At BlizzCon 2026, the Diablo franchise looked further into the future than ever before. While Diablo V made its debut previewing the future of Sanctuary 100 years later, the live-service Diablo IV also revealed its future plans, including new seasons and the Amazon class.
This naturally raises a question: With Diablo V already announced, what story will Diablo IV tell moving forward? In particular, as comments regarding future Diablo IV expansions surfaced during the event, attention focused on how future content and narratives will be delivered. In response, the developers explained that expansions are not the only way to deliver new experiences to players. They explained that by utilizing various content formats—including seasons and Class Packs—they will continue to create pivotal moments comparable to expansions.
At BlizzCon 2026, we sat down with Diablo IV Game Director Brent Gibson and Live Service Design Director Dan Tanguay. We spoke about the Sanctuary that Diablo IV will build in the future—from the "Age of Terror" following the "Age of Hatred," to the 100-year gap leading to Diablo V, the Amazon, Season of Hell's Legacy, and the still-shrouded Western Continent.
Following reports from earlier interviews that there will be no future expansions for Diablo IV, the Korean community has shown considerable interest. First, we would like to hear what this precisely means. How will future Diablo IV updates be structured?
Brent Gibson: One of the things we are immensely proud of is that the story of the "Age of Hatred" has come to a conclusion. We defeated Mephisto and concluded the story in a truly epic fashion by addressing his impact on Sanctuary. Now, Diablo IV will focus on the "Age of Terror."
We will continue to develop content for Diablo IV for a considerable period ahead, and we are constantly exploring what form that will specifically take. There are new seasons coming, and the Amazon is on the way as well. We have a massive amount of content in preparation and will support Diablo IV for a long time to come.
Dan Tanguay: To add to that, we believe expansions are just one of several ways to deliver new experiences to players. Class Packs are another avenue, and this time we revealed the Amazon Class Pack.
Currently, we are also looking at ways to connect seasons and Class Packs in new and exciting ways. Through this approach, we believe we can continue to create dramatic moments and experiences players might expect from expansions, but delivered in different formats within the story of Diablo IV.
Diablo V takes place 100 years after Diablo IV, set in a world where Diablo ultimately won. Because of this, some Diablo IV players feel a sense of futility, questioning whether what they are doing in Sanctuary right now ends up being meaningless. Will future Diablo IV storylines provide an answer to this?
Brent Gibson: Regardless of which Diablo game's story we craft, we place immense importance on how player actions up to that point generate cause and effect.
Diablo V is set 100 years after the events of Lord of Hatred. And the Lord of Terror has also learned something from what unfolded during that span. However, 100 years is a very long time.
That leaves plenty of space across multiple seasons between now and then to tell a great deal of stories. While we know where we want to head, there is still ample room along the way to craft stories creatively. We also look forward to seeing where fans think we are heading. If possible, we would love to ride that wave together with the fans.
Dan Tanguay: The Prime Evils are not the only entities threatening Sanctuary. The story that began with Season 14, Season of Death Awakening, will head toward a dramatic conclusion alongside the release of the Amazon. In the process, players will face a new Aspect of Death as well.
Defeating Mephisto does not mean Sanctuary is completely safe. Other threats stem from his defeat. It is ultimately up to the players to forge the coming era of peace and prosperity.
So will future Diablo IV stories unfold differently from traditional expansions? We are also curious whether stories covered in seasons will be incorporated into the official canon.
Brent Gibson: Looking back at what we have done over the past three years, Diablo IV has delivered stories in a wide variety of ways. And every single one of those stories is canon. Whether it involves the Prime Evils or events somewhere else in Sanctuary, they are all built upon the same world.
Our team views Sanctuary as a vast world capable of holding countless stories. Not every story needs to be about Mephisto, Baal, or Diablo.
In the process of creating stories, some loop back into other narratives. Conversely, some standalone stories are beloved and end right there. Right now, I cannot speak to how all these stories will ultimately connect.
However, each story we create is an important part of everything currently happening in Diablo IV. I am personally excited to see where these stories lead by the time we reach Diablo V.
You mentioned the "Age of Terror," but there have also been ongoing comments that players have yet to properly encounter Diablo in a game titled Diablo IV. While Diablo makes an appearance in Season of Hell's Legacy, is there a possibility that the narrative centered on Diablo will pick up in earnest? Or must we wait until Diablo V?
Brent Gibson: I appreciate the tough question. (Laughs) We are extremely excited about how we reintroduce Diablo, Baal, and Mephisto in this upcoming Season of Hell's Legacy.
However, at this time, we are not speaking about additional story content beyond that. We are really looking forward to seeing how fans receive the way we bring Diablo back in this moment.
It was mentioned that Hell's Legacy allows players to relive several moments from Diablo and Diablo II. Will content from Diablo III also be included?
Dan Tanguay: Yes, players will also be able to relive moments from Diablo III. While much of the coverage and panel discussions focused heavily on the return of the three Prime Evils, over the past 30 years of Diablo, there have been countless memorable moments beyond the Prime Evils that both the dev team and fans loved. Naturally, Diablo III is included in that as well.
For example, players can revisit parts of the palace leading up to the fight with Belial in his true form, as well as parts of the Pandemonium realm. There are other scenes drawn from Diablo III as well.
What was important to us was not focusing solely on Diablo and Diablo II. It encompasses Diablo III, Diablo Immortal, and even Diablo: Hellfire.
Iconic figures from the franchise's past, such as Deckard Cain and the Dark Wanderer, are returning as well. What roles will they play in Hell's Legacy, and how will players encounter them?
Dan Tanguay: Deckard Cain and the Dark Wanderer make their return through Season of Hell's Legacy to celebrate Diablo's 30th anniversary.
In the upcoming seasonal storyline, Deckard Cain is focused on rectifying what he feels were past mistakes. Because he carries a degree of guilt regarding those events, Deckard Cain appears with a very clear purpose in this story.
Once he fulfills that purpose, he will likely return to death. He will not remain in a way that continues to exert a larger impact on subsequent seasons as a whole.
The newly introduced Amazon wields weapons like bows and javelins, which might overlap with existing classes in the series. What sets the Amazon's combat apart in Diablo IV?
Brent Gibson: The javelin is a very special weapon for the Amazon. One of our main focuses is bringing out the Amazon's versatility as the ultimate warrior through the javelin.
The javelin is a one-handed weapon that can be thrown from range. However, it can also be used alongside equipment like a shield, opening up new options for melee engagement.
Rather than simply reviving nostalgic build types players enjoyed with the Amazon in past Diablo games, we want to expand that combat system further to allow for far greater customization.
Since we are still in early experimental stages, it is difficult to go into specifics, but that is our current goal.
A Nintendo Switch 2 version of Diablo IV was also announced. Given the portable nature of the hardware, players are curious about offline support. Will players be able to play on the Switch 2 without an internet connection?
Brent Gibson: Our focus right now is delivering the best possible online experience on Nintendo Switch 2. We are thrilled that Diablo IV is coming to this platform—it is something we have discussed for a long time since the beginning.
Personally, I played a ton of Diablo III on Nintendo Switch. I love being able to play on the go. So I'm delighted that Diablo IV is finally coming to this platform; it's a moment we've waited a long time for.
It will not support offline play.
Lastly, the Western Continent is stepping back into the spotlight in Diablo V. In contrast, the areas directly explored in Diablo IV right now are mostly concentrated on the Eastern Continent, including the Skovos Isles, while the current state of western regions like Westmarch, Tristram, and Mount Arreat is only conveyed through fragmented lore. Set 100 years before Diablo V, will players get the chance to witness the western regions through Diablo IV's live service?
Brent Gibson: What we are focusing on right now is the story taking place on the Eastern Continent. And I believe that creates a very interesting relationship with what will expand in Diablo V down the line.
Diablo V is still in early development, and we will continue developing Diablo IV for years to come. Because of that, I think there will be plenty of opportunities to connect the dots between the two narratives.
However, I don't have specific details to share on that here today.
