuously and remain relevant for extended periods.

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 to be a ten-year game but adjusted its plans. Fergusson stressed the importance of respecting players' time and ensuring they see a clear path forward for the game.

Fergusson also shared insights into the development timeline for Diablo 4's expansions. He revealed that the second expansion, Vessel of Hatred, would not be released until 2026, a delay from the originally planned one-year cycle. This adjustment was necessary to address immediate updates and the first season's launch. When asked if 18 months would become the standard for future expansions, Fergusson remained cautious, indicating that the team is still learning and refining their process.

Ruining the Surprise...on Purpose

Fergusson's approach to transparency is a key aspect of Diablo 4's live service model. 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 these features, fearing they might spoil surprises for players. However, Fergusson has come to believe that it's better to "ruin the surprise for 10,000 people so that millions of people have a great season."

He also mentioned the challenge of expanding the PTR to consoles, currently limited to PC due to certification issues. However, with the support of parent company Xbox, Blizzard is working to overcome these challenges. Fergusson highlighted the benefits of having Diablo 4 on Game Pass, which removes barriers to entry and allows the game to reach a broader audience, similar to its release on Steam.

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 feedback from players who enjoy both games and requested that the seasons not overlap, allowing them to enjoy each game without having to choose between them.

Fergusson shared his top three games of 2024 by playtime: NHL 24, Destiny 2, and, unsurprisingly, Diablo 4. He revealed that he has logged 650 hours on Diablo 4 on his personal account, not including work time. Currently, he's playing as a Companion Druid and has recently started a Dance of Knives Rogue. His passion for Diablo is evident, as he continues to play the game extensively, even outside of work.

"It's something about the habit of the game," he explained. "I get interrupted from other games, but I have this habit of doing my daily tasks in NHL, playing with my brother in Destiny 2, and then returning to Diablo because it's my favorite game to play."