Diablo 3 release announced - May 15th

[avrame]

Sweet jesus, only 2 months away, who saw that coming?

http://us.battle.net/d3/en/blog/4612389/Test-3_16_2012

[MrPopo]

Sweet jesus, only 2 months away, who saw that coming?

http://us.battle.net/d3/en/blog/4612389/Test-3_16_2012

I figured it'd be soonish based on the beta and the fact that they were dropping the PVP Arena as a launch feature (to be patched later).

[BoneSnapDeez]

Doesn't this game have always-online DRM even for single player? I'll have to pass, unfortunately.

[MrPopo]

Doesn't this game have always-online DRM even for single player? I'll have to pass, unfortunately.

If by DRM you mean there is no offline single player, then yes. Single player is essentially the same as playing Diablo II on Battle.net in a private game.

[Hazerd]

Blizzard always OFFICIALLY announces games 2-3 months before release, been doing this as long as i can remember, not that they still cant push it back

But with that said, Amazon has Diablo 3 Collectors Edition back up for Pre-order!

[o.pwuaioc]

Been waiting for damn-near ever.

[isiolia]

In a sense, yes. The game will require connection to Battle.net to run, but according to Blizzard it wasn't designed as DRM.

Basically, how they see it (or, at least, spin it), by having the player authenticate, their single-player achievements are vouched for if/when they want to play with others. They wanted to avoid having the "offline only" characters from Diablo II.

Is it effectively DRM, for the sequel to a massively pirated and hacked game? Sure. It could also be seen as pretty much in line with things like PSO or Guild Wars that make it easy to jump between playing solo and with a group.

[Ivo]

Basically, how they see it (or, at least, spin it), by having the player authenticate, their single-player achievements are vouched for if/when they want to play with others. They wanted to avoid having the "offline only" characters from Diablo II.

I understand it, and I think it is a good spin. They want to make money, which I think is understandable.
Remember also that you will be able to sell stuff you find for real cash. Someone that doesn't like the mandatory connection will probably be converted to thinking it was a good idea when they find something good to trade or sell.

I personally don't like it and it will make me not buy the game for a while (I don't have consistent internet here and I hate to get a lag kill. Had enough of those on D2 when I played on Battle.net), but I think they have a point. And they are fully within their right to do it, and players that don't like it can just buy other games (there are decent Diablo clones out there).

Ivo.

[BurningDoom]

It's been so freaking long that we've been hearing about this game, that it's almost a myth at this point. I really, REALLY hope it doesn't have the same problems Duke Nukem Forever did because they took so long to produce it.

[MrNash]

I just don't find myself being all that excited for the game. I can't put my finger on why exactly, either. It's strange because I'm usually pretty zazzed when a new Blizzard game is on the way.