Diablohas had its ups and downs over the years, but its latest era is coming to an end with the departure of a key Blizzard employee. For the past five years, the franchisehas been steered byDiablogeneral manager Rod Fergusson, previously known for his work onGears of War.That time has seen the release ofDiablo 2: Resurrected, Diablo Immortal, Diablo 4,andDiablo 4: Vessel of Hatred.
Fergusson announced his departure from Blizzard and MicrosoftonXtoday, noting that he’s “incredibly proud” of what the studio has built in his time there. He states thatDiablo’s “teams are set up for success,” speaking optimistically about the future of both the game and his own career. Blizzard presidentJohanna Fariesthanked Fergusson for his tenure in a quote tweet.
Rod Fergusson Leaving Diablo Is A Major Shift
Diablo’s Future Could Look Very Different
Diablo 4has generated plenty of criticismover the years, to say nothing ofDiablo Immortal’s infamous announcement as a mobile title (which came before Fergusson’s tenure). Fergusson’s tenure will likely remain controversial, but most of the replies to his announcement of departure are thoughtful, focusing on wishing him luck in future endeavors.
Much of thecommunity’s exposure to Fergussoncame from patch update videos, including his participation in a memorable segment comparing the game’s Malignant Tunnels to colonoscopies.Lead class designer Adam Jackson left earlier this year, so the faces at the forefront of the franchise are shifting in relatively short succession.
Microsoft’s Gaming Division Just Keeps Changing
Fergusson Is Only The Latest Shake-Up
Although this seems much more amicable than Microsoft’s widespread layoffs and cancellations, changes at Microsoft’s gaming division just haven’t let off the brakes. In July,major projects like thePerfect Darkreboot and Rare’sEverwildwere canceled, and just yesterday, theplanned Xbox exclusiveContrabandfrom Avalanche Studios met the same reported fate.
There’s a lot of speculation about what the future ofDiablocould hold, and after a longperiod of community frustration, some of it is optimistic.Diablo 4’s release generated more positivity thanDiablo 3’s, butdissatisfaction has grown over the yearssince its launch. While some updates have gone over well, the overall pace and focus of content have frustrated those who feel unhappy with basic aspects of the game.
It’s not hard to imagine that some changes will be in store with Rod Fergusson’s departure, although whether those changes will ultimately satisfy the fanbase remains to be seen. Either way, the future ofDiabloat Blizzard just got a big shakeup after five years of Fergusson’s guiding hand.
