Ex-Diablo Developers Launch Innovative ARPG

Ex-developers from the iconic games Diablo and Diablo 2 are currently working on an exciting new project—a "low-budget action RPG" that they believe could shake up the industry. Given the legendary status of the first two Diablo games, there's a strong expectation that this new ARPG, crafted by veterans of those beloved titles, could be something truly special.

Phil Shenk, Peter Hu, and Erich Schaefer have founded Moon Beast Productions, an independent studio. They've secured $4.5 million in funding to develop an ARPG that aims to "push beyond the genre's established design patterns." This team, comprised of experts from Diablo 1 and 2, is set on revolutionizing the hack'n'slash genre. Their vision is to create a more open and dynamic ARPG, returning to the unique elements that made the early Diablo games stand out. They've been nurturing this idea for over two decades, eager to bring their innovative concepts to life.

While details about the game remain scarce, the involvement of such a talented team suggests it could become one of the standout action RPGs in the market. However, breaking into a space dominated by high-caliber ARPGs is no small feat. For instance, the expansion of Diablo 4, "Vessel of Hatred," has been a massive hit, boasting a dedicated fanbase that may be reluctant to shift their allegiance.

The challenge of competing with established giants like Diablo is significant, especially with other heavyweights such as Path of Exile 2 also vying for attention. Path of Exile 2, recently released, has enjoyed tremendous success on Steam, achieving a peak player count of over 538,000, which ranks it as the 15th highest peak player count in Steam's history. Despite these hurdles, the potential for Moon Beast Productions to deliver a groundbreaking ARPG remains high, given their track record and innovative approach.