Key Takeaways
1. Rod Fergusson is leaving Blizzard after five years, having led four major launches in the Diablo franchise.
2. Fergusson did not provide a clear reason for his departure and did not respond to press inquiries.
3. Blizzard President Johanna Faries and Xbox Studios head Phil Spencer praised Fergusson’s contributions to the Diablo franchise.
4. During his tenure, Fergusson oversaw successful launches, including Diablo 2: Resurrected, Diablo Immortal, Diablo IV, and its DLC.
5. His exit comes amid company challenges, including backlash over AI-generated art and recent layoffs at Microsoft.
Rod Fergusson, a well-known general manager who led the launch of Blizzard’s Diablo series, shared on Friday that he would be leaving the company after a five-year tenure.
In his announcement on X, Fergusson stated:
“After five years of pushing the Diablo franchise forward with four major launches, it’s time for me to step away from Blizzard/Microsoft, sword in hand, and see what’s next. The teams are equipped for success, with an exciting list of releases on the way. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished together and excited for what lies ahead for Diablo, and for me.”
No Clear Reason Given
Interestingly, Fergusson did not mention why he was leaving and chose not to answer any press inquiries, giving no additional comments. Blizzard President Johanna Faries lauded his impact on the company, saying:
“Leading a franchise like Diablo requires unique talent, vision, and teamwork. Thank you, Rod, for bringing all of those in abundance. Sanctuary’s future shines brighter because of your contributions!”
Heartfelt Goodbyes from Colleagues
Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox Studios, also chimed in with a touching message:
“Fergusson infused strength, hellfire, and vision into one of gaming’s legendary franchises. Playing Diablo IV alongside you was an incredible experience – thank you for everything you contributed to the game and its community.”
Rod Fergusson joined Blizzard in February 2020 after a 15-year journey with the Gears of War series, where he played a key role in crafting the beloved original trilogy. He later took on responsibilities at The Coalition, working on titles like Gears 5 and the mobile game Gears Pop. He also had a hand in Bioshock Infinite and earned a reputation as a “closer” for ambitious projects.
Major Contributions to Diablo
During his time at Blizzard, he led four significant launches: Diablo 2: Resurrected in 2021, the mobile success Diablo Immortal in 2022—which earned $500 million—Diablo IV in 2023, which sold over 12 million copies in its first month, and the Vessel of Hatred DLC for Diablo IV that added new classes and areas.
Fergusson’s exit raises eyebrows, especially considering the timing, as the company faced backlash for supposedly employing AI-generated art in promotional materials for Diablo Immortal and the Hearthstone crossover event in July. His departure also follows Microsoft laying off over 9,000 employees in July and an additional 40 at the beginning of August at its Redmond campus.
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