Diablo 3 Web

You’d think that the combination of BILLIONS from WoW and the recently announced $100 for Starcraft 2 will make Blizzard sit comfortably on its huge pile of cash.

Think again. They are now thinking of “monetizing” the new version of Battle.net.

Initially, I thought “oh, we had banner ads in battle.net before, no problem”. Here’s from the horse’s mouth (Rob Pardo interview):

So Julian Wilson told us that you guys are looking monetize Battle.Net in some way. Is that right?

Wow, that’s an evil way of putting it. Julian’s turning into a business guy on me. Here’s the way I would put it. We’re definitely not looking at turning Diablo into a subscription based game…

With Battle.Net we’re definitely looking at possible different features that we might be able to do for additional money… I think World of Warcraft is a great example to look at. We charge people if they want to switch servers or if they want name changes, things that aren’t core to the game experience, they’re really just optional things that some people want.

OK, that’s a relief: Diablo 3 isn’t a subscription game; changing your name to GobbleCoque is going to cost $29.

However, I still get a bit suspicious of Blizzard’s “innovation” when it comes to pricing. After Starcraft 2 is split into three separate games we need to purchase separately, I wonder if Diablo 3 is going to be the same way.

Purchase Acts I and II for $49 and then shell more money for Acts III, IV and V which are entirely optional. Optional in the sense you option OUT of all the end-game bosses, equipment, etc.

Blizzard have finally revealed the third Diablo 3 character – a Wizard. As far as I can tell from the gameplay video and the class description, it looks like a copy&paste of the good ole Diablo 2 Sorceress.

The Wizard skills revealed thus far are:

• Disintegrate – constant ray of energy going through multiple enemies
• Electrocute – chain lightning
• Teleport – blink about half a screen away
• Magic Missile – single target damage spell
• Slow Time – creates a sphere that slows down projectiles (very similar to the Protoss Mothership skill)

You can watch the Wizard in action at Blizzard’s site here.

Blizzcon starts tomorrow and there’s a ton of news related to Diablo 3 and the other Blizzard games.

Starting with Diablo 3 – there will be a playable demo (as predicted here). If you’re lucky to have a ticket, you’ll be able to play as a Witch Doctor or Barbarian. A third class will also be revealed and it will be playable too (see quote below from Blizzcon brochure):

Among these brave champions stands the enigmatic witch doctor, a spiritual warrior from deep within the Torajan jungles. At BlizzCon 2008, the witch doctor is yours to command for the first tim ever. Stop by the Diablo area on the show floor for your chance to lead this fierce new hero into the catacombs beneath the Tristram Cathedral.

While you’re there, revisit the raw strength of the barbarian – a Diablo series classic – or try your hand at Sanctuary’s newest champion, who will be revealed at the event.

So we have two basic archetypes: fighter and mage. Place your bets on who’s the next class to be revealed? I vote someone with shield … and hammer. Hammerdin!

Tickets for Blizzcon 2008 will be on sale starting next week. So here’s a reason to go and buy one - there will be three panels with developers working on Diablo 3:

Diablo III Class Design
You’ve witnessed the raw physical power of the barbarian and the terrifying alchemy and diseases of the witch doctor. Now you can learn more about these heroes — and see if any other champions emerge to defend the mortal world.

Diablo III Game Design
Get a detailed look at the design and development process behind the visceral gameplay of Diablo III. We’ll explore the influence previous Diablo games have had, as well as the new and exciting features the upcoming sequel has to offer.

Diablo III – Lore and Art
From lore to spell effects, from creature design to quests — sit down with our writers and artists as they discuss the creative process of building Diablo III’s rich world of Sanctuary.