Diablo Co-Creators Return With Genre-Defining ARPG

Former Diablo and Diablo II developers are creating a new, low-budget action RPG with the ambition to redefine the genre. Given the success of the original Diablo games, this new ARPG, developed by veterans of both titles, has significant potential.

Moon Beast Productions, an independent studio founded by Phil Shenk, Peter Hu, and Erich Schaefer, secured $4.5 million in funding to develop an ARPG that will "break free from established design conventions." This team of Diablo 1 and 2 veterans aims to revolutionize the hack-and-slash genre, creating a more open and dynamic experience that harkens back to the defining elements of the early Diablo games, a vision they've held for over two decades.

Details about the game remain scarce, but the involvement of such experienced developers suggests a high likelihood of creating a top-tier action RPG. However, breaking into a saturated market filled with high-quality ARPGs presents a considerable challenge. The recent success of Diablo IV's "Vessel of Hatred" expansion, for instance, highlights the strong existing fanbase and potential resistance to switching games.

The competition is fierce, with established giants like Path of Exile 2 also vying for players' attention. Path of Exile 2's recent launch on Steam was remarkably successful, boasting a peak concurrent player count exceeding 538,000, placing it among the platform's top 15 most played games. This underscores the significant hurdle Moon Beast Productions faces in establishing their game in this competitive landscape.