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'

At the DICE Summit 2025, Diablo's general manager, Rod Fergusson, kicked off his presentation with a candid reflection not on success, but on one of the franchise's most notable setbacks: Error 37. This infamous error plagued the launch of Diablo 3, as servers were overwhelmed by eager players, resulting in widespread criticism and even becoming a meme. Blizzard, however, managed to resolve the issue, paving the way for Diablo 3's eventual success. This experience has profoundly influenced Blizzard's approach, especially as Diablo evolves into a more complex live service model with Diablo 4, featuring frequent updates, ongoing seasons, and planned expansions. Avoiding another Error 37 is crucial for sustaining Diablo 4 as a long-term live service juggernaut.

Diablo, Immortal

Following his talk at the DICE Summit 2025 in Las Vegas, I had the opportunity to speak with Rod Fergusson about his vision for Diablo 4. In his presentation titled "Evolving Sanctuary: Building a Resilient Live-Service Game in Diablo IV," Fergusson outlined four key strategies for ensuring the game's resilience: scaling effectively, maintaining a steady flow of content, embracing design flexibility, and keeping players informed about upcoming updates.

Fergusson emphasized the importance of retaining players over the long term, contrasting the live service approach of Diablo 4 with the traditional model of previous entries in the series. This shift signifies a commitment to keeping the game alive and evolving through content roadmaps and seasons-ahead planning, rather than relying solely on new, numbered releases.

When asked about the longevity of Diablo 4, Fergusson expressed a desire for the game to remain relevant for years, though he hesitated to label it as "eternal." Drawing a parallel with Destiny, he noted the challenges of maintaining player engagement over extended periods. He stressed the importance of respecting players' time and ensuring a clear vision of the game's future, acknowledging the significant time investment players make in a Diablo game.

Fergusson also highlighted the extended timeline for Diablo 4's second expansion, Vessel of Hatred, which is now set for 2026 instead of the initially planned 2025. This adjustment was necessitated by the need to prioritize immediate updates and the first season's launch. He learned from this experience to avoid setting firm release dates too early, preferring to provide players with a general timeframe instead.

Ruining the Surprise...on Purpose

Transparency is a cornerstone of Fergusson's strategy for Diablo 4. The game will feature a content roadmap to be revealed in April, alongside a Public Test Realm (PTR) where players can experience upcoming patches before they go live. Initially, the team was hesitant to spoil surprises, but Fergusson believes that sacrificing the surprise for a small group is worth ensuring a better experience for millions. Even if PTR feedback is negative, it's preferable to making major mistakes in live updates.

Expanding the PTR to consoles is a current challenge, limited by certification processes and the complexities of console builds. However, with Xbox's support, Blizzard is working to overcome these hurdles. Additionally, Fergusson sees the inclusion of Diablo 4 in Game Pass as a significant advantage, removing barriers to entry and allowing the game to reach a broader audience, similar to its release on Steam.

All Hours Diablo

In our discussion, I inquired about Fergusson's gaming habits and his thoughts on Path of Exile 2. He dismissed direct comparisons between the two games, emphasizing their differences. However, he acknowledged the need to consider fans of both games when planning updates, particularly in avoiding overlapping seasons to allow players to enjoy each game without conflict.

Fergusson shared his top three games of 2024 by playtime: NHL 24, Destiny 2, and, unsurprisingly, Diablo 4, with an impressive 650 hours on his home account alone. He's currently playing as a Companion Druid and has recently started a Dance of Knives Rogue, underscoring his deep passion for the game. This dedication to Diablo, both professionally and personally, underscores his commitment to its ongoing success and evolution.