Gamescom: Rod Fergusson Interview - Season 2 Announcement and Player Feedback

Over the last week, Gamescom took place in Cologne, Germany. This annual gaming convention hosted several events, premiered dozens of new games, and opened the floor to allow journalists to have one-on-one conversations with game developers. During Gamescom, Blizzard announced the second season of Diablo 4 - Season of Blood and afterward, Diablo 4 developers discussed the future of the game. We've previously summarized several of these interviews, and now Rhykker's interview with Rod Fergusson has been released - so we've summarized the key points below!

What Went Down at Gamescom

Giving us a great look at Gamescom itself, Rhykker shows us not only what he learned in his interview with Diablo General Manager Rod Fergusson, but also the Diablo 4 events - including Diablo themed contests and dinners! The interview itself also gives us great insight on future Diablo 4 seasons: player feedback is a priority, and the Diablo team is dedicated to meet the needs of the multiple types of players that call Sanctuary home.

Future Seasons of Diablo 4

According to Rod Fergusson, Season 2 being announced so early was due to Gamescom going on and seizing that opportunity. However, this does not mean that all future Seasons will be announced this early. The announcement timing will depend on various factors.

The goal for future Seasons is to strike a balance between what is planned as part of their road map and responding to player feedback. The Diablo team wants to ensure they cater to the multiple different types of players when it comes to Seasons, including new players, veterans of the ARPG genre, and more. They aim to try different things, gather more data points, and capture the interests of all the different player categories.

The developers are open to experimenting with Seasons and trying new things. They want to gather more information to understand what works best for the players and create Seasons that are engaging and enjoyable for all. Season 2's story questline is independent from Season 1, so if you haven't played Season 1, you didn't miss out.

The challenge lies in catering to both the vocal core community and not leaving behind new players and casual gamers. Rod Fergusson acknowledged that the vocal part of the community represents the core community. However, it is crucial for the team to find a balance that satisfies the core community's desires while also ensuring that the game remains accessible and enjoyable for newcomers and casual players.

Conclusion

The future of Diablo 4 looks promising based on the insights shared by Rod Fergusson in his interview with Rhykker. With Seasons being a key part of the game's content, Blizzard is committed to listening to player feedback and finding a balance that caters to the diverse player base.