Blizzard has updated us on how far along Diablo III has come saying they're "still building" but doing it "very fast" now they're confident with it. There are still areas that "aren't made yet", with the studio still putting in new monsters and "working on bosses". It's "similar" in size to Diablo II.
Blizzard has slapped down dollar bills to hire rock duo Jack Black and Kyle Glass - aka Tenacious D - to bring this year's BlizzCon to a close. Last year they had Ozzy Osbourne wrap things up. BlizzCon 2010 takes place in Anaheim, California on October 22nd and 23rd. Tickets sold out.
Blizzard's Rob Pardo says the industry is witnessing "a shift in consumer behaviour," as more and more are opening to digital distribution services. Numbers of gamers wanting to get their games "in that direction" are rising; makes perfect sense for World of Warcraft. Doubts retail "would ever go away".
Blizzard's Jason Bender has said the studio choose to use a "Call of Duty-style progression" system for Diablo III's PvP arena battles. This allows the experience to be "inherently fun" by removing the need to grind for loot in PvP. It's designed purely for "fun and for bragging rights."
Blizzard's senior designer Jason Bender feels that Diablo III is in fact already "suited to consoles", though the team is "obviously" working on PC. The whole Diablo series heading to console is an "ongoing question" for Blizzard noted Bender, but right now they're "just focused" on their work.
Blizzard has revealed that it's looking for a few senior console-related positions for Diablo III, as the developer is exploring the idea of releasing a console version. Platforms will no doubt be PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. "We're exploring a Diablo-related concept for consoles and are currently looking to fill a few senior console-related positions on the Diablo III team," said a job listing on the Diablo III community page.
World of Warcraft's Blizzard has confirmed that 'Titan' is the studio's "next gen MMO" and that's only because they want to "leverage" it as a recruiting tool. A leaked document supposedly reveals Titan is due in late 2013, however Blizzard would only confirm that 'Titan' is their next MMO project. Diablo III is next.
Blizzard's Diablo III will certainly steal the PC spotlight for action-RPG gamers, but Torchlight's Max Schaefer of Runic Games thinks it great. He only sees it "as a good thing" for the genre, and therefore Torchlight 2. It'll "delay whatever we're working on", he jokes. The MMO is still planned.
Blizzard has announced the sixth annual BlizzCon event and it's being held on Friday, October 21st and Saturday, October 22nd. Tickets have sold out. Kidding! You'll have the chance to have your heart crushed by that later in the year. BlizzCon celebrates all things Blizzard-like, except for the snowy kind.
Great news from Activision Blizzard's Q4 fiscal call as Blizzard is confirmed to be unleashing at least two videogames by the end of next year. So providing the world doesn't abruptly end (thanks Mayan 'scientists'), we could be playing something like Diablo III or StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm.
Blizzard wants to release Diablo III this year. Rob Pardo, VP of Blizzard states regarding a 2011 release for Diablo III, "Will I be christening my new computer with Diablo III this year? We really, really hope so. That’s our goal. Our goal is to get there. But you know, at the end of the day, we are going to get it right. That’s more important. We’re going to promise, we’re going to get it out there when it’s awesome. And, we’re crossing our fingers, maybe it will be this year."
A recently found job ad for Blizzard seeks a senior developer with "at least one AAA console title" to their name. This translated into 'Diablo III for consoles'. However Blizzard clarify that this doesn't confirm any such thing. They're"exploring" a Diablo related project for consoles. Diablo III is "first and foremost" for PC.
The Blizzard developers working on Diablo III enjoy playing Torchlight, and are looking forward to Torchlight II, reports Eurogamer. The team doesn’t feel threatened by the game – not from a “we’re too big to care” standpoint, but from the standpoint that they enjoy playing it and get inspired to make Diablo III better from it. It doesn’t hurt Torchlight was developed by the original Diablo team.
World of Warcraft is Blizzard's sole MMO and they won't be turning their backs on it, as COO Paul Sams affirms they "absolutely positively" will continue support. Their new MMO is in fact "more complementary than competitive" to WoW. Their new online world will snare "a lot of hearts and minds" thanks to "dream team".
Paul Sams, Blizzard COO, has said their new MMO in the works "will eclipse" World of Warcraft in terms of success and interest from fans of the studio. 'Titan' is going to be their "next big thing" after Diablo III. He adds that many WoW veterans are "full time" on the new MMO, bringing over their experience.
Blizzard co-founder Frank Pearce says they "recognize that somewhere, sometime" World of Warcraft's populace will be cannibalized, but hopefully by 'Titan'. At least that way they're "still a Blizzard customer." There's plenty more room for big MMO titles "to share customers," and grow the global MMO market.
Keeping development of World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, Diablo III and the 'Titan' MMO project forever held close to the Blizzard studio chest is hard work. Amazingly those are just the ones Blizzard let us get our gamer noses stuck into, because they've actually got "lots of projects" behind closed doors.
Back in 2001 Blizzard North began work on Diablo III but it could have been a very different demonic beast that what it is today reveals Runic Games' Max Schaefer. The former Blizzard man says they were "going the MMO route," as they wanted a much bigger world with "many more players" able to join in. WoW 'not an issue'.
The Blizzard development plate is already heavy with Diablo III, StarCraft II and their new 'Titan' MMO, but they've obviously got a side-dish or two spare. The veteran PC studio outfit wants a software engineer for their "newest game team". It doesn't appear linked to 'Titan' as it's under a different category.
We have the alleged box art for Blizzard's Diablo III now available to drool over provided the Polish retailer didn't just get bored and make up a placeholder. It looks rather convincing and appears to advertise a code for World of Warcraft on the front, which StarCraft 2 did. This is as close as we can get right now people!