{"id":105730,"date":"2024-12-19T13:01:14","date_gmt":"2024-12-19T13:01:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thegeek.games\/?p=105730"},"modified":"2024-12-19T12:18:57","modified_gmt":"2024-12-19T12:18:57","slug":"veterans-behind-diablo-1-and-2-raise-4-5m-for-a-new-arpg-packed-with-classic-thrills-and-fresh-twists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thegeek.games\/2024\/12\/19\/veterans-behind-diablo-1-and-2-raise-4-5m-for-a-new-arpg-packed-with-classic-thrills-and-fresh-twists\/","title":{"rendered":"Veterans Behind Diablo 1 and 2 Raise $4.5M for a New ARPG Packed with Classic Thrills and Fresh Twists"},"content":{"rendered":"
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With the success of Diablo 4<\/em>, the release of its Vessel of Hatred<\/em> expansion, and the early access debut of Path of Exile 2<\/em>, action RPG fans are enjoying a golden age of loot-filled adventures. In this exciting landscape, Moon Beast Productions\u2014a studio founded in 2021 by veterans of Diablo 1<\/em> and 2<\/em>\u2014is preparing to contribute its own unique vision to the genre. The team recently secured $4.5 million in seed funding to bring their ambitious project to life.<\/p>\n A press release celebrating the studio\u2019s funding milestone explained that Moon Beast is \u201ccharting a new course for action RPGs,\u201d<\/em> and with its founders’ impressive track records, it\u2019s clear they have a keen sense of where the genre can evolve. Erich Schaefer, Moon Beast\u2019s chief creative officer, began his ARPG career as lead designer for Diablo 1<\/em>. Later, he teamed up with CEO Phil Shenk and president Peter Hu on iconic titles like Diablo 2<\/em>, Hellgate: London<\/em>, and Torchlight<\/em>.<\/p>\n The studio\u2019s investors include 1AM Gaming, 1UP Ventures, Overwolf, and a diverse network of angel investors, including Gaingels, Cohh Carnage, and Zynga founder Mark Pincus\u2014though fans may recall some polarizing Farmville<\/em> memories from that last name.<\/p>\n “For the past two decades, we’ve envisioned ARPG gameplay in dynamic, open worlds,”<\/em> Schaefer stated in the press release. “Now, with the latest technological advancements and decades of design experience, we\u2019re ready to make those visions a reality. We\u2019re revisiting the magic of the early Diablo games while exploring new, exciting directions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Details about Moon Beast\u2019s ARPG remain under wraps until next year, but president Peter Hu emphasized the importance of player-created content\u2014or \u201cmods,\u201d in less formal terms\u2014as a cornerstone of their design philosophy. “Our world-building technology is inherently dynamic, making it remarkably easy for players to create and integrate their own content,”<\/em> Hu explained. “We\u2019re designing in-game tools that will allow players to not just modify the game but create entirely new modes using our advanced ARPG client-server systems.”<\/em><\/p>\n CEO Phil Shenk drew comparisons to the emergence of MOBAs from Warcraft 3<\/em> mods, stating: “Our user-generated content tools could inspire entirely new genres built on ARPG mechanics and systems.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n It\u2019s an ambitious vision, but the malleable nature of ARPGs has proven its potential. Grinding Gear Games has demonstrated this versatility through Path of Exile<\/em>\u2019s leagues and updates, integrating tower defense mechanics, settlement building, and more into the Diablo<\/em>-like core gameplay. Meanwhile, Blizzard continues experimenting with its open-world ARPG concept in each new Diablo 4<\/em> season.<\/p>\n (The image is a Gemini AI generated artwork and not the actual artwork of the game, because it doesn’t exist yet.)<\/p>\n