August 9, 2025 – On the 8th, as reported by Neowin, Rod Fergusson, a seasoned game producer known for his work on Gears of War and Diablo, has announced his departure from Blizzard. This marks the end of his five – year tenure in charge of the Diablo series. Fergusson did not disclose the specific reasons for his exit.
Throughout his time at Blizzard, he played a crucial role in the development and release of several major Diablo titles. These include Diablo II: Resurrected, the mobile game Diablo Immortal, and the latest mainline installment, Diablo IV.
Fergusson first made a name for himself with his significant contributions to the Gears of War series. He had stints at both Epic Games and Microsoft in the past. Today, he took to social media to share his decision, saying, “It’s time for me to put down my sword and leave Blizzard and Microsoft to embark on my next adventure. The team is well – prepared for future success, and there are some exciting new projects on the horizon.” This statement implies that Blizzard’s Diablo team still has a number of plans in the pipeline.
Blizzard President Johanna Faries expressed her gratitude to Fergusson on social media. She emphasized that managing a large – scale series like Diablo requires exceptional talent and teamwork. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer also chimed in, stating, “You’ve injected strength and passion into this classic game. It was a pleasure to play Diablo IV with you. Thank you for your contributions to the game and the community.”
Interestingly, this marks the third time Fergusson has left a Microsoft – affiliated game company. He spent nearly a decade working at Microsoft before moving to Epic Games in 2005 to work on Gears of War. He then returned to Microsoft in 2014 to manage the Gears of War franchise. In 2020, he joined Blizzard to take charge of the Diablo series, and after Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023, he once again became part of the Microsoft Studios family.
As of now, Fergusson has not revealed his future plans, and no replacement for him has been announced.
