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Diablo III console port is 'theoretically possible'

11:17 AM on 07.04.2008, Justin Villasenor 34 comments

Diablo III console port is 'theoretically possible' photo
     Diablo

When Diablo III was officially announced at Blizzard’s 2008 Worldwide Invitational last week, it was stated that the long-awaited sequel was in development exclusively for the PC -- to the surprise of absolutely no one. Well, maybe some people were surprised, as Blizzard COO Paul Sams was immediately questioned if we could expect to see a console port at some point down the line. Sams was quick to shoot the idea down, stating that Blizzard has no intention to “compromise ... the game experience.”

While Blizzard may not have any plans to bring the hell spawn-slaying action RPG to consoles, that hasn’t stopped vice president of game design Rob Pardo from dangling a tiny slimmer of hope in front of console gamers.

"I think it's theoretically possible. It would have some control changes that I think you'd have to make... But it's probably, of our major franchises, the one that's most console friendly, for sure."

"You'd need to think about a lot of the point-and-click spells, like point to area-of-effect, or things like line-damage in this direction," Pardo said. "Target selection is something you're going to lose on console, you're really going to be able to do targeting direction, but not specific targeting. Out of StarCraft, Warcraft or WOW, Diablo would be the easiest game to translate. But it would still take a bit of work."

So Blizzard could bring Diablo III to consoles, but they just don’t want to. Seeing as how they’ve only been developing PC games for the past thirteen years, I can certainly understand the urge to stick with what’s familiar, but then, I have a PC that can play Diablo III. Are those of you that lack said gaming PC disappointed by this news?

[Via Eurogamer]


Next page: More Blizzard stories




Jonathan Holmes's Avatar
Jonathan Holmes at 07/04/2008 11:27
Wii port with dumbed down graphics is a no-brainer.

If if works for Tomb Raider: Underworld and Star Wars:The Ford Unleashed, why not Diablo III?
Brad Nicholson's Avatar
Brad Nicholson at 07/04/2008 11:30
Is there really a need to dictate splash damage with a mouse instead of an analog stick?

I just don't get Blizzard.
deiga-the-semivaliant's Avatar
deiga-the-semivaliant at 07/04/2008 11:35
Doesn't anyone remember StarCraft 64? It was utter bollocks, of course, but I was there, it happened.
lawlflip's Avatar
lawlflip at 07/04/2008 11:35
NTY.
dgenerate's Avatar
dgenerate at 07/04/2008 11:40
Wii port is the only way I can see it happening.

I could see most of the mechanics working on console, but there is stuff like ranged spells that just wouldn't work. I'm sure they could manage to have a 'playable' version, but nothing that would be on par with the PC, unfortunately.

They ported the original Diablo game to Playstation, so I'm pretty sure they have already tried toying with the idea.
Some Jerk's Avatar
Some Jerk at 07/04/2008 11:50
Anybody remember the port of Diablo to the Playstation? The one that played pretty much exactly like Diablo on the PC?

What's so hard about taking that concept and multiplying it by three?
brainderailment's Avatar
brainderailment at 07/04/2008 11:51
You could theoretically attach a mouse and keyboard to a PS3 and theoretically not have to change any controls.
The Young Scot's Avatar
The Young Scot at 07/04/2008 11:51
Did anyone else notice they consider Warcraft and WoW to be two different franchises?

Interesting, or perhaps I'm reading it wrong.
Wexx's Avatar
Wexx at 07/04/2008 12:02
Blizzard on consoles = epic fail. Look at Starcraft 64. Worst game ever.


Also: FAILFAILFAILFAILFAILFAILFAILFAILFAILFAILFAILFAIL
Velt's Avatar
Velt at 07/04/2008 12:06
Theoretically we can argue that the console controls are crap for fps and rts... but i wont because too many people here are only console gamers. Besides whats the fun if you dont have you clikety-click fest?
Joseph Leray's Avatar
Joseph Leray at 07/04/2008 12:11
Diablo:clickety clickety :: Dragonforce:meedly meedly meedly
Jetsetlemming's Avatar
Jetsetlemming at 07/04/2008 12:11
I think the problems of targeting AOF spells, and selectively picking loot off the ground in a pile would make the problem *just* hard enough to make Blizzard not care to do it.

HA HA.
CookieMonster's Avatar
CookieMonster at 07/04/2008 12:13
I just don't get why so many people want Diablo on a console. It has always been a PC game first and foremost, just like Warcraft and Starcraft.

Blizzard has always been a PC/Mac centered developer, not to mention their recent console venture failed.

It's not like you'll need an uber machine to play the damn thing anyway. Blizzard is known for creating "old hardware" friendly games. Besides a good PC exclusive will be met with much rejoice in the PC Gaming community.
mix's Avatar
mix at 07/04/2008 12:17
They did Diablo on the PS1 and I had TONS of fun with that, especially with the money/item cheat.
AngelsDontBurn's Avatar
AngelsDontBurn at 07/04/2008 12:17
People want Diablo on console that don't have a PC or a GOOD enough PC to run it obviously. I just don't see how they could pull it off. I guess it's possible though.

I mean if an RTS like Command And Conquer 3 was on the 360 and it came out pretty well. I guess anything is possible, well almost.

Yes, I know Diablo isn't an RTS, just an example.
silentstrike27's Avatar
silentstrike27 at 07/04/2008 12:21
I don't really see the problem with a console port. No one is going to buy both, you either buy the PC version, or if you don't have the PC for it, you can buy it for console. If people with a console want to play it that bad, they can and that's great. All the more people that can enjoy the awesomeness of Diablo. Either way, I'm playing it for PC.

As far as having a gaming PC, I don't think it will be a huge deal. As long as your computer isn't ancient, this game isn't going to be Crysis or something. I'll prob just turn down the settings, I mean, anything is a graphical upgrade from D2.
maverick535's Avatar
maverick535 at 07/04/2008 12:33
If they would port it, I don't see how anyone thinks it can run on Wii. Can my Mii be a character?! Gag
B-Radicate's Avatar
B-Radicate at 07/04/2008 12:33
I'm pretty sure my new graphics card will be able to run this. And by the time this actually sees release, I'll likely have a whole new computer anyway. No worries here.

A console port would be great for those that aren't fortunate enough to have a PC capable of running it. No arguing that. The more people playing it the better, imo, "PC series" or not.

Plus, the face of the games industry has seen a vast change from when Diable and Diablo 2 were released. It would only make sense for Blizzard financially to release the game on consoles so they can maximize profits (assuming they don't spend too many millions porting it, obviously, but that's highly unlikely).
DemonEyes23's Avatar
DemonEyes23 at 07/04/2008 12:39
a wii port would probably work assuming it could handle the graphical side...but i think most people forget that the playstation also can track where your control is pointed just not how far it is from the screen which would also make a PS3 port entirely possible though maybe slightly awkward to play.
Cynical Gamer's Avatar
Cynical Gamer at 07/04/2008 12:42
Console gamers would like to think PC gaming is dead but Blizzard doesn't care about consoles. They will make loads of cash on the PC/Mac just fine.
shouryuuken's Avatar
shouryuuken at 07/04/2008 13:30
*yawns* no.

im a console gamer and i dont think pc gaming is dead, i can care less. blizzard has always done most of their business only on the pc and i still can care less. true they will make loads of cash, but they would make much more if they outsourced it and released it on 360/ps3, even though i stil wouldnt buy the game. not my style.
Face's Avatar
Face at 07/04/2008 14:52
The internet tells me the graphics in this game have been made too kiddy. Wii version confirmed.
Aex's Avatar
Aex at 07/04/2008 15:06
Looks like ya'll got 3 years to start saving up for that new computer... Better get started :P
The Amazing Shenazin's Avatar
The Amazing Shenazin at 07/04/2008 17:16
as I said before if they want to try to curb the amount of money they're going to lose due to piracy than they better release a console port
bottled dark's Avatar
bottled dark at 07/04/2008 18:07
you could aim the aoe skills with the right stick and cast with the right trigger and move with the left.

it would probably be more intuitive than the PC controls in some aspects.
10BobMarleys's Avatar
10BobMarleys at 07/04/2008 19:17
YAY! WORLD OF DIABLOCRAFT! I LOVE BRIGHT COLOURS AND CHUNKY SHOULDERPADS! I WILL ASK SANTA TO BRING IT FOR ME!
Squeewupiwupi's Avatar
Squeewupiwupi at 07/04/2008 20:09
You can make a decent gaming PC for a little bit more than a PS3 costs, I don't understand where people get the idea that you need a $2,000 machine to play any new video games.

I have a 3.0 Ghz single core processor, 1.5 gigs of RAM, and a Radeon 9800 XT (a 4 generation old AGP card) and I run TF2 at 30fps.

They don't even make these parts anymore and I can run the games that people would actually WANT to play (ie. NOT Crysis) at decent frame-rates.
boxmyth's Avatar
boxmyth at 07/04/2008 20:51
I'd give a body part to be named later to have Diablo 3 on PS3.
Lamito's Avatar
Lamito at 07/05/2008 04:50
I could see it WORKING in a console, but i don't know if they will do it.
Eschatos's Avatar
Eschatos at 07/08/2008 17:47
Play the game like God intended it to be played: on a PC.
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