A few years ago, rumors of the next Diablo were spreading across the net. At one point, a rumor had started that the next Diablo would be an MMORPG similar to World of Warcraft. The premise was that the game would be set during the Apocalypse with some areas being held in hell while others on Earth and in heaven. The rumor stated users would be given the choice of whether to be part of the Angel race or Demon race quite similar to WoW’s Alliance or Horde.
Actually, the rumor was as far along as stating there were working versions being tested. Several months later, a source related to this rumor stated it had been scratched due to underwhelming excitement in polls-very weird if you ask me.
It is believed that the rumor was started by a game developer who worked with Blizzard in the past, so there may be some credibility to attach. This rumor, of course, may or may not have been completely true. The only ones who know whether or not this really happened is Blizzard and the person who started the rumor.
Nonetheless, rumors generally have at least some truth to them. We know for a fact that Blizzard has been planning a Diablo III since 2001 because of the great reception Diablo II and Lord of Destruction had. We know for a fact that Blizzard is known to take their time on new releases and test several versions before the final-even though they are generally buggy.
After adding up the probability of this to have happened, I would give it a 30% chance which is much higher than I usually give rumors.
Whether or not this is true, it is obvious that it is not going to happen anytime soon. Instead, Diablo III is set to be released sometime in the 2009 fall/winter if everything goes to schedule. Which means it will probably be the spring of 2010, and really, I wouldn’t blame them. I wouldn’t want to release both StarCraft II and Diablo III just several months apart either.
Why bring this up now? Because it should have happened! After looking at the many trailers of the newest Diablo, it seems almost the exact same as the previous just with new characters, woopity-doo-da. Sure, I’ll probably plop down the dough just to get a taste, but this is a let down. Come on Blizzard! Give us something new and not just the same ol’ same ol’. I just hope I’m wrong and they really did change more.
Written: May 27, 2009
Rob
May 27, 2009 @ 3:11 pm
It would be interesting to see Diablo as an MMORPG, but that would sort of betray the original design and spirit of the game.
Gary R. Hess
May 27, 2009 @ 8:53 pm
The same was said about Warcraft when WoW came out. They have almost nothing in common besides the races and some plot elements.
Michael Aulia
May 31, 2009 @ 7:37 pm
“Which means it will probably be the spring of 2010″
A few months ago, there were only 3 classes being designed and revamped.. I think it’ll still be in a longgggg longg time :’(
I’d still doubt that