Perhaps the one piece of information that we all want to know is how soon is soon™. Blizzard is known for their secrecy in this area in their development. Always ready to release the game "when it's done". Diablo III has been in development for multiple years now and known to the public for over three years. Now, looking back at Blizzard's history, three years after initial announcement seems to be the magical number for the game's release. However, it has now been over three years and there is still no release date for the game.
Although there is no announced release date, there are some clues and information as to when we can expect the game. The first time we had all hoped to hear some information on its release, or more specifically the beginning of beta was back during ActivisionBlizzard's May financial conference call. At the previous conference call, it was stated that there would be specific talk about the beta. We all listened eagerly as some hoped for the best and others stayed cautious. By the end of the call we had learned three facts... First, internal beta had started the week prior at Blizzard. The second was that they are still planning for a 2011 release. Lastly, Blizzard was planning on starting the beta in the third quarter (July 1 - September 30). Nothing else was mentioned during the call, leaving many unsatisfied, in the hopes that the exact public beta date would have been announced.
The most important thing to take from this call was that internal testing had officially begun. This is important because of a quote by Jay Wilson that the development team was planning on a six month testing phase. There has been a lot of speculation and debate about this quote as it was typically vague in Blizzard fashion. Many have assumed that there would be a six month public beta while others disagreed by the need for this length of testing. While clarification was never given, we can add this quote with the facts given during the call to assume that the internal testing is included in this six month testing time.
Moving on from this call, we have had a pretty slow few months of Diablo news. There were a few big hits like the Follower system and some Skillrunepreviews, but that remained it. Why does this effect Beta's release? It was stated by Bashiok that all systems would be revealed before Diablo's Beta would begin.
Official Blizzard Quote:
We will be announcing all of the game systems though before beta, so there are a few things left as far as reveals go.
While we do not know exactly how many and what systems remain to be revealed, it has been particularly slow on the news front and many have worried this is a sign that Beta and release are further off than some hope. Now, to counter this idea, we have recently got some news from Bashiok that plans are set to reveal some of this information. DiabloFans and other sites have been invited to go to Blizzard's headquarters for a first look at the beta. With this press event, DiabloFans will be able to release any information that we gain during this event to the public on August 1st. It turns out that Blizzard has planned on using DiabloFans and other sites as a way to help release information on the remaining systems.
Official Blizzard Quote:
Diablo: We've invited press to Blizzard HQ to help us make some important announcements on August 1st. What features do you hope/think we'll reveal?
So, we know that most if not all of the systems will be revealed on August 1. This information paired with the purposed beginning of beta would make it a safe guess that beta will be starting soon™ after the press event. Just how soon is up to speculation, but considering Sixen and Force will both have gotten to play the beta, it seems like it is ready to be launched.
With beta in full effect, where does Diablo's actual release stand? While it has been stated several times by different people since the conference call, it appears as though a 2011 release is still the goal for Blizzard. Of course, nothing is set in stone but the later the year gets and the continual use of this proposal only strengthens its validity. This means that there has not been any huge interferences or unseen problems that have delayed the game further since May.
Official Blizzard Quote:
Diablo: @zkep We're still shooting to have it out before the end of the year, but as always, we only want to release it when we think it's ready.
With all of this said and done, there is still no exact date on Diablo III's release. With a 2011 release date, that still leaves multiple months for its possible release. Moving on to more speculative thoughts, there is a clue as to a possibility on when we can expect to see the game. Perhaps the biggest mystery after Diablo III's release date is its story. Next to nothing has been mentioned about Diablo III's story except little clues and tidbits. However, on Amazon.com, a premature book made it on to the site sales listing. Titled "The Book of Cain", its description included the fact that lore of the Diablo III game would be revealed through this chronicling of our beloved Deckard Cain. With Blizzard wanting to keep the game's story a secret until release, it would seem that this book would have to be released near, during, or soon after the game's release. While the book was soon pulled off of the site, the release date given to those who pre-order the book was November 18 - 22. However, with the removal of the items, many customers contacted Amazon's support and one reply was:
Unfortunately, the release date for the item(s) listed below was changed by the supplier, and we need to provide you with a new estimated delivery date based on the new release date:
Deckard Cain "Diablo: the Eternal Conflict: The Illustrated Guide"
Estimated arrival date: December 19 2011
game mechanic announcement: leveling is now like Oblivion's DDD:
REAL guess is that there will be randomizing puzzle-type challenges to find before proceeding to further dungeon levels; secrets to be revealed for those who search more thoroughly or complete more efficiently.
Definitely will be a December release. They can't possibly release that book before the game because it will undoubtedly hold information about the story. Unless that date changes again, which it very well could. I'd say look to that book's release for clues on release for the game. Nice read, Scyber.
I'm still an advocate of the 2011 release date. It will release this year if no major problems with the game are found. Blizzard isn't one to make major mistakes as of late. I still expect it as late as possible, with a December release being the most probable and a November release being more ideal (and more unlikely).
I highly anticipate the beta to officially begin in August. Even as early as August 1st-2nd when the NDA for the press release is lifted.
Scyberdragon, not to be a grammar-Nazi, but things like these are pet-peeves of mine: I noticed that you incorrectly used the word "effect" in each of 2 consecutive articles in the past 2 days. Your intended use was "affect", but instead you used "effect":
... Why does this effect Beta's release? It was stated by Bashiok ...
effect = noun
affect = verb
Just a heads up for your future write-ups, as I'm sure you'd want to appear as professional as possible, being the 'News Manager' and all.
Anyway, the media event on July 27th should be exciting for everyone who's participating. By August 1st, I'm hoping the flood of information from you guys will be nothing less than overwhelming. By then, we'll probably be able to pretty accurately predict how soon is Soon™. CAN'T WAIT!
P.S. Also, have you guys noticed that StarCraft II went on sale worldwide on July 27th, 2010? Coincidence?
It still seems to me though that they could easily have a ton more of new systems to reveal? Considering they want to increase the RPG elements of the game, I'm curious if there are any customization features left to be shown.
I'm also really curious if the monsters will stop flashing white every time you hit them. Like, do you think that will be a last minute aesthetic upgrade? Cause it looks terrible now. And I'm not convinced they're just flashing white when you hit them with a cold or lightning spell. They're flashing white even just through a sword hit.
I think there were a lot of good intentions when the game was announced that they specified that they aren't following through on. Like how they were going to try class-specific quest lines and stuff. Maybe looking at how much time they had left, they decided against things like that, perhaps pushing them off to an expansion or major patch.
Even if there aren't class specific quests, I do hope they manage to really make people perceive you differently depending on your class and maybe even gender at times. But it's not like it will be hard to outdo the "one distinct introduction per act" for each class in D2.
It still seems to me though that they could easily have a ton more of new systems to reveal? Considering they want to increase the RPG elements of the game, I'm curious if there are any customization features left to be shown.
I'm also really curious if the monsters will stop flashing white every time you hit them. Like, do you think that will be a last minute aesthetic upgrade? Cause it looks terrible now. And I'm not convinced they're just flashing white when you hit them with a cold or lightning spell. They're flashing white even just through a sword hit.
I'm also not a fan of this. Hopefully there will be an option to turn if off in the menus.
Could you guys link me a video where this was too noticeable. I have re-viewed a few videos after you guys mentioned this and I don't notice it. It's like that last time someone mentioned the gold on the ground is too bright. Something that I only notice when specifically mentioned.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I love all loot fest kind of game! I will be playing all of them for the next few years. Loot fest games I'm looking forward to: LotR: War in the North,Torchlight 2,Borderlands 2 and of course Diablo 3.
This gets me worried. When do blizzard usually announce an official release of their games?
Skyrim has had an official release of 11/11/11 since the start of the year and Diablo's "potential release date" is meant to be a month later than that.
I'm betting that near the end of the six month testing phase, Bashiok and some of the others will go around and get everybody's (Blizzard employee's) opinion on whether or not the game is ready to be released.
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Just as the Scorpion hunts...
Silently Lurking...
"Nothing is True. Everything is Permitted." ~ Ezio Auditore de Firenze
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Although there is no announced release date, there are some clues and information as to when we can expect the game. The first time we had all hoped to hear some information on its release, or more specifically the beginning of beta was back during ActivisionBlizzard's May financial conference call. At the previous conference call, it was stated that there would be specific talk about the beta. We all listened eagerly as some hoped for the best and others stayed cautious. By the end of the call we had learned three facts... First, internal beta had started the week prior at Blizzard. The second was that they are still planning for a 2011 release. Lastly, Blizzard was planning on starting the beta in the third quarter (July 1 - September 30). Nothing else was mentioned during the call, leaving many unsatisfied, in the hopes that the exact public beta date would have been announced.
The most important thing to take from this call was that internal testing had officially begun. This is important because of a quote by Jay Wilson that the development team was planning on a six month testing phase. There has been a lot of speculation and debate about this quote as it was typically vague in Blizzard fashion. Many have assumed that there would be a six month public beta while others disagreed by the need for this length of testing. While clarification was never given, we can add this quote with the facts given during the call to assume that the internal testing is included in this six month testing time.
Moving on from this call, we have had a pretty slow few months of Diablo news. There were a few big hits like the Follower system and some Skillrune previews, but that remained it. Why does this effect Beta's release? It was stated by Bashiok that all systems would be revealed before Diablo's Beta would begin.
Official Blizzard Quote:
We will be announcing all of the game systems though before beta, so there are a few things left as far as reveals go.
Official Blizzard Quote:
Diablo: We've invited press to Blizzard HQ to help us make some important announcements on August 1st. What features do you hope/think we'll reveal?
So, we know that most if not all of the systems will be revealed on August 1. This information paired with the purposed beginning of beta would make it a safe guess that beta will be starting soon™ after the press event. Just how soon is up to speculation, but considering Sixen and Force will both have gotten to play the beta, it seems like it is ready to be launched.
With beta in full effect, where does Diablo's actual release stand? While it has been stated several times by different people since the conference call, it appears as though a 2011 release is still the goal for Blizzard. Of course, nothing is set in stone but the later the year gets and the continual use of this proposal only strengthens its validity. This means that there has not been any huge interferences or unseen problems that have delayed the game further since May.
Official Blizzard Quote:
Diablo: @zkep We're still shooting to have it out before the end of the year, but as always, we only want to release it when we think it's ready.
With all of this said and done, there is still no exact date on Diablo III's release. With a 2011 release date, that still leaves multiple months for its possible release. Moving on to more speculative thoughts, there is a clue as to a possibility on when we can expect to see the game. Perhaps the biggest mystery after Diablo III's release date is its story. Next to nothing has been mentioned about Diablo III's story except little clues and tidbits. However, on Amazon.com, a premature book made it on to the site sales listing. Titled "The Book of Cain", its description included the fact that lore of the Diablo III game would be revealed through this chronicling of our beloved Deckard Cain. With Blizzard wanting to keep the game's story a secret until release, it would seem that this book would have to be released near, during, or soon after the game's release. While the book was soon pulled off of the site, the release date given to those who pre-order the book was November 18 - 22. However, with the removal of the items, many customers contacted Amazon's support and one reply was:
Source (Pityme2pac@Europe).
Could this book hold the clue to when we will all get our hands on this coveted game?
Find any Diablo news? Contact me or anyone else on the News team
REAL guess is that there will be randomizing puzzle-type challenges to find before proceeding to further dungeon levels; secrets to be revealed for those who search more thoroughly or complete more efficiently.
-Thomas Jefferson
I highly anticipate the beta to officially begin in August. Even as early as August 1st-2nd when the NDA for the press release is lifted.
On the other hand, if it released in November I could play it sooner.
effect = noun
affect = verb
Just a heads up for your future write-ups, as I'm sure you'd want to appear as professional as possible, being the 'News Manager' and all.
Anyway, the media event on July 27th should be exciting for everyone who's participating. By August 1st, I'm hoping the flood of information from you guys will be nothing less than overwhelming. By then, we'll probably be able to pretty accurately predict how soon is Soon™. CAN'T WAIT!
P.S. Also, have you guys noticed that StarCraft II went on sale worldwide on July 27th, 2010? Coincidence?
Proof reading is something I hate doing. I am by no means a professional journalist. I just do this for fun and proof reading for grammar is not fun.
Sorry.
Find any Diablo news? Contact me or anyone else on the News team
I'm also really curious if the monsters will stop flashing white every time you hit them. Like, do you think that will be a last minute aesthetic upgrade? Cause it looks terrible now. And I'm not convinced they're just flashing white when you hit them with a cold or lightning spell. They're flashing white even just through a sword hit.
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Could you guys link me a video where this was too noticeable. I have re-viewed a few videos after you guys mentioned this and I don't notice it. It's like that last time someone mentioned the gold on the ground is too bright. Something that I only notice when specifically mentioned.
Find any Diablo news? Contact me or anyone else on the news team.
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Skyrim has had an official release of 11/11/11 since the start of the year and Diablo's "potential release date" is meant to be a month later than that.
Seems like bit of a rush.