Blizzard's focus with Diablo 4, and the franchise as a whole, is player engagement. This strategy is evident in their approach to the game's first expansion and their long-term vision for the series.
Blizzard's Approach to Diablo 4's Success
Prioritizing Enjoyable Content
Diablo 4's remarkable success, as Blizzard's fastest-selling game, underscores their commitment to sustained player interest. In a recent VGC interview, Rod Fergusson (series head) and Gavian Whishaw (executive producer) emphasized that continued engagement across all Diablo titles—from Diablo 1 to Diablo 4—is a victory for Blizzard. Their strategy isn't about forcing players to migrate to the newest installment, but rather creating compelling experiences that draw players in.
Fergusson highlighted Blizzard's policy of keeping older games accessible, stating that the continued popularity of Diablo 2: Resurrected (a remaster of a 21-year-old game) demonstrates the value of a broad player base across the entire franchise. The company's priority is player satisfaction, not necessarily maximizing Diablo 4's player count at the expense of other titles. Their goal is to develop content so appealing that players actively choose to play Diablo 4.
The developers explicitly stated they aren't actively trying to shift players from Diablo 3 to Diablo 4. Instead, their focus is on creating engaging content that naturally attracts players to Diablo 4. This commitment to long-term support extends to ongoing updates and support for Diablo 3 and Diablo 2.
