Despite an entire week of misleading ice and blue-lit eyes that was supposed to make people think it was the Lich King, Blizzard unveiled earlier today one of the most anticipated game releases in a long time, Diablo 3. It wasn't the best kept secret, as the week leading up to the event had the entire gaming community buzzing with rumors (and hopes) of a sequel to one of Blizzard's big three properties.
Diablo is one of Blizzard's most popular properties, along with Warcraft and Starcraft. The first game in the series, a dark fantasy role-playing game, was released in 1997 to much critical success. Its sequel, Diablo 2, was released in 2000, with equally glowing reviews. Diablo received a 9.6 on GameSpot's review, the highest score on a PC game to date. Diablo 2 holds a spot in the Guiness Book of World Records for being the fastest selling computer game ever sold, with more than 1 million units sold in its first two weeks of release. It still holds the record to date.
At the Worldwide Invitational, lead designer for Diablo 3 Jay Wilson, formerly of Relic Entertainment and designer on Warhammer 40K Dawn of War, spoke about the game. The latest sequel will be a 3D hack and slash with an isometric view, with at least one familiar class -- the Barbarian, an interface with health and mana bubbles. The game world will have destructible environments and quest or story events, "more so than previous games." Alongside the old (yet new) Barbarian class is the new Witch Doctor class, with spells and a pet mechanic. Diablo 3 will also see the return of Deckard Cain, one of Diablo's most popular characters.
Update: The official site is up, with screenshots, artwork, and the cinematic and gameplay videos. And oh, a kickass picture of Tyrael. Stay a while, and listen!
Diablo is one of Blizzard's most popular properties, along with Warcraft and Starcraft. The first game in the series, a dark fantasy role-playing game, was released in 1997 to much critical success. Its sequel, Diablo 2, was released in 2000, with equally glowing reviews. Diablo received a 9.6 on GameSpot's review, the highest score on a PC game to date. Diablo 2 holds a spot in the Guiness Book of World Records for being the fastest selling computer game ever sold, with more than 1 million units sold in its first two weeks of release. It still holds the record to date.
At the Worldwide Invitational, lead designer for Diablo 3 Jay Wilson, formerly of Relic Entertainment and designer on Warhammer 40K Dawn of War, spoke about the game. The latest sequel will be a 3D hack and slash with an isometric view, with at least one familiar class -- the Barbarian, an interface with health and mana bubbles. The game world will have destructible environments and quest or story events, "more so than previous games." Alongside the old (yet new) Barbarian class is the new Witch Doctor class, with spells and a pet mechanic. Diablo 3 will also see the return of Deckard Cain, one of Diablo's most popular characters.
Update: The official site is up, with screenshots, artwork, and the cinematic and gameplay videos. And oh, a kickass picture of Tyrael. Stay a while, and listen!
WoW Insider is on the ground in Paris at the Blizzard Invitational bringing you the big announcements and latest Wrath news as it happens. Check out our latest coverage!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
6-28-2008 @ 6:20AM
happycow said...
sneeky Blizzard, thats why we love them so. This is fantastic. Now... the next big question...
WHEN???
Reply
6-30-2008 @ 2:33PM
Ikarus said...
My guess? 2012. This is blizzard we're taking about after all
6-28-2008 @ 6:21AM
Draenors said...
NOT EVEN DEATH CAN SAVE YOU FROM ME!
Reply
6-28-2008 @ 6:21AM
StoNe said...
OMFG D3!!!!
BOUT TIME!!!! :D :D :D
Reply
6-28-2008 @ 6:21AM
Max said...
This sucks. I've never like RTS's.
Reply
6-28-2008 @ 6:24AM
StoNe said...
RTS???
ummm....I think you're thinking of Warcraft :D
6-28-2008 @ 6:24AM
slimj091 said...
Diablo wasn't... Isn't an RTS ya dingbat.
6-28-2008 @ 1:37PM
Ghantu said...
He might be referencing http://xkcd.com/178/ -- don't you guys have a sense of humor?
6-28-2008 @ 6:22AM
BlackD said...
And the people rejoiced!
Reply
6-28-2008 @ 10:28PM
Preston said...
Why do people like Diablo so much? It was one of the most boring games I ever played. Click-click-clicking around while listening to sleep-inducing acoustic guitar music.
6-28-2008 @ 6:22AM
Lyke said...
i am actually much more excited for D3 than wotlk. I was sceptical but much relieved to hear about it.
Reply
6-28-2008 @ 6:38AM
d3bruts1d said...
Ya, me too... need some new hack and slash to get the blood flowing again.
6-28-2008 @ 6:24AM
Dixinormous said...
gief trail0rz
Reply
6-28-2008 @ 6:25AM
Gror said...
I think I can see in to the future. The next gen MMO that Blizz are working on in secret is World of Diablo.
D3 will be lore rich and will set up a future platform for WoD.
I think I might go and buy WorldOfDiabo.com now, can make a nice buck or two.
Reply
6-28-2008 @ 6:44AM
Frostwolf said...
I think they would be more inventive with the name.
This doesn't mean i agree that they'll be a diablo MMO, that universe is surprisingly rich in lore. If they wanted to they'd go straight to a diablo MMO. But i think they want to keep the series lighthearted and not a huge timesink.
Who's rolling hardcoreS?
6-28-2008 @ 6:30AM
Max said...
So then this doesn't play out like something similiar to Starcraft/Warcraft? What is it comparable to?
Reply
6-28-2008 @ 6:33AM
Hufke said...
This is more like your average action RPG, except with a lot more story and awesomeness.
6-28-2008 @ 6:50AM
StoNe said...
TBH....it plays out more like WoW :D
Char development and talent trees were a direct rip from how they did it in D2.
If you can stand 800 x 600 resolution...good god man, go out and buy it. It'll be one of the best games you've played :D
6-28-2008 @ 7:12AM
BookhouseBoy said...
Honestly... Diablo plays a lot like Gauntlet. But with like a lot more depth as far as character abilities, loot, monsters, lore, etc.
6-29-2008 @ 4:48PM
Strabo said...
Imagine going with your lvl 70 into a lvl 20 area. Walk into a Murloc camp. Start killing. This is the Diablo-feeling.