As soon as I found out that I'd be talking to a couple of the guys from Diablo III at BlizzCon this year, I was determined to find out whether or not the highly-anticipated RPG would, in fact, ever make it to consoles, as previous rumors have suggested. Fortunately, my question answered itself when I learned I'd be interviewing Josh Mosquiera, the game's Lead Console Designer.
When asked if his title was a harbinger of things to come, Mosquiera responded, "We're not announcing anything because, literally, there's three of us on the team right now ... but that's what we're trying to do... We're trying to build the best console team at Blizzard. Blizzard is really serious about going back to the console." No general timeline was given, but it seems likely that development has either begun or will do so very soon.
I also got a chance to speak with Kevin Martens, Diablo III's Lead Content Developer, who confirmed that Blizzard will not be doing a public beta for the game prior to launch.
"We're doing it in waves, so we'll keep adding people. The beta will be going for some time; we're going to be patching it, supporting it, and adding new stuff to it, as well."
Other topics of conversation include the emphasis on "action storytelling" this time around, which class is the best class, and what the final year of development is like for a 7-year game.
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Tara Long is a co-host of The Destructoid Show and a previews editor in San Francisco. Tara spontaneously moved to SF in search of adventure after graduating with a degree in Mathematics from Texas, where she went on to pursue a career in the field of scientific research.
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She is a staunch proponent of kittens, sudoku, Kurt Vonnegut, hip hop music, unrelentless humor, and any game ever made for Sega Genesis. Dtoid aside, Tara spends 95% of her remaining life on Reddit.
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its over...games ruined...i knew from the beta they were fucking with it for wrong reasons...its fucking over god fucking dammit i HATE YOU BLIZZARD I FUCKING HATE YOU
It's possible it could work - people frequently cite "Torchlight did it!"
Except Diablo is not Torchlight. Torchlight is like "My First Diablo" - or "Diablo 101". Diablo 3 is much, much more involved than Torchlight, and it's a lot more difficult than just "port it".
@Tara
Because the headline says "Diablo 3 headed to consoles".
Except today, multiple websites who work closely with Blizzard, have said that Blizzard stated - "they are testing it, and it MAY come to consoles".
So you can see where we are confused :p - the headline is very misleading.
Source:
"Blizzard's Diablo 3 developers are on the main stage at BlizzCon 2011 right now, and game director Jay Wilson spoke a little bit about the potential console version of the game. [b]Nothing has changed -- there is no officially announced console version[b]"
It's funny to hear that the console team only has 3 members. I'm sure it's true but considering the money Blizz makes you'd think they'd have hundreds of members. And those hundreds of members would each have 3 personal assistants.
@Shred
My guess is that they're there to appease the masses. They're also there to possibly implement 360 controller support on PC in a later patch to feed in more consumers (as PC games often do).
As for an actual, full fledged console version? Maybe years down the road. They want to launch the PC version swimmingly, get the WoW cross promotions up to scale, and start building up that online marketplace infrastructure.
@Agent 47
Game may be ruined for you, so why not take that rage over to the corner. Far away from us who still enjoy most of the games that get released so often.
I think the header is drawing to the conclusion too soon from what the console team size is. Give it a few or several months within or after Diablo 3 launch and there may be console port on the horizon.
Other than that it would be fantastic to see a Blizzard title on consoles so more people can enjoy their games.
I dont see how "Putting together a console department" automatically means "Diablo 3 is going to be ported to consoles". Fair speculation at this point, but its still only that.
I figured it was pretty much a given that this would hit consoles way back when they originally talked about it. Sure, it might not be *official* yet, but don't kid yourself. Diablo III is coming to consoles, whether you want it to or not.
@ Tara Long ....im a big console fanboy...BUT SOME FUCKING GAMES DONT DESERVE TO BE ON THE FUCKING CONSOLES AND DIABLO IS ONE OF THEM...I DONT HAVE F1-F12 KEYS ON MY CONSOLE...YOURE A FUCKING WOMAN YOU DONT KNOW SHIT ABOUT GAMING...THIS ISNT ABOUT THE COMMUNITY ITS JUST BLIZZARD TRYING TO PUT THEIR DICKS IN PEOPLES WALLETS
i think one of the few dungeon crawler games that really fits best on consoles is Demons/Darks Souls, Wizardry Labyrinth of Souls, King's Field and other From Software games.
not sure how diablo will fare on consoles. though i would like to try since i also happent to play the first game on the PS1 back then.
guess will try Dungeon Siege 3 to feed me while waiting for this game :P
@Agent47 Listen you self-righteous prick, stop trying to force your self-centered reality upon everyone else. If you don't want to play it on a console, don't play it on a console. Either way, nobody cares about your opinion.
Well that's nice I guess, I might check it out if it does come out for consoles, oddly enough I was never able to get into Diablo II back in the day when my cousin was an addict and always trying to get me to like it.
Now my chain of thought is gone. What the fuck kinda troll was that? Ban that piece of shit, please. Sexist troll, it counts.
Oh yeah. With it on consoles, my wife might play it with me. I like that. She's all anti-PC for some dumbasfuck reason. So no AGENT 47,but my little sex panther can play. And where's the downside?
Sorry I'm drink right now. I kinda want Diablo II on something. Like the PS2. That things still works, right?
Since I lack money to upgrade my computer at this point, I think it would be nice to have D3 on a console if my PC can't support it. I wanted to get Skyrim on PC, but alas, I must play it on my Xbox.
Dear Tara
Props on the epic woman-rage. Is sexual harassment grounds for banning? Cause I'm pretty sure telling you that because you happened to pop out with a uterus rather than a pair of specials means you don't know shit about vidya games is some form of sexual discrimination.
@Agent
I know a handful of angry gamer chicks that would really love a few moments alone with you, a rubber mallet, hand puppets, and your obviously prepubescent balls. Grow up kid. You can form an opinion on what a developer decides to do with THEIR game when you grow the hell up. Just because your mom bought you an Xbox doesn't mean you're a fucking game guru.
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
7:25 PM on 10.22.2011 | 
Also, the N64 could be an amazing Dungeon crawling controller.
Except Diablo is not Torchlight. Torchlight is like "My First Diablo" - or "Diablo 101". Diablo 3 is much, much more involved than Torchlight, and it's a lot more difficult than just "port it".
@RongDeffu: They've developed and begun executing on a plan to bringing the game to consoles. I guess I don't get how that's not clear?
Because the headline says "Diablo 3 headed to consoles".
Except today, multiple websites who work closely with Blizzard, have said that Blizzard stated - "they are testing it, and it MAY come to consoles".
So you can see where we are confused :p - the headline is very misleading.
Source:
"Blizzard's Diablo 3 developers are on the main stage at BlizzCon 2011 right now, and game director Jay Wilson spoke a little bit about the potential console version of the game. [b]Nothing has changed -- there is no officially announced console version[b]"
http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/22/blizzard-talks-console-controls-for-diablo-3/
My guess is that they're there to appease the masses. They're also there to possibly implement 360 controller support on PC in a later patch to feed in more consumers (as PC games often do).
As for an actual, full fledged console version? Maybe years down the road. They want to launch the PC version swimmingly, get the WoW cross promotions up to scale, and start building up that online marketplace infrastructure.
Game may be ruined for you, so why not take that rage over to the corner. Far away from us who still enjoy most of the games that get released so often.
I think the header is drawing to the conclusion too soon from what the console team size is. Give it a few or several months within or after Diablo 3 launch and there may be console port on the horizon.
Other than that it would be fantastic to see a Blizzard title on consoles so more people can enjoy their games.
Yes, because when Diablo hit PSX it destroyed the entire gaming world...
Diablo 3 confirmed for consoles 2015!! Blizzard working on Diablo 4 for PC!
Penis!
rage much boy???
and how dare you insult Tara Long.
i think one of the few dungeon crawler games that really fits best on consoles is Demons/Darks Souls, Wizardry Labyrinth of Souls, King's Field and other From Software games.
not sure how diablo will fare on consoles. though i would like to try since i also happent to play the first game on the PS1 back then.
guess will try Dungeon Siege 3 to feed me while waiting for this game :P
Calm down kiddo. No use in screaming out your pure hatred towards Blizzard, just because someone pissed in your juice box.
Diablo III on consoles could be cool. Count me in.
LOLing at your post history. I sure hope you're not over 18, because if you are, damn.
CLAN IN DA FRONT, LET YEA FEET STOMP.
....Everyone else was doin it..... >_>
WoW would be perfect for him
BADUM TISSSSH.
Now my chain of thought is gone. What the fuck kinda troll was that? Ban that piece of shit, please. Sexist troll, it counts.
Oh yeah. With it on consoles, my wife might play it with me. I like that. She's all anti-PC for some dumbasfuck reason. So no AGENT 47,but my little sex panther can play. And where's the downside?
Sorry I'm drink right now. I kinda want Diablo II on something. Like the PS2. That things still works, right?
Props on the epic woman-rage. Is sexual harassment grounds for banning? Cause I'm pretty sure telling you that because you happened to pop out with a uterus rather than a pair of specials means you don't know shit about vidya games is some form of sexual discrimination.
@Agent
I know a handful of angry gamer chicks that would really love a few moments alone with you, a rubber mallet, hand puppets, and your obviously prepubescent balls. Grow up kid. You can form an opinion on what a developer decides to do with THEIR game when you grow the hell up. Just because your mom bought you an Xbox doesn't mean you're a fucking game guru.