Now, ever since Activision and Blizzard merged, I had a feeling that moneytalk will take over. Sure enough, listen to Activion’s boss, Bobby Kotick: “Next Blizzard MMO will have a “more broad appeal”…
I can’t believe 10+ million subscribers is now considered marginal for a MMO! For some perspective, LOTRO has about 250,000 and Warhammer online is seeing a decreasing 300,000 or so.
The other point is … how is WoW not appealing enough for everybody? It has purple (gay?) elves, orcs on motorcycles… it’s as cartoony as a Disney picture.
It looks like Activision-Blizzard is definitely pursuing a strategy of attracting the lowest common denominator and putting “niche” products like Diablo 3 on the backburner. Just 40 people are working on Diablo when the support team for WoW alone is something like 3000?
Òh come on….Is Diablo 3 going to be delayed even more? Meh…
I have been a Diablo player for a long time. I can safely say I would have bought the next version of Diablo, but I think Blizzard has strung us along too long. They have really taken their core customers for granted for too long.
Hasta la vista Blizzard, I have just got too bored and irritated with you guys
40 people is fairly normal for a game that isn’t in the finishing or testing stages.
Throwing more people at Diablo 3 wouldn’t make it happen any faster.
Also… Diablo 3 hasn’t been “delayed” at all. It won’t be out in 2010 but that’s not a delay — that’s just how long these things take to develop.
I agre with Matt up there it may not be a delay but it could. What I dont understand though is how WoW is sooo great.It cost a crap load of money and for what? The same basic thing every day. Yeah it looks fun but not for the price. I am very irritated that the new WoW is coming out first but what can wedo about it? Nothing. More people want that so that is were blizzard is going. Im patient and can wait. One thing I want to know is how are they going to follow diablo when him and his bros are dead and gone? Anyone else see my point? It might be just another MMO and nothing new not even another “real” diablo.
re: Isaac, Matt,
The problem is that Activision-Blizzard is moving away from “niche” products like Diablo. In their eyes, even WoW doesn’t hold “a broad appeal”!
So games that made Blizzard great like Starcraft and Diablo will get progressively less resources and management time.
Duke 4 Never?! comes to mind!!!!!!!!!!
this wait is rediculous other great games come out with like 3 versions by now
Broad appeal = less fun games. Lets face it, its been proven over and over. All the games i know that i would buy 3x over just to play it are all 30man developed “niche” games.
All we can hope is this “40″ people stay on track with thier visions and not add moterbikes, pets, generally cave in for making thier “broader appeal” as long as it has focus and freedom for these 40 people’s own ideas, it will be great.
I dont care how long it takes, as long as they get it done. There are always other great games to play. in the meantime.
@Lin – my feelings exactly!
I agree with Lin as well!! Hit the nail right on the head duke