Rod Fergusson Departs Blizzard, Diablo Franchise

havoc00

havoc00

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"After five years of driving the Diablo franchise forward with four big launches, it's time for me to step away from Blizzard/Microsoft, sword in hand, and see what's next," Fergusson wrote. "The teams are set up for success, with an exciting slate of releases ahead. I'm incredibly proud of what we've built together and looking forward to what comes next for Diablo, and for me."

Blizzard confirmed this news to IGN today as well, but declined to offer further comment as to why Fergusson has left the company, or who will run the Diablo franchise going forward.


www.ign.com

Rod Fergusson Departs Blizzard, Diablo Franchise - IGN

Diablo general manager and Gears of War veteran Rod Fergusson has left Blizzard.
www.ign.com www.ign.com
 
Should be good news but Diablo 4 is beyond saving. I'm expecting another generic person to take over and continue the MTX grind over at Blizz.
 
Not surprised. D4 has been a big disappointment to me and my friends. It just seems like everything they did either had something wrong with it or was something no one really seemed to want. Frankly, I think they've been overly reliant on the seasonal content grind instead of putting those resources to creating better storylines and overall gameplay. Things that last instead of things that are around for a few months and go away. Vessel of Hatred was a let down. No one in my circle enjoys the idea of constantly having to re-level a new character just to get something out of the game. Only to have it feel half-assed or watch something they liked vanish.
 
Varteras said:
Not surprised. D4 has been a big disappointment to me and my friends. It just seems like everything they did either had something wrong with it or was something no one really seemed to want. Frankly, I think they've been overly reliant on the seasonal content grind instead of putting those resources to creating better storylines and overall gameplay. Things that last instead of things that are around for a few months and go away. Vessel of Hatred was a let down. No one in my circle enjoys the idea of constantly having to re-level a new character just to get something out of the game. Only to have it feel half-assed or watch something they liked vanish.
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Couldn't have said it better myself
 
Burt Reynolds Bump GIF
 
Gears of War kinda went to sh*t too, but was it his fault? Diablo IV doesn't give me as much excitement as I wanted. I was a lot more eager to keep playing Diablo III. I got the Diablo IV expansion and it feels more like work. All the seasonal stuff is work. Work to plan for it, work to grind for it, and more work slugging through the campaign. I had a better time running Diablo III RoS with my wife than we did Diablo IV. Diablo Immortal feels like it has a better chance of succeeding. I feel like I can boot up Immortal and have a decent time. I hate thinking about all the crap I missed or can't obtain in Diablo IV. It's to the point where I'd just rather play something else.
 
I collect VHS tapes said:
Heaven forbid people make true statements

I've made several posts and even entire threads about how Diablo 2 is probably my most played game of all time

I will never forgive blizzard for what they've done to Diablo
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Do you have to make that true statement your whole personality? Like I agree with you D3 and D4 didn't hold a candle next to glory days of D2 but it is like move on already
 
I'm available to consult with Blizzard and let them know how and why their game went sideways. 🐹

Sometimes I wonder whether the situation is they don't know, or perhaps they do know but don't do anything about it. Or can't. It's fascinating.
 
Rentahamster said:
I'm available to consult with Blizzard and let them know how and why their game went sideways. 🐹

Sometimes I wonder whether the situation is they don't know, or perhaps they do know but don't do anything about it. Or can't. It's fascinating.
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Lots of us could tell them what sucks about Diablo 4.

Problem is, they don't want to make a better version of Diablo 1&2. They want to make a Diablo version of Destiny, some recurring revenue FOMO cash cow whose only purpose is to extract as much $ from gamers as possible.
 
Rod's is very good at getting games shipped.

If I remeber correctly, he was brought in to fix the Diablo 4 team and get the game shipped, which he did accomplish. He's a good producer, but not a good creative.

Edit: He's certainly more competent than Matt Booty.
 
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Excited to see him tweet his Diablo tattoo removal in a year or so.

I don't think anything that's wrong with D4 right now is Rods fault. He got brought it, to a mess from what I recall, and helped them ship a product. To be fair it reviewed very well, and sold even more.

As time went on Rod is ultimately not making the content. He's directing the teams and keeping them on track to deliver content for a GaaS title.

However, he's the one left holding the bag, and he wasn't able to usher in an end game direction and loop players want. You carry the badge to take the honors when it's good (launch), and carry it when it's bad (current last 4+ seasons).

I truly think if Diablo 4 had focused on Diablo 2 model with expansions once a year, they could be more successful than chasing path of exile seasons.

Look at titan quest 2. That game will be a hit.
 
An extension of D3 gameplay with a WoW world to wander around is a dream for me that sadly faceplanted with D4. It's just the worst of both that is one of the worst in the franchises and that's from someone who wasn't asking for much. Such a disappointment. Some new blood is welcome at this point.
 
I thought D4 was good, I have it installed (gamepass) but didn't play it yet, what's with the hate?

I was glad they went back to D2 artstyle (over the cartoon nonsense of D3).
 
I hated Diablo 3 and 4 but people keep playing it. Its actually doing as good as Path of Exile 2 now which is insane if you think about it.
Every season casuals come back to play Diablo, and apparently people are pissed at PoE2.
 
Jinzo Prime said:
Rod's is very good at getting games shipped.

If I remeber correctly, he was brought in to fix the Diablo 4 team and get the game shipped, which he did accomplish. He's a good producer, but not a good creative.

Edit: He's certainly more competent than Matt Booty.
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Yeah, this is the thing I've heard people say about him - he get's shit nailed down and shipped out the door. That seems like a really valuable skill that a lot of studios are in need of.
 
rm082e said:
Yeah, this is the thing I've heard people say about him - he get's shit nailed down and shipped out the door. That seems like a really valuable skill that a lot of studios are in need of.
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Very overlooked skillset. You need a creative and a closer. Cliffy and Rod, Miyamoto and Tezuka, Hugo Martin and Marty Stratton.
 
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They made the archievement of making Diablo 3 sounding better than Diablo 4.
Thats what happens when you put retards in charge to make games like chore instead of being fun, only to inflate engagement.
 
neocycle said:
How many hours did you play d3?
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D3 I gave a decent chance as I mentally was unable to accept that Blizzard let me down

maybe something close to ~60 hours in total

d4 I played even less, as by that point it became pretty clear to me what the state of Blizzard was

I still play D2R and have several hundred hours in it

likely several thousand hours in original D2. D1 is likely around a thousand hours.

D2R is fucking fantastic, so I feel very blessed that we received that
 
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