"As Far as I'm Concerned, That's a Step in the Right Direction" – Path of Exile Dev Optimistic About Diablo 5

Chris Wilson, former co-founder of Path of Exile developer Grinding Gear Games, recently expressed cautious optimism about Blizzard's upcoming ARPG, Diablo 5. Announced at Blizzcon 2026, the game is set to release in Spring 2029. Wilson, who left Grinding Gear Games in 2023, praised Blizzard's announcement, particularly the influence of the iconic Diablo 2 on the new game.

He admired the new character and inventory screen, which reintroduced item sizes and stats reminiscent of Diablo 2. However, he criticized modern additions like flat DPS numbers on weapons. Wilson acknowledged that Diablo 5 must balance nostalgia with modern design, avoiding alienating its established fanbase. While he would love Blizzard to create a full remake of Diablo 2, he believes the investment would be too large for a game with a niche audience.

Instead, Wilson expects Diablo 5 to blend modern ARPG elements with Diablo 2's design philosophy. Despite potential delays, Wilson believes the game won't be ready for its projected release date of Spring 2029. He also speculated that Blizzard might delay Diablo 5 to give Diablo 4 more breathing room. Wilson expressed disappointment with Blizzard's recent strategy of introducing all prime evils simultaneously in Season 15, comparing it to abandoning Diablo 4.

However, he is looking forward to new seasons and the addition of the Amazon class from Diablo 2 in a DLC pack. Lastly, he expressed excitement that Diablo 5 will have more classes at launch than any previous Diablo game, particularly hoping to see the Demon Hunter return.