When's the Right Time for Diablo 5? Blizzard's Rod Fergusson Wants Diablo 4 'To Be Around for Years... I Don't Know if It's Eternal'

Rod Fergusson, Diablo general manager, began his DICE Summit 2025 presentation not with a celebratory victory lap, but by addressing one of Diablo's most infamous setbacks: Error 37. This launch-day error in *Diablo 3*, caused by an overwhelming influx of players, resulted in widespread frustration and became a lasting meme. While *Diablo 3* eventually triumphed, the experience underscored the importance of preventing similar catastrophes, especially given *Diablo*'s evolution into a complex live service model with frequent updates, seasons, and expansions.

The potential for another Error 37—or a similar catastrophic failure—is significantly higher now with *Diablo 4*'s ambitious live service approach. The game's longevity depends on its ability to maintain a robust and engaging experience for players consistently over an extended period. A failure to do so could severely damage the franchise's reputation and long-term success.

Diablo, Immortal

At DICE Summit 2025 in Las Vegas, I spoke with Fergusson following his presentation, “Evolving Sanctuary: Building a Resilient Live-Service Game in Diablo IV.” He highlighted four key elements crucial to *Diablo 4*'s resilience: scalable infrastructure, consistent content delivery, adaptability in design, and proactive communication with players. His emphasis on long-term player engagement and detailed content roadmaps represents a significant departure from previous *Diablo* titles. The franchise is now fully embracing a live service model, prioritizing continuous updates and significant changes over the release of new numbered sequels every few years.

I asked Fergusson about the long-term vision for *Diablo 4*: is it destined to be "eternal," much like *World of Warcraft*? He clarified that while he aims for a very long lifespan, indefinite longevity isn't the goal. "We want it to be around for years," he stated, "We want people to see the road ahead...we want people to know that we're respecting their time and that we're not just here and gone."

Fergusson acknowledged the significant time gaps between previous *Diablo* releases (over a decade between *Diablo 2* and *3*, and another decade between *3* and *4*), but emphasized that those games lacked the aggressive update cadence planned for *Diablo 4*. His experience leading the *Gears* franchise and his involvement with *Diablo 4* since 2020 have shaped his approach to long-term planning, emphasizing caution and a commitment to learning from experience. This is evident in the delay of *Diablo 4*'s second expansion, *Vessel of Hatred*, which was pushed back to 2026 due to prioritizing urgent live game updates and the first season's launch. While the 18-month gap between the launch and *Vessel of Hatred* was longer than initially planned, Fergusson is hesitant to commit to a fixed timeframe for future expansions, preferring a data-driven approach.

Ruining the Surprise…on Purpose

Fergusson's cautious approach is particularly relevant given the team's increased transparency. This includes the upcoming content roadmap (revealed in April) and the Public Test Realm (PTR), allowing players to test upcoming patches before the official release. Initially, the team hesitated to use the PTR and roadmaps, fearing it would spoil surprises. However, Fergusson now sees the benefits of transparency outweighing the risks. "It's better to ruin the surprise for 10,000 people so that millions of people have a great season," he explained. The team prioritizes a positive player experience, even if it means sacrificing the element of surprise.

Expanding PTR access to consoles is a current challenge due to certification processes and the complexity of releasing new builds on those platforms. However, Blizzard is actively working on this, with support from Xbox. The availability of *Diablo 4* on Xbox Game Pass is also a significant advantage, removing a barrier to entry for many players and contributing to the game's player base growth. Fergusson contrasts this with *Diablo Immortal*'s easier growth due to its free-to-play model, highlighting the different growth opportunities presented by various monetization strategies.

All Hours Diablo

When asked about his gaming habits, Fergusson revealed his top three games of 2024 by playtime: *NHL 24*, *Destiny 2*, and—unsurprisingly—*Diablo 4*, with over 650 hours logged on his personal account alone. He emphasized the addictive nature of *Diablo*, noting his tendency to return to it even after starting other games. This personal connection and deep understanding of the game's appeal inform his approach to developing and maintaining *Diablo 4*'s live service model.