Blizzard announced Diablo 5 at BlizzCon over the weekend, and fans got a surprise: the game is still very early in development, and it won’t be out for another three years. That’s a long wait, but the company has been unusually forthcoming about what’s coming next. And the comparisons to Diablo 4 are unavoidable, especially since Diablo 4 was essentially an ARPG wrapped in an MMO skin.
Shely on Multiplayer
Senior game director Joe Shely spoke with PC Gamer at BlizzCon about the game’s multiplayer plans. He confirmed that Diablo 5 will support both solo and multiplayer modes, just like its predecessor.
“Like Diablo 4, it is a game that you can play solo or multiplayer, however you please, and you should be able to play all of the content with your friends,” said Shely.
That’s a relief for anyone who enjoyed playing alone in Diablo 4. But the comparison only goes so far.
The Procedural World
One of the biggest changes is that Diablo 5 is dropping towns entirely. Instead, the game follows a caravan of lone survivors traveling across Sanctuary. That shift removes a central meeting place for players, which could complicate how people find each other online.
The game is bringing back Diablo 3’s procedural generation tech, which randomizes dungeon layouts each time you enter. That same system applies to the overworld too. Regions will be altered on every visit, meaning each player could technically experience a different version of Sanctuary.
That decision may make it difficult for Diablo 5 to borrow Diablo 4’s MMO-lite approach to multiplayer. In Diablo 4, the persistent world allowed players to share experiences and see each other’s progress. Without fixed towns, the multiplayer infrastructure needs to work differently.
What Shely Didn’t Say
Shely didn’t go into specifics about how multiplayer will work beyond confirming it exists. He said those details will be confirmed closer to the game’s 2029 launch. That means fans will have to wait for more information before knowing exactly how the online systems function.
Blizzard also emphasized that the procedural generation affects the entire world, not just dungeons. The overworld regions change each time you visit, which adds a layer of unpredictability to the game’s structure. It’s a bold move, but it raises questions about how players will coordinate.
The Missing Towns
Towns were a staple of earlier Diablos, acting as hubs for players to meet, rest, and plan their next moves. Diablo 5 doesn’t bring those back. Instead, the game’s narrative focuses on a caravan of lone survivors on the road across Sanctuary.
That shift changes the social fabric of the game. In Diablo 4, players could drop into towns to chat, trade, or just hang out. Without those spaces, finding ways to interact with other players may prove challenging.
The lack of towns also removes a logistical anchor. Players in Diablo 4 could return to a familiar city to resupply or plan their next dungeon run. In Diablo 5, the road itself becomes the hub, which is a different kind of design challenge.
Development Updates Coming
Blizzard promised to start sharing regular Diablo 5 development updates sometime in 2027. The developer said it’s open to feedback, so some of what’s revealed may look different come launch.
That openness is a good sign for fans who want to see the game evolve. Regular updates mean players can track progress and offer suggestions directly to the team. It’s a more transparent process than the usual closed development cycle.
What We Don’t Know Yet
The biggest unknown is how multiplayer will actually work. Diablo 4’s MMO-lite approach relied on a persistent world with shared spaces. Diablo 5’s procedural world and lack of towns suggest a very different design.
Shely confirmed multiplayer exists, but he didn’t say how it functions. Will players see each other’s progress on the road? Can they join forces in dungeons? Those answers will come closer to launch.
For now, fans are left with a game that shares a name with its predecessor but looks set to diverge significantly from its design. The procedural world and the road-bound narrative are bold choices, but they complicate the multiplayer experience.
Key Facts Box
- Announced: At BlizzCon
- Launch: Diablo 5 will release in 2029
- Development updates: Start in 2027
- Multiplayer: Confirmed, details pending
- Procedural generation: Overworld and dungeons randomized per visit
- Towns: Not returning
- Story: Caravan of lone survivors on the road
The comparison to Diablo 4 is inevitable, but it’s a limited one. Diablo 4 was an ARPG with MMO trappings. Diablo 5 is starting from scratch, and that’s a refreshing position for the series.
The road-bound narrative and the procedural world give the game a distinct identity. Whether that identity works in multiplayer remains to be seen. Blizzard has time to figure it out, and fans have time to watch it happen.
For now, the announcement of Diablo 5 was a highlight of BlizzCon. The game is early, the wait is long, and the design is taking a bold path. Fans will just have to keep following the road.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.