According to recent job postings on Blizzard’s website, and then a note later placed on Diablo 3’s community website, there may be a console release in Diablo 3’s future. There are certain to be quick thoughts back to the less than stellar StarCraft and Diablo console ports, and many screams of betrayal, but Activision Blizzard is in the business of making money. Still, Blizzard is adamant that no such console release plans will hamper the development of the Mac and PC versions of Diablo 3. That doesn’t mean it isn’t happening, of course.To see Blizzard officially comment on the topic is surprising, as developers never like to comment on such things before they are 100% they’re going to happen. Even teasing console gamers about a release for their platform can lead to internet backlash. Here’s what was posted on the Blizzard Community page:
Spectacularly vague, Blizzard! The most telling wording in this quote has to be “Diablo-related concept”. Should Blizzard go ahead and produce some sort of Diablo 3 port for the 360 or PS3 there’s no promise that it will be the Diablo 3 experience you find on PCs and Macs. Battle.net plays such a large role in Blizzard’s new games, so a console release without Battle.net implementation would have to be a different beast altogether. Really though, all Blizzard would have to port is the single player and cooperative experience for a console Diablo 3 to be a success.
“We’re exploring a Diablo-related concept for consoles and are currently looking to fill a few senior console-related positions on the Diablo III team. As we’ve said in the past, with proper care the gameplay could suit the console platform, and we’re interested in seeing what talent out there might be interested in such a project. If you’re passionate about all things Diablo and have the requisite skill and experience, then head over to our jobs site to check out the positions and apply.”
Here, of course, is the fine print below the statement:
Considering Diablo 3’s floating release date, that could very well sneak into 2012, it’s a nice touch for Blizzard to state they are focused on putting out the PC/Mac release as soon as possible. It’s still not very reassuring to fans already impatient with Blizzard’s lengthy development process.
“Please note that this is not an announcement of a console title. We are first and foremost developing Diablo III for Windows and Mac PCs and don’t intend to allow any possibility of a console interpretation to delay or affect the release of the game.”
What a surprise from Blizzard though. Who would have thought they’d be interested in developing a console release, considering their sordid console past? Would you be more interested in a Diablo 3 on your Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3? Or are you an ardent PC militant?
Diablo 3 is a PC and Mac release scheduled for release in the nebulous future.
Source: Diablo 3 Community
