Even as gamers prepare for the impending release of Blizzard’s highly-anticipatedDiablo 4later this year, it now appears that the legendary franchise could face competition from one of its own asDiabloco-creator Erich Schaefer joins Moon Beast Productions to work on a new action RPG title. Following recent reveals providing details about the story and setting of Blizzard’s latest entry in the demon-filled franchise, players will be able to try it out for themselves later this month duringDiablo 4’s open beta period.
Debuting on PC with 1997’s originalDiablo, Blizzard’s action RPG franchise has gone on to develop a massive following of gamers addicted to the franchise’s satisfying gameplay loop of decimating demons and grabbing gear. Developed by Blizzard North, the series has experienced some dramatic highs and lows over the years as gamers have praised entries like 2000’sDiablo IIwhile decrying titles like the franchise’sfree-to-play mobile gameDiablo Immortal. Following what some long-time franchise fans have seen as missteps in recent years, many gamers are hoping thatDiablo 4represents a return to form for the series when it releases later this year.
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According to a new report by VentureBeat,Diabloco-creator and long-time Blizzard North alum Erich Schaefer is joining developer Moon Beast Productions as chief creative officer where he will lead creative direction on the studio’s as-yet-unannounced action RPG game. Schaefer will be working alongside several otherformer Blizzard developerson the action RPG as they attempt to “revolutionize the genre.” In addition to being one of the co-creators of theDiablofranchise, Schaefer also helped give life to theTorchlightandRebel Galaxyfranchises, as well as the much-hyped but ultimately ill-fated action RPGHellgate: London.
While it’s unknown exactly what form the unannounced action RPG will take, Moon Beast Productions co-founder Phil Shenk has said the studio is focused on shaping up the genre and “trying to solve some of the problems that are beholden to PvE game” likeDiablo. Despite having spent much of his career working on similar titles, Erich Schaefer sounds excited about his new role at Moon Beast Productions, telling an interviewer from GamesBeat that a meeting with Moon Beast’s founders had “fired up my imagination with possibilities.” Although details remain scarce about its mysterious action RPG, Moon Beast Productions has stated that the title will most likely be multiplatform and that it will be using a commercial game engine rather than developing its own from scratch.
Taking on a gaming juggernaut likeDiablomay seem like a tall order, but by bringing in heavy hitters like Erich Schaefer and other Blizzard North alumni, it’s clear that Moon Beast Productions thinks it’s up to the task. Unsurprisingly, there is no word on whether the developer will echo Blizzard’s strange step into the world of haute couture followingDiablo 4’s appearance at Milan Fashion Weeklast month.
