Blizzard Entertainment’s general manager for the Diablo franchise, Rod Fergusson, is leaving the company after five years, he announced Friday. Fergusson’s departure from Blizzard seems amicable, and raises questions about where he’ll wind up next, based on his reputation in game development.
“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 on social media. “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.”
Under Fergusson, Blizzard launched Diablo 2 Resurrected, Diablo Immortal, Diablo 4, and the D4 expansion Vessel of Hatred. Fergusson joined Blizzard in 2020, after leaving The Coalition, where he helped lead the team behind Gears 5.
Fergusson has earned a reputation in game development as a “closer,” someone who could get troubled projects completed. That certainly seemed to be the case with Diablo 4, which had been in development for close to a decade in various incarnations; Fergusson helped get it across the finish line in 2023. Prior to his role at Blizzard overseeing the Diablo franchise, Fergusson worked on the original Gears of War (described as “on fire” before he stepped in) and its many sequels. He also helped get BioShock Infinite — a famously challenged project — out the door.
Polygon has reached out to Fergusson for further clarification on his departure.
That pedigree certainly makes one wonder what challenge Fergusson might tackle next. There is no shortage of games publicly experiencing crises or interminable delays. Bungie’s Marathon, Studio Wildcard’s Ark 2, Cloud Chamber Games’ new BioShock, and Ghost Story Games’ Judas immediately spring to mind, but those are just guesses. Fergusson may no longer adhere to the “always be closing” mantra. But fans of troubled in-development games should cross their fingers that he might have a hand in bringing their next highly anticipated game to completion.