Rod Fergusson is leaving Microsoft but once more, as he has introduced that he’s transferring on his place at Blizzard after 5 years of engaged on the Diablo franchise. It is unclear why he’s leaving his place at Blizzard, however he has helped ship main video games within the collection, together with the Diablo II: Resurrected remaster, the Diablo Immortal cellular entry, and the newest mainline launch, Diablo IV.

Fergusson is thought for his work on the Gears of Battle franchise, at each Epic Video games and Microsoft in earlier a long time. His newest departure was introduced by way of social media earlier at this time, the place he mentioned, “It is time for me to step away from Blizzard/Microsoft, sword in hand, and see what’s subsequent.”

“The groups are arrange for fulfillment, with an thrilling slate of releases forward,” he added, teasing at what could also be popping out of Blizzard’s Diablo improvement groups sooner or later.

Blizzard President Johanna Faries thanked him for his time at Blizzard with a social media put up as nicely, saying that “Guiding a franchise like Diablo takes uncommon expertise, imaginative and prescient, and collaboration.” In the meantime, CEO of Microsoft Gaming Phil Spencer additionally chimed in so as to add that “You introduced energy, hellfire, and imaginative and prescient to one in every of gaming’s most iconic franchises. Enjoying Diablo IV with you was a blast—thanks for all the pieces you gave to the sport and the neighborhood.”

Apparently, this technically counts because the third time he has departed a Microsoft-owned sport developer. His first stint at Microsoft lasted virtually 10 years, with him leaving the corporate and becoming a member of Epic Video games in 2005 to deliver forth the Gears of Battle franchise. Then in 2014, he returned to Microsoft to affix The Coalition studio and handle Gears of Battle as soon as once more.

Following that, Fergusson joined Blizzard Leisure in 2020 for overseeing the Diablo franchise, however when Microsoft acquired the Activision-Blizzard group in 2023, he grew to become a Microsoft studio member as soon as extra.

Fergusson didn’t give any hints at the place he’s aiming to take his online game administration expertise subsequent. We must wait and see the place the Gears of Battle and Diablo veteran finally ends up now to steer. It is also unclear who will likely be taking his place at Blizzard now.