Blizzard Shares Insights on Early Announcements for Diablo 5 and a New StarCraft Game

Blizzard has some exciting plans for Diablo 5, but players will have to wait until spring 2029 to dive in. A new StarCraft is also in the works, with a release set for 2030. So why is Blizzard generating buzz around these high-profile sequels and spin-offs that are still years away? According to Johanna Faries, president of the Xbox subsidiary, it’s all about laying the groundwork for the next five years and demonstrating to fans that they can deliver on their promises.

“We want to convey confidence in some of our biggest bets coming forward,” Faries shared in a recent interview. “We’re a Blizzard that’s going to ship, and ship big, and ship on time, with all hands on deck to set those projects up for success.”

This approach is quite bold, especially given how often timelines shift, particularly for projects that may still be in the early stages of development. Diablo 4 was first announced at BlizzCon 2019, originally slated for a 2022 release, but it faced delays and finally launched in 2023 amid significant changes within the company.

Traditionally, Blizzard hasn’t been known for locking in release dates. That’s more in line with the Call of Duty model, where multiple studios work in unison to ensure a blockbuster sequel hits the shelves annually. It’s unclear if this new direction is influenced by a strategy from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who is reportedly encouraging studios to focus on delivering major sequels and spin-offs more consistently.

However, Blizzard’s ambitious lineup, which was showcased at BlizzCon 2026, will also have to navigate through a wave of 1,600 layoffs occurring within Xbox over the next year. Faries emphasized the importance of maintaining Blizzard’s creative culture, describing the fan convention as a vital space for both developers and players.

“Preserving that has been my ultimate focus,” she stated. “The unique special sauce that is Blizzard both culturally and creatively. And to the extent that we can perform well for Microsoft, I think that should be seen as a mutual win.”