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 for greatness.
Moon Beast Productions, an independent studio founded by Phil Shenk, Peter Hu, and Erich Schaefer, secured $4.5 million in funding to develop this ARPG. Their goal is to "transcend the genre's established conventions," and the team, comprised of Diablo I and II alumni, aims to revolutionize the hack-and-slash experience. Their vision, cultivated over two decades, is to deliver a more open and dynamic ARPG, harkening back to the defining elements of the early Diablo games.
Details about the game remain scarce, but the involvement of such experienced developers suggests a high probability of creating a top-tier action RPG. However, breaking into a market saturated with high-quality ARPGs will be challenging. The recent success of Diablo IV's Vessel of Hatred expansion, for instance, highlights the formidable competition and the established fanbase Diablo already commands.
The challenge is further compounded by the presence of other prominent contenders like Path of Exile 2. Its recent launch on Steam was exceptionally well-received, boasting a peak concurrent player count exceeding 538,000, securing it a place among the platform's top 15 most popular games. This illustrates the significant hurdle Moon Beast Productions faces in gaining traction within the genre.
