Diablo 3 in the works?

**[The Reaper]** · 08-03-2005, 03:52 AM

I know there's been a thread a couple months ago, but I read this on Gamespot.

Blizzard shutters northern outpost

Diablo studio closed; remaining staff relocated to Southern Calif HQ, put on "unannounced project"--likely Diablo 3.

The team behind the enormously popular Diablo franchise--most recently known as Blizzard North, the Bay Area outpost of Irvine, Calif-based Blizzard Entertainment--has been officially shuttered. Arguably, the office was moribund for months, those with ties to the Diablo franchise having departed months or even years ago to form studios of their own.

In a statement today, Blizzard president and founder Mike Morhaime said the relocation will "improve our efficiency as a company" and "represents an opportunity for all of our teams to have regular, direct input on each other's projects."

Those from Blizzard North who were offered relocation packages "will continue work on an unannounced project," which most believe is the third installment in the hugely popular Diablo series.

The studio that came to be known as Blizzard North was founded in 1993 by David Brevik and brothers Erich and Max Schaefer. The team--known then as Condor--pitched and sold Diablo to Blizzard. In 1996, the studio was fully acquired by Blizzard.

Blizzard North alumni have gone on to form at least three independent game studios of note: ArenaNet, formed in March of 2000 by Mike O'Brien, Patrick Wyatt, and Jeff Strain (and since acquired by NCsoft); Flagship Studios, founded in 2003 by Brevik, the Schaefer brothers, and Bill Roper (among others); and Castaway Entertainment, also founded in 2003 by brothers Stefan and Mike Scandizzo.

**skidude** · 08-03-2005, 04:17 AM

this could mean anything big deal blizzard north moves south to the other place

**Fykins** · 08-03-2005, 04:50 AM

Chesh already showed us half a year ago that they are definatly making a d3, but new info is always good. ~moved to the right section.

**hawktheslayer** · 08-03-2005, 09:31 AM

okay I voted NO simply because that it will be a while before it does come out.

Of course it will come out at one point, just when is the question. I'm guessing give it another 1½ -> 2½ years, blizzard will release D3. They probably won't start working on it until WoW has been 'established' and 'stabilized' like d2 was 2-3 years ago, then will they begin working on something else. But at the moment, are they working on d3, I will say no.

**flaw_less1** · 08-03-2005, 10:01 AM

ofcourse its comeing a new diablo ffs...
they are not stupid!
do u guys know how much cash they made on diablo I and how much they are still making in diablo II after 5 years?there are still poeple buying it and that little cumersal spot in the channel must make millions of dollars because its shown in usa europe and in asia(dont make me say how many ppl live there cuz no one knows for sure...)

**[The Reaper]** · 08-03-2005, 10:46 AM

Yeah well I put it in small talk because it was Diablo II discussion :P Oh well doesn't matter not like I'm getting warned for it. I like Diablo II as it is, I think they should keep it almost the same with new story + acts and additional character classes. I guess what I want is another expansion that upgrades the graphics. I hope they won't make it like the back view of the character cause I like it how it is now. THe only reason I didn't play guild wars is because the lack of unique items, there were basically only 3 types of armor, the one you start with, the cheaper upgrade and the expensive upgrade.

**Veck** · 08-03-2005, 12:45 PM

has anyone else heard about the diablo 2 hell unleashed expansion? i remember it being mentioned a few times on the bnet forums..it seems kinda interesting.

**Nubli** · 08-03-2005, 01:00 PM

http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/diablo-iii/

**hellsing293** · 08-03-2005, 02:41 PM

Personaly i think they should just make a major expansion not just anohter patch. Because some ppl won't like to start all over with no items(not me i like being on equal grounds) and they should actually do something with the plot not just thorw some random new bosses at you. Maybe like a reincarnation of diablo or in dunno involve heaven or tyreal or something but i think there should only be a big expansion thats all. Dont get me wrong diablo3 would be great...but what more can they do. I mean yeah an expansion is one thing but a game...where's the plot going to go for a whole game? I really dunno... just putting my input on things.

**Nubli** · 08-03-2005, 02:57 PM

A major expansion would keep D2 in it's current physics, which aren't too great.

Diablo 3 is supposed to be a more upgraded form of this. Maybe even like WoW. But it may suck just because the original D2 team left a while ago.

**volcom** · 08-03-2005, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by hawktheslayer

okay I voted NO simply because that it will be a while before it does come out.

Of course it will come out at one point, just when is the question. I'm guessing give it another 1½ -> 2½ years

I'm not gonna play diablo anymore after 2 years.

**/Em0-Angel\** · 08-05-2005, 02:55 PM

God..if they do make another that would be great..as long as u dont have to pay for it like WoW..and it should have ALOT to do with heaven...like mabey heaven gets invaded by hell or somthing..corse some people might see it as blasphemy but hell it would make a good story line..

**L4E** · 08-05-2005, 03:02 PM

the last guys behind d2 are workin on hellgate london (not a blizzard game i think)

and blizzard anounced WoW a bit after it anouced wc 3, 3years ago.. if they were gonna make they would say so themselves, this isnt a "i hope it comes out" its a will it come out thread so keep that in mind =/

**Tool** · 08-05-2005, 05:40 PM

As long as it's not pay to play and they update many of the features and release it bug free (but still maphackable) or even include full map with monsters it'd be ****ing awesome.

PS: Emo sucks.

**pureblud** · 08-06-2005, 07:17 AM

Screw D3, Just play WoW

**Veck** · 08-06-2005, 08:17 AM

d3 = pay to play = gay as ****.

**Shady772** · 08-06-2005, 09:20 AM

I personally cant stand WC3 or WoW..but if D3 turn out to be P2P..u wont c me there :/

**Sliest_Valkyrie** · 08-06-2005, 11:47 AM

I hope it isn't pay to play that'd really ruin it.

**Vain** · 08-06-2005, 08:24 PM

omg i really like d2 n all and a bigger patch or d3 would be great.. but if its P2P i say F*** that s*** becuz after all these years diablo being so awsome make it pay to play? no way... i'd NEVER buy it!