Blizzard Entertainment has confirmed that Diablo 5, the next installment in its popular action RPG series, will explore the past, present, and future of the dark lord Diablo's takeover of Sanctuary, a fictional world in the game's lore. Players will traverse a variety of biomes—distinct regions with unique environments and challenges—overrun by Diablo's Dread Commanders, powerful minions who enforce his will. These biomes can change dynamically depending on which Dread Commander is in control, offering players a fresh experience each time they revisit a location. The game was officially announced at BlizzCon, with senior game director Joe Shely revealing details about the setting. Sanctuary, once a land of mortals, has been reshaped by Diablo and his forces, leaving it in a state of desolation. Players will explore the Western continent, encountering different biomes that have been transformed by the invasion. Shely described the game's narrative as encompassing three distinct timelines: the past, when Diablo first rose to power; the present, marked by the absence of most humans and the presence of rare survivors; and the future, where the land is being actively turned into a hellish outpost by the Dread Commanders. One of the key concepts in Diablo 5 is "terror forming," a term used to describe how Dread Commanders reshape the environment to reflect their own abilities and themes. For example, a biome under the control of the Dread Commander of Undeath might be filled with zombies and decaying structures. However, as the game progresses, these areas can shift again—either reclaimed by human survivors or taken over by a different commander, resulting in entirely new surroundings and gameplay challenges. Narrative director Jennifer Hepler emphasized the flexibility this dynamic world design offers. The procedural generation of environments allows the team to create diverse and evolving experiences for players. As the game develops, players will not only face new threats but also witness how Sanctuary's landscape transforms over time, reflecting the ongoing struggle between the forces of darkness and the remnants of humanity. Diablo 5 is currently in development and is expected to release in Spring 2029.