Now, this does not guarantee that Blizzard will not be releasing Diablo this year. What it means is that they are not sure if it will be and therefore, do not want to include it in their current financial plans. They did say, however, that "if a title is not released this year, that they would be releasing two titles in 2012".
Separately, someone asked why no revenue from Diablo was included. The response was basically that it is still unknown on its release date.
After the initial information, Mike Morhaime spoke about Blizzard specifically. He stated that they were very excited about Diablo III and that development continues to move forward. Unfortunately, we did not get anything specific about any dates or its progress. However, more information about Diablo III and its beta will be discussed at the next conference call in May.
Mike Morhaime also answered a question about Diablo's progress and a possible release date. His response was that they were still very excited about Diablo. The reason for the mystery behind any dates is that they are waiting for initial responses from Beta before they announce any dates. Basically, if beta goes well, it would push their plans forward and if there were multiple things they want to change, it would push the date back.
On a more speculative conclusion of this, a summer beta would be logical given that it will be talked about in the next conference call. June 28th continues to be an important date for Diablo and may follow this trend with a possible Beta start date. This would put a six month Beta finishing at the end of the year in December. This late date may be why they did not include Diablo in their financial plan for this year. The success or issues with Beta may make this date very tangible for this year or the next. Again, they did not say that Diablo will not be released this year. However, an early 2012 release is now looking more realistic according to this new information.
We can all look forward, from this point, to the next conference call in May when a date for Beta should be announced giving us a more accurate guess of the release date.
*update*
Official Blizzard Quote:
I want to make sure it’s clear that what was stated on the investor conference call was this: Blizzard has not announced a release date for its next global release. IF we don’t release a major title in 2011, then for planning purposes we would expect to launch 2 titles in 2012.
This has been misreported/misinterpreted as an announced release schedule for 2011 and 2012, which it is not. While we’re pleased with the progress of Diablo III, we have not announced a release date for it or for any other upcoming Blizzard game. We’re currently contacting a number of outlets to request that they make the appropriate corrections in order to avoid any further confusion.
What Bashiok is telling us is that we shouldn't rule out a 2011 release, but we shouldn't be too excited about having the game this year either.
I just means that the WoW XP and HoS are coming out in 2012. The language is very clear in terms of not even implying that D3 will ever be released.
This is just more evidence of what I have been saying here consistently - sorry if people are too blinded by faith to realize that HoS is probably coming out first.
You also have to consider the way their developers, artists, storyboard artists, programmers, etc., think. The majority might only function creatively in a reiterative production model. Many great artists, writers, etc., only function well this way. Forcing such people to work in a more strict time frame is often bad in terms of the outcome. Therefor, I don't think it's necessarily as bad as you're making it out to be.
Just a different way of looking at it. Not from a business perspective.
And they don't seem to be doing so bad to me. I don't care about their stocks. I care about their games. If they could make awesome games with hardly a a couple ten thousand back in the late 1990's, I'm sure they can do so today.
You could be right, but I don't necessarily agree at this point.
There's almost no connection between the company then and now, especially in regards to the Diablo franchise.
Thus, go go summer 2012
:starwars:
I don't enjoy any of it - WoW is holding the whole computer gaming industry hostage, and it sucks for every gamer. I feel sorry for the kool-aid drinkers that can't see it.
In any case, 2013 estimates aren't rubbing it in - if I wanted to do that, I'd dredge up quotes about "Ghost" from seven years ago.
Either man, this is just getting retarded. Im honestly embarrassed about how long Ive now been waiting for this game. Its, pathetic, really. Ive got caught up in Blizzards ridiculously long hype cycle, now Im under hostage to 'like' their facebook page or we're not getting any more info. What the hell kind of campaign is that? Now they aren't even listing D3 in the financial reports for this year? If we have to wait around for blizzcon before any solid info comes out, thats just fucked.
This game better be on the Peter Molyneux level of epic (the level he can never get out of his head, into code).
Edit: I'll tell you one thing for sure, Im not even going to look at any information Blizzard talks about with this rumored coming MMO, not a chance Im doing this to myself again.
My schedule allows for me to be very happy with a D3 release that occurs before May 2012, and I think it has a good chance of being "done" by then. If it comes out after that, oh well, I'll still enjoy it when I have time.
I think we are down to the home stretch for this game's release (like the last year or so of waiting)... And as we've waited so long as it is, it's not really that much more time.
But if you sit around and bitch and moan all day about the lack of release date or beta; or if you can't handle the thought of a Q1 2012 instead of a Q4 2011 release, you're doing it wrong. Many of us have waited for D3 for a decade or more, another Quarter(!) is insignificant especially if it means that they will be that much closer to putting out a product worth the wait and the Diablo franchise logo.
My suggestion to the true Diablo Fans, many of whom are probably like myself and working at careers and succeeding at adulthood: spend the next year working hard to improve your life. Blizzard will reward you with Diablo 3 before you know it and you'll really enjoy it after having worked so hard...
Oh yeah and video games are supposed to be a fun diversion. So if you get your panties in a wad and throw a temper tantrum because "Bwizzard won't rewease D3 soon enough!" I think that you have personal problems. Maybe try to prioritize your life and work toward that antiquated virtue of delayed gratification.
It says very clearly that they do not plan any major title release this year.
No 'might', 'possibly', 'soon' or any ambiguous words to keep people on the edge.
I like these kinds of news plain and clear.
Q2 2012 for me. Or later. I don't mind.
Earlier would be cool too.