Blizzard's "one major title per year" - D3 2010 or 2011? o

[Boqu]

Re: Blizzard's "one major title per year" - D3 2010 or 2011?

the world has gone mad. it used to be the way that we play the demo for free and decide if we wanted to pay for the game after.

now you have to line up and pay for ticket to get your fingers on the demo, and you can only play it while you are there.

and people are begging to get in.

talk about blizzard doing us a favour.

 

[konfeta]

Re: Blizzard's "one major title per year" - D3 2010 or 2011?

I don't quite believe the developer majority was ever in the habit of releasing alpha builds so people can get a demo 2 years ahead of release.

 

[Apocalypse]

Re: Blizzard's "one major title per year" - D3 2010 or 2011?

hey i always said companies should sell the beta spots. i have heard many people argue with me about this but if i ran a company and could make 5-10 bucks per beta copy i would. i mean still give out free copies to the sites and mag companies or whoever but then sell other copies to the general public

also, there is no need for a D3 demo, people are going to buy this game in the masses, the demo would not increase sales at all, if anything the demo might convince some people to not buy the game. they dont make these games for us they make them for money and there is nothing wrong with that

 

[5zigen]

Re: Blizzard's "one major title per year" - D3 2010 or 2011?

Selling beta spots, or alpha spots, is a huge gamble. Reason being, because if people pay for something, they will generally have higher expectations and expect certain rights.

For example, it would be a questionable practice to sell a beta slot and then to force someone to sign an NDA.

Further, Betas are generally unpolished, so you have to be somewhat selective about who you invite into the beta, but you also have to be somewhat general so you can test the program on several different types of hardware configurations.

Ultimately though, the main risk is that people will pay for a beta slot expecting a demo, which is something a beta is not. Beta's are incomplete, usually bug ridden, and letting a ton of people buy into your beta is questionable. In fact, I think the whole practice of "pre-order" beta slots is probably more risk than it is worth, and unless it doesn't begin until the game is extremely polished, it is simply too big of a risk of people canceling their pre-order because of the state of the game, or warning people not to pre-order. Bad news travels faster than good news.

 

[Furades]

Re: Blizzard's "one major title per year" - D3 2010 or 2011?

The beta of d3 will most prob be in 2010 and blizzcon 2010 will announce release date, making it 2011 minimum. Which is fine with me cuz beta will hold me off for a while ( i mean im still enjoying d3 just nothing gets saved for reals)

 

[kreeper]

Re: Blizzard's "one major title per year" - D3 2010 or 2011?

Well not sure how true this is but the other day I was at my local GameStop looking to feed my hunger for D3 in an alternative way and discussing options with the cashier. Now deep into talk of RTS and RPG's he said he had a release date for StarCraft 2 :Wings of Liberty set for November 3rd 2009. Wether he was mistakin or not im unsure, but this is what he told me. I don't follow up on SC2 at all so is that actually even the name? He mentioned it had not been named when he checked last. Like I said im throwing it out there, don't flame if I was relayed mistaken information. But this would mean D3 would definately be the 2010 release for Blizz on there 1 major title a year plan.

 

[Mackan]

Re: Blizzard's "one major title per year" - D3 2010 or 2011?

But this would mean D3 would definately be the 2010 release for Blizz on there 1 major title a year plan.

They intend to release a fronline title per year. However, I am surprised they even said that, because all their games go by "when it's done".

And by the way, StarCraft II, part 2 might very well be the release for 2010. I don't see any reasonable sign that Diablo 3 will arrive 2010 with their current development pace and lack of information.

 

[kreeper]

Re: Blizzard's "one major title per year" - D3 2010 or 2011?

They intend to release a fronline title per year. However, I am surprised they even said that, because all their games go by "when it's done".

And by the way, StarCraft II, part 2 might very well be the release for 2010. I don't see any reasonable sign that Diablo 3 will arrive 2010 with their current development pace and lack of information.

Yeah it is quite surprizing they said that and my post is based of IF that is true. Im pretty certain that since they are in the BETA testing for SC2 that it will be the 2009 release. It seems with the current pace on this game it would be setting release around Fall 09 and then hearing they guy at the store tell me Nov. 09 that means Diablo would be the 2010 release if they are infact sticking to the release plan stated.

 

[Evil Storm]

Re: Blizzard's "one major title per year" - D3 2010 or 2011?

Actually, there are some rumors that D3 is almost done and MIGHT BE released together with SC2, but that just a rumor. But! What I have noticed is that some of this rumors are actually true facts! If you play WoW, you will know what i am taking about =)

So lets just hope it won't take too long to release D3, cause i am got damnit excited about this game =)

 

[sbn]

Re: Blizzard's "one major title per year" - D3 2010 or 2011?

D3 will be released on their internal schedule, whatever that is. Keep in mind that every day they spend on the game is a day minus revenue but plus cost. So the idea that the game will be released "When it's done" is nice marketing, but realistically pure B.S. Regardless of whether Blizzard self finances their games or not, they are after all owned and operated by Vivendi and the shareholders who there for one reason, to see money get made.

So while Blizzard may not telling us when the game will be released, they certainly have a timeframe/schedule they are working under. So please, let's just once and for all end this "When it's done" crap.

 

[Krugar]

Re: Blizzard's "one major title per year" - D3 2010 or 2011?

Actually, there are some rumors that D3 is almost done and MIGHT BE released together with SC2, but that just a rumor. But! What I have noticed is that some of this rumors are actually true facts! If you play WoW, you will know what i am taking about =)

So lets just hope it won't take too long to release D3, cause i am got damnit excited about this game =)

It has to be a bad rumor. The high investment in patch 1.13 would make little sense.

EDIT: Also, financially it's not a good idea, in my opinion. Releasing a lone game provides steady sales and a faster return of investment. While releasing two games in quick succession has the potential for players to pick their favorite and leave the other for later... depending on the addictiveness, much later.

 

[DWS]

Re: Blizzard's "one major title per year" - D3 2010 or 2011?

It has to be a bad rumor. The high investment in patch 1.13 would make little sense.

EDIT: Also, financially it's not a good idea, in my opinion. Releasing a lone game provides steady sales and a faster return of investment. While releasing two games in quick succession has the potential for players to pick their favorite and leave the other for later... depending on the addictiveness, much later.

Yeah that rumour is rubbish.

What we know: They will not release 2 games close together.

so

1 will be late this year
1 perhaps late next year

That is optimistic.

 

[DragonChi]

Re: Blizzard's "one major title per year" - D3 2010 or 2011?

My guess is that the game will be released in October 2011.

basing off the time consistency shown in this link.

http://starcraft.incgamers.com/articles/comments/a-timeline-of-blizzard-releases-and-betas/P1/

Giving D3 a Halloween release perhaps.

i mean, Jay Wilson did say that they have been working on D3 for about 4 years. and it is claimed that, at the time of announcement. they had already started working on the second act. its now almost a year later. i think they are more done than they let on. and at the same time, deciding to be overly secretive and cruel with information release to make it LOOK like they are still in early stages. then they will, unsuspectingly, release the game sooner than we anticipated. which, if you think about it, would be such a pleasant surprise. so i think they are planning a sneaky little hype move on us. hence why they are so quiet and stingy. I can see right through the LIES!! ..LIES!!.....

LIIIIIIIIEEEESSS!!!!!!!!!!!!

*ahem* scuse me.

anyway, those are my 2 cents on the subject.

......**whispers* "liiiieeess!!!"*.....

 

[Telzen]

Re: Blizzard's "one major title per year" - D3 2010 or 2011?

Actually, there are some rumors that D3 is almost done and MIGHT BE released together with SC2, but that just a rumor. But! What I have noticed is that some of this rumors are actually true facts! If you play WoW, you will know what i am taking about =)

So lets just hope it won't take too long to release D3, cause i am got damnit excited about this game =)

I don't think there is a rumor. I think you just made it up. I still think it'll be out before 2011 though.

I also don't believe they said they where on act 2 when it was announced. Don't think they said that till blizzcon 08 and then they said the same thing later that december. Been 5 months, so hopefully they are on act 3 by now.

 

[jate]

Re: Blizzard's "one major title per year" - D3 2010 or 2011?

well they were able to release expansion packs for wow each year for 2 years. however BC was released in 01/07 and WOTLK was released 11/08. but these are expansion packs. starcraft 2 and d3 are standalone games. there is a chance that sc2 will be released late this year but as far as d3 being released anywhere before late 2010 i highly doubt it. i wouldn't be surprised at all if it carries over into early or even mid 2011.

my timeline view goes 09 sc2, 10 first expansion for sc2 and probably announcement for another wow exp, 11 diablo 3 and late 11 or early 12 for sc2's last installment.

i have a couple employees at work in which one told the other that sc2 was going to be released last tuesday so like an idiot he rushed off to gamestop and found out no release date has been issued yet. i told them unless blizzard says so do NOT listen to anyone else. they didnt even know what blizzcon was and thought that i didnt know the correct name of blizzard. they didnt even know about closed betas.

 

[FreshMeat]

Re: Blizzard's "one major title per year" - D3 2010 or 2011?

I got no time running around chasing D3 ghost anymore. I got my real life issues full of my plate. just look at what the next patch, almighty 1.13 has done to me, we are now in late may and it is no where to be seen, meanwhile nothing in the game stimulate the same anymore...

it is supposed to be a 'content' patch right, so we will have another ubber quest added, maybe at the end of game, fighting all three in the cave in act 1, or the pitt in swamp in act 3... and then after 1.13 is released, 8 months later they will have to do a bug fix patch, reset the ladder, call that 1.14, then 1.5 year later, maybe throw us a 1.15 with main feature "now you don't need your keyboard to play."

they will do their thing regardless what we fans say. if you think your voice will change them, push them work faster, you are probabily wrong. so I rather wait for the final big bang supprise instead of milking it bit by bit. and you get nothing if they won't let you anyway.

and the key is, they know when the shizzle is on the shielf, you will buy it.

Do you remember patch 1.11? it was like.... 6 months overdue? Well, from what blizzard employees said.

I would be super shocked to see the whole summer not, yet again, go past without the patch.

 

[FreshMeat]

Re: Blizzard's "one major title per year" - D3 2010 or 2011?

well they were able to release expansion packs for wow each year for 2 years. however BC was released in 01/07 and WOTLK was released 11/08. but these are expansion packs. starcraft 2 and d3 are standalone games. there is a chance that sc2 will be released late this year but as far as d3 being released anywhere before late 2010 i highly doubt it. i wouldn't be surprised at all if it carries over into early or even mid 2011.

my timeline view goes 09 sc2, 10 first expansion for sc2 and probably announcement for another wow exp, 11 diablo 3 and late 11 or early 12 for sc2's last installment.

i have a couple employees at work in which one told the other that sc2 was going to be released last tuesday so like an idiot he rushed off to gamestop and found out no release date has been issued yet. i told them unless blizzard says so do NOT listen to anyone else. they didnt even know what blizzcon was and thought that i didnt know the correct name of blizzard. they didnt even know about closed betas.

naw, SC2 is out this Fall 2009, confirmed again by Blizzard. really, that game isnt like the most complicated to make. It isnt an immersive 3d game like Fallout, it has static maps and floating tiny spacecraft. Kinda lame how it wasnt out a year ago.

If SC2 holds up D3, I would be ticked. However, the slug slow pace of releasing "content" info for the game is rather indicative of 2010. It took about 2 years from announcement of sc2 to product. (trailer, website etc)

 

[5zigen]

Re: Blizzard's "one major title per year" - D3 2010 or 2011?

naw, SC2 is out this Fall 2009, confirmed again by Blizzard. really, that game isnt like the most complicated to make. It isnt an immersive 3d game like Fallout, it has static maps and floating tiny spacecraft. Kinda lame how it wasnt out a year ago.

If SC2 holds up D3, I would be ticked. However, the slug slow pace of releasing "content" info for the game is rather indicative of 2010. It took about 2 years from announcement of sc2 to product. (trailer, website etc)

SC2 isn't as easy as you might imagine. Balance is something that is very very difficult to achieve, and the SC community expects nearly perfect balance. I'm also willing to bet the SC community is more rabid and larger than the D2 community, particularly when considering Korea.

SC2 is unlikely to be out this fall because they've said that they will release the game when they are satisfied and the community is satisfied. That means they are thinking about balance, but also about a semi long beta, not a truncated one.

SC2 might come out before xmas this year, but I don't know if it is close to a sure thing. Beta will happen this year though.

D3 seems like late 2010, or mid/early 2011. It depends on if blizzard keeps following the industry standard of releasing games in q4 only... (why they don't also release in Q2 before summer is beyond me.)

 

[FreshMeat]

Re: Blizzard's "one major title per year" - D3 2010 or 2011?

SC2 isn't as easy as you might imagine. Balance is something that is very very difficult to achieve, and the SC community expects nearly perfect balance. I'm also willing to bet the SC community is more rabid and larger than the D2 community, particularly when considering Korea.

SC2 is unlikely to be out this fall because they've said that they will release the game when they are satisfied and the community is satisfied. That means they are thinking about balance, but also about a semi long beta, not a truncated one.

SC2 might come out before xmas this year, but I don't know if it is close to a sure thing. Beta will happen this year though.

D3 seems like late 2010, or mid/early 2011. It depends on if blizzard keeps following the industry standard of releasing games in q4 only... (why they don't also release in Q2 before summer is beyond me.)

have you been reading the E3 reports and the comments? they said 09 Fall for sc2

(I know blizzard isnt at E3, but they got freebie press to say things like this anyways)

 

[5zigen]

Re: Blizzard's "one major title per year" - D3 2010 or 2011?

have you been reading the E3 reports and the comments? they said 09 Fall for sc2

(I know blizzard isnt at E3, but they got freebie press to say things like this anyways)

Blizzard's Mike Morhaime has said that Starcraft II will be released this year as long as it "meets our standards and the expectations of our players".

That's far from a fall confirmation, and not even a q4 confirmation as blizzard, and starcraft players, have very high standards.