I'm going to make another news post with all the Diablo 3 information to date. So every help out and provide links to all the rumours and information relating to diablo 3.
Example.
Recent job posts
News Posts on other sites
Rumours
We will put it all together and make another super popular news post.
New job postings as of 3/14 - 4/5 of the job listings that day were Diablo related.
New Position - Lead 3D Level Designer The team behind Diablo I and II is looking for a skilled lead 3D level designer with experience building levels using Maya or other similar 3D level building tools. The ideal candidate has experience creating levels in a senior or lead role on a shipped game. We would also like for this candidate to have excellent analytical understanding of competitive online play with various Blizzard Entertainment games and mods (real-time strategy, World of Warcraft, Defense of the Ancients, etc.). The lead level designer needs to be able to create fun and interesting environments that look and play great while managing and mentoring a team of additional level designers. For more information, check out the posting.
New Position - Senior 3D Level Designer The team behind Diablo I and II is looking for a skilled senior 3D level designer with experience building levels using Maya or other similar 3D level-building tools. The ideal candidate has created levels on a shipped game. We would also like for this candidate to have excellent analytical understanding of competitive online play with various Blizzard Entertainment games and mods (real-time strategy, World of Warcraft, Defense of the Ancients, etc.). The senior level designer needs to be able to create fun and interesting environments that look and play great while mentoring the junior members of the level design team. For more information, check out the posting.
New Position - 3D Level Designer The team behind Diablo I and II is looking for a skilled 3D level designer with experience building levels using Maya or other similar 3D level-building tools. The ideal candidate has created and distributed levels in the fan/mod community, or has industry experience on a shipped game. We would also like for this candidate to have excellent analytical understanding of competitive online play with various Blizzard Entertainment games and mods (real-time strategy, World of Warcraft, Defense of the Ancients, etc.). For more information, check out the posting.
New Position - Associate 3D Level Designer The team behind Diablo I and II is looking for a skilled associate 3D level designer with experience building levels using Maya or other similar 3D level building tools. The ideal candidate has created and distributed levels in the fan/mod community, or has industry experience on a shipped game. We would also like for this candidate to have excellent analytical understanding of competitive online play with various Blizzard Entertainment games and mods (real-time strategy, World of Warcraft, Defense of the Ancients, etc.). For more information, check out the posting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The infamous gaming Steve rumor:
Rumor: Diablo III On the Way? You Better Believe It!
It looks like the Diablo III rumor mill has started up once again with a seemingly innocent post on the jobs section of the Blizzard web site. A few days ago they posted a job for an art director and various leads to join "the team behind Diablo I and II" for "an unannounced PC project." I have been getting some inquires since then if Blizzard is indeed working on Diablo III and when is it going to come out?
Well, before I answer let me mention a few things. First, I don't want to get any of my friends at Blizzard in trouble, so from instead of mentioning "Diablo III" let's call this theoretical game "Beelzebub 3" and instead of "Blizzard" let's call them "Snowstorm". Second, my information is quality stuff, but it is a little old, so take that with a gain of salt. Third, err, well, there is no third, so let's get into what I know!
Let's the obvious out of way, "Snowstorm" is indeed working on "Beelzebub 3". Not only are they working on it, but they have been working on this game for no less than the past four years. In fact, "Snowstorm North" nearly completed the game several years ago, but what they developed just "wasn't fun" and been quietly reworked. This was actually one of the key reasons why Snowstorm North was closed and everyone was relocated to Irvine-based Snowstorm, so that the bigwigs in Irvine could better track and follow the development of Beelzebub 3.
As for what to expect in to see in Beelzebub 3, believe it or not but those rumors that were floating around a few months ago about the game were fairly accurate (by the way, I have no idea who started these rumors or where they came from). According to the rumors:
"Diablo 3 takes place in heaven. Hell is trying to take it over and it is AWESOME looking … Imagine the brightness of heaven being taken over by the darkness of hell … Imagine WoW but in a Diablo world in amount of size and playability … Also, guild housing is available in this game for those of you who know about it."
This information was pretty dead-on. It is true that Beelzebub 3 will be done in true 3D and it did indeed look freaking awesome. It is also true that Beelzebub 3 features a story between the conflicts of Heaven and Hell and contains a very cool feature where every single item in the game can change between a "light" version and a "dark" version. However this was also one of the problems with the original version of the game. Other than the ability for any item to visually change from light to dark it didn't affect the actual stats of the item or change the gameplay in any way. So the game has gone through a total rework to inject some "fun" into the gameplay and to make it feel like the Beelzebubs of old.
The core gameplay Beelzebub 3 will play pretty much like Beelzebub 1 and 2, but the game world will be much larger and provide a much deeper experience -- many more items, more levels when you go through the game for first time, more skills, more of everything. In addition, the multiplayer aspect will be greatly enhanced from the past installments and don't be surprised to see more than a couple of WoW-based concepts to leak over into the Beelzebub 3 universe ... such as two opposing factions (Alliance and Horde = Heaven and Hell), enhanced guild functionality, and maybe even mounts?!
As for when Beelzebub 3 will released, that one is easy to answer ... when it's done. Snowstorm is in no rush to finish this game and will release it only after they feel it's perfect. And after the fiasco of StarCraft: Ghost -- which has been announced for years and is currently going through its second round of redesign and reprogramming -- Snowstorm is in no rush to announce Beelzebub 3. Don't except an announcement until the game is near completion.
But there is some good news; that "leak" on the Snowstorm jobs page was no accident. If they are starting to leak information about Beelzebub 3 then they are starting to get closer to a final release. Of course for Snowstorm something "getting close" can mean two years from now.
Hopefully that will hold everyone over for the short term. Hopefully Beelzebub 3 will be announced at the next E3, I'll try to find out more before then and give everyone the dirt as I get it
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gamasutra has an interview with Frank Pearce, founding member and senior vice president of product development for Blizzard.
Here a bit from the interview:
“Our global headcount is 2,700,” said Pearce, “And most of that is customer service for World of Warcraft! In terms of development staff it’s probably around 350. World of Warcraft is about 135 people, 40 for Starcraft II, 40 for team 3, our cinematics team is about 85 guys. Then there’s sound and Q/A and that sort of thing.”
When pressed for details regarding the new project, Pearce was cagey. “Team 3 is working on something really awesome. I can’t give you any hints, but it’s totally awesome.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
According to the whois database (confirmed by Blizzplanet too), Blizzard had gone ahead and registered a dozen of domains with Diablo 4. That’s right! They have had the Diablo 3 domains registered for a while now but I guess they decided that a single sequel just won’t do. So they got diablo4.es , diablo4.it , diablo4.eu , diablo4.fr … you get the idea. What’s more - Blizzard has also registered Diablo5.fr , Diablo6.fr and flipping Diablo7.fr in October 2007. I really hope they come up with something to post on these domains… as in a Diablo sequel!
"The Sin War trilogy, written by New York Times bestselling author Richard A. Knaak, lays out the basic foundation for the lore of the Diablo universe."
Here are some questions from the interview.
Q - Rathi: Any ifnormation on Diablo3? Have you been asked to write a further story? A - Knaak: What happens in the Sin War is significant, as I mentioned, toward the future. I know that Blizzard is very eager to make Diablo fans happy.
Q - Medievaldragon: Hope I am not spoiling much at this point, however I really have to ask. Blizzard introduced a new Pandemonium Event monster named Lilith (Act V) in Diablo II Patch 1.11. You can read about her at: http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/mon...5-lilith.shtml A - Knaak: Answer for Medievaldragon: She is, I believe, although she will look a little different by the game's point. Her part in the trilogy is major.
Q - Medievaldragon: How much of the book is creation of yours, and how involved is Chris Metzen behind the canon storyline of Diablo: The Sin War Trilogy? Do you think the ramifications of this book impact in the storyline of Diablo 3 the game? A - Knaak: This is a pure collaboration between myself and Chris/Blizzard. All that is written is passed by him and the others there. This will be canon and has adjusted earlier info. The ramifications here will be used for any future project...and I ain't writing for a dead game.
Q - Deathshade|EU: So... Diablo 3? A - Knaak: I am not writing for a dead world...but a world with dead. nuff said
It doesn't take keen eyes to spot "Diablo 3" listed among the games, brands, and personalities that IGN is using to entice readers to sign up for the site's Insider service. The ad's tag line — "E3 2006: Get Inside" — suggests that Diablo 3 is among the items that will be featured at this year's event. There are three clear explanations: someone's made a mistake; IGN is using false advertising; or Blizzard is going to unveil Diablo 3 at E3.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Diablo Movie Rumor: Blizzplanet
Mon, June 18
Hocus Pocus. Diablo was unlisted magically from the "In Development" section. I tell you. It is the lesser evils playing tricks with our minds. Where is Deckard Cain when you need him to reaveal the undecipherable.
Sun, June 17
Few weeks ago, a rumor circulated the net that Gary Whitta would be working with Legendary Pictures to develop a Diablo film. The participation of Gary Whitta hasn't been confirmed, but surprise-surprise. Legendary Pictures website is listing DIABLO under the "In Development" section.
No press release has been made available. The news section has been replaced by a "Legendary 2.0 is coming soon" notice. A week ago, the news section over at Legendary Pictures website had not been updated since Q3 2006. Stay tuned for any updates. A press release could be posted by them in a few days. Diablo is coming to the big screen!
It comes to attention, this media-slip comes within a month and a half of BlizzCon 2007. The rumor and hype is a Diablo game might be announced at the Anaheim Convention Center in August 3-4.
I have seen some feedback of fans thinking a Diablo film would suck, without giving it a try, because some previous films based on games have failed in the past few years. However, there are two big differences setting a Diablo film apart from the rest.
1. Blizzard games are rich in lore: In-game and via game manuals. 2. Diablo has eight pocket books (novels) to date.
You can take a look at the Game Manual lore of Diablo 1 (Action/RPG) here and Here, if you are interested. And Diablo II history from its game manual.
Among the authors of these novels are Richard A. Knaak (NYTimes Bestselling Fantasy Author) known by many fans of Dragonlance, Dragonrealms, Dungeons & Dragons; and author Mel Odon. Diablo books written by Knaak are: Diablo: "Legacy of Blood", "The Kingdom of Shadow", "Moon of the Spider", and "The Sin War". Mel Odon was author of The Black Road. Most of the books take place between Diablo 1 and Diablo 2 storylines.
Is World of Warcraft about to get the server enhancements it so desperately needs? Players have been suffering queues, lag and general performance issues for months now, with the complaints sometimes nearing hysterical levels. Good news just in: Blizzard has apparently put in an order for 1500 Opterons, claims the chap in charge of Voodoo PC: question is, farm expansion, or replacement.
Either way, this can only be good news for residents of Azeroth... Or Sanctuary.
1. Knaak hinted the Diablo: The Sin War Trilogy storline would impact future Diablo projects. And quote: ""The ramifications here will be used for any future project...and I ain't writing for a dead game." ... "I am not writing for a dead world...but a world with dead," http://www.blizzplanet.com/content/601/
2. Legendary Pictures accidentally listed Diablo film under the on development section. After posting this news, I submited the news to some key sites online and It had gone all around the world on major gaming sites in many languages as far as russia and china and Europe. 24 hours later, Legendary Pictures removed Diablo from the list. Many people did get to see it nevertheless. http://www.blizzplanet.com/news/1444/
Example.
Recent job posts
News Posts on other sites
Rumours
We will put it all together and make another super popular news post.
Starcraft 2 - Blizzard News
New Position - Lead 3D Level Designer
The team behind Diablo I and II is looking for a skilled lead 3D level designer with experience building levels using Maya or other similar 3D level building tools. The ideal candidate has experience creating levels in a senior or lead role on a shipped game. We would also like for this candidate to have excellent analytical understanding of competitive online play with various Blizzard Entertainment games and mods (real-time strategy, World of Warcraft, Defense of the Ancients, etc.). The lead level designer needs to be able to create fun and interesting environments that look and play great while managing and mentoring a team of additional level designers. For more information, check out the posting.
New Position - Senior 3D Level Designer
The team behind Diablo I and II is looking for a skilled senior 3D level designer with experience building levels using Maya or other similar 3D level-building tools. The ideal candidate has created levels on a shipped game. We would also like for this candidate to have excellent analytical understanding of competitive online play with various Blizzard Entertainment games and mods (real-time strategy, World of Warcraft, Defense of the Ancients, etc.). The senior level designer needs to be able to create fun and interesting environments that look and play great while mentoring the junior members of the level design team. For more information, check out the posting.
New Position - 3D Level Designer
The team behind Diablo I and II is looking for a skilled 3D level designer with experience building levels using Maya or other similar 3D level-building tools. The ideal candidate has created and distributed levels in the fan/mod community, or has industry experience on a shipped game. We would also like for this candidate to have excellent analytical understanding of competitive online play with various Blizzard Entertainment games and mods (real-time strategy, World of Warcraft, Defense of the Ancients, etc.). For more information, check out the posting.
New Position - Associate 3D Level Designer
The team behind Diablo I and II is looking for a skilled associate 3D level designer with experience building levels using Maya or other similar 3D level building tools. The ideal candidate has created and distributed levels in the fan/mod community, or has industry experience on a shipped game. We would also like for this candidate to have excellent analytical understanding of competitive online play with various Blizzard Entertainment games and mods (real-time strategy, World of Warcraft, Defense of the Ancients, etc.). For more information, check out the posting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The infamous gaming Steve rumor:
Rumor: Diablo III On the Way? You Better Believe It!
It looks like the Diablo III rumor mill has started up once again with a seemingly innocent post on the jobs section of the Blizzard web site. A few days ago they posted a job for an art director and various leads to join "the team behind Diablo I and II" for "an unannounced PC project." I have been getting some inquires since then if Blizzard is indeed working on Diablo III and when is it going to come out?
Well, before I answer let me mention a few things. First, I don't want to get any of my friends at Blizzard in trouble, so from instead of mentioning "Diablo III" let's call this theoretical game "Beelzebub 3" and instead of "Blizzard" let's call them "Snowstorm". Second, my information is quality stuff, but it is a little old, so take that with a gain of salt. Third, err, well, there is no third, so let's get into what I know!
Let's the obvious out of way, "Snowstorm" is indeed working on "Beelzebub 3". Not only are they working on it, but they have been working on this game for no less than the past four years. In fact, "Snowstorm North" nearly completed the game several years ago, but what they developed just "wasn't fun" and been quietly reworked. This was actually one of the key reasons why Snowstorm North was closed and everyone was relocated to Irvine-based Snowstorm, so that the bigwigs in Irvine could better track and follow the development of Beelzebub 3.
As for what to expect in to see in Beelzebub 3, believe it or not but those rumors that were floating around a few months ago about the game were fairly accurate (by the way, I have no idea who started these rumors or where they came from). According to the rumors: This information was pretty dead-on. It is true that Beelzebub 3 will be done in true 3D and it did indeed look freaking awesome. It is also true that Beelzebub 3 features a story between the conflicts of Heaven and Hell and contains a very cool feature where every single item in the game can change between a "light" version and a "dark" version. However this was also one of the problems with the original version of the game. Other than the ability for any item to visually change from light to dark it didn't affect the actual stats of the item or change the gameplay in any way. So the game has gone through a total rework to inject some "fun" into the gameplay and to make it feel like the Beelzebubs of old.
The core gameplay Beelzebub 3 will play pretty much like Beelzebub 1 and 2, but the game world will be much larger and provide a much deeper experience -- many more items, more levels when you go through the game for first time, more skills, more of everything. In addition, the multiplayer aspect will be greatly enhanced from the past installments and don't be surprised to see more than a couple of WoW-based concepts to leak over into the Beelzebub 3 universe ... such as two opposing factions (Alliance and Horde = Heaven and Hell), enhanced guild functionality, and maybe even mounts?!
As for when Beelzebub 3 will released, that one is easy to answer ... when it's done. Snowstorm is in no rush to finish this game and will release it only after they feel it's perfect. And after the fiasco of StarCraft: Ghost -- which has been announced for years and is currently going through its second round of redesign and reprogramming -- Snowstorm is in no rush to announce Beelzebub 3. Don't except an announcement until the game is near completion.
But there is some good news; that "leak" on the Snowstorm jobs page was no accident. If they are starting to leak information about Beelzebub 3 then they are starting to get closer to a final release. Of course for Snowstorm something "getting close" can mean two years from now.
Hopefully that will hold everyone over for the short term. Hopefully Beelzebub 3 will be announced at the next E3, I'll try to find out more before then and give everyone the dirt as I get it
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gamasutra has an interview with Frank Pearce, founding member and senior vice president of product development for Blizzard.
Here a bit from the interview: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
According to the whois database (confirmed by Blizzplanet too), Blizzard had gone ahead and registered a dozen of domains with Diablo 4.
That’s right! They have had the Diablo 3 domains registered for a while now but I guess they decided that a single sequel just won’t do. So they got diablo4.es , diablo4.it , diablo4.eu , diablo4.fr … you get the idea.
What’s more - Blizzard has also registered Diablo5.fr , Diablo6.fr and flipping Diablo7.fr in October 2007. I really hope they come up with something to post on these domains… as in a Diablo sequel!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nice one, Mike:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uizuj1IetVg
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Knaak Interview:
"The Sin War trilogy, written by New York Times bestselling author Richard A. Knaak, lays out the basic foundation for the lore of the Diablo universe."
Here are some questions from the interview.
Q - Rathi: Any ifnormation on Diablo3? Have you been asked to write a further story?
A - Knaak: What happens in the Sin War is significant, as I mentioned, toward the future. I know that Blizzard is very eager to make Diablo fans happy.
Q - Medievaldragon: Hope I am not spoiling much at this point, however I really have to ask. Blizzard introduced a new Pandemonium Event monster named Lilith (Act V) in Diablo II Patch 1.11. You can read about her at: http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/mon...5-lilith.shtml
A - Knaak: Answer for Medievaldragon: She is, I believe, although she will look a little different by the game's point. Her part in the trilogy is major.
Q - Medievaldragon: How much of the book is creation of yours, and how involved is Chris Metzen behind the canon storyline of Diablo: The Sin War Trilogy? Do you think the ramifications of this book impact in the storyline of Diablo 3 the game?
A - Knaak: This is a pure collaboration between myself and Chris/Blizzard. All that is written is passed by him and the others there. This will be canon and has adjusted earlier info. The ramifications here will be used for any future project...and I ain't writing for a dead game.
Q - Deathshade|EU: So... Diablo 3?
A - Knaak: I am not writing for a dead world...but a world with dead. nuff said
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Diablo 3 mistake: http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/03/diablo-3-at-e3-hints-ign-ad/
It doesn't take keen eyes to spot "Diablo 3" listed among the games, brands, and personalities that IGN is using to entice readers to sign up for the site's Insider service. The ad's tag line — "E3 2006: Get Inside" — suggests that Diablo 3 is among the items that will be featured at this year's event. There are three clear explanations: someone's made a mistake; IGN is using false advertising; or Blizzard is going to unveil Diablo 3 at E3.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Diablo Movie Rumor: Blizzplanet
Mon, June 18
Hocus Pocus. Diablo was unlisted magically from the "In Development" section. I tell you. It is the lesser evils playing tricks with our minds. Where is Deckard Cain when you need him to reaveal the undecipherable.
Sun, June 17
Few weeks ago, a rumor circulated the net that Gary Whitta would be working with Legendary Pictures to develop a Diablo film. The participation of Gary Whitta hasn't been confirmed, but surprise-surprise. Legendary Pictures website is listing DIABLO under the "In Development" section.
No press release has been made available. The news section has been replaced by a "Legendary 2.0 is coming soon" notice. A week ago, the news section over at Legendary Pictures website had not been updated since Q3 2006. Stay tuned for any updates. A press release could be posted by them in a few days. Diablo is coming to the big screen!
It comes to attention, this media-slip comes within a month and a half of BlizzCon 2007. The rumor and hype is a Diablo game might be announced at the Anaheim Convention Center in August 3-4.
I have seen some feedback of fans thinking a Diablo film would suck, without giving it a try, because some previous films based on games have failed in the past few years. However, there are two big differences setting a Diablo film apart from the rest.
1. Blizzard games are rich in lore: In-game and via game manuals.
2. Diablo has eight pocket books (novels) to date.
You can take a look at the Game Manual lore of Diablo 1 (Action/RPG) here and Here, if you are interested. And Diablo II history from its game manual.
Among the authors of these novels are Richard A. Knaak (NYTimes Bestselling Fantasy Author) known by many fans of Dragonlance, Dragonrealms, Dungeons & Dragons; and author Mel Odon. Diablo books written by Knaak are: Diablo: "Legacy of Blood", "The Kingdom of Shadow", "Moon of the Spider", and "The Sin War". Mel Odon was author of The Black Road. Most of the books take place between Diablo 1 and Diablo 2 storylines.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Blizzard Buys 1500 New Servers
Is World of Warcraft about to get the server enhancements it so desperately needs? Players have been suffering queues, lag and general performance issues for months now, with the complaints sometimes nearing hysterical levels.
Good news just in: Blizzard has apparently put in an order for 1500 Opterons, claims the chap in charge of Voodoo PC: question is, farm expansion, or replacement.
Either way, this can only be good news for residents of Azeroth... Or Sanctuary.
http://www.blizzplanet.com/content/601/
2. Legendary Pictures accidentally listed Diablo film under the on development section. After posting this news, I submited the news to some key sites online and It had gone all around the world on major gaming sites in many languages as far as russia and china and Europe. 24 hours later, Legendary Pictures removed Diablo from the list. Many people did get to see it nevertheless.
http://www.blizzplanet.com/news/1444/
http://www.blizzplanet.com