MTV Multiplayer recently spoke with Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime in regards to the business of World of Warcraft, in which he speaks about their goal for releasing game expansions on an annual basis". He went on to talk about Diablo 3 expansions:
"In terms of expansions, I think a little bit more frequently is probably good with sort of the goal to get closer to an annual expansion. But I think it really depends on what content you put in the expansion. I don't think Blizzard will ever be able to do sequels of products like a "Diablo III" or "Diablo IV" on an annual basis, but we might be able to do expansions to those games close to annually.
Hmmm, is there more profit? In an ideal scenario, I think we'd probably do [expansions] a little bit more often than we've been able to do. But I agree — I think putting too many expansions out too frequently, you probably get to the point where people do need to start taking a little break."
Given Blizzard's "quality over quantity" creedo, I personally can't see them ever releasing expansions that often, because they'll always want to fine tune them even more. But what do you think? Considering how long we've had to wait for this third installment in the Diablo series, would you like to see continuous Diablo III expansion sets released roughly every year, or do you feel there needs to be more of a buffer in between those releases?
MTV Multiplayer recently spoke with Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime in regards to the business of World of Warcraft, in which he speaks about their goal for releasing game expansions on an annual basis". He went on to talk about Diablo 3 expansions:
Given Blizzard's "quality over quantity" creedo, I personally can't see them ever releasing expansions that often, because they'll always want to fine tune them even more. But what do you think? Considering how long we've had to wait for this third installment in the Diablo series, would you like to see continuous Diablo III expansion sets released roughly every year, or do you feel there needs to be more of a buffer in between those releases?
They will probably try to release them once a year like they were supposed to do with WOW expansions. But it will take 2 years, and we will probably only get two.
I think major patches like in d2 would be better than full on expansions every year. personally i think d3 and one expansion full of new game content would be awesome enough where it doesnt need constant add-ons, just patching errors and adding small things like new runes/uniques, etc.
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----------------------- "What man, anywhere under Heaven's high arch, has fought in such darkness, endured more misery or been harder pressed?" -Beowulf
I feel that annually is a little too frequent simply because it doesn't give sufficient time to build your character up enough. I have enough problems with the ladder being reset annually, just as my character is starting to prosper; however, i feel that expansions are needed to introduce new content and keep users interested. Having said that, i would be content with the release of a new expansion every two years or so - with respects to Diablo III.
So far everybody has missed the real news in this announcements- mike morhaime announces diablo 4!!! Lol he just said that blizzard won't be able to put out full fledged sequels every year, but for some reason decided that there was a diablo 4. This is far from a formal announcement. More like a slip of the tongue or theoretical proposition.
I would be fine with patches/big fixes annualy, and expansions after about 2.5 years, maybe 2 expansions. And then of course after about 5 years of that(including the expansions) d4. Jk.
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When killing two birds with one stone, there is a question that often floats in to my mind: Where the hell did I put that shotgun?
There is an important distinction between poetic justice and irony. Poetic justice kills a homicidal maniac with his own gun. Irony makes a homicidal maniac's gun drip water out the barrel.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Its already been stated that this is not the end of the diablo universe. We just didn't know if he was talking about a game or a movie or a book. Now we know! DIABLO 4! (probably an mmo :O)
It sounds alright. Several expansions could certainly work.
More importantly however, expansions means people will have to buy them. Now obviously expansions generate money, which could be used to fund B.net. More than one expansion might just be Blizzard's way of funding a stable and secure B.net without having to resort to monthly payments.
PlugY for Diablo II allows you to reset skills and stats, transfer items between characters in singleplayer, obtain all ladder runewords and do all Uberquests while offline. It is the only way to do all of the above. Please use it.
Supporting big shoulderpads and flashy armor since 2004.
As long as Diablo3's expansion dosent turn out like LoD im ok...
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If you want to arrange it
This world you can change it
If we could somehow make this
Christmas thing last
By helping a neighbor
Or even a stranger
And to know who needs help
You need only just ask
I would like expansions every couple of years, not every year, because it is too frequent in my opinion. They wouldn;t be able to make it a big expansion, or a worthwhile one, yet we will still have to pay for it in order to enjoy the game properly, in other words, they might as well do this method through patches instead. I'd rather have one big expansion after the second or third year, than have a small one every one year, it makes more sense to me.
Also agreed. Minor patches and a couple of huge expansions 2 and 3/4 years after initial the release would be the way to go.
...as long as they gimme my Diablo III before next christmas:thumbsup:
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And we can tie these caterpillars together to make bow strings for bows and arrows.
--Philip Fry
There was even talk of french toast, but there was none to be had
Its already been stated that this is not the end of the diablo universe. We just didn't know if he was talking about a game or a movie or a book. Now we know! DIABLO 4! (probably an mmo :O)
Diablo 4 will almost certainly not be an mmo.......if theres an mmo based in the diablo universe then it wont be called diablo 4.....world of diablo maybe? but not diablo 4....just look at warcraft....is its mmo called warcraft 4?!?!?!
Well you'll have to wait for a year until the expansion will be out, making pleanty of time for leveling characters and getting good gear so we won't really have to wait.
Why? :confused: I could understand if they watered it out, but they have yet to produce anything truly boring [to me]. I'd imagine most of them would just be content expansions, not lore, anyway. Probably introduce more variables for random quests/bosses/items, etc.
Well... I'm back . With proper english too. Back to the point, I believe there should be at least 2 expansion or one with two acts. This is because to me personally I felt that D2:LoD was a little shorter than I had expected. I want not only one act but two to compensate for the time after and if they added up to 5 extra acts in a total of five years after DIII instead of constant patches and 3 difficulties. The repetitiveness of normal-nightmare-hell was annoying and plain boring. Despite the fact 2 times was okay 3 was definitely pushing my boundaries on plain boring. So i would like to see more than one expansion because they can consistently add newer refreshing content rather than keep us on the same stuff for another ???? years till DIV.
EDIT: To the guys who said Bring back the Necromancer ... I forgot where but someone said its not out of the question for an expansion because those are just goodies for us.
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Not even Death will save you from Diablo Bunny's Cuteness!
Given Blizzard's "quality over quantity" creedo, I personally can't see them ever releasing expansions that often, because they'll always want to fine tune them even more. But what do you think? Considering how long we've had to wait for this third installment in the Diablo series, would you like to see continuous Diablo III expansion sets released roughly every year, or do you feel there needs to be more of a buffer in between those releases?
They will probably try to release them once a year like they were supposed to do with WOW expansions. But it will take 2 years, and we will probably only get two.
"What man, anywhere under Heaven's high arch, has fought in such darkness, endured more misery or been harder pressed?"
-Beowulf
I would be fine with patches/big fixes annualy, and expansions after about 2.5 years, maybe 2 expansions. And then of course after about 5 years of that(including the expansions) d4. Jk.
There is an important distinction between poetic justice and irony. Poetic justice kills a homicidal maniac with his own gun. Irony makes a homicidal maniac's gun drip water out the barrel.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Fuck you, I'm a dragon.
Typical “expansions” are only good for the hardcore players of the game.
Eg. The people who can beat Act 4 will enjoy Act 5.
I would like to be able to enjoy Act 5 right off the bat and then transport to rogue encampment and do that story line after. (get it?)
More importantly however, expansions means people will have to buy them. Now obviously expansions generate money, which could be used to fund B.net. More than one expansion might just be Blizzard's way of funding a stable and secure B.net without having to resort to monthly payments.
Just a thought.
If you want to arrange it
This world you can change it
If we could somehow make this
Christmas thing last
By helping a neighbor
Or even a stranger
And to know who needs help
You need only just ask
Agreed! It has been too long, says I.
Also agreed. Minor patches and a couple of huge expansions 2 and 3/4 years after initial the release would be the way to go.
...as long as they gimme my Diablo III before next christmas:thumbsup:
-- Hank Venture
Diablo 4 will almost certainly not be an mmo.......if theres an mmo based in the diablo universe then it wont be called diablo 4.....world of diablo maybe? but not diablo 4....just look at warcraft....is its mmo called warcraft 4?!?!?!
The necromancer might as well be in the actual Diablo III.
EDIT: To the guys who said Bring back the Necromancer ... I forgot where but someone said its not out of the question for an expansion because those are just goodies for us.