Former developers of Diablo and Diablo II are creating a new, low-budget action RPG with ambitious goals. Their aim? To revolutionize the industry. Given the legacy of the first two Diablo games, this new ARPG from veterans of both projects has significant potential for greatness.
Phil Shenk, Peter Hu, and Erich Schaefer founded Moon Beast Productions, an independent studio. They secured $4.5 million in funding to develop a new ARPG that will "push beyond the genre's established design patterns." This team, boasting Diablo I and Diablo II alumni, intends to redefine the hack-and-slash genre. Their vision, cultivated over 20 years, is to create a more open and dynamic ARPG experience, harkening back to the elements that made the early Diablo games so iconic.
Details about the game remain scarce, but the involvement of such experienced developers suggests a high likelihood of success. However, breaking into a crowded market saturated with high-quality ARPGs presents a significant challenge. The recent success of Diablo IV's Vessel of Hatred expansion, for instance, highlights the established player base and potential resistance to change.
The competition is fierce. Titles like Path of Exile 2, a recent Steam sensation with a peak player count exceeding 538,000 (placing it among the platform's top 15 highest peak player counts), exemplify the considerable hurdle facing this new project. Competing with established giants like Diablo and Path of Exile will require innovation and a compelling unique selling proposition.
