Ex-Diablo devs are working on a new ARPG to innovate the genre

Former Diablo and Diablo II developers are creating a new, low-budget action RPG with the ambition to redefine the genre. Given the success of the original Diablo games, this new ARPG, developed by veterans of both titles, has significant potential.

Moon Beast Productions, an independent studio founded by Phil Shenk, Peter Hu, and Erich Schaefer, secured $4.5 million in funding to develop this innovative ARPG. Their goal is to transcend traditional hack-and-slash design, creating a more open and dynamic experience. The team, comprised of Diablo 1 and 2 alumni, aims to recapture the essence of the early Diablo games while pushing the genre forward after more than two decades.

Details about the game remain scarce, but the involvement of highly experienced developers suggests it could become a leading action RPG. However, breaking into a crowded market dominated by high-quality ARPGs will be challenging. The recent success of Diablo IV's "Vessel of Hatred" expansion, for example, highlights the strong existing fanbase and potential resistance to switching games.

The competitive landscape is further intensified by other prominent titles like Path of Exile 2. Path of Exile 2's recent launch on Steam was remarkably successful, boasting a peak concurrent player count exceeding 538,000—placing it among the platform's top 15 most played games. This underscores the significant hurdle Moon Beast Productions faces in establishing their new ARPG.