Blizzard reportedly wants to release Diablo games more frequently in the future.
In a recent interview with Variety, Diablo IV executive producer Gavian Whishaw reflected on the franchise’s history and the fact that, in over 30 years, Blizzard has released just five Diablo titles. He added that over the next 30 years, he hopes the team can “do a few more than that, maybe get some out faster.“
Given the gap between Diablo 2 and Diablo 3, and then Diablo 3 and Diablo 4, that comment quickly caught the community’s attention. And for good reason!
A Faster Diablo Cycle?
For context, Diablo 2 launched in 2000. Diablo 3 followed in 2012. Diablo 4 released in 2023.
That means fans had to wait more than a decade between main game titles. Twice.
Whishaw’s comment does not confirm a new Diablo game is in development. It does, however, suggest Blizzard would like to avoid another 10-plus-year gap in the future.
And that has triggered quite the debate.
Community Reaction Is Divided
Most players support the idea of a more consistent release cadence. A 3 to 5 year window between major Diablo releases is often mentioned as a reasonable middle ground, especially compared to the 10-plus-year waits of the past.
However, not everyone agrees.
One thing that keeps coming up in the Reddit thread is quality over quantity. A lot of the replies are about the same concern. If Diablo games start coming out faster, does that mean smaller launches, more aggressive monetization, or something that feels closer to an annual cycle? That is where many of the worries come from.
There is also the argument that Diablo 4 is still a work in progress. Quite a few players would rather see Blizzard double down on expansions, endgame improvements, and long-term support instead of already talking about what comes after it.
And then, of course, there are also some who point out that longer development cycles do not automatically guarantee better games. Diablo 4 itself launched after more than a decade of waiting, and opinions on its endgame and post-launch support remain… mixed.
So What Happens Now?
Currently, this is simply a leadership perspective on long-term franchise planning. There is no announcement of Diablo 5. There is no confirmed change to a faster release model. And there is no timeline attached to Whishaw’s comment.
However, the idea that Blizzard hopes to release more Diablo titles over the next few decades is now officially on record. With Microsoft ownership and a renewed focus on long-term strategy, it is not surprising that cadence is part of that conversation.
Judging by the reaction, it is pretty clear, though, that players want more Diablo, but not at the cost of quality.
For more updates on what is coming next for the franchise, visit our Diablo 4 news hub.
