Diablo III Planned for Q2 2012
The biggest and only news we received during the call is that Blizzard is shooting for a Q2 release date for Diablo III which could still put it in Bashiok's "early 2012" statement. Ranging from April - June, we are definitely getting close to release. They also mentioned that they will be releasing more information on the release date within the next few weeks.
Originally Posted by Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
(We have implemented changes which will greatly improve the game experience and final release will live up to the highest expectations. We expect launch to be a big opportunity for Blizzard. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.
It'll be fine. We'll have some info real soon on skills and runes, a new patch, and we'll be cookin' on the road to Releaseville.
Can't we just enjoy eachothers company?
We've only ever said "early 2012". And we just decided we'd need until Q2 this week. Seems like the conference call was as good a place as any to announce that.
It'll be fine. We'll have some info real soon on skills and runes, a new patch, and we'll be cookin' on the road to Releaseville.
Can't we just enjoy eachothers company?
We've only ever said "early 2012". And we just decided we'd need until Q2 this week. Seems like the conference call was as good a place as any to announce that.
Other Blizzard News
Along with Diablo, Blizzard mentioned that they will also be trying to releasing another title this year. They are also still working on multiple titles such as their upcoming DOTA which will feature characters like the Witch Doctor as well as work on their new MMO.
It was reported that over 1 million subscribers in the West signed up for the WoW annual contract that included a free copy of Diablo III upon release as well as many other additional extras.
Activision Blizzard Q4 Conference Call
The Q4 call will be starting at 1:30 PST (about 25 mins from this post) You can view it live yourself here. We will be updating this article as new information is listed in the call.
- The company's first quarter 2012 outlook does not incorporate a new release from Blizzard Entertainment, but its calendar year 2012 outlook anticipates two releases from Blizzard Entertainment.
- Targeting a Q2 Release for Diablo 3 (keep in mind Q1 ends in march, this still could land in "early").
- Beta Testing and Auction House testing going well.
Edit: sorry, didn't read your post right. I agree that they "aimed" and it was their "goal" but they didn't give a release date for 2011. But since they consistently said they "aim for late 2011" and "2011 is looking good", they apologized for it and pushed it back.
At any rate, it's good to know they've narrowed it down some more, but nothing is more appropriate than an actual release date after this. They should have known better to announce Diablo 3 to its fans so early. Diablo fans are intense.
But i don't care. As long as the game is good enough for the wait.
Well this is never going to end. November. January 17th. February 1st. February 9th. There is really NO point to hope for this. Seriously. How long does it take for you to get strung along and amped up to be disappointed. This s will never end. Blizz is freaking stupid.
Did anyone look at their numbers?!? Look at the Development Cost section...it speaks for itself. Pretty freaking lame. The Diablo team is constantly explaining that there is not that many people actually developing the game. CLEARLY. After looking at the Development cost, check out the COGS and Cost of subscription base. Look at the % to the Operating income. Its a joke. That margin on subscriptions makes me want to freaking stab blizzard in the face for all the money i put into WOW.
Soon my ass. Doorstep my ass. Q2 is just not early 2012, by any means. Blizz will keep the plate of "info" or rather bullshit coming as long as they have people to read and hype up the game. How much hype did they put out originally then cut?
No more hype from me. I will just sit the next few stupid fanbuilt hypes out. Sorry.
Edited for rage language.... a lot of it...
But seriously. I do get April and May, if you stretch it, falls in 'early 2012' but June... hmmm
I just hope that the 'targeting' for Q2 doesn't mean 'it can yet be pushed back'. Otherwise, it might be possible for me to be playing RE6 sooner than D3
They never said Q1. It has been early 2012 since Sept and it hasn't changed. He was simply mistaken, as he so clearly put it.
You don't know what a troll is.
I don't want the release to ruin my vacation.
Just months away from release date, they start to remove and add key features and justify it by saying... "it's better for the game". What?!? better for the game.... and you realised this when? Removing the boss deaths sequences is just another proof that they lost focus at some point of the development. The feature was on the list for 4 freaking years and they just decided to remove it now... something doesn't add up. If they decided not to do it 2 years ago, I would of understood.... but they had 4 years to do it, there is no excuse.
Seriously, it's when I look at the Blizzard North crew that I realise how good they were. They took a total of 3 years to develop the whole game and we are still playing it. The irvine team is taking 7 years and I sadly doubt that it will be that much better against guild wars 2. I know they want to make a worthy sequel, but this is already looking like a flop to me. Not because it won't be good, but because the ratio development time/quality is diminishing very rapidly. Tic toc Jay Tic toc.
I've always hoped it would be this way but expected T2 last year and D3 near the very end or at least Q1 of this year. I doubt I'll do anything in T2 once D3 comes out as I don't want to oversaturate myself with the genre. I can only handle one grind game at a time. Runic games really should have done a better job so they could capitalize on Blizzard's sluggishness. Instead they are just trying to emulate them but will fail because....well they aren't Blizzard and T1 wouldn't have done very well at all had D3 been out at that time.