Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears

A Message from Jay Wilson offers Blizzard's outlook on expectations for Diablo III, forced to react to a comment by a community manager on the topic that was widely taken as an official statement (thanks Blizzplanet). Jay responds to the idea of lowering expectations by raising them, and also raises expectations of when to expect the release of their action/RPG sequel, saying: "you can seriously expect a launch-date announcement from us in the near future. See, I didn’t say 'soon,' so I’m not taunting you. ;)" Here's word:
Jay Wilson wanted to share a message with the Diablo III community:

Some of you might have seen some headlines or a certain (obviously sarcastic) blue post that implies that we're unsteady about where Diablo III stands, and that you should temper your expectations when it comes to the next installment in the Diablo series.

Let me be clear: Nothing could be further from the truth.

As those of you in the beta have seen, the game is in good shape. Actually, I should say that the beta version of the game is in good shape. The latest full build we've been testing here in the office is in great shape.

We get a lot of sympathy from the other teams because of the long hours of crunch our design team is putting in, but the secret is that playing through the game as we do final tuning, bug fixes, and optimizations is a real joy. We always know a Blizzard game is almost ready when we have to ask members of the team to stop playing so they can get their work done. That’s definitely been the case around here.

We think you're going to love Diablo III when it's released, and speaking of release plans, you can seriously expect a launch-date announcement from us in the near future. See, I didn’t say “soon,” so I’m not taunting you. ;) You’ll know as soon as I know for sure the exact date.

And by the way, we want you to have high expectations for Diablo III and all Blizzard games. That’s what pushes us to try to make the best gaming experiences we possibly can. If Diablo III wasn’t a worthy next installment in the Diablo series, we wouldn’t release it. That’s the way we do it. That’s the way we’ve always done it.

As I’ve said many times in the recent past, we think Diablo III is coming along great and we can’t wait for you to get your hands on it. We’re doing all we can to ensure you have one hell of a time once you step foot in Sanctuary…

Also, I think Diablo is much more comparable to the Evil Dead series personally, and those just kept getting better. OK, I know a lot of you prefer Evil Dead 2 to Army of Darkness, but come on, Bruce Campbell fights a squad of little Bruce Campbells! Priceless. =)

Jay Wilson is the Game Director of Diablo 3, and wants to know “Hey, uh, what’s that you got on your face?” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxBCSautRXY
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119 Replies. 6 pages. Viewing page 1.
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119.
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears
Mar 1, 2012, 16:46
Prez
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears Mar 1, 2012, 16:46
Mar 1, 2012, 16:46
 Prez
 
*cough* hypocrite *cough*

*cough* retard *cough*

*Prez dons suit of +1 Troll Resistance.*

Lately I've been attracting idiot e-stalkers like flies. Must be my cologne.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
Avatar 17185
118.
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears
Mar 1, 2012, 12:58
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears Mar 1, 2012, 12:58
Mar 1, 2012, 12:58
 
Prez wrote on Feb 25, 2012, 06:14:
The thing is, in the Internet age, 2000 disgrunteld customers can reach 2000000 customers and influence them. What were they called... ehm, opinion multiplicators ? Previously this was something only TV and Teachers were, but nowadays... things are different and can very quickly go into the ugly.

That assumes that everyone is pre-disposed to your line of thinking (or mine). Considering how many fans Blizzard and Diablo 3 have, it would be hard for me to start assuming that the majority of them would let anything make them skip Diablo 3. I don't think it makes us "wrong", but it does put us int he distinct minority. Our opinions will certainly fall on deaf ears by and large, and D3 will sell boatloads.

Converts, whether to or from, are usually the strongest believers/supporters in a product/idea/theology/etc... In part, because they started on the other side, and the argument won them over... If they finally 'saw the light', then it must be the best answer...

I haven't been "converted" - I still respect Blizzard (just not some of their recent decisions), their skill at making games, and still expect D3 to be fantastic. There are just some concessions I stop short of allowing myself to make.

*cough* hypocrite *cough*
117.
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears
Feb 26, 2012, 18:15
Ant
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears Feb 26, 2012, 18:15
Feb 26, 2012, 18:15
 Ant
 
[yawns] Where's my beta access? Oh wait, I don't have time for it.
Avatar 1957
116.
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears
Feb 25, 2012, 16:04
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears Feb 25, 2012, 16:04
Feb 25, 2012, 16:04
 
Warrax wrote on Feb 25, 2012, 15:12:
Most of you who say such things will end up buying the game anyway because you will get over the things you hate or your friends will play D3 and you'll feel left alone by not playing it, we all know this :)

What a stupid thing to say. No, people like you just say this because you can't understand how someone doesn't share your golden opinion. You'll get over your hatred of Justin Bieber and love him just like everyone else. You'll feel left out of the fanfare surrounding Twilight and start to pine for Edward.
Avatar 54452
115.
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears
Feb 25, 2012, 15:50
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears Feb 25, 2012, 15:50
Feb 25, 2012, 15:50
 
Warrax wrote on Feb 25, 2012, 15:12:
Most of you who say such things will end up buying the game anyway because you will get over the things you hate or your friends will play D3 and you'll feel left alone by not playing it, we all know this

People say this stuff all the time, like they can't comprehend someone not liking their favorite game. I won't be buying this just like I didn't buy SC2 or any CoD past 4.

I'm not giving them my money for a genre I've always enjoyed as SP. I'm not rewarding them for creating a Diablo MMO.
Avatar 17249
114.
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears
Feb 25, 2012, 15:43
Dev
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears Feb 25, 2012, 15:43
Feb 25, 2012, 15:43
Dev
 
Warrax wrote on Feb 25, 2012, 15:12:
Most of you who say such things will end up buying the game anyway because you will get over the things you hate or your friends will play D3 and you'll feel left alone by not playing it, we all know this
Most of mine would rather play something else. Yeah, I'd pick it up, at $10. Unfortunately, given the price history of SC2, I doubt that will be happening anytime soon.
113.
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears
Feb 25, 2012, 15:12
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears Feb 25, 2012, 15:12
Feb 25, 2012, 15:12
 
Dades wrote on Feb 25, 2012, 00:16:
Bucky wrote on Feb 24, 2012, 23:53:
If people don't like what Blizzard is doing with Diablo 3, why not set your sights on another game? Torchlight 2 is around the corner, and I think Grim Dawn is targeted for this year as well.

That's what many people will likely do. It's a crowded market, I would have loved to play Diablo 3 but I'll just put my money somewhere else. If it's just business for Blizzard then it's just business for me too.

Most of you who say such things will end up buying the game anyway because you will get over the things you hate or your friends will play D3 and you'll feel left alone by not playing it, we all know this

Also, for the non-offline mode haters, I know it kinda suck to not have offline mode but if WoW was very successful with millions of players online, you'll get over it or at least find a way to play in the end.
112.
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears
Feb 25, 2012, 14:06
Dev
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears Feb 25, 2012, 14:06
Feb 25, 2012, 14:06
Dev
 
Prez wrote on Feb 24, 2012, 18:27:
The real problem is that people still think of Diablo 3 as a single player game.

That's not exactly an unfair expectation, given that Diablo and its sequels were awesome single player games that many people (like myself) played exclusively as singleplayer games. Not having offline singleplayer is a massive regression in my view.
Same here, mostly single player. As usual, people think that because THEY did it multiplayer, everyone else in the world must be like them in that experience.

Yifes wrote on Feb 24, 2012, 18:09:
In the end, Blizzard is allow to do what they want with their own game, as long as they don't lie or deceive gamers.
Since when did that stop anyone? And how are they "allowed"? Plenty of companies lie or deceive gamers all the time (sometimes intentionally). Even ones like valve do it on occasion.
Xombie wrote on Feb 24, 2012, 18:25:
Yifes wrote on Feb 24, 2012, 17:39:
I don't understand what this incessant bitching is about.

This is Blues News forums, where people complain about games more than they actually play them.
/me looks at his hundreds of hours in L4D2.
Speak for yourself.
111.
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears
Feb 25, 2012, 12:11
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears Feb 25, 2012, 12:11
Feb 25, 2012, 12:11
 
All the DRM and lousy UI issues aside, the updated skill calculator is now more in line with what's in the beta:

Skill Calculator

namely, the horrible decision to have some runes unlock as late as level 59(of max level 60).

I think it would have made a LOT more sense to have all runes unlock by 30, as the skills do, instead of forcing people to play through all of Normal, Nightmare and Hell(leaving only Inferno Difficulty) to get to some runes. All skill related posts are ignored on the beta forums however. Blizzard does answer posts about chili recipes and other important topics though!

The beta plays pretty well in patch 13, but they also made some mind boggling decisions:

1)Spread runes out so Diablo 3 is now a "rush to max level to fully play" game.

2) Completely remove basic attack at level 2. This hampers or prevents a lot of the more esoteric builds, and really hinders the Witch Doctor in my opinion, who has no resource regeneration aside from passive mana regeneration. Admittedly, WD regen is fast, but you can still get yourself to zero mana, and not even be able to swing your weapon. Horrible decision.

3) insulting bad Skill UI. I am sure the intent was to make it easier for new players, but honestly they have gone several steps backward.

4) Remove Repair from the blacksmith. Repair is now on random innkeepers and merchants. No explanation or logical reason for this change.


Avatar 54863
110.
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears
Feb 25, 2012, 12:09
PHJF
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears Feb 25, 2012, 12:09
Feb 25, 2012, 12:09
 PHJF
 
10 million WoW players plus millions and millions of gamers around the world playing other online games demonstrate that their Internet connections are fine for persistent online gaming. If their connections can handle situations with dozens of people in raid settings and has for the last 10+ years, it can handle 4 users playing coop in D3. The argument for unreliable Internet stopped being a concern years ago.

Until you want to play Hardcore, wherein the first sign of lag (on your end or their's) means Game Over.
Steam + PSN: PHJF
Avatar 17251
109.
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears
Feb 25, 2012, 11:46
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears Feb 25, 2012, 11:46
Feb 25, 2012, 11:46
 
From a business point of view, you are correct. There are enough customers with reliable Internet that it isn't an issue to Blizzard. It doesn't follow that the issue doesn't exist.
“Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception.” -- Carl Sagan
108.
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears
Feb 25, 2012, 11:33
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears Feb 25, 2012, 11:33
Feb 25, 2012, 11:33
 
Slashman wrote on Feb 24, 2012, 17:08:
The problem with the online requirement isn't so much that most people have internet connections. Some people have pretty horrible internet connections. Some folks live in the boondocks or other areas where net connections are spotty.

Its fine to feel smug and say 'too bad', but there is a difference between requiring an online activation (even if its required whenever you start the game), and requiring a consistent and decent internet connection for a smooth play experience. Especially for a game like Diablo...

10 million WoW players plus millions and millions of gamers around the world playing other online games demonstrate that their Internet connections are fine for persistent online gaming. If their connections can handle situations with dozens of people in raid settings and has for the last 10+ years, it can handle 4 users playing coop in D3. The argument for unreliable Internet stopped being a concern years ago.

107.
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears
Feb 25, 2012, 10:52
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears Feb 25, 2012, 10:52
Feb 25, 2012, 10:52
 
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/ was updated for Patch 13... Though it's buggy... You have to manually match up the sections, as the calculator (and not the game) will let you pick basic LMB skills for other slots (for example).

-Alamar
Avatar 22996
106.
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears
Feb 25, 2012, 06:14
Prez
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears Feb 25, 2012, 06:14
Feb 25, 2012, 06:14
 Prez
 
The thing is, in the Internet age, 2000 disgrunteld customers can reach 2000000 customers and influence them. What were they called... ehm, opinion multiplicators ? Previously this was something only TV and Teachers were, but nowadays... things are different and can very quickly go into the ugly.

That assumes that everyone is pre-disposed to your line of thinking (or mine). Considering how many fans Blizzard and Diablo 3 have, it would be hard for me to start assuming that the majority of them would let anything make them skip Diablo 3. I don't think it makes us "wrong", but it does put us int he distinct minority. Our opinions will certainly fall on deaf ears by and large, and D3 will sell boatloads.

Converts, whether to or from, are usually the strongest believers/supporters in a product/idea/theology/etc... In part, because they started on the other side, and the argument won them over... If they finally 'saw the light', then it must be the best answer...

I haven't been "converted" - I still respect Blizzard (just not some of their recent decisions), their skill at making games, and still expect D3 to be fantastic. There are just some concessions I stop short of allowing myself to make.

This comment was edited on Feb 25, 2012, 06:19.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
Avatar 17185
105.
 
Re: the best gaming experience
Feb 25, 2012, 05:26
Re: the best gaming experience Feb 25, 2012, 05:26
Feb 25, 2012, 05:26
 
Xombie wrote on Feb 24, 2012, 18:25:
Yifes wrote on Feb 24, 2012, 17:39:
I don't understand what this incessant bitching is about.

This is Blues News forums, where people complain about games more than they actually play them.

I've been saying this forever... Too funny.
104.
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears
Feb 25, 2012, 01:32
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears Feb 25, 2012, 01:32
Feb 25, 2012, 01:32
 
We always know a Blizzard game is almost ready when we have to ask members of the team to stop playing so they can get their work done

Well, at least now you know why it takes Blizzard ten years to release something. :p

Creston
Avatar 15604
103.
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears
Feb 25, 2012, 00:29
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears Feb 25, 2012, 00:29
Feb 25, 2012, 00:29
 
Bucky wrote on Feb 24, 2012, 23:53:
If people don't like what Blizzard is doing with Diablo 3, why not set your sights on another game? Torchlight 2 is around the corner, and I think Grim Dawn is targeted for this year as well.

I hope T2 is considerably better. Try as a I might, I just could not get into Torchlight. I hope Grim Dawn will be good...IF it ever gets here.
"The horse I bet on was so slow, the jockey kept a diary of the trip." - Henny Youngman
102.
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears
Feb 25, 2012, 00:16
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears Feb 25, 2012, 00:16
Feb 25, 2012, 00:16
 
Bucky wrote on Feb 24, 2012, 23:53:
If people don't like what Blizzard is doing with Diablo 3, why not set your sights on another game? Torchlight 2 is around the corner, and I think Grim Dawn is targeted for this year as well.

That's what many people will likely do. It's a crowded market, I would have loved to play Diablo 3 but I'll just put my money somewhere else. If it's just business for Blizzard then it's just business for me too.
Avatar 54452
101.
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears
Feb 24, 2012, 23:53
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears Feb 24, 2012, 23:53
Feb 24, 2012, 23:53
 
If people don't like what Blizzard is doing with Diablo 3, why not set your sights on another game? Torchlight 2 is around the corner, and I think Grim Dawn is targeted for this year as well.
100.
 
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears
Feb 24, 2012, 22:55
Re: Diablo III Launch Date Announcement Nears Feb 24, 2012, 22:55
Feb 24, 2012, 22:55
 
nin wrote on Feb 24, 2012, 21:56:
Prez wrote on Feb 24, 2012, 21:35:
The anger, hurt, and resentment towards Blizzard is so strong that it's almost like a bad breakup.

Yeah, in a way it kind of is. I've spent almost as much time with Blizzard games as I have ever spent in a relationship, and my 20th wedding anniversary is right around the corner!

That's it exactly. I'd read years ago (which I could find it now) about how basically your best customers (and fans, in this case) become emotionally invested. And how, once things go south, they can also turn into your most vocal detractors.

Nexflix's implosion last year is a fine example of that too. People, myself included, used to love them. But once they felt like the company had strayed too far, the knives came out, and it got ugly in a hurry.




Converts, whether to or from, are usually the strongest believers/supporters in a product/idea/theology/etc... In part, because they started on the other side, and the argument won them over... If they finally 'saw the light', then it must be the best answer...

-Alamar
Avatar 22996
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