Ex-Diablo devs are working on a new ARPG to innovate the genre

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 aims to "break free from established design conventions." This team of Diablo 1 and 2 veterans intends to revolutionize the hack-and-slash experience. Their goal, pursued for over two decades, is to create a more open and dynamic ARPG while reviving the elements that made the early Diablo games so distinctive.

While details about the game remain scarce, the involvement of such experienced developers suggests it could become a leading action RPG. However, breaking into a crowded market filled with high-quality competitors will be a challenge. The recent success of Diablo IV's "Vessel of Hatred" expansion, for instance, demonstrates the established player base and potential resistance to change.

The competition is fierce, with established titles like Path of Exile 2 also vying for players' attention. Path of Exile 2's recent Steam launch was incredibly successful, reaching a peak concurrent player count of over 538,000—the 15th highest in Steam history. This highlights the significant hurdle Moon Beast Productions faces in establishing their game within the genre.