Ex-Diablo devs are working on a new ARPG to innovate the genre

The excitement is palpable as former developers of the iconic games Diablo and Diablo 2 embark on a new venture with Moon Beast Productions, an independent studio. Spearheaded by industry veterans Phil Shenk, Peter Hu, and Erich Schaefer, this team has secured $4.5 million to develop a "low-budget action RPG" that they believe could revolutionize the genre. With the aim to "push beyond the genre's established design patterns," these developers are set to challenge the norms of the hack'n'slash genre, drawing on over two decades of experience to craft a more open and dynamic ARPG that echoes the uniqueness of the early Diablo games.

Though details about the game remain scarce, the involvement of such seasoned professionals hints at a promising future. However, the ARPG market is fiercely competitive, with established titles like Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred's expansion enjoying massive success and a loyal fanbase. The challenge of drawing players away from such giants cannot be understated. Additionally, the landscape is further crowded by the phenomenal success of Path of Exile 2, which recently achieved a peak player count of over 538,000 on Steam, marking it as the 15th highest peak player count in the platform's history.

Moon Beast Productions' endeavor to carve out a niche in this saturated market will be no small feat. Yet, with their track record and innovative vision, there's a glimmer of hope that this new ARPG might just become one of the best in its class, offering a fresh take on the beloved genre.