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.
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 revitalize the hack-and-slash experience. The team, comprised of Diablo 1 and 2 alumni, aims to create a more open and dynamic ARPG, drawing inspiration from the defining elements of the early Diablo games.
While details about the game remain scarce, 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, and the game's substantial fanbase, presents a significant hurdle.
The competition is fierce, with other popular titles like Path of Exile 2 also vying for players' attention. Path of Exile 2's recent launch on Steam was exceptionally well-received, achieving a peak player count exceeding 538,000, placing it among the platform's top 15 most played games. This highlights the competitive landscape the new ARPG will face.
