Diablo 5 Reveals Unexpected Link to Dragon Age

Diablo 5 has generated significant excitement at BlizzCon 2026, and RPG enthusiasts should take note of the impressive talent behind its development. Game director Joe Shely and production director Tiffany Wat, both veterans of the series, are leading the charge, but the addition of Jennifer Brandes Hepler as the narrative director is particularly noteworthy. Hepler, a former BioWare writer, brings a wealth of experience to the table.

Fans of Dragon Age will be thrilled to see Hepler’s narrative expertise shine through once again in 2029. She played a crucial role as a senior writer at BioWare, contributing to the first three Dragon Age titles. Her work notably enriched the dwarven lore of Thedas and helped shape many beloved characters from Dragon Age 2 and Dragon Age: Inquisition. For those who appreciate the storytelling and character development of the original trilogy, her involvement in Diablo 5 significantly enhances the game’s narrative prospects.

While Dragon Age 2 has gained a more favorable reputation over time, its initial reception was mixed, with players criticizing its narrower scope and combat mechanics. Following the game’s launch, Hepler faced backlash due to comments she made years earlier about combat in games, which were unfairly used to blame her for the sequel’s shortcomings. This led to a distressing wave of harassment and threats, prompting her departure from BioWare in 2013. Since then, she has contributed to various projects and advocated for women in the gaming industry. Her legacy includes impactful work on Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age: Inquisition, and public sentiment towards Dragon Age 2 has evolved positively. In 2025, Hepler joined the Diablo 5 team at Blizzard Entertainment, marking her return to AAA RPG development.

During a recent group Q&A, Hepler hinted at the player’s connection to Diablo in the upcoming game, stating, “it’s going to be a very core part of the story, and we want to really let the player feel like it is their own story to shape.”

Blizzard has revealed that Diablo 5 takes place in a world where Diablo has triumphed and seized control of the western continent. The narrative will revolve around a close-knit caravan of characters resisting these dark forces. The emphasis on caravans and well-crafted companion characters certainly evokes memories of Dragon Age, leading to a discussion about how Hepler’s previous RPG experience has influenced Diablo 5’s storytelling.

“Definitely the caravan, I think, brings some of the best elements of traditional RPGs into Diablo’s ARPG format, of giving you that sort of Baldur’s Gate or Dragon Age campsite where you can interact with your followers,” Hepler explained. “They’re not going to be Dragon Age followers where you level up their skills and give them clothing and stuff, but they will be followers with personalities and coming back to them. So I think that my experience with traditional RPGs has definitely been a strength in building that out.”

Diablo 5 is set to launch in spring 2029. Meanwhile, there are no confirmed plans for a new Dragon Age title, as BioWare is currently focused on the next Mass Effect installment.