Rod Fergusson, the veteran developer best known for helping shape Gears of War into one of Xbox’s flagship series, has officially left Blizzard Entertainment after half a decade overseeing the Diablo franchise.

Fergusson joined Blizzard in early 2020, leaving his position at The Coalition, the Microsoft studio responsible for Gears of War. His arrival marked a major moment for Diablo, as Blizzard prepared multiple large-scale projects under the franchise banner. During his tenure, the studio launched Diablo II: Resurrected, Diablo Immortal, Diablo IV, and the game’s Vessel of Hatred expansion.

In a post shared on social media, Fergusson reflected on his time with Blizzard:

“After five years of driving the Diablo franchise forward with four big launches, it’s time for me to step away from Blizzard and Microsoft, sword in hand, and see what’s next. I’m proud of what we’ve built and grateful for the teams who made it happen.”

His departure drew warm responses from colleagues across the industry. Blizzard President Johanna Faries thanked him for his “incredible leadership and dedication to Diablo’s legacy,” while Xbox head Phil Spencer praised his ability to “bring out the best in teams and deliver world-class experiences.”

Fergusson’s career in games spans more than two decades. Before Gears of War, he worked on titles like BioShock Infinite and held leadership roles at both Epic Games and Irrational Games. His next move has not yet been announced, though his message hinted that he’s ready for a new creative challenge.

For now, Blizzard has not named a successor to the role of Diablo general manager. The franchise remains one of the studio’s most important pillars, and the search for Fergusson’s replacement will likely be closely watched by both fans and industry insiders.