Diablo 3 for consoles looks closer to reality than ever after Blizzard's posted a job ad looking for a senior producer to catapult the series from the PC.
While Blizzard has made no secret of the fact that such a move has been on the collective company mind for some time now, this is the first time we've actually seen action taken to get the ball rolling.
We first heard that Diablo III could hit consoles as well as PC in November last year when Blizzard told its community that it was exploring "a Diablo-related concept for consoles."
Last week Blizzard Entertainment CEO Mike Morhaime also said that the company was doing an investigation into Diablo III on console "to see if that could make sense".
Now it looks like the idea has been given the green light and things are finally starting to happen.
Comments
20 comments so far...
craiglackenby on 18 Feb '11 said:
If Blizzard wasn't with Activision this probably wouldn't of came around but seems Activision have got f**k all except CoD, they need to get something else worth while on consoles. Oh and make a fat load more of cash.
STEVONYMO on 18 Feb '11 said:
I don't care if they are in cahoots with Diablo himself...If this comes to console then I am one happy gamer
WHERESMYMONKEY on 18 Feb '11 said:
Yes this is all activisions doing, there's never been console versions of Blizzards games before, Well except Diablo, and Starcraft and warcraft 1&2. this is definately a precident set by activision, As blizzard have never ported anything to consoles ever. nope.
In other news. HELL YES! Looks like i won't be needing to build a new rig after all.
The_KFD_Case on 18 Feb '11 said:
Hm. Can't say I'm thrilled by this news. I very much doubt it'll look as good, and certainly not handle as well control wise, as it will on a half-decent PC. On the flip side, a console version of this game would allow me to buy a used copy that works (thanks DRM - you scum sucking sack of lying monkey sh*t) thus denying Activision any access to my money. I might just be willing to accept an unwieldy version of Diablo III in order to experience that particular pleasure.
I also wonder whether this development will impact the release schedule of the PC version of Diablo III?
liquidphantom on 18 Feb '11 said:
The first one was also released on the PS1 so I don't know what all the fuss is about to be honest.
Blumiere on 18 Feb '11 said:
I wonder how console versions will work with Blizz's Battle.net system, if at all.
corkscru74 on 18 Feb '11 said:
From the wording it sounds more like a console Diablo game than a straight port.
Regardless, I'm still up for a console version. Loved the original on PC but now my old rig is sat in the corner with its pipe and slippers.
NickyCVG on 18 Feb '11 said:
I was going to have to buy a new PC to play this, hopefully now I won't have to. But I will only play a console version if it includes all the stuff from the PC version. Including patches and Expansions. I don't want no Sim 3 deal where you get a gimped game on consoles with no expansion packs. This could be very awesome if done right.
NickyCVG on 18 Feb '11 said:
Diablo has always run on even the most basic PC's, I see nothing in Diablo 3 that would trouble 360 or PS3.
MPH on 18 Feb '11 said:
*Officially jizzes in boxers*
Oh Christ no... I don't mean like Frank Bruno or Mike Tyson... I mean my cacks, which I now have to change.
jdkoke on 18 Feb '11 said:
Let's face it, if you tried to jizz anywhere near Tyson he would rip it off and beat you with it
The_KFD_Case on 18 Feb '11 said:
Even a fairly "basic" PC these days tends to have superior hardware to any of the current consoles.
aawells07 on 18 Feb '11 said:
AWESOME
i knew this was gonna happen and im so flippen stoked. and i dont know why ANYONE would be mad over this it doesnt make sense in anyway its a great thing in everyway.......but people love to moan and groan no matter what 
NEOnburN9 on 18 Feb '11 said:
Exactly this...Awesome news
damoxuk on 18 Feb '11 said:
Good news indeed but don't expect it any time soon
If PC version hits late this year early next then any console version/port will be more likely 2013 at the earliest as Blizzard are perfectionists and haven't (going of indications) even started it yet.
aawells07 on 18 Feb '11 said:
@damoxuk i dont know man i think and thought all along that thats why its taking so long for a release date to be set yes they are perfectionist but i think that they are trying to get it ported to consoles now and are making sure its gonna go smoothly before they give a date. id say that they will release on all plats at same time. id also say that the game is pretty much for the most part done except for this port and some polishing left. i dunno just some thoughts/opinions
Yellow6 on 19 Feb '11 said:
I agree on the release timing.
From a marketing point of view (and money saving), releasing on all platforms at once makes sense.
Not sure how many of you still buy games in bricks and mortar shops but if you go in and the shelves of all the walls have the same game at number one, it's quite an effect. Format Exclusives will struggle to compete with that on an attention grabbing basis.
Again, being a bit of a "gamer" site I'm sure you all know what a game will be like before it's even released, you've followed teasers for months, read the reviews and played the demos.....Parents who don't play games (there're still quite a few) will be picking this up without needing the shop assistant to recommend it.
Why waste money on adds for Xbox or PS3 or PC or Nintendo
I'm not sure what percentage of a AAA game budget is spent on advertising but i know in films it is huge.
Didn't the first Batman film (Michael Keaton) spend more on advertising than making the film?
So it could be worth doing if it just means delaying one release for the others to catch up.
The real issues are:
Will the PC experience suffer?
Will the console experiences be weak ports?
Blizzards reputation will suffer more if they stuff up the PC side.
But, money talks, will Activision "persuade" them to make the game a multiplayer centred experience with subscription online and downloadable "dungeon" packs every month?
damoxuk on 19 Feb '11 said:
Well Diablo 3 looks to be fairly complete - blizzard won't port console versions out in less than a year jsut to get soem marketing push.
Dimlo on 20 Feb '11 said:
i dont know what people are worried about. Diablo has never been technically demanding so i would of thought that all versions would have everything the other has got. the res may be higher on PC but the graphics and content wont be any different.
i think they should release diablo 2 as an arcade game on XBL/PSN. they would make a killing. then they could release the D2 expansion as extra DLC. im suprised Activision has'nt already jumped on that bandwagon.
Dimlo on 20 Feb '11 said:
ive just checked the D2 folder on the PC and with the expansion and all the movies it still comes in at less than 2GB. come on blizzard, give us D2 on arcade.