Blizzard had more than game announcements at BlizzCon this weekend. The company also confirmed that it is partnering with Netflix to produce a Diablo series, with discussions underway for potential adaptations of other Blizzard franchises.
Fans have been asking for Blizzard to commit to a TV adaptation for years, largely due to the popularity of the studio’s animated cinematics, particularly those produced for Overwatch. While an Overwatch series is not happening yet, Blizzard is taking its first step into the space with Diablo.
Blizzard president Johanna Faries announced the Netflix partnership during the BlizzCon keynote, confirming that a Diablo series is officially in development. She added that “Diablo, I promise, is just the beginning”, suggesting that Overwatch and Warcraft may also receive adaptations once the Diablo project is underway.
Videogame adaptations have become a major focus for streaming platforms and studios in recent years. Netflix found success with Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, which re‑created CD Projekt Red’s vision of Night City. Amazon has had a major hit with its Fallout series, and HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us also performed well, although reception to its second season was more mixed.
Microsoft, Blizzard’s parent company, has also seen momentum in the film space. The Minecraft movie has performed well, and work has begun on a Call of Duty film. Netflix previously announced plans for a Gears of War live‑action project, although that appears to be on hold for now.
KitGuru Says: Blizzard’s cinematics have always been a standout part of its games, so a Diablo series feels like a natural fit. With that said, I am very surprised that Overwatch wasn’t the first game to get an adaptation.
