Rod Fergusson, previously head of Gears of War, leaves Microsoft for a third time, this time overseeing the Diablo series, carrying a sword as a symbol of his departure after five years, stating, "I'm proud of what we've achieved."
Rod Fergusson, a prominent figure in the gaming industry, has announced his departure from Blizzard Entertainment after five years of overseeing the Diablo franchise. Fergusson joined Blizzard in 2020, marking a significant milestone in his career that spans over two decades.
Fergusson started his career at Microsoft in 1996, working on games ranging from Microsoft Train Simulator on PC to Xbox launch title Blood Wake. He later moved to Epic Games, where he spent seven years, and BioShock developer Irrational Games for two years. In 2014, he returned to Microsoft to lead the Gears of War franchise. His tenure at Blizzard began in 2020, when he took charge of the Diablo franchise, eventually seeing him rejoining Microsoft.
During his time at Blizzard, Fergusson oversaw the release of four major Diablo titles, including Diablo IV (2023) and its expansion Vessel of Hatred. His leadership is credited for setting up Diablo for an amazing year ahead. Phil Spencer, Xbox boss, expressed appreciation for Fergusson's contributions to the Diablo series.
The official Diablo account made a statement regarding Fergusson's departure, acknowledging his significant impact on the franchise. However, Blizzard did not announce a successor for his role, and Fergusson himself mentioned leaving to "explore new opportunities," but no specifics have been provided.
In a related development, the Microsoft bloodbath continues with the death of Contraband, a '70s co-op game. The studio behind open-world hit Just Cause is involved with Contraband, but Hideo Kojima's OD is the only project seemingly safe amidst the Microsoft layoffs.
Fergusson announced his departure via the social media platform Bluesky, marking his third departure from Microsoft in his career. His future projects and new endeavours remain undisclosed as of now.
[1] GameSpot, "Rod Fergusson Leaves Blizzard After Five Years Overseeing Diablo Franchise", link
[3] IGN, "Rod Fergusson Leaves Blizzard After Five Years Overseeing Diablo Franchise", link
- Fergusson's leadership in the gaming industry extends over two decades, including stints at Microsoft, Epic Games, Irrational Games, and Blizzard Entertainment.
- Besides overseeing the Diablo franchise at Blizzard, Fergusson is also known for leading the Gears of War franchise at Microsoft.
- Fergusson's contribution to Diablo extends to the release of four major titles, including Diablo IV (2023) and its expansion Vessel of Hatred.
- Apart from gaming, Phil Spencer, Xbox boss, expressed appreciation for Fergusson's contributions to the Diablo series.
- Fergusson's future in the gaming industry remains undisclosed as he explores new opportunities outside Blizzard Entertainment.
- Despite the Microsoft bloodbath that claimed Contraband, the project helmed by Hideo Kojima's OD seems to be one of the few safe spots amidst layoffs in the company.
