Rod Fergusson on Diablo 5: 'Diablo 4 Should Last Years, Not Eternally'

At the DICE Summit 2025, Rod Fergusson, the general manager of the Diablo series, opened his keynote not with tales of triumph, but with a candid discussion about one of the franchise's most notorious setbacks: Error 37. This error, which plagued the launch of Diablo 3, barred countless players from accessing the game due to overwhelming server demand. The issue sparked widespread criticism and even became a meme within the gaming community. Blizzard eventually resolved the problem, and Diablo 3 went on to become a success, but the experience left a lasting impact on the team's approach to game launches.

As Diablo evolves into a more intricate live service model with Diablo 4, Fergusson and his team are determined to prevent a repeat of such failures. Diablo 4, more than its predecessors, has fully embraced the live service model, featuring frequent updates, ongoing seasons, and planned expansions. A recurrence of an issue like Error 37 could be devastating, especially as Blizzard aims to maintain Diablo 4 as a thriving live service game beyond its major content releases.

Diablo, Immortal

During the DICE Summit 2025 in Las Vegas, I had the opportunity to speak with Rod Fergusson following his talk titled "Evolving Sanctuary: Building a Resilient Live-Service Game in Diablo IV." In his presentation, Fergusson outlined four key strategies for ensuring the resilience of Diablo 4: scaling the game effectively, maintaining a steady flow of content, being flexible with design purity, and keeping players informed about upcoming updates, even if it means sacrificing some surprises.

Fergusson emphasized the importance of keeping players engaged over the long term, contrasting the current live service approach with the traditional model of numbered releases every few years. He discussed the team's commitment to detailed content roadmaps and planning seasons well in advance, signaling a shift towards a more sustained and dynamic gaming experience.

When asked about the future of Diablo 4, Fergusson expressed a desire for the game to remain relevant for years, though he stopped short of calling it "eternal." He referenced Destiny's initial ten-year plan, which didn't fully materialize, and stressed the importance of respecting players' time and investment in the game. Fergusson noted the significant time gaps between previous Diablo releases but highlighted the more aggressive update schedule planned for Diablo 4.

Fergusson joined Blizzard in 2020 after leading the Gears franchise and has brought a forward-thinking approach to Diablo 4's development. He learned from past experiences, such as announcing the second expansion, Vessel of Hatred, for 2026 after initially planning for annual expansions. The timeline was adjusted due to the need for immediate updates to the live game and the first season's launch. Fergusson is cautious about setting rigid timelines, preferring to provide players with a sense of security without overcommitting.

Ruining the Surprise...on Purpose

Fergusson's approach to transparency is evident in his plans for a content roadmap to be revealed in April and the use of a Public Test Realm (PTR). Initially, the team was hesitant about spoiling surprises for players, but Fergusson now believes that it's better to "ruin the surprise for 10,000 people so that millions of people have a great season." He prefers a short period of testing and feedback over months of recovery from a poorly received surprise update.

Expanding the PTR to consoles is a current challenge, limited by certification issues and the complexities of releasing new builds. However, with the support of parent company Xbox, Blizzard is working to overcome these obstacles. Fergusson also highlighted the benefits of Diablo 4's presence on Game Pass, which removes barriers to entry and attracts a broader player base, similar to the decision to release the game on Steam alongside Battle.net.

All Hours Diablo

In our conversation, I asked Fergusson about his recent gaming experiences and whether he had played Path of Exile 2, given the comparisons to Diablo 4. He dismissed the comparisons, noting that the games are fundamentally different but acknowledged the need to consider players who enjoy both titles. He mentioned feedback from players requesting non-overlapping seasons to allow them to enjoy both games without having to choose.

Fergusson shared his top three games of 2024 by playtime: NHL 24 in third place, Destiny 2 in second, and, unsurprisingly, Diablo 4 in first. He has logged 650 hours on his home retail account, not including work time, and is currently playing as a Companion Druid and a Dance of Knives Rogue. His passion for Diablo is evident, as he continues to play the game extensively despite his professional involvement.

Fergusson's dedication to Diablo is driven by the game's habit-forming nature. He finds himself drawn back to it, even amidst playing other titles like Cyberpunk, Witcher 3, and Space Marines 2000. His daily routines in NHL 24 and Destiny 2, along with his love for Diablo, illustrate his deep connection to gaming and his commitment to ensuring Diablo 4's success as a live service game.