There's an interesting article that recently appeared in the Los Angeles Times' Brand X which discusses the potential of Blizzard returning to game consoles in the not too distant future as opposed to just having their games on computers. Blizzard's COO Paul Sams talks about how console systems encourage people to play games together as opposed to the more solitary nature of computers and and why it's worth doing even if he doesn't like the idea of paying a fee to hardware manufacturers. Of course, there's mention of Diablo 3 being shopped around as we've already mentioned in the past as well. Definitely a solid read. Check it out:
"In the computer gaming world, Blizzard Entertainment is a juggernaut. The division of Activision Blizzard is responsible for some of the world's bestselling PC games, including World of Warcraft and StarCraft. But the company hasn't released a game for home consoles in more than a decade.
That could change any day.
Blizzard has nothing against controllers, joysticks or living rooms, said Paul Sams, Blizzard's chief operating officer, at last month's annual BlizzCon event in Anaheim. Financial details are what's holding up the company's long-overdue return to the console market.
To release an Xbox, Playstation or Wii game, game producers are required to pay a licensing fee to system manufacturers. It's a big reason why Microsoft and Sony can sell their hardware at a loss.
The simple economics goes: The manufacturers profit on game sales, even if they lose money on the hardware needed to play the games. They might lose money on each console, but the longer term prospect of selling more and more games should make back that loss (and then some).
"The value is the game," Sams agrees. But he doesn't like the business model. "I don't like the idea of paying a console manufacturer a fee. That concept pisses me off."
But the community aspect of consoles is compelling Blizzard to go beyond the all-too-familiar flicker of the bedroom computer monitor. "Because the living room is a place where more people can be around, there's a lot of reasons why it's appealing," Sams said.
In order to get there, however, Blizzard appears to be holding out for a console maker to cut a deal. "They do it all the time," Sams said. True, manufacturers will ...
... sometimes give bags of money in exchange for exclusive rights to high-profile game franchises.
Where might Blizzard go? As it prepares to launch its revamped online gaming network, called Battle.net, the company doesn't have much need for Microsoft's Xbox Live infrastructure or Nintendo's WiFi Connection.
Blizzard has a cozy history with Nintendo, having made games for the Super Nintendo and StarCraft 64 for the successor to the SNES. The Wii's remote control would be well-suited to the developer's flagship real-time strategy games.
Blizzard is shopping around Diablo III to consoles. "We are in ongoing talks with Microsoft and Sony," Sams said. "I think they desire to see us on their platforms."
A near-finished game called StarCraft: Ghost was the closest Blizzard has come to releasing a console game in years. Due to the loss of a key person on the outsourced development team, "it wasn't turning out the way we wanted," Sams said. So, Blizzard scrapped the project. That crucial developer, Ray Gresko, now leads work on Diablo III.
"I think that a lot of other companies would not have hesitated in publishing it," Sams said about the game based on its sci-fi franchise. "We weren't willing to put out a game that was not at the level of Blizzard polish quality that customers have come to expect."
As the battle between Microsoft and Sony becomes more aggressive, with both companies recently slashing the prices of their systems in advance of the holiday season, it may not be long before one plops the right deal down on Blizzard's table. -Mark Milian"
Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing Diablo 3 on all of the consoles. I'm sure it would look great on both the Xbox and PS3, and a Wii version could be entertaining to hack apart enemies by waving the Wiimote around. Actually, given the number of enemies one has to kill in Diablo, I imagine your arms would feel like jelly after playing the game on the Wii for any extended periods of time.
Don't count on that, Eldius. I think when it comes down to it, if those games work really well on console and are exceptional games up to Blizzard's standard, then they will be released for console, as they should be if they are great games. That's how the world works.
i never knew blizzard ever made console games...and i think blizzard should stick with computer games because like he said with the wii, it would be fun hacking your enemies, but how would u use all your skills? i mean they should just stay with comps. because they already got enough people playing..
I still play diablo 2 from the beginning and i would LOVE to play Diablo III on my playstation 3 ! There is no pc req , no lag and controller with dual shock = intense gaming :P. ill go 100% with the console version is there one !
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[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Don't ever get stuck in the sky when you're high .
I just don't see any of the games being compatible with a console of any sort, considering that the controls are too complex compared to the norm for such platforms.
However, I can see the Lost Vikings or something of that sort on consoles.
I disagree. The ps3 can have a keyboard AND a mouse attached to it. We could just as easily turn our PS3 into a quasi computer, and play it.
But even with the regular controller... diablo wouldnt' be that hard to play. You use the 1 joystick to move, the second to aim, and you hit X for hotkey spell 1, square for 2,circle for 3, and triangle for 4.
There have been alot of hack and slashes setup the same way and they work fine.
StarCraft for the N64.
It sucked, really hard to navigate the screen, select units, do anything even remotely quickly. Wont work.
Diablo 3
I cant see this one working either. How would you switch to your spell you want? How would you switch to multiple ability's quick enough. Buying items at the shop? Listed? That would take away the feel of the game. Picking up equipment on the ground? I don't want to see a pickup all button.
I disagree. The ps3 can have a keyboard AND a mouse attached to it. We could just as easily turn our PS3 into a quasi computer, and play it.
But even with the regular controller... diablo wouldnt' be that hard to play. You use the 1 joystick to move, the second to aim, and you hit X for hotkey spell 1, square for 2,circle for 3, and triangle for 4.
There have been alot of hack and slashes setup the same way and they work fine.
Totaly Agree!
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[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Don't ever get stuck in the sky when you're high .
Yeah, Diablo I was for PS1 and Starcraft was for the N64.
The ps3 can have a keyboard AND a mouse attached to it. We could just as easily turn our PS3 into a quasi computer, and play it.
Agreed It has USB ports on it so you can just plug in a USB mouse and USB keyboard. I think Wii's have USB ports, too (although that would be kind of stupid since you don't play a Wii for the graphics or anything, you play it for the motion sensors- it wouldn't be much fun without those :P). Dunno if 360's do, but I'm sure Microsoft will add those in with the next platform of theirs if it doesn't.
Whether or not it can be played on a console doesn't even affect PC users, except that if they were on the same server, console players would be less likely to have hacks and cheats.
Yeah, Diablo I was for PS1 and Starcraft was for the N64.
werent those ports done by another dev and not blizzard? which may explain why they werent of the highest quality?
Quote from "Eldius" »
And they had terrible controls on those consoles...
Yeah but nowadays if you can hook up a mouse and keyboard its just as good as the pc version....and D1 on ps1 wasnt to bad......not saying it controlled great or anything but it was managable
werent those ports done by another dev and not blizzard? which may explain why they werent of the highest quality?
Not to my knowledge. Dunno.
Yeah but nowadays if you can hook up a mouse and keyboard its just as good as the pc version....and D1 on ps1 wasnt to bad......not saying it controlled great or anything but it was managable
Yeah, I never played either on a console, but nowadays the line between PC's and consoles is blurring significantly. The standard archaic PC input devices can now all be attached to PS3's and Wii's (and, hopefully in the future, Microsoft's consoles).
lol wow hooking up the keyboard to a PS3 lol why dont you just do computer then because actually some games on consoles that have alot of action and sound FX and really good FX anyways will sometimes cause a lag on the consoles...and computer would connect much easier lol(theres my statement period)
Yeah, I never played either on a console, but nowadays the line between PC's and consoles is blurring significantly. The standard archaic PC input devices can now all be attached to PS3's and Wii's (and, hopefully in the future, Microsoft's consoles).
See.... i don't get why we can't just use the PS3 controller... Think about all the hack and slash games that got released on the ps2 even...
Diablo 2 was based on the background moving instead of the character. Clicking just gave you easier control over movement and aiming... (mainly for targeting specific monsters/ corpses)
However, MMOs have proven that using a TAB (L2) system to select targets works just fine, and i have a feeling that this could be worked out to work on a console as well.
Heck... i wouldn't even mind if they started using that new PS3 motion controller, and i was able to move my char using the controller :-D!!!!
lol wow hooking up the keyboard to a PS3 lol why dont you just do computer then because actually some games on consoles that have alot of action and sound FX and really good FX anyways will sometimes cause a lag on the consoles...and computer would connect much easier lol(theres my statement period)
Dude ... wtf gen3 console do you have?
Do you realize that the PS3 can outperform even the top end gaming PCs? the PS3 is specifially created for playing media... and in HD/ High def audio too????
And think about it... if they let you download D3 to your PS3 instead of running a blu-ray.... you could have 10% the load time?
lol wow hooking up the keyboard to a PS3 lol why dont you just do computer
Like I said, the new consoles are becoming more and more like regular PC's, with logical and flexible operating systems, expanded storage (hard drives), USB ports, and PS3's even have CF, miniSD, SD, and Pro card readers for multimedia extraction in to your console. So, by the same extension, I could also say "why don't you just do it on a console", since the two are losing the gap. Presently, the main gap between them is customization, which you obviously can't do to a console. But that's for another topic.
And, of course, I'm not saying that you shouldn't be able to use a controller if you want to.
Dunno what you mean about lag, though. I get the same internet speed on my PS3 that I do on any computer in my house hooked up to my router Never played my 360 online, though.
I will say I feel uneasy about the idea.. but it could be good.
I will suggest that the computer sees a release date well before the consoles do tho.
It will be a lot harder to code it for the PS3, but with the PS3's abilities Diablo 3 will look very very very goood.
Of course they will have to make the game compatible with a USB Mouse and Keyboard. Or else I would never pick it up.
I wouldn't want the keys/skills/etc. to be a newly cooked-up console style.
Just wouldn't fit right with me. lol
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Watching 240 guys talk trash about cavaliers is like two retards having a slapfight over a sippy cup.
Of course they will have to make the game compatible with a USB Mouse and Keyboard. Or else I would never pick it up.
Well, the PC version would obviously be compatible with USB mice and keyboards since most people use one, the other, or both on their PC's, so I don't see why they would have any difficulty doing so.
But yeah, getting it to work correctly on multiple operating systems, like the Windows OS's (including any XBox OS), Mac OS's, and PS OS's would obviously slow development time.
If this is specifically about Diablo III, though- I've been waiting a decade, I could wait a little longer if necessary. Or they could just release the PC version on time and switch their power to console adaptation afterward.
I wouldn't want the keys/skills/etc. to be a newly cooked-up console style.
Just wouldn't fit right with me. lol
Well, if you're playing in on a PC, they obviously wouldn't be giving you a console system on a PC version And a PC system would translate well to modern consoles because, like stated before, you can use the same input devices (mice, keyboards, etc.). And the console play version, utilizing a controller, would still be there.
Do you realize that the PS3 can outperform even the top end gaming PCs? the PS3 is specifially created for playing media... and in HD/ High def audio too????
The ps3 is nowhere near the top end gaming pcs man lol....its a powerful piece of hardware no doubt but its far inferior to gaming rigs lol
back on topic......I think if they develop games for consoles again it would be console exclusives...just like the lost vikings and blackthrone or w/e it was called lol.....but who knows what there planning
lol i have a xbox 360 but what about PS3 slim? do those have USB ports(slim just came out PWNED :P)...want halo 3 odst though mostly diablo 3 man i just hope blizzard stays PC consoles will ruin it if they go back >.>
Eh, yeah. There's no reason we need to assume that they would be taking the classic three to consoles. It would be interesting what they would come up with with Lost Vikings and Blackthorne, though. I never played either, but they're old. Doubt they have anyone behind those games' art directions around in the staff, anymore
Eh, yeah. There's no reason we need to assume that they would be taking the classic three to consoles. It would be interesting what they would come up with with Lost Vikings and Blackthorne, though. I never played either, but they're old. Doubt they have anyone behind those games' art directions around in the staff, anymore
Yeah most of those guys are long gone.....new IP's are most probable....or possibly spin offs of there main franchises...like ghost was gonna be
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Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing Diablo 3 on all of the consoles. I'm sure it would look great on both the Xbox and PS3, and a Wii version could be entertaining to hack apart enemies by waving the Wiimote around. Actually, given the number of enemies one has to kill in Diablo, I imagine your arms would feel like jelly after playing the game on the Wii for any extended periods of time.
I disagree. The ps3 can have a keyboard AND a mouse attached to it. We could just as easily turn our PS3 into a quasi computer, and play it.
But even with the regular controller... diablo wouldnt' be that hard to play. You use the 1 joystick to move, the second to aim, and you hit X for hotkey spell 1, square for 2,circle for 3, and triangle for 4.
There have been alot of hack and slashes setup the same way and they work fine.
It sucked, really hard to navigate the screen, select units, do anything even remotely quickly. Wont work.
Diablo 3
I cant see this one working either. How would you switch to your spell you want? How would you switch to multiple ability's quick enough. Buying items at the shop? Listed? That would take away the feel of the game. Picking up equipment on the ground? I don't want to see a pickup all button.
Warcraft
Wont work, same issue as StarCraft.
Totaly Agree!
Yeah, Diablo I was for PS1 and Starcraft was for the N64.
Agreed It has USB ports on it so you can just plug in a USB mouse and USB keyboard. I think Wii's have USB ports, too (although that would be kind of stupid since you don't play a Wii for the graphics or anything, you play it for the motion sensors- it wouldn't be much fun without those :P). Dunno if 360's do, but I'm sure Microsoft will add those in with the next platform of theirs if it doesn't.
Whether or not it can be played on a console doesn't even affect PC users, except that if they were on the same server, console players would be less likely to have hacks and cheats.
werent those ports done by another dev and not blizzard? which may explain why they werent of the highest quality?
Yeah but nowadays if you can hook up a mouse and keyboard its just as good as the pc version....and D1 on ps1 wasnt to bad......not saying it controlled great or anything but it was managable
Not to my knowledge. Dunno.
Yeah, I never played either on a console, but nowadays the line between PC's and consoles is blurring significantly. The standard archaic PC input devices can now all be attached to PS3's and Wii's (and, hopefully in the future, Microsoft's consoles).
See.... i don't get why we can't just use the PS3 controller... Think about all the hack and slash games that got released on the ps2 even...
Diablo 2 was based on the background moving instead of the character. Clicking just gave you easier control over movement and aiming... (mainly for targeting specific monsters/ corpses)
However, MMOs have proven that using a TAB (L2) system to select targets works just fine, and i have a feeling that this could be worked out to work on a console as well.
Heck... i wouldn't even mind if they started using that new PS3 motion controller, and i was able to move my char using the controller :-D!!!!
Dude ... wtf gen3 console do you have?
Do you realize that the PS3 can outperform even the top end gaming PCs? the PS3 is specifially created for playing media... and in HD/ High def audio too????
And think about it... if they let you download D3 to your PS3 instead of running a blu-ray.... you could have 10% the load time?
Like I said, the new consoles are becoming more and more like regular PC's, with logical and flexible operating systems, expanded storage (hard drives), USB ports, and PS3's even have CF, miniSD, SD, and Pro card readers for multimedia extraction in to your console. So, by the same extension, I could also say "why don't you just do it on a console", since the two are losing the gap. Presently, the main gap between them is customization, which you obviously can't do to a console. But that's for another topic.
And, of course, I'm not saying that you shouldn't be able to use a controller if you want to.
Dunno what you mean about lag, though. I get the same internet speed on my PS3 that I do on any computer in my house hooked up to my router Never played my 360 online, though.
I will suggest that the computer sees a release date well before the consoles do tho.
It will be a lot harder to code it for the PS3, but with the PS3's abilities Diablo 3 will look very very very goood.
Of course they will have to make the game compatible with a USB Mouse and Keyboard. Or else I would never pick it up.
I wouldn't want the keys/skills/etc. to be a newly cooked-up console style.
Just wouldn't fit right with me. lol
Well, the PC version would obviously be compatible with USB mice and keyboards since most people use one, the other, or both on their PC's, so I don't see why they would have any difficulty doing so.
But yeah, getting it to work correctly on multiple operating systems, like the Windows OS's (including any XBox OS), Mac OS's, and PS OS's would obviously slow development time.
If this is specifically about Diablo III, though- I've been waiting a decade, I could wait a little longer if necessary. Or they could just release the PC version on time and switch their power to console adaptation afterward.
Well, if you're playing in on a PC, they obviously wouldn't be giving you a console system on a PC version And a PC system would translate well to modern consoles because, like stated before, you can use the same input devices (mice, keyboards, etc.). And the console play version, utilizing a controller, would still be there.
The ps3 is nowhere near the top end gaming pcs man lol....its a powerful piece of hardware no doubt but its far inferior to gaming rigs lol
back on topic......I think if they develop games for consoles again it would be console exclusives...just like the lost vikings and blackthrone or w/e it was called lol.....but who knows what there planning
Yeah most of those guys are long gone.....new IP's are most probable....or possibly spin offs of there main franchises...like ghost was gonna be