Blizzard Hasn't Given Up on Diablo 3 for Consoles
Blizzard is still "experimenting" with consoles although we're betting the studio is getting the popular game ready as a next-generation launch title.
Talk about Diablo 3 possibly heading to consoles has been around since before the game hit the PC and Mac earlier this year. Blizzard also really hasn't kept it a secret, saying that the company is experimenting with the idea as it hires on extra help to explore the option. Blizzard is still not officially ready to talk about the project, but the latest report claims the popular action-RPG is up and running on unspecified consoles.
"We're still kind of exploring it," Blizzard executive Rob Pardo told Polygon. "We've got builds up and running on it. We're hoping to get it far enough along where we can make it an official project, but we're not quite ready to release stuff about it, but it's looking pretty cool."
Diablo 3 lead designer Jay Wilson added to the tease, saying that the team is still exploring the console options while also expanding and adding onto the game, indicating that they are also likely working on an expansion pack for the PC and Mac version as hinted by Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime back in November.
"The whole team is essentially working on the next big Diablo thing," Wilson said. "A lot of that stuff will show up next year at some point."
Could Diablo 3 be heading to the Xbox Infinity and PlayStation 4? There's a definite possibility, especially in the case of Microsoft's next Windows 8-friendly console which is slated for a 3Q/4Q 2013 release. A console version of Diablo 3 – with the unannounced expansion pack already intact – would be an excellent launch title, but how the game would interact with both Xbox Live and Battle.net is still up in the air.
In addition to the console talk, Jay Wislon said that patch v1.05 for Diablo 3 was by far the best received update yet. "When it came out, we saw a big uptick in the number of people playing but mainly we just got really good feedback from the community and that's what we always look for," Wilson said.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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dudewitbow I'm surprised Blizzard wouldn't consider using the wiiu tablet, as I would think it would be absolutely useful for rts oriented birds eye games for inventory and skill management.Reply -
raven2510 dudewitbowI'm surprised Blizzard wouldn't consider using the wiiu tablet, as I would think it would be absolutely useful for rts oriented birds eye games for inventory and skill management.Wouldn't surprise me if it can't run it, thats why. The WiiU is about the same as the 360 & the PS3 power wise.Reply -
SneakySnake raven2510Wouldn't surprise me if it can't run it, thats why. The WiiU is about the same as the 360 & the PS3 power wise.Reply
It's capable of a lot more then the 360 and PS3. It has a slower CPU, but it's GPU is significantly faster, and it has 2 GB's of RAM, compared to the xbox's 512 MB, and the PS3's 256+256
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mpd Where is the promised PVP?Reply
If they could spare the time looking for more players, at least make your words count. -
thecolorblue it's a terrible game...Reply
optimized around a real-money auction house... tuned to encourage you to spend money... not tuned to make the game enjoyable.
and it's failing... so who cares. -
kinggraves raven2510Wouldn't surprise me if it can't run it, thats why. The WiiU is about the same as the 360 & the PS3 power wise.Reply
D3 isn't exactly a graphical powerhouse either. The ps3 and XBox could probably still run it. The issue is more about the fact the Wii U is not going to be as easy to port a PC title to as a Microsoft system would be. I doubt Nintendo would be interested in sharing their network with battle.net either.
Yes it would be a sensible fit, even if it did mean scaling back the graphics. The gamepad would work well with D3 or an RTS. That would also take a special programming effort that Blizzard would not bother with. It takes far too much effort for lazy devs to port something to the Wii U.
But I do like how Tom's copypasters always neglect to mention the Wii U when talking about "next gen consoles." A system even matching what current gen is doing and still runs a second screen is still next gen guys, especially when the other companies are planning on copying it. -
QEFX After years of crappy console games being ported to PCs, its time to return the favor. :)Reply -
lpedraja2002 Diablo 3 can run on an Intel HD 3000 so running on a console is no problem. The problem is Blizzard made a pathetic game with Diablo 3, their priorities are not what it used to be and If they're venturing into the console market I will stop giving a crap about Blizzard because I will probably not be buying anymore of their games. Their only chance in my book is if they release Warcraft 4 and make it phenomenal.Reply -
alidan how incopetent are blizzard...Reply
champions of norath
champions return to arms
the balders gate games
there was a launch title game like this for the ps3
seriously, these games are almost better on the console than on the computer, control wise, you have to be a complete screw up to not be able to get this out yet...
tone some of the graphics down, and ship it on the console it IS NOT THAT HARD.
and i am takeing this from the prospective that they are a company with 100's of employees, many of which can code, so dont tell me that if you think you can do better do it yourself crap, fact is they are a massive company and fail to exploit one area where their game would thrive is beyond retarded at this point.