At BlizzCon 2026, Diablo 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 on the horizon, 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 take. We have new seasons, and the Amazon is on the way. We have a great deal of content in preparation and will continue to support Diablo IV for a long time.
Dan Tanguay: To add to that, we believe expansions are just one of many ways to deliver new experiences to players. Class Packs are another approach, and we recently revealed the Amazon Class Pack.
We are currently exploring ways to connect seasons and Class Packs in new and exciting ways. Through this, we believe we can continue to create dramatic moments and experiences within Diablo IV's story that players might expect from an expansion, just in different formats.
Diablo V takes place 100 years after Diablo IV, set in a world where Diablo ultimately claimed victory. As a result, some Diablo IV players express a sense of futility, feeling that what they are doing in Sanctuary right now might end up being meaningless. Will future Diablo IV storylines address or answer this?
Brent Gibson: No matter which Diablo game's story we craft, we consider the cause and effect of the player's past actions to be extremely important.
Diablo V is set 100 years after the events of Lord of Hatred. And the Lord of Terror has also learned something from what transpired during that time. But 100 years is a very long time.
That leaves a vast space across multiple seasons between now and then to tell so many stories. We know where we want to head, but there is still plenty of room for creative storytelling along the way. We also look forward to seeing where fans think we are going, and if possible, we want to take that journey alongside them.
Dan Tanguay: The Prime Evils are not the only threats to Sanctuary. The storyline that began in Season of Death Awakening—Season 14—will build toward a dramatic conclusion alongside the release of the Amazon. Along the way, players will also face new Aspects of Death.
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 age of peace and prosperity.
Does this mean future Diablo IV storylines will unfold differently from expansions? We are also curious whether the stories told in seasons will be officially incorporated into the canon.
Brent Gibson: Looking back at what we've 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 happening elsewhere in Sanctuary, they are all narrative building blocks set in the same world.
Our team views Sanctuary as a massive world capable of hosting countless stories. Not every story needs to be strictly about Mephisto, Baal, or Diablo.
In the process of building these narratives, some threads connect back to other stories. Conversely, some stories are loved for what they are and conclude right there. At this moment, I cannot say how all these stories will ultimately connect.
However, each narrative we create is an important piece of everything currently happening in Diablo IV. I am personally excited to see where these stories lead as they make their way toward Diablo V.
You mentioned the "Age of Terror," but there has also been continuous feedback 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 chance that a story centered on Diablo will unfold in earnest? Or must we wait until Diablo V?
Brent Gibson: I appreciate the tough question. [Laughs] We are really excited about how Diablo, Baal, and Mephisto are reintroduced through Season of Hell's Legacy.
However, we aren't discussing additional story content beyond that at this time. We are truly looking forward to seeing how fans react to the way we've brought Diablo back for this moment.
It was mentioned that Season of Hell's Legacy lets players relive several iconic scenes from Diablo I and Diablo II. Will content from Diablo III also be included?
Dan Tanguay: Yes, players will be able to relive moments from Diablo III as well. While panels and coverage focused heavily on the return of the three Prime Evils, over the past 30 years of Diablo, there have been so many memorable moments beyond the Prime Evils that both the dev team and fans loved. Naturally, Diablo III is included in that.
For instance, you can revisit parts of the palace leading up to the fight with Belial in his true form, as well as portions of the Pandemonium Realm. There are other scenes drawn from Diablo III as well.
What was important was not focusing solely on Diablo I or Diablo II. It encompasses Diablo III, as well as 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 role will they play in Season of Hell's Legacy, and how will players encounter them?
Dan Tanguay: Deckard Cain and the Dark Wanderer return in Season of Hell's Legacy to celebrate Diablo's 30th anniversary.
In the upcoming seasonal story, Deckard Cain focuses on righting what he feels were past mistakes, as he carries a degree of guilt regarding those events. So in this story, Deckard Cain returns with a very clear purpose.
Once he achieves that purpose, he will likely return to death. He won't remain behind in a way that continuously impacts subsequent seasons as a whole.
The newly added Amazon uses weapons like bows and javelins, which might overlap with other classes in the series. What distinguishes the combat style of Diablo IV's Amazon?
Brent Gibson: The javelin is a very special weapon for the Amazon. One area we are focusing on is how to fully showcase through the javelin the versatility of the Amazon, who can be described as the ultimate warrior.
The javelin is a one-handed weapon that can be thrown at range. However, it can also be paired with equipment like a shield, opening up new tactical options for melee combat.
Rather than simply reviving nostalgic build types players experienced with the Amazon in previous Diablo games, we want to expand that combat system further to allow for far greater customization.
We are still in the early experimental stages, so 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 its handheld nature, players are curious about offline support. Can Diablo IV be played without an internet connection on Switch 2?
Brent Gibson: Our current focus is delivering the best online experience on Nintendo Switch 2. We are thrilled to bring Diablo IV to this platform. It is something we've been discussing for a long time since the beginning.
Personally, I played a ton of Diablo III on the Nintendo Switch. I love being able to play on the go. So I'm delighted that Diablo IV is finally coming to this platform, and this is a moment we've looked forward to for a very long time.
Offline play will not be supported.
Finally, the Western Continent is drawing attention again in Diablo V. In contrast, playable areas in Diablo IV are mostly concentrated on the Eastern Continent, including the Skovos Isles, with current events in western regions like Westmarch, Tristram, and Mount Arreat only conveyed through piecemeal information. At this point, 100 years before Diablo V, will we have the opportunity to see the state of the Western Continent through Diablo IV's live service?
Brent Gibson: What we are talking about right now is a story unfolding on the Eastern Continent. And I think that creates a very interesting relationship with what will expand in Diablo V.
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 anything specific to share here today.
