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 this ARPG, aiming to "break free from established design conventions." This team of Diablo 1 and 2 alumni intends to revitalize the hack-and-slash genre, creating a more open and dynamic experience—a goal they've pursued for over two decades, aiming to recapture the essence of the early Diablo games.

While details about the game remain scarce, the involvement of such experienced developers suggests a high likelihood of creating a top-tier action RPG. However, breaking into a crowded market dominated by high-quality ARPGs presents a considerable challenge. The recent success of Diablo IV's Vessel of Hatred expansion, for instance, demonstrates the established player base and potential resistance to switching games.

The competition is fierce, with established titles like Path of Exile 2 also vying for attention. Path of Exile 2's recent launch on Steam was incredibly successful, achieving a peak concurrent player count exceeding 538,000—ranking it among the platform's top 15 most played games.