[Rumour Mill] Possible D2R update on the way in 2025?

Breakyobaals wrote:

As of today, we know that Blizzard is planning to conduct a focus group in July, specifically related to D2R. This was confirmed true earlier this week from multiple sources. The exact details and motive for the study are currently unknown.

We also know that they are actively hiring a software developer for a "Diablo legacy" role & this one as well, both posted in April 2025. Could it just be D1? Possible, but unlikely.

We will continue to provide updates to the community as we are able to confirm specifics.

Source on Reddit

@breakyobaals (the /r/Diablo_2_Resurrected subreddit admin) linked me this update via private message this morning. I took a look at the job listings themselves because it piqued my interest...

They are not massively revealing, but there is mention of C/C++ which we know D2R is coded in (LoD is C, Resurrected C++). It could also be D1R (also C) as

Baal already pointed out.

The first listing mentions 'familiarity with Diablo II' specifically.

Could these just be maintenance mode hires to keep the servers alive, or is something bigger potentially on the way? The Responsibilities descriptions suggest the former to me - 'stability, performance, and reliability'.

Listing 1

Blizzard wrote:

Responsibilities

• Improve the stability, performance, and reliability of the Diablo franchise games.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to develop, deploy, and maintain critical game systems in both development and production environments.
• Diagnose and resolve complex technical issues affecting game stability, networking, and infrastructure.
• Improve existing systems based on data from automated builds, player reports, and internal testing.
• Participate in on-call rotations and incident resolution to ensure smooth operations.
• Contribute to multiple technical disciplines, including backend, frontend, gameplay, tools, and pipelines.

Minimum Requirements

• 3+ years of experience writing production-level code in a professional environment.
• Proficiency in C/C++, along with experience in scripting languages such as C#, Python, or Lua.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to quickly understand complex systems and anticipate the impact of changes.
• Experience with OS, networking, and server design concepts in a game development or software engineering context.

Bonus

• Previous experience shipping video game titles or other software.
• Familiarity with Diablo II and Diablo III (even at a casual level).
• Experience with Jenkins, Git, Perforce, SVN, Perl, Angular, React, or .NET.

Listing 2

Blizzard wrote:

Responsibilities

• Improve the stability, performance, and reliability of the Diablo franchise games.
• Take ownership of deploying and maintaining critical systems across development and production environments.
• Proactively identify, troubleshoot, and resolve complex technical issues affecting live operations.
• Optimize existing infrastructure and tools based on incident data, telemetry, and performance metrics.
• Contribute to multiple technical disciplines, including backend, frontend, gameplay, tools, and pipelines.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to develop, deploy, and maintain critical game systems in both development and production environments.

Minimum Requirements

• 3+ years of professional programming experience, preferably in game development or live services.
• Expertise in C++ programming and working with large, established codebases.
• Familiarity with Windows & Linux OS, networking, and server design concepts.
• Experience maintaining and developing live-service infrastructure.
• Ability to take initiative, drive technical improvements, and contribute to multiple areas of game development.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze system architecture and anticipate the impact of changes.

Bonus

• Experience shipping video game titles or working with large-scale software systems.
• Proficiency in scripting languages (Python, C#, Lua) for automation and tooling.
• Experience in one or more areas of client development (e.g., Gameplay, Engine, Graphics, UI)
• Background in distributed systems and network protocols (low- and high-level).

What do you guys think? Poll is up.

To answer your question, yes. I do think you should apply to the job and secretly make all the D2R changes we've been wanting.

Knappogue wrote: 3 weeks ago

To answer your question, yes. I do think you should apply to the job and secretly make all the D2R changes we've been wanting.

I know this is a joke but in all seriousness I have actually applied several times for 'Diablo' (and Diablo 2-specific) product manager roles that have come up on the Blizz job site the past. Never heard back from them unfortunately. I think that they only really seriously consider people who can move to Irvine California.

Just to comment here. Xtimus, Shadow, and myself noticed these jobs postings even upwards of 6-8+ months ago. It could insinuate a possible new hire that would focus on legacy which includes D2R, but this is speculation at best.

Also very curious on his first sentence [statement] about a focus group. Sure, this could be Diablo Partner related specifics, but that is not clearly publicly confirmed anywhere by Blizzard. Does he have evidence of this?

Th3ory wrote: 3 weeks ago

Also very curious on his first sentence [statement] about a focus group. Sure, this could be Diablo Partner related specifics, but that is not clearly publicly confirmed anywhere by Blizzard. Does he have evidence of this?

Someone asked in the Reddit thread who the sources were and he just responded that they don’t name sources. I think it'd be hard for him to provide evidence without outing his sources. So, you just have to take his word for it. Or not.

The focus group thing is based on a letter someone posted about an Aussie focus group that's planned to happen in a few weeks. But all we have is that letter, we've heard nothing else.

As for the job postings, those sound maintenance-y, but a higher level of maintenance than mere life support. It'd be consistent with continued occasional patches, I think. Which is all I really expect these days - not like we're ever going to see Act 6 or anything else LoD-sized, and we probably wouldn't even want it.

Teebling wrote: 3 weeks ago

Knappogue wrote: 3 weeks ago

To answer your question, yes. I do think you should apply to the job and secretly make all the D2R changes we've been wanting.

I know this is a joke but in all seriousness I have actually applied several times for 'Diablo' (and Diablo 2-specific) product manager roles that have come up on the Blizz job site the past. Never heard back from them unfortunately. I think that they only really seriously consider people who can move to Irvine California.

I'm up for any improvement to the game, especially something like cross-platform play. I've long hoped that one day an expansion would come but instead Blizzard gave us D4.

Edit: Teeb, Blizzard could use someone like you who has Insight into what D2 players like, so give it a go and apply for the job.

Having some job listed doesn’t mean they are really want/hire someone. US companies are well known for that!

ShadowHeart wrote: 3 weeks ago

Th3ory wrote: 3 weeks ago

Also very curious on his first sentence [statement] about a focus group. Sure, this could be Diablo Partner related specifics, but that is not clearly publicly confirmed anywhere by Blizzard. Does he have evidence of this?

Someone asked in the Reddit thread who the sources were and he just responded that they don’t name sources. I think it'd be hard for him to provide evidence without outing his sources. So, you just have to take his word for it. Or not.

Get it and assumed as much. I am not a pessimist suggesting NO updates would ever occur in the game. I don't think they are giving up altogether. But roles have been posted for sometime now.

Guess we can just be patient and see...

Blizzard wrote:

[*]Familiarity with Diablo II and Diablo III (even at a casual level).

This doesn't sound well. Like a job for a 'generic' developer/devOps, focusing on compatibility and performance of 20 years old game on modern systems, not someone creating actual content.
Unless such a 'generic' dev worked with a dedicated design team, but that'd be too expensive for a game you pay for once.

Knappogue wrote: 3 weeks ago

To answer your question, yes. I do think you should apply to the job and secretly make all the D2R changes we've been wanting.

Too late for that. Those pesky version control systems (read: git) are everywhere...

Alsadius wrote: 3 weeks ago

As for the job postings, those sound maintenance-y, but a higher level of maintenance than mere life support. It'd be consistent with continued occasional patches, I think. Which is all I really expect these days - not like we're ever going to see Act 6 or anything else LoD-sized, and we probably wouldn't even want it.

Yeah, my impression is they want someone capable of making sure things keep working first of all, BUT also someone capable of working/cooperating on more extensive patches, ie nothing like an A6, but almost definitely adding minor stuff like more runewords and longterm fixing of annoyances and bugs.

So, maybe 80% "keep things running"/"solve problems that comes up" and 20% "new content"/"bug/annoyances fixing".

While not super encouraging, it does suggest at least some positive thinking about the future.

Teebling wrote: 3 weeks ago

What do you guys think? Poll is up.

You're missing the 4th option.

MOSTLY maintenance mode, but with some more minor new content and software fixing.
Because the listings does not quite look like just for pure maintenance.

I was actually just thinking the other night what a D1R would look like. If they tried to overhaul the game to todays playstyle and gameplay (ie fast movement and lots of loot), it would really kill the game. If they left the core of the game alone and just updated the graphics I'd be all over it.

Hey All, I will continue tracking any information I can find, and will relay it to the community if it can be substantiated.

as far as the poll options go I didn't vote 'maintenance mode' because I feel like that's the current base line and either that will continue or it will change, and I happen to think the only constant in life is change.

That left the other two options and of those two I decided to go real long shot here and vote for Diablo 1 Resurrected. Doing an expansion pack for D2R probably makes more sense tho and is probably 'easier/more economical'.

Stofsk wrote: 3 weeks ago

as far as the poll options go I didn't vote 'maintenance mode' because I feel like that's the current base line and either that will continue or it will change

Point. I therefore changed my vote to expansion pack, because it's closer to what i expect.

I don't expect something as big as an actual expansion pack, but i do think there will be more "minor" material added.

Finally, a long awaited Merman's Sprocket and Spirit Keeper will arrive! T-too much...?

P.S. You can be our eyes and ears in there Mr. Teebling!

https://x.com/PezRadar/status/1934774337791492274

https://www.blizzard.com/en-us/research

Update from Pez.

How long has this 'Research' thing been around? I signed up and completed a basic survey which asked me about which Blizzard games I've played, my experience level in each of them, how often I play, which purchase models I like etc. Hopefully I get picked up for a Diablo 2 study at some point!

Teebling wrote: 3 weeks ago

https://x.com/PezRadar/status/1934774337791492274

https://www.blizzard.com/en-us/research

Update from Pez.

How long has this 'Research' thing been around? I signed up and completed a basic survey which asked me about which Blizzard games I've played, my experience level in each of them, how often I play, which purchase models I like etc. Hopefully I get picked up for a Diablo 2 study at some point!

IMG_8940.jpeg

The post you're referring to by Pez was made on "8:45 PM · Jun 16, 2025. There doesn't seem to be an origin date for the survey. He can be contacted on X.

Is that the same "research group" that went "you don't want wow classic, trust us!"?