[Official] Diablo III

[-Hiroshi-]

The rumors have been in circulation for what seems an eternity. It has been confirmed, denied, spoken of openly, and whispered about it hushed tones. Anytime anyone invoked the name in forums or in general discussion, they were either ridiculed or backed up by a singing choir of die-hard fans who in their hearts wanted this just as much. All has not been in vain my friends. The years of speculation, denials, ?we?ll see?s? and back and forth between ?reliable sources? shrouded in mystery are over.

Diablo III is coming.

Who really doubted it though? Last year the frenzy that surrounded Blizzcon over the possibility of it was nothing compared to the one this year. In all honesty, it is just a continuation of what was already floating about, but from the exact date and time these rumors (hopes) were conceived - its purpose has finally come to fruition. Isn?t wonderful? Ok, now to the goods.

VG247 is at the Worldwide Invitational at the Porte de Versailles Expo Centre in Paris, and they were there waiting with baited breath like the rest of the gaming industry when Blizzard announced Diablo III. I will be getting the majority of my information from them, since they are in the middle of the D3 press conference as of this sentence.

Here is what I have pulled from the Blizzard site so far this morning:

And the Heavens Shall Tremble??

Two decades have passed since the demonic denizens, Diablo, Mephisto, and Baal, wandered the world of Sanctuary in a vicious rampage to shackle humanity into unholy slavery. Yet for those who battled the Prime Evils directly, the memory fades slowly and the wounds of the soul still burn.

When Deckard Cain returns to the ruins of Tristram?s Cathedral seeking clues to new stirrings of evil, a comet from the heavens strikes the very ground where Diablo once entered the world. The comet carries a dark omen in its fiery being and it calls the heroes of Sanctuary to defend the mortal world against the rising powers of the Burning Hells ? and even the failing luminaries of the High Heavens itself.

Featuring:

* An all new world, a fully-realized Sanctuary ? the living, breathing gothic fantasy world of Diablo III rendered in gorgeous 3D

* Battle the unholy forces of the Burning Hells with all-new character classes like the otherworldly Witch Doctor, or with re-imagined warriors from Diablo?s past: such as the fierce Barbarian.

* Rain Hell on your enemies wielding the interactive environment as a weapon: lay cunning traps, turn destructible objects against your foes, and use environmental obstacles to your advantage - all powered by the Havoc physics system.

* Experience the intensity of multiplayer Diablo III over an all-new, wickedly-enhanced Battle.net platform with numerous enhancements to make connecting with your friends easier ? and cooperative gameplay more fun.

According to the lead designer on Diablo III, ?[the game] is first and foremost a co-operative game,? he said. Not sure what to think about that - I hope it means that the single-player experience will be just as great.

Anyway, all your equipment is custom designed and will adapt to each class? unique look along with more quests than ever before. Classes posted so far are the Barbarian and Witch Doctor, Beast include the Undead, Khazra, Gnarled Walkers, and Dark Cultists. The Diablo III site also included two environments, Deckard Cain?s journal, and details on one of the dungeons - The Cathedral.

Blizzard has released over twenty screens this morning, mainly artwork, but one thing we can gather from it is like previous versions, we will once again be looking down on the game - which I was a bit worried about to be honest - I was afraid they would change that, glad my fears were unjustified.

I will be posting more on the game as the press event slowly draws to a close, in the meantime, check out the official website for it by clicking here.

Thanks to VG247 for taking a red-eye to Paris to cover the event. Try to get some sleep when this is all over guys.

Gaming Today

Teaser Trailer

[-Hiroshi-]

Barbarian Gameplay

Full Classes Gameplay Video

[Chicane-UK Veteran]

I am so so so so so so SO glad... such excellent news. Bring it on!! :)

And seeing as it'll come out as a native Mac application, i'm sorted! Such cool news! :)

[Ironman273]

I kind of got a chuckle from "who really doubted it, though" :whistle:

[spacer]

Unbelievable. I just watched both the teaser trailer and gameplay video on the D3 site. This game looks...it's indescribable. I was a huge fan of D1 and D2, and I can say without hesitation that I am completely blown away.

Diablo 3 is coming, and I couldn't be happier.

[Scirwode]

I can't wait, first StarCraft II and now Diablo III, my wallet is going to feel much lighter once these two games come out :p !

Scirwode

[Osiris]

As usual cinematics look great, very hell on earth feel to it. Perhaps what they have scaled back in classes will be made up for with indepth lore, storyline and quests. From the looks of the work and depth of content that has gone into the D3 website I am hoping thats what we can expect. Look forward to seeing what this evil is as such given the defeats of previous prime evils, plus the consequences of shattering the worldstone. Also venturing back to Tristram and the Cathedral should bring back some memeories :) especially if they make it as haunting as it originally was.

Even with the hi-res pics this game doesnt look like it would require an expensive top of the line card and they have stated it will run on a broad range of system, I dunno why ppl on other forums are getting curious about the system requirements; am I the only one who didnt get blown away by the graphics and who doesnt think you would need a 9800GT2+ to play this on full?

[Scirwode]

As usual cinematics look great, very hell on earth feel to it. Perhaps what they have scaled back in classes will be made up for with indepth lore, storyline and quests. From the looks of the work and depth of content that has gone into the D3 website I am hoping thats what we can expect. Look forward to seeing what this evil is as such given the defeats of previous prime evils, plus the consequences of shattering the worldstone.

Even with the hi-res pics this game doesnt look like it would require an expensive top of the line card and they have stated it will run on a broad range of system, I dunno why ppl on other forums are getting curious about the system requirements; am I the only one who didnt get blown away by the graphics and who doesnt think you would need a 9800GT2+ to play this on full?

I don't care about how good the graphics are, as long as it can run on my notebook, then I'll be pleased as punch. Besides, the main draw for Diablo II was never the graphics, but the storyline and the endless hours you take in developing your character. Diablo III is already shaping up to be just that.

Scirwode

[lalalawawawa]

Anyone knows any websites that will have a replay available for download?

[Piggy]

Happiness increasing.. :D

[Beastage]

I expected more... alot more... maybe new gameplay, maybe 3rd person gameplay...

Looks like a D2 refresh to be honest , I watched cinematics first so it made me excited but then I watched the gameplay and it dissapointed me.

[Piggy]

People will eat this up even if it is exactly like D2 with updated graphics.

[Daxbash5000]

I think it's a bit soon for D3 honestly, I think they should have waited till SC2 was out the door and then maybe had an early release for D3- because having 2 titles this close together that look soo much alike is just dumb really, but- it will sell... and hopfully it will pave the way for a Diablo MMO with amazing graphics and a hardcore art style instead of this cartoony bull**** Blizz has been throwing around everywhere.

I think this will be a fun game, timing maybe a little off and it may not look as good as it should but oh well it'll still be freaking amazing!

[WooSH]

LOL @ all those who said it wouldnt come.

[:No-Frost:]

Dammit!!!!!! FINALLY!!!!!!!!

[bruNo_]

:woot: :woot: :woot: :woot:

[Piggy]

Anyone knows any websites that will have a replay available for download?

http://www.blizzard.com/diablo3/media/index.xml#movies

[Calla]

omg

[+primortal Subscriber²]

OMG, release date?

[Xerxes]

Ok it's late at night and I can't be bothered reading it so I skimmed it :p is this going to be a MMORPG like WoW or a proper single player game like D2? if it's a proper single player (providing my PC can run it) I'll buy it the day it releases :D

[Calla]

They encourage co-op. Its just like D2 it looks, just 3d.

[psybapunk]

Well, I guess all of JediXAngel's hype proved to be true, grats to you! I can't ****ing wait to pick up this game when it's released. God damn, I was all over D2 when it first came out, the better part of a decade ago.

[sin-ergy]

OMG, release date?

LOL 2020 :) er, when it's "done".

[Konstanov]

They should have waited 2 years to show this game, maybe it wouldn't look like ass then. So far this is Diablo 2 with polish.

[Daxbash5000]

I lol'ed all over myself when I saw this.

Edited June 28, 2008 by gigapixels
Image contained swearing