The legends behind the iconic Diablo series are making a comeback, and they’re bringing something exciting to the table. Phil Shenk, Peter Hu, and Erich Schaefer, developers who helped create Diablo and Diablo 2, have teamed up once again to form Moon Beast Productions. Their mission? To craft a new action RPG (ARPG) that could shake up the genre—without relying on a blockbuster budget.
If you’re familiar with Diablo, you know it’s a big deal. The first game, released in 1997, wasn’t just a hit; it redefined ARPGs, selling over 2.5 million copies and inspiring countless imitators. Then came Diablo 2 in 2000, which sold more than 15 million copies and remains a fan favorite to this day. Now, with Moon Beast Productions, this dream team is hoping to recapture that magic—and take it to the next level.
Erich Schaefer, Moon Beast’s Chief Creative Officer, is clear about their vision: “We’ve spent over 20 years dreaming of more open and dynamic ARPG worlds. With this project, we’re going back to what made those early Diablo games so special, but we’re also adding some new twists to keep things fresh.”
The studio recently secured $4.5 million in funding to bring their ideas to life. While that might seem modest compared to today’s big-budget titles, the team is confident they can deliver something extraordinary by working smarter, not harder.
Of course, the ARPG scene is more crowded than ever. Recent hits like Path of Exile 2 and Diablo 4 are already dominating the market. Path of Exile 2 smashed records with over 538,000 concurrent players on Steam, and its critical reception has been glowing. Meanwhile, Diablo 4 continues to expand its universe with content like the Vessel of Hatred expansion, keeping its fanbase hooked.
But Moon Beast Productions isn’t trying to outdo these giants on their terms. Instead, they’re focusing on innovation. The team has hinted at introducing open-world elements and dynamic gameplay systems that could offer a new kind of ARPG experience. They’re even exploring ways to let players customize and mod the game, which could add a whole new layer of replayability.
While the details are still under wraps, the excitement is already building. With a team like this at the helm, expectations are naturally high. Moon Beast has promised to reveal more about their project in the coming year, and fans are eager to see what they’ve been cooking up.
In a world where ARPGs are bigger and flashier than ever, Moon Beast Productions is betting on creativity and heart to stand out. If their new game lives up to its promise, it might just remind us why we fell in love with the genre in the first place. Stay tuned—it looks like something special is on the horizon.
