Ex-Diablo Devs Revolutionize ARPG

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 from veterans of both titles has high 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 conventional ARPG design and revitalize the hack-and-slash experience. The team, boasting Diablo I and II alumni, aims to deliver a more open and dynamic ARPG, harkening back to what made the early Diablo games so captivating.

Details about the game remain scarce, but the involvement of such experienced developers suggests a promising title. However, the ARPG market is fiercely competitive, presenting a significant challenge. The recent success of Diablo IV's "Vessel of Hatred" expansion, along with the established player base, creates a formidable hurdle.

The competition extends beyond Diablo. Path of Exile 2's recent launch achieved remarkable success on Steam, boasting a peak concurrent player count exceeding 538,000 – placing it among the platform's top 15 most played games. This highlights the intense rivalry within the ARPG landscape.