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 an ARPG that aims to "break free from established design conventions." This team of Diablo 1 and 2 alumni plans to revitalize the hack-and-slash genre, creating a more open and dynamic experience—a vision they've held 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 strong possibility of creating a top-tier action RPG. However, breaking into a market already saturated with high-quality ARPGs will be challenging. The recent success of Diablo IV's "Vessel of Hatred" expansion, for example, highlights the strong existing player base and potential resistance to switching games.

The competition is fierce, with established titles like Path of Exile 2 also vying for players' attention. Path of Exile 2's recent Steam launch was exceptionally successful, achieving a peak player count exceeding 538,000, placing it among the platform's top 15 most played games. This demonstrates the significant hurdle Moon Beast Productions faces in establishing their game in this competitive landscape.