Diablo 4's first expansion is imminent, and key Blizzard developers have shared their vision for the game's future and the broader Diablo franchise.
Blizzard's Long-Term Vision for Diablo 4
Prioritizing Engaging Content
Blizzard aims for sustained engagement across all Diablo titles. Diablo 4's record-breaking sales underscore this strategy. In a recent VGC interview, Diablo series head Rod Fergusson and executive producer Gavian Whishaw emphasized that continued player interest in any Diablo game—be it Diablo 4, 3, 2, or the original—is a positive outcome.
Fergusson stated, "Blizzard rarely shuts down games. You can still play Diablo, Diablo 2, Diablo 2: Resurrected, and Diablo 3. Players enjoying Blizzard games is fantastic."
Regarding potential concerns about Diablo 4's player base compared to earlier installments, Fergusson clarified that player distribution across different Diablo titles isn't a problem. He highlighted the enduring popularity of Diablo 2: Resurrected, a remaster of a 21-year-old game, as evidence of the strength of the overall Diablo ecosystem. The focus, he stressed, is on creating compelling content to attract players to Diablo 4, not on actively diverting players from other titles.
"We want players to enjoy what they choose to play," Fergusson explained. While there are obvious financial incentives for migrating players from Diablo 3 to Diablo 4, Blizzard isn't actively pursuing that goal. The priority is developing engaging content that naturally draws players to Diablo 4. This approach extends to their continued support of Diablo 3 and Diablo 2. The ultimate aim is to create such appealing content that players are drawn to the Diablo 4 experience.
