D.I.C.E. '08: Blizzard talks about blowing up

Now if only more companies were like Blizzard, the game industry would be a much different beast.

I'm not saying that I don't care about the canceling the other project about it... all I want is them to make StarCraft II antile the summer if possible nothing more... if not I'll be dissapointed... But as Blizzard says: " We'll take as much time as we want" but look at the bright side of taking so much time to prepare SC II it realy looks great and the progress they've made is incredible no doubth about it...But if possible them to tell will they release it antile the Jun mounth ends ?!

go

They state that WoW was so successful due to a big fan base of RTS'ers wanting to give it a go and I think he struck on the core ideal of why WoW is so huge.

Without Warcraft 3 I think it would of been a major flop, the avatar system in that game really does introduce you to the fundamental ideal of RPG's. Also, the PVP side of WoW was huge and pretty much unexplored in mmo's before, granted DAoC did explore this but I believe the WoW version was a lot more accessible. This was also one thing that really gave it an edge over everquest and alike, there was something for everyone and if you were feeling bloodthirsty you could just join a battleground or raid an enemy town. Also the 40 man raiding instances were well thought out and steeped in lore and atmosphere, downing Ragnaros for the first time gave you a sense of euphoria that is unparalleled by anything out on the market at this point in time. The lore is a major factor to this game and without Warcraft 1, 2, 3 this would just seem like a once upon a time fairytale that was dreamt up to fit this game.

No game out right now can compete with the sheer might of world of warcraft because it also brings with it a massive legacy of lore, a great community and there is probably something in the game to suit everyone.

P.S. FOR THE HORDE!!!

all the games from blizzard are superb,the guy who say WOW is not good is so wrong,it's the best online game ever.try to name somthing better then

Things like these are why i love Blizz so much...and i hate EA so much.

REd_toe D3 will be coming sometime after WoW is finished that means u got WoTLK and one more expansion then DIABLO will come....

I want my Diablo 3 !!

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

Blizzard has earned their success. WoW, Starcraft, Diablo2, all rocked. I still play Starcraft and Diablo 2. My sister-in-law plays WoW religeously. I also like the fact that Blizzard keeps its system requirements low/modest. This makes it easier for average, everyday folks to use their products. More developers should be taking that approach, including console manufacturers/developers.

STARCRAFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

startcraft 2 startcraft 2?? when does it comes out!!!

Kudos Blizzard! I would like to thank you for not compromising yourselves over the years and putting together true classics. If more companies would think about the end product rather than just "how fast can we put a game out there," the game industry would be a much better place. Besides there is definitely more money to be made in the long run by quality of games not quantity of games. I would much rather buy a game that was consistently delayed because of concern with improving the quality or content of the game rather than a game that was just put out "as is"on time.

I'm a Blizzard fan, I can't think in a Blizzard game that's not good and like Erebus a game developed by Blizzard is for me a game with 100% quality although not all the genres satisfies me.

I associate the Blizzard brand name with 100% quality. Whether or not the game is for me is irrelevant. I do not play WoW.

well guess what the D3 team isn't round anymore, so stop wishing and dreaming.

i'd kill for Diablo 3...

siiixon:
You cant't expect a game from 2004 to look like a 2008 game (though CCP did manage to do that with EVE Online), though as you said WoW ain't innovative and has never been. I can´t say that I has played a more boring MMO than WoW. But maybe that because I'm an EVEr and have pretty high standards thanks to that...

WOW is overrated , there are lots of good mmo's out there u just have to look for them

no there is tons wrong with WOW, grafix is old and annoyingly ugly for 2008 standards, and the game it self lack of any innovation considering its 2008... its just stone old and we have nothing new and innovative to play with

Only real problem I see with WoW is that it has stagnated. Originally players were told there would be frequent and substantial updates to the game. Instead, changes made usually resulted in gameplay losses, and no real updates came until BC, which required payment. I don't mind a monthly payment for quality such as WoW originally gave us, but the expense is too much for a game that doesn't grow with the investment.

a shame though, Blizzard hasnt made a satisfying single player experience in a long time. I simply dont see WOW as a game worth this much time and expenditure just because it's better than other MMORGS, being better than a mediocre game that demands more time and money out of most to begin with is a low bar in the first place, so i dont see WOW toppling any barriers by being the superior product.

Oh well, at least they finally found the time to stop counting the millions they're making from stringing along consumers into paying a monthly fee to make what will hopefully be another solid self containing single player game in Starcraft II.

WHY WON'T YOU MAKE DIABLO 3!!11!1!!!1!!11!1111

Concluding, Morhaime said that the worst thing a studio can do is release a project that doesn't live up to standards of quality. "Yes we may hit our financial goals, but it hurts the brand," and that is ultimately far worse, he noted. "The worse thing we can do is to release a game that doesn't live up to our quality standards."

This has to be the "golden rule" that ALL game developers should follow. That is why Blizzard, Bioware, Bethesda, Crytek, Infinity Ward, Valve, and what used to be Westwood are so respected and successful. If only game publishers/developers could just fess up a bit more money, the reward could be huge.

Even though I can't stand WoW and what it's done to the MMO community and - indeed - the internet itself, the fact that it had such an effect is Remarkable. While, said I said, I don't like it, to not respect WoW is foolish. As it is foolish to not respect every other Blizzard game. They're simply a fantastic developer, and I hope that remains after this new merger. And knowing blizzard, they won't let a merger change their quality standards.

Now for the long and most likely delayed filled wait for SC2.

So true. I also hate what WoW has done to the MMO community. Guilds and communities used to be so much deeper before WoW. While I do love the fact that MMOs now have solo friendly gameplay and loads of quests thanks to WoW, it's just sad to see the casual gamers coming in to them even though they're growing the MMO market. Any MMOs with forced grouping are almost guaranteed to die now that WoW is released. Most players are so used to soloing and questing in addition to WoW claiming most of the market, so you'll have a hard time finding a group in any new MMOs. I suppose that's why almost every recently released and upcoming western MMOs are using the same leveling style as WoW.

Most likely isn't the right word for Starcraft 2. The DEFINITE delays would fit that sentence better. All worth it, though.

There's a good and bad thing about Blizzards graphics in games. When they first released details about their games, they all looked eye-popping, then after years of delays, they just look good when released for the reason of perfecting the game. It's an issue that effects all Blizzard games, but it's worth it for every single one. Their 2D games may not be fair to compare to WCIII, though. 2D games aged much better than 3D games in my opinion. I still think Starcraft looks great while Warcraft III definately shows age now.

It seems that now Blizzard is currently designing their visuals to be ready for all systems to handle at mostly high settings. Starcraft 2 while artistically great and super clean, already look a little aged, but they're only trying to let as many people as possible enjoy the full experience of their games. Especially in other parts of the world where top of the line computers aren't readily available like in the US and Western Europe.

The great thing about Blizzard is that none of their games age particulaly terribly, because though graphics may change, the game still plays damn well. Look at Warcraft 3 for example. Graphically very simple, but because of the fantastic art direction and excellent gameplay people still play it today, and have no qualms about the technical graphics. The same goes for Starcraft, and even Lost Vikings. What most modern developers today don't understand is that if you have fine gameplay and amazing graphics, the experience just wont be the same as if the gameplay is at least equal to the graphics.

Even though I can't stand WoW and what it's done to the MMO community and - indeed - the internet itself, the fact that it had such an effect is Remarkable. While, said I said, I don't like it, to not respect WoW is foolish. As it is foolish to not respect every other Blizzard game. They're simply a fantastic developer, and I hope that remains after this new merger. And knowing blizzard, they won't let a merger change their quality standards.

Now for the long and most likely delayed filled wait for SC2.

Great article, but it does nothing to satisfy me desire to know Starcraft II's release date.

I love Blizzard's games.. how I wish I could one day work there.

I think Blizzard is a fair company in terms of skill, but unlike many others, I don't think everything they touch is gold.

I still remembered WHY they really canceled WarCraft Adventures- Because they thought it wouldn't have won as many rewards as Curse of Monkey Island.

Seriously, what the hell? You worry about your CUSTOMERS, not about what and how many awards you win.

yeah wow is pretty cool

May their sacrifices be for ever remembered, because we in the end got to taste the sweet fruits of their labor.

blizz owns. i bought a cd-rom for like 200 bones back in 95-96 to play tides of darkness on my 386. got sc and bw the day they came out, same with wc3 and ft. diablo 1 & 2 own. wow owns bliz owns.

I hope they don't ruin starcraft by going MMO with it...

Hm, seems that SC:Ghost may return? I hope so.

What? No video? I would've liked to watch this.

If only every company followed the way Blizzard handles their games, perhaps we wouldn't have a huge amount of bad games every year.

Hopefully, just hopefully, companies will take something from this and incorporate it into their own practices.

Hey! What's wrong with me! I forgot kick ass Diablo II!

ok, I am sick and tired of all you people calling for a World of Starcrat!!! it is that hard to to make the word world in plural?


Worlds of Starcraft...ahhh, there we go.

I still rock out on Starcraft. My sister-in-law plays the hell outta WoW. Even people who don't fancy themselves 'Gamers' play WoW. That's the sort of thing that makes a dev/publisher stand out. Kinda like the Wii, huh?

Although Blizzard made a mistake by letting the Diablo team go (and become Flagship studios) they are still an excellent company who turns out some amazing games. Go Blizzard!

Blizzard FTW!

Now there is a company you need to follow.

Blizzard is one most top notch Developers in the world! Every game they turn out is award winning! Go Blizzard! Go!

@ DFTricks

"putted" .................. really?

/facepalm

Even if the RTS Warcraft games where good it's really Starcraft that putted the compagny on the map.

@ Vonkronz

World of starcraft? That would be like, AMAZING! I'd be a Zerg Cerebrate

Anyone else think flagship are kicking themselves right now?

Starcraft 2, can't wait

wiidominance. I'm not sure what you mean. Word of mouth is only as good as the games that are talked about. I'm not a strong advocate of Blizzard but I do know what good games are all about. They had a consistent attitude about how they treated their gamers and how they developed their products. Their consistent hit rate in games sold/played helped drive WoW to the top. The founders of Blizzard want their company name to be associated with nothing but great games. Add a strong IP to that mix (i.e. Warcraft) and you have people who are willing to try out a game. Ultimately, people liked it. So basically, I'm still not sure what you mean that they were in "extremely fortunate positions". I wish more companies would treat their IPs the same way Blizzard does. It's unfortunate that most companies do not nowadays.