We're going to see so little of the game during beta. Beta for Diablo III is mostly for the hype, anyway; it's not really for addressing bugs. The game archetype doesn't lend itself to extensive testing, and definitely not beta testing. Especially since it's not being tailored to be an eSport.
I just voted for October because everyone who works with software knows just how these delays happens all the time. And it doesn't work to plan ahead extending the deadline in advance, because everything happens when the deadline is already chosen.
And when they realize that the delay made it to September, they will just delay it another month to announce it in Blizzcon.
wow... most of you went July... are you sure you don't all just want it to come out in July?
Totally agree with you on that. July just sounded like a good time to pick for beta. If they didn't have blizzcon it would probably be the case. If they release game pre blizzcon, all they will have to talk about are expansions and the next mmo. Gotta feed the PR machine!
wow... most of you went July... are you sure you don't all just want it to come out in July?
Totally agree with you on that. July just sounded like a good time to pick for beta. If they didn't have blizzcon it would probably be the case. If they release game pre blizzcon, all they will have to talk about are expansions and the next mmo. Gotta feed the PR machine!
Or, you know, a Christmas release announcement assuming the beta goes smoothly.
And considering they've rented out more than their usual convention space for this Blizzcon, I wouldn't underestimate this year's con.
Blizzard started accepting our Blizzcon 2008 Starcraft 2 beta keys in April of 2009 (look it up). All signs pointed to the idea that the beta was just a few months away.
Well, it didn't start until February of 2010.
The Battle.net issue, one off as it may have been, was something pretty unexpected and that sort of thing sets something of a disturbing precedent.
Blizzard destroys every other game company that's out there, especially in the last 15 - 17 years. Only early Westwood Studios and Bioware from back in the day come anywhere near what Blizzard has achieved.
Having said that, there's always a price to pay. In Blizzard's case, it's that their development process is inefficient and they tend to iterate way too much, especially in an era where patches for online games can solve everything.
They're simply blessed that their massive fanbase is as patient as we are. Any other company would look at all the other games coming out and start hyperventilating at the thought of losing customers to these other studios.
I simply don't see how people can say Blizzard is inefficient. If you look at any gaming company that consistently puts out great products (Blizzard being one of a very few companies that has pulled that off, along with companies like Valve and Bioware before DA2), they all have some kind of similar mantra where they never set any dates in stone. Its simply because games take a long time to make. Sure, you can say that there are faster ways to make a great game, but there seem to be very few ways that lead to a great game every time.
And like you said, SC2's delay was only because of B.net. I don't see how thats disturbing. If anything, the delay of SC2 was one of the more minor delays Blizz has had, and if B.net was already up and running (like it will be for D3), the game would've probably come out on time.
A combination of reading, thinking and wishing placed me in August.
Also I dearly hope beta won't be six months from then on. Six months from now however I could live with, as that would give us a 2011 release. Right hammy?
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I also agree that a 6 month public beta is a worst case scenario and highly unlikely, and take a little consolation out of that. Shorter beta means quicker release.
I'm not so hopeful as to imagine beta coming earlier than projected, but barring something really surprising I think mid July we'll be seeing the beta invites rolling out, and if the beta was longer than 3 months honestly I'd be shocked, we're play-testing so tiny a slice of the game.
Don't forget.ScyberDragon asked Bashiok if they had plans on how and when they are going to announce these remaining systems.
Official Blizzard Quote:
@ScyberDragon Yes. Very specifically.
It appears as though Blizzard knows exactly what they will be doing up until beta and more importantly, when they plan on starting beta.I think they know exactly when they're going to start beta.
Why wouldn't they give us a specific date than? Your post supports what I said about Blizzard beating around the bush because the know the Beta, and the game is going to come late.
First, as your post points out, Bash says they know how they're going to release systems. So one could tie this loosely into the Beta, as you did.
Than, come the conference call we get a 3 month window in Q3.
“We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about.” - Albert Einstein
Just because they gave a public window (so as to hedge their bet) doesn't mean they don't have a relatively solid internal date in mind. As many have pointed out, Blizzard is just as conscious of their 'history' and of fan expectations as anyone, they're being cautious but confident.
Blizzard has become nearly phobic about talking dates, even ambiguously, one would think even 'Q3 beta' is almost surprising from them, they must be reasonably confident.
I bet on august, not being to optimistic tbh. Or i dont know, i've given up any supsections i've had actually, i've just stopped caring i guess. It comes when it comes. I'm never going to have expectations after this. Expectations only disappoint you, atleast thats how it feels. Anyway, the beta comes when it comes. Getting disappointed sucks.
Best thing i read all day! YOU good man are my hero!
I fully expect the beta to come later rather then sooner. I also expect the game to come later rather then sooner(aka, 2012).
I'm ok with this. Blizzard releases polished, fun games. If they say it needs another month or two, I can accept that because i know what we end up getting, whenever that may be, will be awesome.
I voted for August, mostly to be on the moderately safe side. With what is essentially the alpha phase starting last week one would think that the beta would start somewhere around three months after(which is typical alpha phase length, correct me if I'm wrong), barring major delays obviously but I believe SC2 for example, was held up in internal testing due to battle.net complications right? That seems unlikely to be a snag in Diablo 3's development.
Once a game reaches the testing phase generally the games production schedule becomes a bit more regimented, meaning now they have time frames that they are aiming to achieve. These time frames are established due to precedence, so what I'm trying to say is that Blizzard is saying Q3 2011 because they genuinely believe it will be out then. I would say as early as July 18th but my gut says August 8th.
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I´m expecting the beta to come out in August.
Blizzard´s past is what ironically makes me think like that. They are well known for being evasive and all that "soon" and "when its done" things, so if they are finnaly announcing a date (or a period) I have no problem believing in it. There would be no difference in keeping us in the dark for 2-3 more months, if they picked up the callendar and said "this month" they should be pretty close to finishing the game.
If they dont.. I really dont care that much. They launch when its done and I play when its launched.
As much as I like your optimism, I don't think its definitely coming this year. They've basically said that if all goes well during alpha/beta testing, they think it can come out during this year. As far as when the beta comes out, that probably depends on how well internal testing goes. If theres a lot of bugs, then they'll probably delay it, if not, it'll come out whenever they currently think it will.
So basically if the alpha isn't too buggy/broken, then the beta will come out Q3, if the beta goes well, the game will come out in 2011. Unfortunately for when we get to play, but fortunately for the end product, Blizzard's standard for whats acceptable is obviously very high, so some kind of delay is, IMO, likely. That doesn't mean that it will get delayed all the way to 2012 though, and even if it does it'll probably be very early (Q1/Q2) of 2012, and in the meantime we'll be playing (or at least getting boatloads of info about) the beta.
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And when they realize that the delay made it to September, they will just delay it another month to announce it in Blizzcon.
Totally agree with you on that. July just sounded like a good time to pick for beta. If they didn't have blizzcon it would probably be the case. If they release game pre blizzcon, all they will have to talk about are expansions and the next mmo. Gotta feed the PR machine!
Or, you know, a Christmas release announcement assuming the beta goes smoothly.
And considering they've rented out more than their usual convention space for this Blizzcon, I wouldn't underestimate this year's con.
Well, it didn't start until February of 2010.
The Battle.net issue, one off as it may have been, was something pretty unexpected and that sort of thing sets something of a disturbing precedent.
Blizzard destroys every other game company that's out there, especially in the last 15 - 17 years. Only early Westwood Studios and Bioware from back in the day come anywhere near what Blizzard has achieved.
Having said that, there's always a price to pay. In Blizzard's case, it's that their development process is inefficient and they tend to iterate way too much, especially in an era where patches for online games can solve everything.
They're simply blessed that their massive fanbase is as patient as we are. Any other company would look at all the other games coming out and start hyperventilating at the thought of losing customers to these other studios.
And like you said, SC2's delay was only because of B.net. I don't see how thats disturbing. If anything, the delay of SC2 was one of the more minor delays Blizz has had, and if B.net was already up and running (like it will be for D3), the game would've probably come out on time.
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Also I dearly hope beta won't be six months from then on. Six months from now however I could live with, as that would give us a 2011 release. Right hammy?
This is how I voted. More in hopes, rather than a guess.
ScyberDragon asked Bashiok if they had plans on how and when they are going to announce these remaining systems.
Official Blizzard Quote:
@ScyberDragon Yes. Very specifically.
I think they know exactly when they're going to start beta.
Why wouldn't they give us a specific date than? Your post supports what I said about Blizzard beating around the bush because the know the Beta, and the game is going to come late.
First, as your post points out, Bash says they know how they're going to release systems. So one could tie this loosely into the Beta, as you did.
Than, come the conference call we get a 3 month window in Q3.
Very contradicting.
Blizzard has become nearly phobic about talking dates, even ambiguously, one would think even 'Q3 beta' is almost surprising from them, they must be reasonably confident.
Best thing i read all day! YOU good man are my hero!
I'm ok with this. Blizzard releases polished, fun games. If they say it needs another month or two, I can accept that because i know what we end up getting, whenever that may be, will be awesome.
Once a game reaches the testing phase generally the games production schedule becomes a bit more regimented, meaning now they have time frames that they are aiming to achieve. These time frames are established due to precedence, so what I'm trying to say is that Blizzard is saying Q3 2011 because they genuinely believe it will be out then. I would say as early as July 18th but my gut says August 8th.
Blizzard´s past is what ironically makes me think like that. They are well known for being evasive and all that "soon" and "when its done" things, so if they are finnaly announcing a date (or a period) I have no problem believing in it. There would be no difference in keeping us in the dark for 2-3 more months, if they picked up the callendar and said "this month" they should be pretty close to finishing the game.
If they dont.. I really dont care that much. They launch when its done and I play when its launched.
can't say any better
btw, i'm expecting beta by the first days of august, more 4 months and then LAUNCH
always thought bout a 2011 xmas release and i'll keep that
So basically if the alpha isn't too buggy/broken, then the beta will come out Q3, if the beta goes well, the game will come out in 2011. Unfortunately for when we get to play, but fortunately for the end product, Blizzard's standard for whats acceptable is obviously very high, so some kind of delay is, IMO, likely. That doesn't mean that it will get delayed all the way to 2012 though, and even if it does it'll probably be very early (Q1/Q2) of 2012, and in the meantime we'll be playing (or at least getting boatloads of info about) the beta.
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