Diablo 4 General Manager, Rod Fergusson, has made headlines by openly congratulating the developers at Grinding Gear Games on the upcoming launch of Path of Exile 2. This gesture underscores that the competition among action role-playing games (ARPGs) is largely driven by the players themselves, rather than industry animosities.
Both Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2 share notable similarities, being isometric ARPGs set in dark fantasy worlds. Consequently, a narrative of rivalry has emerged within the gaming community. Many players, particularly those dissatisfied with technical issues in Diablo 4 Season 7’s Public Test Realm (PTR), have expressed intentions to shift their allegiance to Path of Exile 2, with some calling it the “Diablo 4 killer.”Influential figures like Asmongold have cautioned that this could result in the game “cannibalizing” Blizzard’s audience.
Promoting Harmony Among Gamers
Despite the competitive atmosphere among players, developers from both titles seem to maintain a strong sense of community. Fergusson took to X to express his excitement about the early access launch of Path of Exile 2, stating:
Before the craziness of launch day tomorrow, I just wanted to say “Congratulations!”to GGG for their Early Access release of Path of Exile 2! My pre-download is finished and I’m looking forward to playing over the holidays. Now to figure out what class to play…
— Rod Fergusson (@RodFergusson) December 5, 2024
Earlier, Fergusson had faced criticism for suggesting that the term “Diablo-like”was becoming synonymous with isometric ARPGs, which some players interpreted as a jab at Path of Exile 2. However, his recent comments indicate a desire to bridge the divide, fostering goodwill rather than rivalry. He continued to emphasize a collaborative gaming culture by acknowledging his anticipation for Path of Exile 2’s early access release.
In a show of solidarity, Diablo 4’s Global Director of Community also proclaimed his intention to explore this “competitor’s”early access version, further promoting a sense of camaraderie among the community. Notably, well-known Diablo 4 content creator Rob2628 remarked, “This is the way! We are all gamers,” in response to Fergusson’s message, with many perceiving this moment as a form of redemption for Fergusson after previous misunderstandings.
The early access version of Path of Exile 2 is set to launch on December 6, 2024 at 11 AM PST, and it promises to be an exciting addition to the ARPG genre that continues to enthrall players globally.
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