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Diablo creators worried "RPGs were so overwrought with statistics that the genre had shrunk to a tiny audience," so they wanted it to be like "how we'd played Dungeons & Dragons as kids"
Max Schaefer, co-founder of Condor (later Blizzard North), discussed the early design philosophy of Diablo, aiming to simplify RPGs by focusing on core mechanics like hitting monsters and gaining loot, inspired by childhood Dungeons & Dragons experiences. This approach was intended to counter the overly complex statistics and penalties found in many contemporary RPGs, making the genre more accessible and rewarding for players.
The original Diablo studio was saved from bankruptcy by Blizzard's timely acquisition offer: "The taxman was literally at the door, threatening to shut us down"
The original Diablo studio, Condor, was on the brink of bankruptcy in the early '90s before Blizzard Entertainment made a timely acquisition offer. This financial lifeline allowed the developers to fully realize their vision for the game, which became a best-selling action-RPG upon its release in 1997. The acquisition also paved the way for successful sequels like Diablo 2.