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 innovative ARPG. Their goal is to break free from established genre conventions and deliver a more open and dynamic experience, drawing inspiration from what made the early Diablo games so distinctive. The team aims to revitalize the hack-and-slash genre after more than two decades.
While details about the game remain scarce, the involvement of such experienced developers suggests it could become a leading action RPG. However, the competitive landscape is challenging. The recent success of Diablo IV's "Vessel of Hatred" expansion, along with the enduring popularity of Diablo itself, presents a significant hurdle. Many loyal fans may be reluctant to switch games.
The competition extends beyond Diablo. Path of Exile 2's recent launch achieved phenomenal success on Steam, boasting a peak player count exceeding 538,000, ranking it among the platform's top 15 most played games. Breaking into a market dominated by such established and popular titles will be a considerable undertaking.
