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's general manager, kicked off his DICE Summit 2025 presentation not with a victory lap, but by addressing a notorious Diablo blunder: Error 37. This infamous launch-day error for Diablo 3, stemming from overwhelming player numbers, sparked widespread criticism and became a lasting meme. While Diablo 3 eventually triumphed, the experience underscored the need to prevent similar catastrophes, especially given Diablo's evolution into a complex live service model with frequent updates, seasons, and expansions. The stakes are considerably higher for Diablo 4, a game fully embracing the live service paradigm. Another Error 37 would be devastating.

Diablo's Immortality?

At DICE Summit 2025 in Las Vegas, I interviewed Fergusson following his presentation, "Evolving Sanctuary: Building a Resilient Live-Service Game in Diablo IV." His talk highlighted four crucial elements for Diablo 4's longevity: scalable infrastructure, consistent content delivery, design flexibility, and proactive player communication. Fergusson stressed the importance of sustained player engagement. Diablo 4's planned content roadmap and long-term season planning contrast sharply with previous numbered Diablo titles. The franchise is shifting towards a live service model, prioritizing continuous updates and extended lifespan over periodic numbered releases.

I questioned Fergusson about Diablo 4's long-term vision: Is it destined for eternity, or is there a planned transition to Diablo 5? His answer: a long, but not necessarily infinite, lifespan. "We aim for years of engagement," he stated. "While 'eternal' is ambitious, we want players to see a clear path forward, acknowledging their significant time investment. We're committed to long-term support."

He pointed out the lengthy gaps between Diablo 2 and 3, and 3 and 4, noting that those games lacked Diablo 4's aggressive update schedule. However, he also acknowledged that his leadership, starting in 2020, brought a new perspective. Fergusson advocates for forward planning, but with caution.

He cited the delayed release of Diablo 4's second expansion, Vessel of Hatred, initially slated for 2025 but pushed to 2026 due to prioritizing live game updates 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 to avoid premature predictions. Communicating an 11-month window of relative inactivity is as far as I'm comfortable going right now. We're still iterating and learning."

Transparency Trumps Surprise

Fergusson's cautious approach is understandable, given the team's commitment to unprecedented transparency. This includes the upcoming April content roadmap and the Public Test Realm (PTR), allowing players to test upcoming patches before wider release. Initially, the team hesitated to utilize the PTR and roadmaps, fearing spoiled surprises. However, Fergusson now prioritizes broader player satisfaction: "It's preferable to manage expectations for 10,000 PTR players to ensure a positive experience for millions."

He's currently working to expand PTR access to consoles, hindered by certification processes and console build complexities. Xbox's support is proving invaluable in this endeavor. Furthermore, Diablo 4's presence on Game Pass significantly broadens its player base, mirroring the decision to release on Steam alongside Battle.net. Fergusson highlights the accessibility advantage of Game Pass compared to premium live service models: "Game Pass eliminates the barrier to entry, attracting a steady stream of new players."

A Diablo Dev's Devotion

Concluding our conversation, I inquired about Fergusson's gaming habits to gauge his inspirations. While he acknowledged the differences between Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2, he's mindful of the communities of both games. He understands the player desire for staggered seasons to avoid overwhelming choices.

His top three games of 2024 by playtime? NHL 24 in third, Destiny 2 in second, and unsurprisingly, Diablo 4 in first, with over 650 hours logged on his personal account alone (excluding work). His current mains are a Companion Druid and a newly created Dance of Knives Rogue. His passion for Diablo is evident.

"It's the game's addictive nature," he explained. "I often start other games like Cyberpunk, Witcher 3, or Space Marines 2000, but get sidetracked. Diablo, however, holds a special place. It's my favorite game, and even working on it doesn't diminish my desire to play it for hours on end."