We want to thank everyone who came to the site to get these updates and the 3,500 live viewers who listened to the podcast today. You can expect a lot more updates in the next coming months and plenty of beta coverage here at DiabloFans and through Force Strategy Gaming. There will be a recorded version of the live podcast later today for those of you who missed it. In the mean time, you can check out the slideshow presentation they gave, and if you're actually interested, you can take a look at this quarters' numbers. If you weren't able to listen into the live DiabloCast, you can listen to the recorded version now.
As I am sure most of you know by now, today @ 1:30 PST is the day of the Activision/Blizzard financial conference call. Now, normally there is not a lot of interesting information during these calls for us DIabloFans, however, todays may be the exception. During the last conference call, Mike Morhaime said there would be news regarding the beta during this call.
Official Blizzard Quote:
As for Diablo III, development continues to go well, and we’re very excited about the game. Our most recent public showcase for Diablo III was at the G-Star show in Korea, where demo stations attracted huge lines of players. I’m looking forward to sharing some more news about the game and our upcoming beta on the next call
First, the actual link to the conference call for those of you who want their info direct from the source. Keep in mind, this is a conference call for investors. This is not a conference call for Blizzard or Diablo. Most of the call is business jargon for investors of Activision and Blizzard. Unless you are into that sort of stuff, you probably should avoid the call itself.
http://investor.acti...m?eventid=96008
The second way to get your information from the call is through the Live DiabloCast. Sixen, Force, and ScyberDragon (myself) will be having a live broadcast of the podcast we normally do. We will be discussing Diablo 3 in general, answering questions from you guys (that you can submit on Force's Facebook page), and announcing any Diablo news given during this call.
http://www.youtube.c...s/0/OzJQX1Pt3ZQ
Finally, for those of you who would just like your news right here on DiabloFans, I will be giving up to the minute updates on any news given during the call right here. The Front Page, and more specifically this post, will be used to relay any news we hear during the conference call. You can also check out our IRC to chat with other DiabloFans about any of the news given.
http://www.diablofans.com
I'm counting on the fact that Beta won't be 6 months.
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Okey, so.. When do Blizzard have a meeting with just Diablo fans and not "everyone else on the planet"?
I completely agree - Beta doesn't have to last for 6 months. Its a guideline - not set in stone. They wouldn't continue to repeat they are trying for a release this year, if they didn't already have a plan for a shorter than 6 month beta.
Holiday sales.......
An yes I'd agree earliest is July, though again.. Logic says Blizzard never reaches goals at the earliest possible date.. Again, when July 20th rolls around and the BETA isn't here yet I'll say I told ya so again
Sure. Your probably right
THANK YOU ScyberDragon for updating this on DiabloFans.
+1 Rep, sorry cant give you +100.
Great podcast! Like Scyber said, my birthday is in July also, playing the beta then would be a great gift!
Beta means a limited chance to play the game. I was hoping to get more info about the soundtrack, about eastereggs, about unicorns, about the acts, the enviroment but mostly a year it will be released, you see. Im have personal issues right now and I need good news.
Agree perfect said.
Definitely. That's why I made sure to say the earliest a beta could start is July 1. The latest a beta could start is Sept. 30th.
I'm not actually disappointed. I am, however, surprised and amazed that a 3-month margin of error was the best they could do for a BETA START DATE. I listened to the full conf call (I'm used to them since I work for a publicly traded company, and am a private investor), and it never ceases to amaze me that Blizzard can look Goldman and DB hedge fund managers in the face, who hold thousands of their shares, and basically admonish them for being curious about what YEAR this game will be released.
Once you go public, you have one boss: Your shareholders. There's a reason Act/Bliz stock has done nothing for a long time.
Calendar year 2011, not fiscal year.
Simple equation:
(July 1, 2011) <= (BETA START TIME) <= (Sept 30, 2011)