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, began his DICE Summit 2025 presentation not with triumph, but with a prominent failure: Diablo 3's infamous Error 37. This launch-day error, caused by an overwhelming influx of players, led to widespread frustration and became a lasting meme. While Diablo 3 ultimately succeeded, the experience underscored the importance of preventing 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 devastating, jeopardizing the long-term viability Blizzard envisions for the game.

Diablo's Immortal Future

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: scalability, consistent content delivery, design flexibility, and proactive player communication. His emphasis on long-term engagement contrasts sharply with previous Diablo titles. Diablo 4's commitment to live service signifies a shift towards sustained, evolving gameplay rather than relying on periodic numbered sequels.

I asked Fergusson about Diablo 4's longevity—is it destined to be "eternal," like World of Warcraft, or will it eventually give way to Diablo 5? While not promising eternity, he expressed a desire for a significantly extended 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 the substantial time investment they make. We want to show respect for their time and commitment." He noted the decade-long gaps between Diablo 2 and 3, and 3 and 4, highlighting the difference in update frequency and his own leadership, which began in 2020.

Fergusson's cautious approach is evident in his announcement at DICE Summit that Diablo 4's second expansion, Vessel of Hatred, was delayed until 2026, extending the initial 12-month plan to 18 months due to shifting priorities towards live game updates and the first season. When asked if 18 months is the new standard, he declined to commit to a specific timeframe, having learned from past experiences.

"I learned my lesson about calling the shot too early," he admitted. "Giving players an 11-month window of expectation is about as far as I'm comfortable going right now. We're still building and learning."

Transparency Trumps Surprise

Fergusson's team is prioritizing unprecedented transparency. This includes a content roadmap (to be revealed in April) and a Public Test Realm (PTR) for early access to patches. Initially hesitant about spoiling surprises, Fergusson now embraces transparency.

"It's better to ruin the surprise for 10,000 people so that millions have a great season," he explained. "A bad week on the PTR is preferable to three months recovering from a poorly received surprise update."

He's working to expand PTR access to consoles, currently limited by certification challenges and the complexity of console builds, but is pursuing this with the support of Xbox. The availability of Diablo 4 on Game Pass is also a significant advantage, removing barriers to entry and attracting new players, akin to the decision to release on Steam.

"With a premium live service like Diablo, versus a free-to-play model like Diablo Immortal, there’s a barrier to entry. Game Pass removes that barrier. We see a constant influx of new Game Pass players discovering the game."

A Diablo Dev's Dedication

In our closing conversation, I inquired about Fergusson's gaming habits. His top three games of 2024, ranked by playtime, were: NHL 24 (third), Destiny 2 (second), and Diablo 4 (first, with 650 hours on his personal account alone). He currently plays a Companion Druid and recently created a Dance of Knives Rogue, emphasizing his deep-seated love for the game.

"It's the habit," he explained. "I get sidetracked by other games, but I always return to Diablo. The daily rituals, playing with my brother in Destiny 2… Diablo has been my favorite game for a long time, and that hasn't changed."