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 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 memorable internet meme. While Diablo 3 ultimately succeeded, the experience underscored the importance of avoiding similar catastrophes, particularly with Diablo's evolution into a complex live service game featuring frequent updates, ongoing seasons, and regular expansions. Diablo 4, more than its predecessors, fully embraces this live service model, making the prevention of another Error 37 paramount to its long-term success.

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 crucial elements for Diablo 4's resilience: scalable game infrastructure, consistent content delivery, adaptability in design, and proactive player communication. Fergusson emphasized the team's commitment to sustained player engagement over the long haul, a marked shift from the traditional numbered Diablo releases. This commitment to live service reflects a broader trend among AAA games, prioritizing longevity and frequent significant updates over the release of entirely new numbered installments every few years.

This led to a discussion about Diablo 4's long-term vision: is it destined to become a permanent fixture, akin to World of Warcraft? Fergusson's response suggested a long-term commitment, but not necessarily eternity. "We want it to be around for years," he stated. "I don't know if it's eternal. We want people to see the road ahead, respecting their investment of hundreds of hours. We're committed to the long game."

He noted the decade-long gaps between Diablo 2 and 3, and 3 and 4, highlighting the stark contrast to Diablo 4's planned aggressive update schedule. This more frequent update cadence is a direct result of Fergusson's leadership, bringing a new perspective honed from years leading the Gears franchise. While looking ahead is key, he also emphasized the importance of measured expectations. His announcement at DICE Summit that Diablo 4's second expansion wouldn't arrive until 2026, a delay from the initial yearly plan, exemplifies this cautious approach. The delay stemmed from prioritizing immediate live game updates following launch and the first season. The 18-month gap between Diablo 4's launch and Vessel of Hatred, instead of the planned 12, taught him a valuable lesson: "I learned my lesson about calling the shot too early. Giving players an 11-month heads-up is about as far as I'm willing to go right now."

Ruining the Surprise…on Purpose

Fergusson's cautious optimism is further underscored by the team's commitment to unprecedented transparency. This includes a content roadmap (revealed in April) and the Public Test Realm (PTR), allowing players to test upcoming patches before their live release. Initially hesitant about spoiling surprises, Fergusson now prioritizes a smoother player experience: "It's better to ruin the surprise for 10,000 people in the PTR so that millions of people have a great season. A bad week on the PTR is far preferable to three months of recovery from a poorly received surprise update."

Expanding PTR access to consoles is a current goal, hampered by certification challenges and the complexities of console development. However, with Xbox's support, Blizzard is actively pursuing this expansion. The availability of Diablo 4 on Game Pass is another significant factor, significantly lowering the barrier to entry and broadening the player base. Fergusson contrasts this with the premium live service model of Diablo 4 versus the free-to-play model of Diablo Immortal, highlighting Game Pass's role in attracting new players.

All Hours Diablo

Our conversation concluded with a discussion of Fergusson's personal gaming habits, offering insights into his inspirations. While he acknowledged the differences between Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2, he expressed understanding of player concerns about overlapping seasonal content, promising to consider this feedback. His top three games of 2024, based on playtime, provide a telling glimpse into his preferences: NHL 24 in third, Destiny 2 in second, and Diablo 4 in first place, with a staggering 650 hours logged on his personal account alone.

His dedication highlights the enduring appeal of Diablo 4. "It's something about the habit of the game," he explains. "I get distracted by other games, but I always come back to Diablo. It's my favorite game to play, and that hasn't changed, even though I work on it."