Diablo 5
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Experiencing BlizzCon 2026 and the returns of Starcraft, Diablo, and Warcraft
Blizzard Entertainment celebrated the return of BlizzCon with numerous announcements, including World of Warcraft: Forever, a new Starcraft open-world shooter, Diablo 5, and updates for Warcraft 3 and Overwatch. The event also highlighted the company's integration as a Microsoft subsidiary and celebrated anniversaries for Overwatch and Diablo.
Diablo 4 season 15 is officially live following server issues and delay
Diablo 4's Season of Hell's Legacy has officially launched after a brief delay attributed to server issues. The season celebrates the Diablo series' 30th anniversary with a nostalgic questline and iconic boss fights, though Solo Self Found mode is temporarily disabled. Blizzard confirmed that while Diablo 4 will not receive further expansions due to the development of Diablo 5, seasonal updates will continue.
Diablo 5 senior game director says 'the continued passion' is the reason Diablo 2: Resurrected exists and has allowed Blizzard to look at it for modern inspiration — 'Because it exists today alongside Diablo 4, we can look at it through today's lens'
Diablo 5's senior game director, Joe Shely, stated that the success and continued passion for Diablo 2: Resurrected has allowed Blizzard to draw modern inspiration from it for the upcoming sequel. The team can now look at Diablo 2's elements through a contemporary lens, utilizing its itemization and recent features as a guide for Diablo 5's development.
Devs Explain Why Diablo 5 Needed to be a New Game Instead Of An Expansion For 4
Developers discussed why Diablo 5 was conceived as a new game rather than an expansion. The article implies that the scope and ambition for Diablo 5 necessitated a full sequel rather than an add-on to a previous title.
"What would a WoW 2 give you that World of Warcraft: Forever isn't already giving you?" - Blizzard addresses the MMO elephant in the room
Blizzard Entertainment has revealed World of Warcraft: Forever, a reimagined version of the original game with new content and improved graphics, rather than a direct sequel. Executives Holly Longdale and Kris Zierhut explained that the existing engine and ongoing development of World of Warcraft make a sequel unnecessary and potentially less viable than evolving the current game. The company also mentioned future plans for Diablo 5 and a StarCraft shooter, while acknowledging the challenges and costs associated with creating a WoW sequel.
Diablo 5 doesn't have towns or safe zones because you're the safe zone now, buddy: "You and your band of…
Diablo 5 will feature a unique approach to safety zones, with players and their traveling caravan serving as the primary safe havens in a fallen world. Executive producer Matt Zitterman explained that this design choice aligns with the narrative and the game's return to randomized dungeons. The caravan will grow with survivors, becoming a hub for merchants, crafters, and companions, offering deeper storytelling opportunities.
Diablo 5 Doubles Down On The Darkness, But Hope Still Has A Place In Sanctuary
Diablo 5 will feature a significantly darker and more post-apocalyptic setting than previous entries, with Diablo having already conquered Sanctuary. The game will explore humanity's fall through layered storytelling and visual cues, while still offering a glimmer of hope as players, as the heir to Westmarch, lead survivors to reclaim the land. Blizzard aims to blend the grim atmosphere with themes of survival and eventual victory.
Diablo 5 Is Bringing Back Set Items, But Wants To Avoid Their Biggest Problem
Blizzard Entertainment has confirmed that Diablo 5 will reintroduce set items, a feature absent at Diablo 4's launch but present in Diablo 2 and Diablo 3. Executive producer Matt Zitterman stated the team aims to learn from past implementations to create a compelling loot chase that avoids narrowing itemization options. The game is slated for release in 2029.
Everything we've gleaned about Diablo 5 since its BlizzCon 2026 reveal - a game that appears to be much more than Diablo 4.5
Blizzard Entertainment has revealed details for Diablo 5, scheduled for a spring 2029 release, indicating it will be a significant departure from Diablo 4. Set a century after Diablo 4, the game features a world fully conquered by Diablo, a more compact, procedurally generated landscape, and a focus on story-driven RPG elements with companions serving as vendors. The game will reintroduce features like Runewords and gear sets inspired by Diablo 2, and aims to offer more classes at launch than previous titles.
Evening Reading - September 14, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers a variety of gaming news, including reviews for Marvel's Wolverine and Final Fantasy 7, details on Diablo 5's release window, and the shelving of The Last of Us Part 2 multiplayer mod at Sony's request. It also touches on the Steam Deck pre-order availability and mentions the use of AI in content creation.
Diablo 5, StarCraft Were Announced Early Because Blizzard Wants to “Ship Big, and Ship on Time”
Blizzard Entertainment announced Diablo 5 and a new StarCraft game early to demonstrate confidence in their ability to deliver large titles on time. President Johanna Faries stated this new approach aims to assure fans of the company's commitment to shipping major projects successfully. While Diablo 5 is slated for 2030 and the StarCraft shooter for 2029, Blizzard is also focusing on seasonal content for Diablo 4.
Blizzard Says Diablo 5 Was Too Big To Be A Diablo 4 Expansion
Blizzard Entertainment has announced Diablo 5, aiming for a 2029 release. The decision to make it a new numbered title rather than a Diablo 4 expansion was driven by the need for significant structural changes to the game's design and to properly reintroduce Diablo as the main villain. This early announcement allows for player feedback to be incorporated during development.
Diablo 5's 2029 release window comes from 'clarity of creative vision and production schedule'
Diablo 5 Executive Producer Matt Zitterman expressed confidence in the game's 2029 release window, citing clarity in creative vision and production schedule. He highlighted that the team is building on the foundation of Diablo 4 and has decades of experience with the franchise. This early announcement aims to foster open communication and feedback with the player base.
Diablo 5 Isn’t Reinventing The Combat Wheel, It’s Making It Spin Even Faster
Blizzard Entertainment executive producer Matt Zitterman stated that Diablo 5 will not reinvent the combat wheel but will focus on enhancing the visceral, action-forward gameplay established in previous titles. The game aims to incorporate beloved elements from Diablo 2, Diablo 3, and Diablo 4, offering a familiar yet fresh experience for fans. Diablo 5 is slated for a 2029 release on PC and will feature new character classes.
World Of Warcraft: Forever beta starts this week - here's how to get access
Blizzard Entertainment has announced that the beta for World of Warcraft: Forever will begin on September 17, 2026. Access to the beta can be guaranteed through pre-ordering specific editions of the game, or players can sign up for a chance to receive an access key. World of Warcraft: Forever is an evolution of World of Warcraft Classic, featuring improved visuals and new content.
Diablo 5 Will Have The Most Classes Of Any Game In The Series
Diablo 5 will launch with more classes than any previous game in the franchise, according to game director Joe Shely. Blizzard aims for nine or ten classes at launch, including familiar ones like the Demon Hunter and new additions like the Plague Knight. This announcement was made during a BlizzCon 2026 panel, which also revealed a Spring 2029 release window for Diablo 5.
Diablo 5 goes back to a pre-Diablo 4 world of "constant discovery" and procedural dungeons: "The only thing beyond the fog of war is more questions"
Blizzard has announced Diablo 5, which will return to procedurally generated dungeons and overworld areas, moving away from Diablo 4's open-world design. The game aims for "constant discovery" with no safe towns and a focus on the unknown. Diablo 5 is slated for release in 2029.
Diablo 5: Everything you need to know about the next era of Diablo
Blizzard Entertainment has officially announced Diablo 5, slated for a Spring 2029 release, aiming to usher in a new era for the franchise. The game will feature a post-apocalyptic Sanctuary where Diablo has already won, with procedural landscapes and a new class called the Plague Knight. Development is in its early stages, with Blizzard planning to involve the community throughout the process.
In a big change for Blizzard, it sounds like the new StarCraft shooter won't be a live-service game
Blizzard has revealed that the new StarCraft game, slated for release in 2030, will be a narrative-driven, open-world shooter with a definitive beginning, middle, and end, departing from the company's recent focus on live-service titles. Project leader Dan Hay described it as a 'box product' that players can purchase and experience fully, with opportunities to explore the world and engage in activities at their own pace between story missions. While acknowledging StarCraft's legacy as an RTS, Blizzard is carefully considering future directions for the franchise.
A StarCraft open-world shooter that's "Deadwood in space", Diablo 5, and a new classic-ish World of Warcraft branch out this year make up Blizzard of reveals
Blizzard Entertainment revealed several upcoming titles at BlizzCon, including a StarCraft open-world shooter set for 2030, Diablo 5 in 2029, and World of Warcraft: Forever, a new branch of the MMO launching November 4th. The StarCraft game, led by former Far Cry producer Dan Hay, is described as "Deadwood in space," while Diablo 5's announcement aims to gather early fan feedback. Support for Diablo 4 will continue, but no further expansions are planned.
