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 break free from established design conventions and revitalize the hack-and-slash experience. The team, boasting over 20 years of experience, aims to recapture the essence of the early Diablo games while creating a more open and dynamic gameplay experience.
While details are scarce, the involvement of such experienced developers suggests this ARPG could become a leading title. However, the ARPG market is incredibly competitive. The recent success of Diablo IV's "Vessel of Hatred" expansion and the immense popularity of Diablo IV itself pose a significant challenge. Furthermore, Path of Exile 2's recent launch and impressive player numbers (a peak of over 538,000 concurrent players on Steam) highlight the fierce competition in the genre. Breaking through in such a crowded market will require significant innovation and execution.
