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Diablo 3 for consoles 'is possible'

Published on 7th July 2008 by Joe Martin

Blizzard is only developing Diablo 3 for the PC and Mac, but admits consoles are a possibility.

Blizzard's Rob Pardo has confirmed that while a console version of Diablo 3 isn't planned, it is something that is theoretically possible and Blizzard has looked at possibility.

Speaking to Eurogamer at the Diablo 3 announcement, which was staged as part of the Blizzard Worldwide Invitational in Paris, Pardo said that any port would require changes, but was possible.

Diablo 3 is currently planned for a release on PC and Mac exclusively, with no console version in development. Blizzard decided to pursue the PC and Mac as they felt that it was the most appropriate platform for the game.

"I think it's theoretically possible. It would have some control changes that I think you'd have to make... But it's probably, of our major franchises, the one that's most console friendly, for sure," said Pardo, who is working as a designer on the game.

"You'd need to think about a lot of the point-and-click spells, like point to area-of-effect, or things like line-damage in this direction," Pardo said. "Target selection is something you're going to lose on console, you're really going to be able to do targeting direction, but not specific targeting."

"Out of StarCraft, Warcraft or WOW, Diablo would be the easiest game to translate. But it would still take a bit of work."

Would you like to see Diablo 3 come to consoles, or do you prefer it on the PC? Let us know in the forums.

24 Comments

Discuss in the forums Reply

M4RTIN 7th July 2008, 12:09

well thats rather an odd thing to say, its clearly going to be "theoretically" possible, after all its just porting a game from one type of computer to another. they didnt even need to say it tbh. its not like they have said its possible to release it on a microwave. i wonder why they have even made that statement if there are no plans to release it.

sotu1 7th July 2008, 12:28

haha, diablo on the micro wave....quick mf run whilst waiting for your leftover curry...hehe.

BlackMage23 7th July 2008, 12:41

guess it is down to how much it gets pirated on the PC.

Arkanrais 7th July 2008, 13:21

am I the only one who remembers the original diablo port on the PlayStation? it was good though character saves took up a single block each on your memory card and save games (as in saving your world, where everything died and all the drops in the game) took up damn near most, if not all of your memory card and that was if it was empty to begin with.

mclean007 7th July 2008, 13:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackMage23
guess it is down to how much it gets pirated on the PC.

How do you mean?

salesman 7th July 2008, 14:07

I would like to see it on the PS3.

Timmy_the_tortoise 7th July 2008, 14:15

This is as informative as telling us it would be possible to make the game in the first place.

Why?

Lepermessiah 7th July 2008, 14:31

Talk about news not actually being news, a freakin moron could tell you it is possible. PC is better, so who cares about if a lesser console version is possible,

Denis_iii 7th July 2008, 15:09

no more diablo3 news, i have to forget about it as seconds have felt like hours since I heard about it and browsed the website......any ETA? this year at least

bowman 7th July 2008, 15:44

Spare us. Don't waste time on a console port, get it finished properly and then do an expansion pack worthy of LoD.

UncertainGod 7th July 2008, 17:21

This just in!

Games can be tweaked to work on games consoles!

Jik 7th July 2008, 17:51

If Blizzard wants to be smart about this they could make a port for both ps3 and 360 and simply have a requirement for a usb keyboard / mouse. Since both systems support usb I cant see it being a huge problem. Make all versions log onto battle.net the same way and boom.

pendragon 7th July 2008, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowman
Spare us. Don't waste time on a console port, get it finished properly and then do an expansion pack worthy of LoD.

^^what he said :)

OmegaRed59 7th July 2008, 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jik
If Blizzard wants to be smart about this they could make a port for both ps3 and 360 and simply have a requirement for a usb keyboard / mouse. Since both systems support usb I cant see it being a huge problem. Make all versions log onto battle.net the same way and boom.

This would work for PS3 but Microsoft prohibits use of keyboard and mouse in games.

knyghtryda 7th July 2008, 19:40

Blizzard knows their audience and knows that they will sell millions of copies even without a console port. Its therefore in their best interest to focus solely on making the PC/Mac versions the best they can be. Who says PC gaming is dead?
As for the piracy argument... yeah, its gonna pirated. Starcraft was pirated, and so was D2, but you know what? If you wanted to play on BNet, you had to buy the game, and that right there got a bunch of people to finally pony up the $30 and buy it once they played single player and wanted more.

Dr. Strangelove 7th July 2008, 23:30

Am I the only one who thinks his answer makes perfect sense? Don't get me wrong I really don't see Diablo on a console, and yes probably any game can be converted to work on a console. But really you should rather be wondering what dumb reporter asked the question.... I mean what is the guy going to say "what a dumb question ofc it will not be ported to consoles" and this way insult the reporter and a lot of console fan-boys... or just play it safe and say that "sure it's could be done" it's not like he has actually said anything that binds

MachineUK 7th July 2008, 23:40

PC to console porting leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Look at the Unreal games, first you see a ported version of an unreal game to a console...........then, the next thing you know, Unreal III comes out with what seems like a poorly ported console version of a menu system with a smalll amount of options!!!!! With the game starting its life on PC!!! GTA.....the list goes on!! Leave Diablo on the PC.........it's home, what , it's too good for its HOME..........

GoodBytes 8th July 2008, 04:45

I think the Wii would be the perfect console for such game, as you have a the Wiimote that can act as a mouse.

PhenomRed 8th July 2008, 06:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by knyghtryda
Blizzard knows their audience and knows that they will sell millions of copies even without a console port. Its therefore in their best interest to focus solely on making the PC/Mac versions the best they can be. Who says PC gaming is dead?
As for the piracy argument... yeah, its gonna pirated. Starcraft was pirated, and so was D2, but you know what? If you wanted to play on BNet, you had to buy the game, and that right there got a bunch of people to finally pony up the $30 and buy it once they played single player and wanted more.

its diablo. that in itself is enough to make me want to buy it.

Gunsmith 8th July 2008, 11:51

consoles have ruined FPS genre, and are taking a swing at RTS with c&c3

youve got plenty of RPGS as is DO NOT DENY US THIS!

Amon 8th July 2008, 22:47

It's bullshit.

GoodBytes 8th July 2008, 23:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunsmith
consoles have ruined FPS genre, and are taking a swing at RTS with c&c3

youve got plenty of RPGS as is DO NOT DENY US THIS!

Remember Starcraft 64 on the N64 ;) Despite the terrible controls due to the analogue stick and lack of online play, it still worked, and reviewer gave it a good grade in general.

Amon 9th July 2008, 02:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoodBytes
Remember Starcraft 64 on the N64 ;) Despite the terrible controls due to the analogue stick and lack of online play, it still worked, and reviewer gave it a good grade in general.

The Starcraft phenomenon is simply something that can't be used in a comparison; well, well beyond the scope of penetration of any other game.

Cthippo 9th July 2008, 03:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Strangelove
Am I the only one who thinks his answer makes perfect sense? Don't get me wrong I really don't see Diablo on a console, and yes probably any game can be converted to work on a console. But really you should rather be wondering what dumb reporter asked the question.... I mean what is the guy going to say "what a dumb question ofc it will not be ported to consoles" and this way insult the reporter and a lot of console fan-boys... or just play it safe and say that "sure it's could be done" it's not like he has actually said anything that binds

No, I agree with you. Basically the reporter asked him if they were working on a console port and he said we've thought about it, it could be done, but we're not working on it at this time. Reasonable answer to a reasonable question.