diablo-iii-game-screenshot

Blizzard has announced that Diablo III will not ship until early 2012 due to an extended beta.

Diablo fans, you’ve waited 11 years for Blizzard to release the third Diablo game, and you may have to wait a bit longer. Though the closed beta just began on Sept. 20, Activision Blizzard has revealed that Diablo III will not hit shelves until ‘early 2012.’ Blizzard plans to extend the closed beta test, and add more testers than it originally planned.

“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 Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “The beta test is going very well, and we look forward to making the most of the extra time we’re taking to deliver an experience that lives up to our vision for the game and the expectations of our players. Next year is going to be an incredibly busy one for Blizzard, and we hope an incredibly fun one for Blizzard gamers.”

We wish we were shocked, but big franchises like Diablo bet the farm with each iteration. Blizzard knows what it has to deliver and needs more time. If more studios had the ability to spend 11 years making a game, we might end up with some better titles…or a lot of Duke Nukem Forevers.

Those looking to be involved in the beta can joint Battle.net and opt in, or head to the Diablo III website.

Showing 29 comments

  1. Phil Winkel at 1:14pm 23rd September 2011 Diablo 3 is going to be absolutely amazing. I'm glad they made it into more of a free to play MMO (you *have* to use battlenet to play - even single player). No one will be able to cheat, they will continue to add content and expansions so game will have much more longevity / replay value, and they won't have to worry about scrubs pirating it.
  2. Cassandra Mantis at 5:16pm 23rd September 2011 Wow, I am so looking forward to this game for so long as Diablo 2 was epic! :)
  3. Cassandra Mantis at 5:16pm 23rd September 2011 Wow, I am so looking forward to this game for so long as Diablo 2 was epic! :)
  4. Chris Johnson at 3:58pm 23rd September 2011 Um...this is Blizzard, the company who has NEVER released a game on time, this should be zero surprise and if you expected it to be out on time, hold your head in shame.It's actually a good thing; I can get Skyrim out of my systems and then focus on this title.
  5. Chris Johnson at 3:58pm 23rd September 2011 Um...this is Blizzard, the company who has NEVER released a game on time, this should be zero surprise and if you expected it to be out on time, hold your head in shame.It's actually a good thing; I can get Skyrim out of my systems and then focus on this title.
  6. Jonny Andres at 3:39pm 23rd September 2011 I'd rather have it perfect than on time...thank you Blizzard for caring so much to do this.
  7. Jonny Andres at 3:39pm 23rd September 2011 I'd rather have it perfect than on time...thank you Blizzard for caring so much to do this.
  8. Eric Allen at 3:04pm 23rd September 2011 " ...Diablo 3 will not ship until early 2012 due to an extended disappointment "
  9. Joshua Vanwormer at 3:02pm 23rd September 2011 his should just say "Diablo delayed"
  10. Joshua Vanwormer at 3:02pm 23rd September 2011 his should just say "Diablo delayed"
  11. Joshua Vanwormer at 3:02pm 23rd September 2011 is this news?
  12. Joshua Vanwormer at 3:02pm 23rd September 2011 is this news?
  13. Lain McGregor at 2:59pm 23rd September 2011 Not surprising
  14. Lain McGregor at 2:59pm 23rd September 2011 Not surprising
  15. Jakob Rosenfeldt Jakobsen at 2:56pm 23rd September 2011 Noooooooooooooooo
  16. Jakob Rosenfeldt Jakobsen at 2:56pm 23rd September 2011 Noooooooooooooooo
  17. Mohamed Ashraff at 2:54pm 23rd September 2011 zzz!!
  18. Mohamed Ashraff at 2:54pm 23rd September 2011 zzz!!
  19. Joseph 'Juice' Dempsey at 2:47pm 23rd September 2011 dislike :(
  20. Joseph 'Juice' Dempsey at 2:47pm 23rd September 2011 dislike :(
  21. Mike Dunn at 7:46am 23rd September 2011 That stinks, I never played Diablo II, but I'm really looking forward to 3. At least we know that when it comes out it'll be really polished, Blizzard is always good at that.
  22. Cynthia Salgado at 2:46pm 23rd September 2011 :(
  23. Cynthia Salgado at 2:46pm 23rd September 2011 :(
  24. Chris Jackson at 2:46pm 23rd September 2011 Dislike
  25. Chris Jackson at 2:46pm 23rd September 2011 Dislike
  26. Blake Tibbetts at 2:45pm 23rd September 2011 ...Sigh.
  27. Blake Tibbetts at 2:45pm 23rd September 2011 ...Sigh.
  28. Dan Gaul at 7:26am 23rd September 2011 @Joe this is going to make you sad!!
    1. Joe Hoyle at 7:32am 23rd September 2011 Haha! Actually, no - because as far as I knew, they hadn't announced a release date - I thought it could easily be late 2012 (It has been 11 years after all).Now, where do I get the beta? Damn.
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