14 DAY TRIAL // A host of job related ads are suggesting that the upcoming hack and slash title Diablo III from Blizzard might be getting a console port, which is surprising considering the fact that the company has stated that it will stick to the PC for its gaming projects.
The job announcements are for a “lead designer, console”, “lead programmer, console” and "senior producer, console”.
Blizzard is looking for candidates who have experience in console development and can also show that they have good knowledge of Diablo as a franchise.
Blizzard then offered more information on the Diablo III community page, saying “We’re exploring a Diablo-related concept for consoles and are currently looking to fill a few senior console-related positions on the Diablo III team. As we’ve said in the past, with proper care the gameplay could suit the console platform, and we’re interested in seeing what talent out there might be interested in such a project.”
The company was also eager to hedge by saying that, “Please note that this is not an announcement of a console title. We are first and foremost developing Diablo III for Windows and Mac PCs and don’t intend to allow any possibility of a console interpretation to delay or affect the release of the game.”
The first Diablo video game arrived way back in 1996 and quickly received an expansion, with gamers invited to explore the hellish dungeons that reside under a fantasy town.
This first video game was ported to gaming consoles, specifically the PlayStation, but since then Blizzard has not put out any other projects for any platform other than the PC.
At the moment Diablo III does not have a clear launch date but Blizzard has mentioned that it plans to launch a friends and family beta stage which will be gradually expanded to include more people.