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, kicked off 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 debacle for *Diablo 3*, caused by an overwhelming influx of players, resulted in widespread frustration and became a memorable (though painful) meme. While *Diablo 3* ultimately triumphed, the experience underscored the need to prevent similar catastrophes, especially given *Diablo*'s evolution into a complex live-service game with frequent updates, seasons, and expansions.

The stakes are higher than ever for *Diablo 4*, which has fully embraced the live-service model. Another Error 37 would be disastrous, jeopardizing the long-term viability Blizzard envisions for the game.

Diablo, Immortal

At DICE Summit 2025, 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 success: scalable infrastructure, consistent content delivery, adaptability in design, and proactive player communication. His emphasis on sustained player engagement marks a significant departure from previous *Diablo* titles. While expansions and updates were familiar, *Diablo 4* commits to a long-term live-service approach, prioritizing continuous evolution over periodic numbered sequels.

This led to my question: Is *Diablo 4* destined for immortality? Will it endure indefinitely like *World of Warcraft*, or is there a predetermined endpoint signaling a transition to *Diablo 5*?

Fergusson's response hinted at a long, but not infinite, lifespan. "We want it to be around for years," he stated. "I don't know if it's eternal. We want players to see a clear path forward, recognizing their significant time investment. We're committed to the long haul." He noted the decade-long gaps between *Diablo 2* and *3*, and *3* and *4*, but emphasized that those games lacked *Diablo 4*'s aggressive update schedule. His experience leading the *Gears* franchise and joining the *Diablo* team in 2020 has shaped his approach to long-term planning.

Fergusson's commitment to long-term planning is evident in the announcement, during the same DICE Summit, that *Diablo 4*'s second expansion, Vessel of Hatred, wouldn't arrive until 2026. Originally slated for a yearly release, the timeline shifted due to diverting resources to critical live-game updates following launch and during the first season. This resulted in an 18-month gap, rather than the planned 12. However, he's hesitant to commit to a fixed expansion cadence, having learned the importance of flexibility.

"I learned my lesson about calling the shot too early," he admitted. "Giving players an 11-month heads-up is about as far as I'm willing to go right now. We're still building and learning. We'll announce publicly when we have the certainty to do so."

Ruining the Surprise…Intentionally

Fergusson's cautious approach is particularly relevant given the team's increased transparency. This includes the upcoming April content roadmap and the Public Test Realm (PTR), allowing players to experience upcoming patches before official release. Initially, the team hesitated to use features like PTRs and roadmaps, fearing spoiler effects. However, Fergusson's perspective has evolved.

"It's better to ruin the surprise for 10,000 people in the PTR so that millions have a great season," he explained. "Even a flawed PTR is preferable to a three-month recovery from a poorly received surprise update."

He's currently working to expand PTR access to consoles, hampered by certification challenges and the complexities of console builds. However, with support from Xbox, Blizzard is actively pursuing this goal. The presence of *Diablo 4* on Xbox Game Pass also plays a significant role in expanding the player base, removing the barrier to entry for many potential players. He contrasted this with the more limited reach of a premium live-service game like *Diablo 4* compared to the free-to-play *Diablo Immortal*.

All Hours Diablo

Our conversation concluded with a discussion of Fergusson's personal gaming habits, offering insight into his inspirations. While he dismissed direct comparisons between *Diablo 4* and *Path of Exile 2*, he acknowledged the need to consider players who enjoy both games. He understands the desire for staggered seasonal releases to allow players to engage with multiple games simultaneously.

His top three games of 2024, based on playtime, reveal his priorities: *NHL 24* in third, *Destiny 2* in second, and—unsurprisingly—*Diablo 4* in first place. He boasts 650 hours of playtime on his personal account alone, highlighting his deep personal connection to the game. Currently playing a Companion Druid and a Dance of Knives Rogue, he exemplifies the enduring appeal of *Diablo*.

"It's the habit," he explained. "I get sidetracked by other games, but I always return to *Diablo*. It's my favorite game."