SC2 and D3: What is Blizzard doing?

[Cartomancer]

Since about 2005, I'd say, Blizzard announced that they would release a StarCraft sequel as opposed to another expansion set, and there would be another Diablo sequel.

2009 came and went...

And we're still sitting here twiddling our collective thumbs waiting. Meanwhile, World of Warcraft has seen more updates and expansion packs than StarCraft and Diablo put together.

For instance, World Of Warcraft is on version 3.3.2 as of February 3, 2010. There have already been 2 expansions, and another one is slated to come out soon.
Meanwhile, StarCraft has been on Version 1.16.1 since about June of last year, and Diablo 2 hasn't seen an update in about 2 years, still on 1.12a.

StarCraft 2 is slated to come out in 1st half 2010, but Diablo 3 is supposed to be released sometime in 2011 or later.

I understand WoW has a massive fanbase, possibly larger than that of StarCraft and Diablo, but seriously, when large scale gaming magazines are saying something you said would be released is massively delayed, you massively let your fan base down.

I have nothing against those who play WoW, it's just that I think it's about time to stop pouring the resources into something that's rich in playability already and get back to work on the stuff that's been sitting in production for about half a decade.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Replace "Blizzard" with "Valve," "Starcraft 2" with "Half Life 2: Episode 3," and "World of Warcraft" with "Left 4 Dead."

Unfortunately you still won't get any answers.

 

[Cartomancer]

Seriously, that too. There was also supposed to be a tie in for Portal...And meanwhile, we sit twiddling our thumbs on that front as well. Honestly, the big companies are getting too complacent, thinking they can keep pushing deadlines, when it isn't the case at all. And Diablo 3, that could be replaced with Half-Life 2: Episode 3 as well.

 

[darkxshade]

Since about 2005, I'd say, Blizzard announced that they would release a StarCraft sequel as opposed to another expansion set, and there would be another Diablo sequel.

Source? I don't recall them every giving such a bold statement.

 

[narreth]

play titan quest until 2011 lol

 

[AstroManLuca]

Starcraft 2 was officially announced in May 2007: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6171170.html
Diablo 3 was officially announced in June 2008: http://blogs.pcworld.com/gameon/archives/007183.html

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Most of the time, games have their own seperate teams working on projects. Although I think I heard, that when WoW was first released and a few million more popular than they expected they diverted all their resources to fixing it, which probably set back SC2/D3 atleast a year if not more. Usually takes them years and years to release a game anyway add massive delay from outside and a decade isn't unreasonable; I won't complain as long as they're good.

 

[Udgnim]

long delays by Blizzard is nothing new

lol at letting the fan base down because of it

 

[invidia]

2005? Never heard of any "official" announcement that they were even working on a SC2 or D3 during that time.

 

[Inspector Jihad]

i'm one of those people that thinks valve/blizzard has earned the right to do as they please. it'll come when its done and it will be awesome.

 

[AFurryReptile]

I'd take "When it's ready" over "As soon as possible" any day.

 

[Glitchny]

Since about 2005, I'd say, Blizzard announced that they would release a StarCraft sequel as opposed to another expansion set, and there would be another Diablo sequel.

2009 came and went...

And we're still sitting here twiddling our collective thumbs waiting. Meanwhile, World of Warcraft has seen more updates and expansion packs than StarCraft and Diablo put together.

For instance, World Of Warcraft is on version 3.3.2 as of February 3, 2010. There have already been 2 expansions, and another one is slated to come out soon.
Meanwhile, StarCraft has been on Version 1.16.1 since about June of last year, and Diablo 2 hasn't seen an update in about 2 years, still on 1.12a.

StarCraft 2 is slated to come out in 1st half 2010, but Diablo 3 is supposed to be released sometime in 2011 or later.

I understand WoW has a massive fanbase, possibly larger than that of StarCraft and Diablo, but seriously, when large scale gaming magazines are saying something you said would be released is massively delayed, you massively let your fan base down.

I have nothing against those who play WoW, it's just that I think it's about time to stop pouring the resources into something that's rich in playability already and get back to work on the stuff that's been sitting in production for about half a decade.

as pointed out above starcraft wasn't announced in 2005. Also Blizzard has never given a release date for when their games are going to be done, they just say "When it's ready" So I doubt many people are being let down as they haven't actually delayed anything. I'm fine with waiting, they haven't let me down yet.

Also they have 4 development teams at Blizzard (Starcraft, Diablo, WoW, Unknown MMO) so it's not like they are putting all their efforts towards one game.

 

[Magusigne]

What are they doing?!?!? LOL

They are counting the piles of money that they are raking in from World of Warcraft.

From a buisiness standpoint they can just sit on D3 and SC2 till the cows come home and just focus on WoW expansions till Blizzard actually feels threatened by another company (hahah yeah right).

They release SC2 or D3 and they will only hurt there WoW subscriber base.

 

[Dumac]

They are making sure to develop a decent game.

 

[JoshGuru7]

So I doubt many people are being let down as they haven't actually delayed anything. I'm fine with waiting, they haven't let me down yet. Also they have 4 development teams at Blizzard (Starcraft, Diablo, WoW, Unknown MMO) so it's not like they are putting all their efforts towards one game.

Exactly. We live in a world with scarcity and it is up to Blizzard how they allocate their resources so as to make things best for Blizzard. If D2 is your favorite game of all time, then if anything you owe blizzard rather than vice versa. There's a huge demand for SC2/D3 that will cause those games to be finished and released sometime soon, but WoW is not only probably more popular than both combined at this point but actively trying to retain existing players and add new players.

 

[JoshGuru7]

Honestly, the big companies are getting too complacent, thinking they can keep pushing deadlines, when it isn't the case at all.

Why assign obligations to big companies that you wouldn't assign to individuals?

Let's say you hire me to be a clown at one of your children's birthday parties. I do an incredible job and you say that you'd love me to perform at the Easter party. However, I wanted to work on my clown hip hop album for a while so I turn you down but indicate that I am instead available for the Fourth of July. Would you complain that I was too complacent and push deadlines, or acknowledge that I can prioritize my time however I think would be best for my career?

 

[KMFJD]

If they didn't hold back on releasing the game until it's ready they'd just be another EA/Ubisoft etc (You know, the company's that keep getting shit on for releasing crappy , not ready games)

 

[Firebot]

Warcraft 3 took 3 years to develop from announcement and WoW took 4 years. I'd say they are right on schedule, as in it will be out when it's done.

Meanwhile though, you are welcome to play Star Trek online which was released less then a year and a half since official announcement. I hear it's a perfected fully bug free finished game /sarcasm.

 

[lupi]

Let me give you a clue, there will also be a SC3 and diablo 4, feel free to start waiting on those release dates too.

Warcraft 3 took 3 years to develop from announcement and WoW took 4 years. I'd say they are right on schedule, as in it will be out when it's done.

Meanwhile though, you are welcome to play Star Trek online which was released less then a year and a half since official announcement. I hear it's a perfected fully bug free finished game /sarcasm.

Without looking for a link, I'm going to guess that star trek online was announced just a wee bit more than a year and a half ago.

 

[Lonyo]

Let me give you a clue, there will also be a SC3 and diablo 4, feel free to start waiting on those release dates too.



Without looking for a link, I'm going to guess that star trek online was announced just a wee bit more than a year and a half ago.

27th November 2007 at the latest, but probably before then, since that's when things like the first official previews came out.

 

[digitaldurandal]

There is nothing you can do to push the release date forward.

Both games are basically guaranteed to be good because the company they work for cares about QA. I for one am glad for it and wish other companies would push the same idea forward.

It is true that WoW keeps getting more and more content, Blizzard would be stupid to relax on that front at all - it has a constant stream of revenue from that venue and I do not ever see them letting it become lax so a competitor could take their business.

On the bright side of all the WoW releases, WC4 will have a wealth of ideas and characters to pull from right?

 

[Maximilian]

Since about 2005, I'd say, Blizzard announced that they would release a StarCraft sequel as opposed to another expansion set, and there would be another Diablo sequel.

2009 came and went...

And we're still sitting here twiddling our collective thumbs waiting. Meanwhile, World of Warcraft has seen more updates and expansion packs than StarCraft and Diablo put together.

For instance, World Of Warcraft is on version 3.3.2 as of February 3, 2010. There have already been 2 expansions, and another one is slated to come out soon.
Meanwhile, StarCraft has been on Version 1.16.1 since about June of last year, and Diablo 2 hasn't seen an update in about 2 years, still on 1.12a.

StarCraft 2 is slated to come out in 1st half 2010, but Diablo 3 is supposed to be released sometime in 2011 or later.

I understand WoW has a massive fanbase, possibly larger than that of StarCraft and Diablo, but seriously, when large scale gaming magazines are saying something you said would be released is massively delayed, you massively let your fan base down.

I have nothing against those who play WoW, it's just that I think it's about time to stop pouring the resources into something that's rich in playability already and get back to work on the stuff that's been sitting in production for about half a decade.

It was announced in 2007 not 2005 and when you are making the sequel to the best game ever made you take your time and get it right!

 

[Jakeisbest]

Well the StarCraft 2 beta starts next month. So some progress is being made. Make sure you sign up at battle.net

 

[ussfletcher]

No, do not sign up.. I don't need anymore competition!

Its probably the only beta that I would cry if I don't get into.

 

[Alienwho]

What are they doing?!?!? LOL

They are counting the piles of money that they are raking in from World of Warcraft.

From a buisiness standpoint they can just sit on D3 and SC2 till the cows come home and just focus on WoW expansions till Blizzard actually feels threatened by another company (hahah yeah right).

They release SC2 or D3 and they will only hurt there WoW subscriber base.

This is exactly right. Blizzard's biggest competition is themselves.

Keep in mind that Blizzard is a business. Businesses exist to make money. They are making money on WoW and they have no incentive to release a game that will compete with another one of their games.

Don't blame blizzard for the delay of these games, blame WoW players. If everybody quit WoW today and blizzard had no income, I guarantee we'd see SC2/D3 in a couple of weeks.