At the DICE Summit 2025, Rod Fergusson, the general manager of the Diablo series, opened his keynote with a candid reflection on one of the franchise's most notorious setbacks: Error 37. This infamous error, which occurred at the launch of Diablo 3, left countless players unable to access the game due to server overloads. The widespread frustration led to significant criticism of Blizzard and even spawned memes. Although Blizzard eventually rectified the issue, and Diablo 3 went on to achieve success, the incident underscored the importance of robust server management, particularly as Diablo transitions into a more sophisticated live service model with Diablo 4. This model promises frequent updates, ongoing seasons, and regular major expansions, making the avoidance of similar errors critical to maintaining player trust and engagement.
During the summit, I had the opportunity to sit down with Fergusson after his talk, "Evolving Sanctuary: Building a Resilient Live-Service Game in Diablo IV." In his presentation, he highlighted four essential strategies for ensuring the longevity and resilience of Diablo 4: scaling the game effectively, maintaining a steady flow of content, being flexible with design purity, and keeping the community informed about future updates. These elements are crucial for keeping players engaged over the long term, a departure from the more sporadic update cycles of previous Diablo games.
When asked about the future of Diablo 4, Fergusson expressed a vision for a game that endures for years, if not indefinitely. He likened Diablo 4's potential longevity to that of Blizzard's other long-standing title, World of Warcraft, but was careful not to set unrealistic expectations. "We want it to be around for years," he stated, emphasizing the importance of respecting players' time and investment in the game. This approach reflects a shift from the traditional model of releasing a new numbered entry every few years to a more sustained live service model.
Fergusson also touched on the challenges faced during the development of Diablo 4's expansions. Originally, the team had planned for annual expansions, but the timeline for the second expansion, Vessel of Hatred, was extended to 2026 due to the need to prioritize immediate updates and the first season. This experience has taught Fergusson the value of flexibility and cautious planning. "I learned my lesson about calling the shot too early," he admitted, indicating a preference for shorter-term commitments to manage player expectations more effectively.
Transparency is another key aspect of Fergusson's strategy. The team plans to release a content roadmap in April and utilize the Public Test Realm (PTR) to allow players to test upcoming patches before their official release. Initially, there was hesitation about spoiling surprises, 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." This approach prioritizes the overall player experience over maintaining secrecy.
Expanding the PTR to console players is another goal, though current technical limitations have restricted it to PC users via Battle.net. Fergusson highlighted the ongoing efforts to overcome these challenges, especially with the support of parent company Xbox. The inclusion of Diablo 4 on Game Pass is also seen as a way to attract and retain a broader player base, mirroring the decision to launch the game on Steam alongside Battle.net.
In our discussion, Fergusson also addressed the comparisons between Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2, dismissing them as "very different games." However, he acknowledged the need to consider players who enjoy both titles, suggesting that Diablo 4's season scheduling would take into account the timing of other major releases to avoid forcing players to choose between them.
Finally, Fergusson shared his personal gaming habits, revealing his top three games of 2024 by playtime: NHL 24, Destiny 2, and, unsurprisingly, Diablo 4, with a staggering 650 hours logged on his home account. His dedication to Diablo, both professionally and personally, underscores his commitment to the game's ongoing development and success.
