Former Blizzard Leader Criticizes Diablo’s Direction Under Mike Ybarra, Who Claims “I Don’t Have to Work Anymore”

In a display of trademark restraint, Thomas Mahler, the head of Moon Studios and creator of Ori, has taken to social media to critique Diablo, Blizzard, former president Mike Ybarra, and popular action RPGs like Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2, sparking a classic Twitter showdown.

This all kicked off on December 30, 2025, when Mahler promoted his own action RPG, urging streamers to showcase their skills by playing No Rest for the Wicked instead of the more mainstream titles. Ybarra quickly chimed in, suggesting that belittling other games to promote one’s own isn’t effective and that games should stand on their own merits.

Another user suggested that Moon Studios should focus on finishing their game rather than targeting competitors. Mahler responded, claiming he was merely teasing. When another commenter mentioned performance issues with No Rest for the Wicked, Mahler shot back, implying that only those with high-end machines could handle it, while also taking a jab at games that look like they were made by students.

On December 31, Mahler escalated the exchange, directly addressing Ybarra. He criticized the way Diablo has been handled, lamenting that the franchise, once a hallmark of quality, has been reduced to a microtransaction-driven model. He specifically referenced a $65 currency bundle that included a horse armor cosmetic, which had drawn significant backlash from the community.

Mahler emphasized the need for executives to take responsibility for the decline of beloved franchises, referencing Ybarra’s earlier comments about uncertainty regarding Diablo’s future. He expressed sadness over the state of games today, asserting that the industry has lost its way.

Ybarra couldn’t resist responding, reiterating that while Mahler is free to critique other games, disparaging Diablo and Path of Exile to promote his own game is misguided. He suggested that Mahler should concentrate on his project instead.

Mahler countered by expressing respect for the developers at Grinding Gear Games, arguing that if Blizzard had done its job properly, it wouldn’t have lost its status as the leader in the ARPG genre. He questioned the justification for the high price of in-game items and held Ybarra accountable for the damage done to the Diablo franchise during his tenure.

Ybarra fired back, stating he no longer needs to work while Mahler does, and implied that future partners would take note of Mahler’s public comments. He wished Mahler and his team well but advised him to focus on his game.

In response, Mahler reminded Ybarra that Moon Studios is independent and not reliant on any publisher, questioning whether Ybarra could understand that given his corporate background. He expressed his passion for game development and pointed out that Ybarra’s departure from Blizzard under unclear circumstances didn’t reflect well on him.

As the year turned, it was clear that the Twitter exchanges were anything but calm, showcasing the intense emotions and rivalries that can exist in the gaming industry.

In other news, the head of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 recently rated The Outer Worlds 2 a “7/10,” expressing hopes that Obsidian invests heavily in RPGs reminiscent of Fallout New Vegas and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.