Diablo 3 now a 'theoretical possibility' on consoles

by Alan Tsang { Jul 4th 2008 at 11:00PM }

Despite a previous straight-out denial about Diablo 3 being on consoles, semi-contradictory reports have been leaking out in the press stating otherwise. A couple of days ago Blizzard COO Paul Sams told the Guardian he "do(esn't) know yet." He goes on to say it depends on whether "console owners would allow PC players to play against console gamers" and if "gameplay experience will be the same on console, especially regarding the controls." Blizzard wants everything to be perfect, and that "developing for multiple platforms you sometimes have to compromise. We aren't willing to compromise."

Yesterday, Eurogamer's interview with Vice President of Game Design Rob Pardo has him admitting that a console version of Diablo 3 is "theoretically posssible" but some changes to the controls would have to be made. He conceded that the game is "of our major franchises, the one that's most console friendly, for sure," and that "Diablo would be the easiest game to translate. But it would still take a bit of work."

We honestly think this is a just PR speak for "no" to Diablo 3 on PS3, at least not at the same time as the PC and Mac versions. We wouldn't get our hopes up!

Source -- Eurogamer
Source -- Guardian Games blog

[Thanks, Kristopher G.!]

Tags: blizzard, diablo, diablo-3

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

adolson @ Jul 4th 2008 11:20PM

I really hope it comes to PS3 at least.. I won't be running Windows or upgrading my PC, and I don't yet have a Mac, so it'd be the only way I'd buy the game.

Niko_Bellic @ Jul 4th 2008 11:24PM

I don't see anything that can't be done on ps3, with regards to Diablo 3. Then again, I'm no expert.

adolson @ Jul 4th 2008 11:38PM

True.. Since PS3 can work with keyboard and mouse, a straight port would be 100% feasible, even.. Though they wouldn't release the game without gamepad controls, I guess, since not everyone has a keyboard and mouse for their PS3. But it'd be sick if they did the port and had both control options.

nahworry @ Jul 5th 2008 8:53AM

Diablo is a hack'n'slash game after all, isn't it? How many extra controls would you need? Magic spells, each having their own key on the keyboard?

Mind you, I never played the Diablo series' games, only so-called Diablo clones, but the controls never were anywhere near complicated.

BananaBoat @ Jul 5th 2008 10:25AM

As a long time Diablo junkie, I can tell you that there is absolutely no reason you couldn't get Diablo working on a game pad. The basic functions are pointing and clicking enemies (or in the case of barbs and multi-arrow zons etc, clicking in the general direction of enemies) while using potions every so often to keep your health up. That's literally the only play mechanic as far as combat goes, and there is no reason why the online element would be a problem either (could use the same Battle.net servers).

I think 1UP said it best when they stated that if Diablo III makes it to a console, Activision is truly wearing the pants over in Activision/Vivendi (Blizzard) land. There is no doubt that the general consensus at Blizzard is that PC gaming is where they want to spend their time and effort, and I don't think that will change, but the chances of another company porting Diablo III to a console (Sorta like how EA ported Half-Life 2 to the PS3) are very high, I'd say.

BananaBoat @ Jul 5th 2008 10:28AM

Another studio within activision/blizzard I mean*

Twinturbo120 @ Jul 4th 2008 11:52PM

everyone has a mouse and keyboard....take it from your computer =D

Duanebs @ Jul 5th 2008 11:22PM

Everyone seems to be forgetting that the very first Diablo game was ported to the PS1!!! It worked great with a controller instead of mouse and keyboard!

mixel @ Jul 5th 2008 12:08AM

My Mac seems to cope better with games than my PS3 judging from UT3's performance.. But i generally prefer gaming in my living room on the PS3..

So if it does come out on PS3, that makes it difficult choice time. NUUuuuuoooo.
...

Actually not that difficult, i never liked Diablo that much anyway, I'm just getting swept along in hype again, lol.

Greg @ Jul 5th 2008 12:08AM

I'm sure the control would be just fine without a mouse and a keyboard... And when I hear "oh... that will need some work", well, they gonna get quite some money back from the sales on PS3, that's for sure !!! Here in Taiwan (and apparently it's the same everywhere in Asia), people are still addicted to Diablo 2, it's everywhere !! So, imagine the impact if Diablo 3 is realised on PS3 !!!

Kamma @ Jul 5th 2008 12:09AM

I really hope they don't bring it to console aswell, I'd rather them just concentrate on the pc game and make it as good as possible. It'd be a terrible game to play on console anyway.

Halwende @ Jul 5th 2008 12:50AM

Indeed... and I hope they don't have a port in mind, meaning the interface on the PC version suffers a la Oblivion... time will tell I guess

Averna @ Jul 5th 2008 12:55AM

Trying not to get abused for this, but I agree. These kind of games, although possible, dont work very well on consoles/gamepads unless they are specifically designed for a gamepad.

Zombie Huggles @ Jul 5th 2008 10:54AM

Why would it be terrible? Diablo 1 was available on PS1 and I owned it and later purchased the PC version. I personally preferred the PS1 version for control. Diablo 2 got a little more complicated and if they're doing anything similar to WoW, then a Keyboard is a must. But there's no reason they can't set controls to be used with USB Mouse and Keyboard as well as an option for the controller. And what exactly was dumbed down from Oblivion? I played Morrowind on both Xbox and PC, but I didn't notice a difference and the games are practically the same.

GRT @ Jul 5th 2008 1:14AM

Headline typos FTW

Eggy @ Jul 5th 2008 2:22AM

Not going to happen. If you take a look at what happened to Oblivion than true gamers can only be glad if it isn't even being developed for the console.

Carl @ Jul 5th 2008 5:19AM

I must be a "false" gamer then becuase I want this on my ps3.

Eggy @ Jul 5th 2008 6:45AM

So you don't care that a great game will be dumbed down so that it can be played on a console?

Chameleon @ Jul 5th 2008 7:11AM

i'm with carl, so long as i get to play it ... no, i have no problem.

plenty of movies have been dumbed down from their original source material, and still turned out to be entertaining ....

Christian @ Jul 5th 2008 3:42AM

Their requirement for allowing PC vs Console play fits the ps3 perfectly. Sony allows this, but as Epic pointed out when they looked into it, the console certification period do make it a little painful to keep PC and Console versions in 100% sync at all times.

KUV1977 @ Jul 5th 2008 4:07AM

It's Blizzard Entertainment. IF they do a console-port it will be just as awesome as the pc-version and the pc version won't suffer from this. They will not release some shoddy game... I have full faith in them...
maybe they would need a year longer for the controls alone if neccessary...
I'd stick with the PC version though unless they bring a real amazing demo on consoles...

Pablo @ Jul 5th 2008 4:14AM

But but but but..... the PS3 can use keyboard and mouse! :( ... im not getting a new computer anytime soon......

mat parker @ Jul 5th 2008 6:36AM

"console owners would allow PC players to play against console gamers"

can you say Games For Windows-Live and Xbox Live cross platform play

Eggy @ Jul 5th 2008 6:46AM

lolz MS platform is as closed off as can be. No way that Blizzard will go for that.

MakaiOokami @ Jul 5th 2008 10:14AM

You do realize that Microsoft would force people to pay for Xbox live AND POSSIBLY Vista exclusive in order to do that right? Microsoft Xbox Please Fix Me would be the worst console to port it to. Face it, Sony gives us the ability to install Linux out of the box while Microsoft sues anyone that tries.

RazLeboL @ Jul 5th 2008 8:26AM

I love my PS3 but there is no way in hell I would buy Diablo for it. This game is made for PC and this is for what I'll buy it.

RazLeboL @ Jul 5th 2008 8:27AM

And for those saying they won't upgrade, it's blizzard, the game is going to run on old PC and probably on a 50$ videocard.

Reymo @ Jul 5th 2008 8:37AM

Yes I would buy it for sure! Full support for mouse and Keyboard should be supported considering that the ps3 supports it WHY NOT? Come on guys its a 30-50 dollar upgrade to get a wireless setup or even less for a corded setup..Id rather pay that than a 130 for decent video card.

Reymo @ Jul 5th 2008 8:38AM

"And for those saying they won't upgrade, it's blizzard, the game is going to run on old PC and probably on a 50$ videocard."

Yea..but im spoiled I need everythign turned on lol.

MakaiOokami @ Jul 5th 2008 10:10AM

I think that people should start a petition to get them to port it to the PS3 with NO gamepad support and says "Requires USB keyboard and Mouse to play" but make it compatible with any standard usb keyboard and mouse and then possibly later release a patch that allows gamepad use ONLY IF they can make it playable.

Either that or it would be great if they were to make kinda a Guantlet Legends style game for PS3 specifically. Either way Blizzard makes WONDERFUL Co-Op games and it's a shame that we don't get to enjoy those. By the way will they ever allow WoW on console. Phantasy Star Universe does so and allowed cross platform play with PS3 and PC players. Also Everquest did even though it was reduced reasonably for the PS2 but htat's the PS2 we're talking about. It couldn't even allow Nippon Ichi to do the things they wanted to do with 3D sprites. PS3 is a beast and should be able to handle it. I think we need to contact Blizzard and petition them to do it. Companies can slap a "Gamepad Support through downloadable patch" after they fix gamepad issues but until then it could just be keyboard and mouse. I think there would be plenty of people willing to buy it like that. If we get enough people to petition maybe we could get it ported. They still have till 09 to release the game anyway. They still have plenty of time.

mat parker @ Jul 5th 2008 1:02PM

The reasons I mention 360:
1.Easiest to port to
2.The cross platform options with Games for Windows-Live
3.A PS3 would likely mean an all round delay
4.MS has allowed access to third party online services through Live before (FF11)

Arjun @ Jul 6th 2008 8:30AM

Mat, what you don't realize is that Blizzard would never, ever, ever go for Games for Windows Live.

Half the reason is because the game isn't Windows exclusive. Plus, free Battle.net servers are where it's at.

gambit07 @ Jul 5th 2008 1:14PM

Just by looking at the videos, it looks like such a simple hack n slash, could be done on a NES pad, I don't see why they wouldn't port if there is $ to be made.

creyes4182 @ Jul 5th 2008 1:16PM

Games like Diablo 3 would actually work better with a ds3 controller. Just use one of the analog sticks as the pointer, shoulder buttons could scroll though magic and weapons, and you still have the d-pad, other analog stick, and the X, O, Triangle, and [ ] buttons.

JayFight @ Jul 5th 2008 2:02PM

they said it's possible if console owners allowed pc/console online play? i think that barrier has already been crossed (final fantasy 11, shadowrun) so i don't think that would be a problem though i do have to say that if it comes out for the 360 (i'd get it for ps3 but still if it did) then i'd hope they would figure out how to get mouse support for it so that they wouldn't be handicapped by that or worse have superior gamepad controls making them almost god like in their ease of use and the rest of us using M/K would have to struggle to play in comparison

CJLopez @ Jul 5th 2008 3:08PM

They should milk it as much as they can. Give the user to choose where they wan to play it, PS3 and 360 can handle USB mouses, Wii has the wiimote and use it as a mouse (it's blizzard people, Wii can handle any game they do on, as stated before, playing this game won't need much PC, that's why i love blizzard, crytek should lear from em), come on, there are a lot of videos with examples on how to. DS has the stylus, i think players on DS on a crossplatform gameplay would be at advantage, as is easier to point with stylus than with the mouse/wiimote

Sorry for PSP users, they should have to use the analog stick and FPS on consoles had demonstrated a little disadvantage against mouse pointing

Man, crossplatform gameplay would rock, play on your house from you favorite choice (console or pc) and on the go with your DS

For myself, i'd go for the PC option, i had grew with diablo, and man, I could be able to switch from pc to console. Still, coming september 'll be attending a video game development online course, so i should have to upgrade my pc (http://www.gameinstitute.com/)