Blizzard has revealed that, while it would love to bring its action RPG, Diablo 4, to the Nintendo Switch 2, the company is still figuring out how to bring over the title’s live-service elements to the hybrid console. In an interview with Gamertag Radio, Diablo general manager at Blizzard, Rod Fergusson, spoke about plans for Diablo 4 in 2025, as well as the possibility of bringing the title to the Switch 2.
According to Fergusson, Blizzard definitely notices an opportunity to bring the action RPG to the Switch 2. This is further evidenced by the company having previously brought Diablo 3, as well as Diablo 2 Resurrected to the original Switch as well.
“I think there’s opportunity there for sure,” Fergusson said. “I mean, we have Diablo 3 and Diablo 2 Resurrected already on the Switch, and with backwards compatibility it’ll be playable on Switch 2.”
Fergusson believes that, thanks to the more powerful hardware in the Switch 2, performance isn’t an issue when it comes to a Diablo 4 port for the platform. Rather, the hurdle for the studio is figuring out the live-service elements of the online-only game, and how these features could be brought over to the Switch 2.
“It’s nice the Switch 2 has the performance that can run a game like Diablo 4, so yeah, it’s something to look at for sure,” he said. “I think the challenge is less around the hardware and just about how we… you know, live services on Switch have been a little bit challenging in the past.”
“So I’m hopeful that as they launch this June and as we look to the future, that becomes easier and easier, so it makes more sense to put a live service on that platform.”
For context, while the Switch 2 will be perfectly capable of connecting to the Internet in order to play online-only game, the console’s handheld features are also a big part of its feature set. A big selling point for several Switch owners was the fact that it could also work as a portable console that could be taken along on trips or commutes.
Diablo 4, while potentially playable on the Switch 2 as long as it is connected to the Internet, will likely not work when a player decides to take the Switch 2 out with them. Even with the use of modern technologies like Wi-Fi tethering through smartphones, the connection would be too spotty to ensure a pleasant playing experience for an online-only title like Diablo 4. Previous rumours have also indicated that Blizzard has been working on a Switch 2 port of the game.
Earlier this month, Blizzard had revealed its roadmap for Diablo 4 in 2025. A host of new content is planned for the game, including the return of Belial between April and July, as well as future content like Sins of the Horadrim from July to September, and Infernal Chaos from September to December.
Diablo 4 is currently available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Blizzard has committed to developing more content for the game moving forward, and back in March, a developer also spoke about wanting the game to “be around for years”.
