Blizzard is actively considering Diablo III for console, posting three new job positions specifically for consoles and releasing this rather blunt statement:
We’re exploring a Diablo-related concept for consoles and are currently looking to fill a few senior console-related positions on the Diablo III team. As we’ve said in the past, with proper care the gameplay could suit the console platform, and we’re interested in seeing what talent out there might be interested in such a project. If you’re passionate about all things Diablo and have the requisite skill and experience, then head over to our jobs site to check out the positions and apply.However, Hell hasn’t frozen over yet.
Please note that this is not an announcement of a console title. We are first and foremost developing Diablo III for Windows and Mac PCs and don’t intend to allow any possibility of a console interpretation to delay or affect the release of the game.The job posting lists “Lead Designer, Console,” “Lead Programmer, Console” and “Senior Producer, Console.”
Diablo III has been in development for PC since 2008 and we’ve yet to see a release date.
Would you play Diablo III on Xbox 360 or PS3? How do you think console development will affect PC production, even if Blizzard says it won’t at all? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
As long as the PC and Mac version doesn’t suffer I can only read this as good news. As long as it isn’t a bad port over to the consoles, but since it’s Blizzard we’re talking about I doubt that’ll happen.
Diablo 3, (maybe) coming to Xbox720 and PS4 in 2020!
This wouldn’t be the first time a Diablo is on a console. I played the first Diablo on PlayStation way back in the day. Was it the ideal way to play? No, surely not, but was it playable? Yes. With the current controllers and online capabilities of the modern console I feel that D3 on Xbox and PlayStation is very possible. End the end the true Diablo fans wont touch a console version with a 10 ft. pole.
Ive been talking about Diablo on consoles often with friends of mine. There is no Blizzard game that would suit consoles better then Diablo
Would i get it?
1) Only if its gonna be better on consoles
2) If it would mean i would be able to play the game earlier, since im dying to do so!!
So would i get it?
Probably not :P
If they do bring it out on PS3 and/or 360, then I expect that the UI will have to be heavily modified in order to be playable. For example with missiles and spells you click in the direction you want to fire, this mechanic would become a lot less accurate with the thumbsticks, a bit like playing geometry wars; a bit hit and miss.
I agree with all the above comments, real fans would get it on the PC for the best experience. However I don’t doubt that it would sell very well and maybe introduce some new people to the franchise, which is always a good thing.
I think it could work despite my aversion to consoles. A cleverly modified targeting mechanic would really be the only major thing that would need to change.
The number of skills / skillbar already has been pruned down even for the PC, and graphics really aren’t a huge deal in Diablo. They look good but are planned around playability rather than eye-raping quality.
A snap-to targeting like you see in the free-to-play game Mabinogi could work.