Former developers of Diablo and Diablo II are creating a new, low-budget action RPG with ambitious goals. Given the success of the original Diablo games, this new ARPG, developed by veterans of both titles, has significant potential.
Phil Shenk, Peter Hu, and Erich Schaefer founded Moon Beast Productions, an independent studio, securing $4.5 million in funding to develop an ARPG that aims to “push beyond the genre's established design patterns.” This team of Diablo I and II alumni plans to revolutionize the hack-and-slash genre, striving to create a more open and dynamic experience after over 20 years in the industry. They intend to recapture the essence of what made the early Diablo games so captivating.
Details about the game remain scarce, but the involvement of such experienced developers suggests a high probability of creating a top-tier action RPG. However, breaking into a crowded market filled with high-quality ARPGs will be a considerable challenge. The recent success of Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred, for example, highlights the established dominance of the franchise and its loyal fanbase.
Competition is fierce, with other prominent titles like Path of Exile 2 also vying for player attention. The recent launch of Path of Exile 2 was remarkably successful on Steam, achieving a peak player count exceeding 538,000—placing it among the platform's top 15 highest peak player counts ever recorded.
