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 individuals instrumental in those 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 innovative ARPG. Their goal is to transcend conventional action RPG design, building upon the core elements that made the early Diablo games so captivating. The team, comprised of veterans from Diablo I and II, aims to revitalize the hack-and-slash genre with a more open and dynamic experience after more than two decades in the industry.

Details about the game remain scarce, but the involvement of such experienced developers suggests a high likelihood of producing a top-tier action RPG. However, breaking into a crowded market saturated with high-quality ARPGs presents a formidable challenge. The recent success of Diablo IV's "Vessel of Hatred" expansion, for instance, highlights the established dominance of the Diablo franchise and the potential reluctance of its loyal fanbase to switch allegiances.

The competition is fierce, with other prominent titles like Path of Exile 2 vying for attention. Path of Exile 2's recent launch on Steam was remarkably successful, boasting a peak concurrent player count exceeding 538,000, placing it among the platform's top 15 most played games. This underscores the intense competition within the ARPG market.