We Actually Have a Release Window for Diablo III

It's time to think about a new mouse; Blizzard Entertainment has revealed it's aiming to release Diablo III in early 2012.

I don't think anyone realistically expected Diablo III to arrive before the end of the year. The studio had admitted 2011 was in the realm of possibility but always said that was never a guarantee, and the idea of Blizzard taking a few more months to iron out the kinks is right in line with Blizzard tradition of "when it's done" or "as close to perfect as humanly possible."

You're right to be skeptical about today's news, but what makes the news more reliable is because it's been written down in a press release. Prior to today, Blizzard hasn't committed a specific release date range for the game in official form. That's not to say Diablo III couldn't slip past early 2012, however.

"With every game we make, the temptation is always very strong to launch as soon as possible. However, we didn't put so many years of work into Diablo III to release a game that was almost ready," said Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime in the press release.

On the plus side, Blizzard will be extending the beta test for an undetermined amount of time and "potentially adding more testers than initially projected."

Hail Satan!

I can wait if it makes the game better.

Still can't wait.

But I have to.=/

Note to self: Get a new computer for early 2012.

@MrKlorox said:

Hail Satan!

Radical dood

I never got into the Beta :(

Sweet! Now all I need is a persistent internet connection.

So I still have a small chance of getting a beta key. Why must they toy with me like this.

Diablo 3 coming out summer or holiday 2012. You heard it here first!

It's cool that I may (prob not) have a chance into the beta. At the same time it sucks because I want this game. However at the same same time its great because I get to play froza 4, bf3, skyrim, torchlight 2 (hopefully) with a lot of breathing room.

@Cincaid said:

I never got into the Beta :(

The beta isn't over yet and more invites will be going it phases. If you signed up and your PC isn't terrible then you have a chance at eventually getting in. And I'm sure they'll be giving out codes for pre-orders eventually.

@Cincaid: It's only been open for a few days (less than a week)... you could very well still receive an invite :)

Well that's five bucks on the way into my pocket. My friend bet me five dollars when the beta came out that it was a sign that the game was coming out this year. I told him, this is still Blizzard, there is no way that is happening. And now he's all mad cause he wanted to play it a lot more than i did and he also owes me five dollars. Score.

@Cincaid said:

I never got into the Beta :(

There's still many chances to get it. They just recently started sending invites.

I like your take on this that early 2012 is the release window. It makes me feel better. I played some Diablo 3 when I was at Blizzcon a couple years ago and I've really wanted it ever since. Watching the quick look just makes me want it more. I guess I'll just save my pennies; because this one is definitely going to worthy of buying the Collectors Edition.

You're right Patrick, no one ever lies in a press release!

Not so bad news. Extra polish is nice, and at least I won't have to juggle playing so many games now...

I really want to get into the beta :(

I have never played a Diablo game...but the game looks really appealing :(

What is Blizzard's definition of "early"

Oh no , what ever will I play until then?

Torchlight II, Skyrim, Rage, Arkham City, Uncharted 3, BF3, MW3 (haters gonna hate), Dark Souls, Saints Row the Third, Assassin's Creed Revelations...

I'm good.

I clicked on this article to practice for the release.

Time to go buy up some atvi stock

New mouse? I think I'd actually like to use a controller for this. I enjoyed controlling Torchlight much more on my 360 than I did on the PC.

This guy's stoked!

They saw that people didn't like them removing the skill trees and now they are like, "What the fuck are we going to do? Delay the game!"

The beta has been pretty damn solid for me so far, but it's only about a 3 hour chunk locked to normal difficulty. Still thing back and leveling up one character to see what they have the level cap set at.

Does anyone know if Diablo 3 is very taxing on your hardware? I don't play many PC games, but even I know Diablo is a pretty big deal.

@Sayishere said:

I really want to get into the beta :(

I have never played a Diablo game...but the game looks really appealing :(

Same situation for me.

@Arker101: Most Blizzard games are very easy on hardware. I have a GTX 260 and I can run SC2 and wow maxed out at 1080.

There goes my 2012....

Between this and Street Fighter X Tekken, I don't think I'm going to have time for the latter three quarters of 2012.

Look out sick witches!

Oh wow. I was expecting late 2012. I wonder what the "early" in "early 2012" means.

@Theresonlyone said:

Note to self: Get a new computer for early 2012.

This is what I've been planning all along. I just needed to know when.

More testers? I like that. Especially if it involves me.

C'mon Blizzard, Xbox already.

Come on. Surely we can have more people complaining about not being in the Beta than this? This is the internet!

@risseless said:

C'mon Blizzard, Xbox already.

Lol... No.

No doubt in my mind Diablo 3 will be a flawless game, and I'll wait as long as Blizzard wants before I give them whatever price they ask. Not embarrassed to admit it, they make great games.

Hmmm. I wonder when WOW expansion is going to come out because 3.3 being the last patch they Can't possibly have 2 blizzard games out in 2months?

@chilibean_3: Im sure it means before the end of the fiscal year. So before the end of March? Not 100% sure on that part.

stuff some more RPG in there. The system they have now doesn't look fun.

@MrKlorox said:

Hail Satan!

I wasn't too interested in Diablo 3 to start, but after watching lots of beta footage on streams, GiantBomb etc, I can't wait. This is awesome news.

Well, I guess that gives me time to earn some cash for a new PC.

the big question is before or after mass effect 3 comes out

@Jerome85 said:

@risseless said:

C'mon Blizzard, Xbox already.

Lol... No.

@Crono said:

What is Blizzard's definition of "early"

News like this.

Believe it when I see it.