Path of Exile Dev Calls Diablo 5 a 'Step in the Right Direction'

Former Grinding Gear Games co-founder Chris Wilson is cautiously optimistic about Diablo 5, praising its Diablo 2 influences but expecting delays and criticizing Diablo 4's anniversary event.

Are you already hyped for Diablo 5, even though it's years away? You're not alone—Chris Wilson, former co-founder of Path of Exile developer Grinding Gear Games, is cautiously optimistic about Blizzard's next ARPG.

In a video over the weekend, Wilson broke down everything Blizzard has announced about Diablo 5, from its story to itemization and monster levels. While he had some nitpicks, he's tentatively excited because of the influence of Diablo 2. He especially likes the new character and inventory screen, where items have different sizes and stats that feel more like Diablo 2. But some modern choices, like a flat DPS number on weapons, rub him the wrong way.

Still, Wilson knows Diablo 5 can't fully embrace Diablo 2's clunky design. "There's a bigger question if they're going to go all the way and risk alienating the modern audience that they've cultivated over the last couple of decades," he said. "I don't think they necessarily should. While selfishly it'd be amazing for them to make a new version of Diablo 2 just for me, I don't think they could justify an investment of that size for a game with a niche audience." Instead, he expects Diablo 5 to be a "modern ARPG that borrows heavily from Diablo 2, rather than a true return to the design philosophy of Diablo 2."

Even though Diablo 5 was just announced at Blizzcon 2026 and is set for spring 2029, Wilson thinks it'll be delayed. "My best guess is the game won't be ready for spring 2029, but that's okay, delays happen and are normal in this industry," he said. "I can't count the amount of times I had to delay a Path of Exile League release and players were okay with it." A delay could give Diablo 4 more room to breathe.

Like many players, Wilson feels the early Diablo 5 announcement signals Blizzard is abandoning Diablo 4—even though Blizzard has denied that. The company plans to keep developing Diablo 4's story with new seasons, including the current Season 15, a 30-year franchise celebration. But Wilson isn't a fan: "To be honest, this event feels pretty distasteful to me," he said, because "Diablo 4 was slowly building up to you being able to fight all the prime evils, then they introduce them all at once in a special event that isn't really tied to the games story."

Regardless, new seasons will continue for Diablo 4 over the next year and a half. Blizzard is also adding Diablo 2's Amazon class in a DLC pack early next year. And for Diablo 5, the company has revealed a handful of classes, with more at launch than any previous Diablo game. I'm just hoping they bring back the Demon Hunter from Diablo 3.

What do you think? Are you excited for Diablo 5, or worried about Diablo 4's future? Let us know in the comments!