Diablo III back in the works?

[whoamg]

There are several new job openings on Blizzard's site, all of which are to work with "the team behind Diablo I and II".

New Position: Art Director
The team behind Diablo I and II is looking for a talented, motivated, and experienced Art Director to help lead our art team in developing beautiful, cohesive game worlds for an unannounced PC Project and future projects. The ideal candidate will have shipped multiple AAA titles as an Art Director, at least 5 years game industry experience and a strong illustration and concept background. Check out the Art Director posting for more information.
Blizzard's homepage (http://www.blizzard.com/)

Thanks GameSponge (http://www.gamesponge.info/?p=12#comments).

[Neverborne]

Please don't be a MMORPG...
Please don't be a MMORPG...
Please don't be a MMORPG...
Please don't be a MMORPG...
Please don't be a MMORPG...
Please don't be a MMORPG...
Please don't be a MMORPG...
Please don't be a MMORPG...

[Goronmon]

Please don't be a MMORPG...
Please don't be a MMORPG...
Please don't be a MMORPG...
Please don't be a MMORPG...
Please don't be a MMORPG...
Please don't be a MMORPG...
Please don't be a MMORPG...
Please don't be a MMORPG...
Haha, the first thing I thought of when I read the title is that they are prolly making a MMORPG out of it. ;)

[Dienzen]

isn't this old news, could of sworn I heard about it a while ago

[bean19]

I want a Diablo MMORPG so bad.

Though a Diablo 3 click-a-thon would be fun too.

[Borys]

W-h-o-a.

Isn't it the best week for PC gamers since, like, ever?

[Voodoo]

W-h-o-a.

Isn't it the best week for PC gamers since, like, ever?

It's always a good week to be a PC gamer. ;)

[Abash Alarmist]

It will be best week for PC gamers ever when they announce StarCraft 2...

[TheKeck]

I sort of missed out on Diablo 2, so I would like to go for some Diablo 3.

[DoubleUranium]

Please don't be a MMORPG...
Please don't be a MMORPG...
Please don't be a MMORPG...
Please don't be a MMORPG...
Please don't be a MMORPG...
Please don't be a MMORPG...
Please don't be a MMORPG...
Please don't be a MMORPG...

Amen brotha! I have absolutely 0 interest in a Diablo MMORPG. I want a single player game, and a battle.net system just like Diablo 2. Fuck MMOs and their monthly fees. I would be willing to pay $60-70 for a non MMO Diablo 3 and exactly $0 for a MMO Diablo 3.

[Jengaaa]

I agree with the negative MMO comments.

Laaame.

[SpectralWolf]

According to GamingSteve (great podcast btw), he knows for a fact that Diablo III is in the works. It probably won't be an MMO though. It'll be a while before it comes out.

[mkelehan]

They say this as if it were ever NOT in the works. Diablo 2 sells like wildfire, you greenlight a sequel. They're just taking their sweet time with it.

By the by, anyone who hasn't picked up Diablo 2 and its expansion should get on that. Holds up very well, especially if your friends get it and you play the whole thing multiplayer.

[Taco]

As long as it's better than Diablo II.


/minority

[KSmitty]

Well you can color me happy if isn't an MMO. I enjoy online play I just don't enjoy all the things associated with it ie crashes, log in problems and assholes in general. It would be nice to be able to avoid those things in Diablo 3.


-K

[Qoz]

Arg!
Why not Starcraft2? You already made a sequel to Diablo?!
It's just not fair.

[Taco]

I'm working on the assumption, based off of WCIII, that they don't know how to make RTS's anymore.

[Sensei-X]

There are several new job openings on Blizzard's site, all of which are to work with "the team behind Diablo I and II".


Uh, didn't all the good people who worked on Diablo I, II, and LoD leave Blizzard and start their own company? Guess you'll get to work with the guy who would fetch the coffee and the guy who answered all the fan-mail.

[CrashCart]

It'll be a while before it comes out.
Understatement of the year or your favorite unit of time.

[Steve_Erhardt]

I loved Diablo.

I loved Diablo II right up until about a zillion hours into Act III. Got so fed up with not knowing where I was or where I'd already been that I quit and never finished it. =(

[Talanvor]

I liked Diablo 2, until I had to pick up a hammer to fight Diablo and found out the strength of my Sorc was too low to use the fucking thing. I just stopped playing it at that point.

[Kelegacy]

This is where I would normally come trolling into a thread, state my utter distaste for Diablo and the "RPG" model it emphasizes, and leave with a flock of haters chasing me with broken mice, swinging them like morning stars.

But I wont. I'm better than that.

[KarmaGhost]

It's weird, sometimes, to read a job description and think to yourself "I have not a single one of those qualifications. Not even close."

I would love a game that was a hybrid of Diablo/Guild Wars/WoW. The jump-in-and-playability, plus great environments, plus massive community, plus persistent environments, plus occasional instance environments, plus etc., etc. I would buy it and maybe even pay monthly for it (if the price was right).

[Zurik]

Wouldn't it be crazy if Blizzard made a game that wasn't a sequel to one of the 3 games they've ever made? I'd love to see them take all that talent and create an all new game.

[Ondo]

Arg!
Why not Starcraft2? You already made a sequel to Diablo?!
It's just not fair.

Different people. Blizzard North did Diablo and Diablo II, while it was the people in Irvine who did Warcraft and StarCraft.

[Kelegacy]

Wouldn't it be crazy if Blizzard made a game that wasn't a sequel to one of the 3 games they've ever made? I'd love to see them take all that talent and create an all new game.
Blizzard made Rock and Roll Racing for the SNES as well.

[net7runner]

Wouldn't it be crazy if Blizzard made a game that wasn't a sequel to one of the 3 games they've ever made? I'd love to see them take all that talent and create an all new game.

As far as I can tell, everything that Blizzard does it derivative. Diablo II was just a more expanded Diablo, Warcraft III a 3D Starcraft, which was itself a cooler Warcraft II, and World of Warcraft an Everquest without the crap.

Blizzard is great at taking an existing genre, removing all of this shitty parts, and serve up what's left in dilectable glory. As far as actual creativity...Diablo was the only real breakthrough, and that was developed by Condor (Blizzard North), which was later aquired by Blizzard. In other words...don't keep your hopes up for a new world. =\

[Sion]

This is stupid, Blizz would never make another MMO as long as wow was still being played. They would be compeating with themselves.

[jwbxx]

W-h-o-a.

Isn't it the best week for PC gamers since, like, ever?No, once you hear the words "Blizzard entertainment proudly presents its new project, Star craft 2," than it'll be the best week in pc gamers ever, errr year.

[Taco]

Warcraft III a 3D Starcraft

Warcraft III was a crippled Warcraft II. Don't you sully the good name of Starcraft.

[Mr.Zip]

I'm working on the assumption, based off of WCIII, that they don't know how to make RTS's anymore.


I feel the same way :(

Starcraft is my favorite game and I'm having a serious inner struggle over what I want. I want a sequel so badly, but if it would be anything like Warcraft III I think I'd rather let SC's legacy remain untainted.

[Hizawky]

This is stupid, Blizz would never make another MMO as long as wow was still being played. They would be compeating with themselves.

When the competition is yourself and yourself, it all looks good.

[Taco]

If they are adding more players sure, which would be tough to do, otherwise they need to deal with the costs of running and developing for both. I don't think the Diablo and Warcraft markets are all that different.

[Verocity]

When the competition is yourself and yourself, it all looks good.

QFT!

Yes, say you $1 in your left pocket and $1 in your right pocket. Now move $1 from one pocket to the other. How much money do you have compared to when you started?

[Cubfan]

I remember playing the original Diablo way back when. While I wouldn't say I didn't enjoy it at all, I do recall clicking my mouse like the dickens but never quite feeling involved in the game. It was rather dull (in my opinion). Not too excited about the third.

[Taco]

Yes, say you $1 in your left pocket and $1 in your right pocket. Now move $1 from one pocket to the other. How much money do you have compared to when you started?

You lose the time and energy it took you to move that $1 and gain nothing from it.

[Lactose]

They fired the Diablo 3 team when the lease on their building ended.

I guess maybe they're starting to pick up the pieces and put the project back in motion again?

[jwbxx]

The lost the whole sc team. I dont know how they could make sc2 live up to the expectations from gamers who were spoiled with sc.

[Steele Johnson]

I'd think that they'd make it a single-player game... your typical hack-n-slash with possibly a cooperative component. Why would they compete with themselves? WoW is doing really well and there are expansions planned. If they released a single-player game, most likely the WoW fans will run out and buy it, play it, finish it, and then go back to WoW. Cha-ching!

[mister_slim]

Different people. Blizzard North did Diablo and Diablo II, while it was the people in Irvine who did Warcraft and StarCraft.
Blizzard North is no more. Supposedly some of them entered the mothership, but who knows how much of the team remains.
Blizzard made Rock and Roll Racing for the SNES as well.
And Lost Vikings. How about sequels to them?

[Magnanimous Gnome]

I used to get so excited about new Blizzard games. I jumped for joy when Diablo II came out. Then I played it and loved it.

I jumped for joy when Warcraft III came out. Then I played it and went "meh."

World of Warcraft does nothing for me - I tried the beta and wasn't that thrilled.

I want Bullfrog back, pre-EA. :(

[Pumped'Up]

D3 in any flavor will be solid gold. Blizzard North, nuff said.

[Abash Alarmist]

I'd buy anything from BLizzard. But I'd prefer StarCraft 2.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

D3 in any flavor will be solid gold. Blizzard North, nuff said.

Blizzard North is gone though. Most of the developers from BN are at Flagship now from what I understand.

[Buddha Lotus]

Frankly I have been dissapointed in Blizzard for a while now.

I love WOW and I am looking forward to Ghost.. BUT.. we have heard/been playing about these two games for 5 years now.

Its HIGH time to release something new Blizz.

[bean19]

Yes, say you $1 in your left pocket and $1 in your right pocket. Now move $1 from one pocket to the other. How much money do you have compared to when you started?

Fun quote Verocity.

They could have it in development though. I'm sure they don't expect WoW to dominate the MMO market three years from now. They probably have about 60 to 70% of the world's MMO marketshare with WoW.

Three years from now, WoW will still probably be doing very well, but that doesn't mean it will be doing as insanely well.

Plus, their are other motivations. . . I imagine the higher-ups at Blizzard probably want new challenges and are in a position to make the games that they want to play.

They could make another top-down hack-n-slash Diablo with better graphics and a new story about adventurers venturing into the depths of hell to seal off the gate by defeating the Lord of Fear, but how would they innovate on it?

[Grimgrock]

How's about they finish Starcraft: Ghost first before trying to tackle a brand new project for release 5 year from now...

[Taco]

I don't believe they are or have ever been developing Ghost. Just funding it and they certainly can afford another game or 30.

[Royal Fool]

But they acquired Swingin' Ape Studios specifically to work on Starcraft: Ghost. Since that studio is part of Blizzard, they are technically working on it themselves.

[Taco]

And when Swingin' Ape Studios is working on DiabloIII then start complaining. I kind of doubt they'd trust a newly consumed shop with one of the cornerstones of Blizzard's existence.

[Atorak]

Diablo II was great until you had to start beating the entire game repeatedly on the harder difficulty sessions.

Eventually, it got boring. But hey, as long as they have normal mapped, 8 foot tall bovines carrying halberds in D3, I'll be happy.

Moo. Moo. Moo moo. Moo. Moo.

[ÜberJumper]

Holy duh, they've been working on Starcraft 2 for a long time. Where have you people been?

[Stormwatcher]

The very idea of Bliz developing a Diablo MMO is really, really stupid. The two settings (Azeroth and Diablo's world) are VERY similar (Fantasy), and it would offer nearly nothing that WOW doesn't already offers. They COULD make a SC MMO, considering it's Sci Fi, but I seriously doubt it. I would guess they're making Diablo3, but I can't really see how it would end up being something other than WoW-Lite. I mean, WoW is little more than a logical development of the Diablo concept. I really like all their games, though, so I'm sure that this next one will rock regardless. Bliz is one of the last devs I still hold in such a high regard.

[Goronmon]

This is where I would normally come trolling into a thread, state my utter distaste for Diablo and the "RPG" model it emphasizes, and leave with a flock of haters chasing me with broken mice, swinging them like morning stars.
I wouldn't say I have a distast for Diablo, but I certainly don't see how it became so highly-regarded (I really just think its because it was made by Blizzard). I still had more fun with the first one. I view Diablo II as more expansion pack-ish than anything else, they hardly made any improvements to the game, just through in some more content.

[Taco]

(I really just think its because it was made by Blizzard)

Seeing as how Diablo(a great game, not a great RPG) made Blizzard every bit as much as WC did, that's not true. Diablo II on the other hand....

[01010]

This is where I would normally come trolling into a thread, state my utter distaste for Diablo and the "RPG" model it emphasizes, and leave with a flock of haters chasing me with broken mice, swinging them like morning stars.

But I wont. I'm better than that.

Diablo isn't an RPG. It's an action game with RPG elements in my eyes.

Am I the only one that plays Diablo for the story. It has a very epic feel and it makes you feel like a part of some huge aeon spanning battle. I like feeling that way. :)

[kizke]

Diablo II is my cocaine. I could probably still tell you drop rates on items from 1.08 and before.

I hope they keep it close to the roots and not make it into an MMORPG. I loved being able to fight off thirty+ mobs at a time; that sensation of ass-kickery is hard to beat. That and having around fifteen other friends in real life who played Diablo 2 with me made it worth running through time and again. I can't believe I let my 95 sorc expire. :(

[Magnanimous Gnome]

I wouldn't say I have a distast for Diablo, but I certainly don't see how it became so highly-regarded (I really just think its because it was made by Blizzard). I still had more fun with the first one. I view Diablo II as more expansion pack-ish than anything else, they hardly made any improvements to the game, just through in some more content.


Really? I thought Diablo II was a great sequel. They changed and added so much that I never thought of it as more of the same. Diablo II is, IMHO, leaps and bounds beyond the first title.

[Taco]

I agree with Gnome. Sort of. I wanted more of the same :).

[didragondi]

Those of you hungry for starcraft, did you ever play TA? In my opinion, Total Annihlation was fantastic, combining all types of craft, not just a couple of air types like SC. Anyway, Supreme COmmander from Chris Taylor is going to be an approximation of TA 2. I cant wait.

[LogainAblar]

If they're making D3 (which they probably are) then I really wish they would start from the ground up: bring the environments into 3D, create a more engaging combat system, and allow for more differentiation between character classes.

I seriously doubt they'd make another MMORPG; just because they might not hold the top spot in the MMO market share in a few years doesn't mean that they'll be far behind. Besides, it should be obvious from their exclusion of content that involves Arthas and the Frozen continent in the next expansion, they still have alot planned for WoW in the coming years.

I could be wrong, but it doesn't seem worth the investment to make another MMO.

[mister_slim]

Really? I thought Diablo II was a great sequel. They changed and added so much that I never thought of it as more of the same. Diablo II is, IMHO, leaps and bounds beyond the first title.
Mostly. The atmosphere really suffered. I loved the creepiness of the first one and II lacked any real fear of what was in the next room. Also, Tristram seemed much more real. The areas in DII never really felt like a cohesive, connected world. The gameplay, on the other hand, was vastly improved.

[bean19]

Mostly. The atmosphere really suffered. I loved the creepiness of the first one and II lacked any real fear of what was in the next room. Also, Tristram seemed much more real. The areas in DII never really felt like a cohesive, connected world. The gameplay, on the other hand, was vastly improved.

I tend to agree.

The original had much better atmosphere. The second one wanted to explore different areas instead of just coming up with different flavors of hell. . . but they didn't do it in a spooky way.

There are some ways that I'd innovate Diablo 3, single player or multiplayer, but I wonder why people on this board are so against a Diablo MMO?

[didragondi]

why people on this board are so against a Diablo MMO?

Because they are tired of them, because WOW was already very good for those wanting that, when there have been few good single player computer RPG's (this past year, Freedom Force 3rd R, Fate< and thats about it)

[bean19]

Okay. . . good points and I agree based on last year. . . you didn't mention all of them by any means, but it is not surprising that these games didn't pop into your head when thinking about single player RPGs for the PC in 2005.

Console Ports:
KOTOR II
Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst
The Bard's Tale
Fable: The Lost Chapters
X-Men Legends II

Diablo Clones:
Restricted Area
Dungeon Seige II

Utter Crap:
Space Hack
Dungeon Lords

Repackaged:
Gothic II Gold

Okay, you win there! The only decent single-player RPGs the PC had were Dungeon Seige II and Gothic II Gold (if you count the repackaging). Still, while I was looking up this stuff, I found a great deal of positive information about upcoming PC RPGs.

Upcoming single player RPGs in 2006:

Mage Knight: Apocolypse (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/mageknightapocalypse/index.html) - Hmmm. . . Namco PC RPG. Interesting.
Elder Scrolls IV - no link or info necessary - should be awesome but isn't PC exclusive.
Space Rangers 2 (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/spacerangers2dominators/index.html) - I've had to fight serious urges to play a friend's pirated version (this was already released in Europe). Sounds freaking awesome, but I'll wait and pay for it since I want to work in the industry someday and don't want to rob myself. ;) THEN download the pirated version if Starforce makes it so I can't play it.
Titan Quest (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/titanquest/index.html) - Diablo-clone in Rome!
Gothic 3 (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/gothiciii/index.html) - Pretty. I need to try this series.
Night Watch (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/nightwatch/index.html?q=night%20watch) - based on a really popular set of books and a mini-series in Russia. I played the demo and it had an interesting premise but the worst voice-acting I've ever heard from a protoganist lead character and some of the worst game music ever. Still might be fun though. . . but it is by Nival. . . there publisher is Ubisoft, and thus it may have Starforce protection which makes me scared of buying it as I don't want my PC to mess up.
SpellForce 2 (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/spellforceiiblendofperfection/index.html) - Looks mediocre in all regards.
Hellgate London (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/hellgatelondon/index.html) - Sort of a Modern Sci-Fi Diablo III. . . seriously. There is a HELLGATE. . . and you attempt to close it by venturing in and fighting swarms of baddies while you pick up cool loot and level up to advance skills. Sound familiar? Not completely derivative though. . . it distinguishes itself by being a 3rd person FPS with heavy (but optional) melee bits and having a present-time rather than a gothic fantasy setting.
The Witcher (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/thewitcher/index.html) - Action-RPG based on popular polish fantasy novels. . . no idea if this will be any good.
Neverwinter Nights II (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/neverwinternights2/index.html) - Rox0r for the D&D nerdz0r.
Dragon Age (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/dragonage/index.html) - One word: Bioware

Anyway. . . I know I've gone way off topic. . . think I'll use this to start a thread in the PC section.

[Stormwatcher]

Blizzard would be absolutely insane to invest in a MMORPG that would be about 95% just like WoW... It is not that we hate a DiabloMMORGP, but everything Diablo had is present in WoW. Classes, skill trees, farming gold and itens, spells and melee, everything.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Those of you hungry for starcraft, did you ever play TA? In my opinion, Total Annihlation was fantastic, combining all types of craft, not just a couple of air types like SC. Anyway, Supreme COmmander from Chris Taylor is going to be an approximation of TA 2. I cant wait.

I love Total Annihilation - amazing game, amazing music, huge battles. Now I must play it again. ;)

Kingdoms sucked though.

Mostly. The atmosphere really suffered. I loved the creepiness of the first one and II lacked any real fear of what was in the next room. Also, Tristram seemed much more real. The areas in DII never really felt like a cohesive, connected world. The gameplay, on the other hand, was vastly improved.


Okay, I hear you there - the atmosphere of the first game was much better. I was thinking of the gameplay more than anything else. A combination of the two would be great.