Back in 2009, Runic Games founder and Diablo/Diablo II Lead Designer Max Schaefer stopped by the Giant Bomb offices to talk about his recently released action-RPG, Torchlight. During that interview, Schaefer reiterated that Torchlight was designed and released primarily to help bring in revenue that could be put towards the development of a free-to-play MMO based on the world and gameplay mechanics of Torchlight.
Little did Schaefer guess that the tiny, budget-priced RPG, would turn out to be a modest hit: to date, Torchlight has sold 750,000 copies, and Runic has responded to its success with gusto: the team has pushed aside work on the Torchlight MMO and has instead moved to the recently revealed, online-enabled Torchlight II. Furthermore, beyond the Torchlight sequel, it sounds like Runic has plans to bring the original Torchlight to some new platforms: namely, the consoles.
== TEASER ==Over at Gamescom last week, Schaefer told Joystiq that Runic Games has been working on a console port of Torchlight to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 for some time, and the company is now in talks with both Microsoft and Sony to release the game on XBLA and PSN. While nothing official has been announced, Schaefer is "hoping" to have the console versions of Torchlight out by the holidays.
Between the game's critical and commercial reception on the PC, and the mention of the holiday release date, I imagine that Runic is hoping to get the console versions of Torchlight out before the Spring 2011 release of Torchlight II. I certainly would love to see a version of Torchlight on my television screen. I mean, I already liked other console loot-focused action-RPGs, like Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, Champions of Norrath, and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. But wouldn't all of those games be better if they let you go on adventures with a dog?
And for the record; In Torchlight, you get a dog.
If that's not worth $15, I don't know what is.
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