Note the Diablo III gameplay segment right after the opening ceremony: hopefully this will be where we'll see all the latest for this year's event. Also note the kick ass image of the Monk with a pretty sick staff at the right. The second day will feature a Diablo III Q & A segment and what I'm guessing is a party for lore-crazed fans: Diablo III: Crafting Sanctuary.
As for the break down on just what will be covered in each of these panels:
Official Blizzard Quote:
PANELS SCHEDULE BLIZZCON DEVELOPER PANELS
Developer panels are always one of the most popular attractions at BlizzCon, as they offer players a chance to discuss the development process with us in person and give attendees a glimpse at what’s in store for their favorite Blizzard Entertainment games. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the panels we’ll be hosting at BlizzCon 2010.
DIABLO III
Diablo III: Crafting Sanctuary
Saturday 10:30am, Developer Panel Stage
The designers, artists, programmers, and writers share new information on the characters, creatures, game systems, and story of Diablo III.
Diablo III Gameplay
Friday 12pm, Main Stage
What's in store next for the heroes of Sanctuary? Learn about the latest game developments in this don't-miss panel for Diablo players.
Diablo III Open Q&A
Saturday 3pm, Main Stage
Got a burning question about the Burning Hells? The development team dedicates an hour to audience questions about the story, design, art, sound, and gameplay of Diablo III.
UPDATE:
For those of you worried about the limited Diablo time, here is what Bahiok had to say.
Official Blizzard Quote:
It's the same number as last year. Two 'info' panels and one open Q&A.
I really don't see how this could be interpreted as any indication of... anything, at all. We have specific things to talk about. It's a weird stretch to come to a conclusion that we must not be able to talk about anything meaningful unless there are 3+ hours of stage time dedicated to talking about the game.
So anyway, yes, there are two panels - - and in-between those panels and for 14 hours a day, both days the developers are in back-to-back interviews with news and press outlets. There will be plenty of info streaming out about the game all over the place even if you don't think that two panels is enough to do so.
[ Post edited by Bashiok ]
Yeah, depressing, isn't it? After all that hype they gave us about it being Diablo's biggest Blizzcon yet. Although, that's probably still basically true, which is kind of sad.
quality over quantity
i trust those 3 hours will offer alot more useful information than hour long of interviews that play "cat and mouse" to avoid direct answers
(i'm an optimist, can't change)
Exactly!
It only takes about 5 seconds for them to say "Diablo 3 will be released june 29th 2011"
3 hours is plenty.
And a further 5 seconds to say- 'Here are beta keys for D3. Happy Christmas.'
Yea thats correct but the Q&A will be interesting aswell if you ask the right questions
look at the development section
I'm curious what the whole crafting sanctuary will bring tbh, and I wonder what questions will arise at the Q&A. Please, for the love of God, I hope people don't ask questions that have been answered already and grasp for some new info.
I'm grateful for the hours they gave D3 though since I'm attending a major national test that very same saturday for 6-8 hours (starts around 8 or 9 in the morning I think), so I won't miss out on anything D3-related if I'm not mistaken (+10 hour difference between Sweden and Cali).
Here you go.
That's a good point and I won't argue against that, but still, it's kinda dumb that Bashiok (and others, not to point fingers at any specific Blizzard representative) emphasized in quite literal terms how this would be Diablo's year and this would be the biggest Blizzcon for Diablo. When looking at how little is devoted to this entirely new game, how little was given to it in the past years, and how SCII is already released and WoW's expansion has already had beta and is due for release the end of this year (I believe), it's just ridiculous how many straight panels there are for, specifically, WoW, and not for an entirely new, unreleased, un-beta-ed game.
Last year I skipped all of the main event talking and the development talking because well I didn't pay all of that money to go and listen to people talk about stuff that I can get on the internet for free in an easy to read format.
If they do release a beta key then I think peoples that accounts show that they went last year should be opted in since they didn't give us jack beside some hand sanitizer. (Thanks Blizzard)
Oh and I hope they remember to actually include Diablo into their opening ceremony this time, I know it's hard to remember 3 franchises and all.
Is that...wait, seriously?