Diablo Franchise

News August 16, 2026

David Brevik, the creative force behind Diablo who pitched and designed the original ARPG at Condor before Blizzard acquired the studio, recently sat down for a PC Gamer Disk Cleanup interview exploring his current gaming habits and retrospective views on classic titles that shaped his career.

Brevik's journey in game design began long before Diablo, growing up with Apple II classics like Lode Runner and The Oregon Trail. He studied computer science and worked at numerous software companies before cofounding Condor, where he developed games including NFL Quarterback Club and Justice League Task Force. After Blizzard acquired Condor (renamed Blizzard North), the team exceeded all expectations when Diablo became one of the most influential games ever released.

What's New

Currently playing a resurrected version of Marvel Heroes on fan-made private servers, staying connected with community members he met during his time as creative director and eventual CEO at Gazillion Entertainment. Favorite characters include Thing, Iron Fist, Deadpool, Elektra, and Thor from the Marvel roster. Has been revisiting Minecraft with family and friends, starting fresh servers when major updates arrive. Oldest installed game is Eye of the Beholder, which he describes with a love/hate relationship.

What This Means for Players

For Diablo franchise fans, Brevik's retrospective comments offer insight into the design philosophy that shaped the ARPG genre. His current engagement with Marvel Heroes fan servers demonstrates his continued commitment to community-driven gaming experiences even after games officially shut down. The Eye of the Beholder reference highlights how dungeon crawlers from the Apple II era directly influenced his approach to Diablo's isometric dungeon design.

What's Next

Brevik continues his search for the next big hit at Skystone Games, which has published titles like Tiny Bookshop and Mistfall Hunter. His regular streaming of fan-resurrected Marvel Heroes keeps him connected to ARPG communities who remember his contributions to the genre.