Diablo 3 Release Date

Yes, that’s right. Culled from various sources it seems the Diablo III Release Date will finally be set as April 17th 2012. The game long awaited by so many fans is finally able to peek its head out from under the game cover and provide release to all those lying in suspense for its inevitable crescendo.

How can we get this date in final form? We have two main sources for these facts. First, Blizzard has confirmed that recent layoffs will not affect the release date of Diablo 3.

Second, we’ve examined some data posted by gamepur regarding Activision’s Italy division. The information they received comes off of the MMORPG Italia website . Taken from the site and translated it roughly states that:

Activision has revealed Italy to several large retailer’s Italian release date, though it still remains unconfirmed by Blizzard. The date would be the April 17, and prices are now set at € 54.90 for the standard edition and € 89.90 for the Collector.

Amazon and other sources have updated their date to April 17th as well. So for everyone waiting for our good friend Diablo to emerge, you lying in wait in should be over soon. Hang onto those joysticks just a little longer!
Don’t forget to pick up the Collector’s Edition, which is Blizzard’s premiere product with unique features not found in standard.

Diablo 3 collector's Edition, with added features

Based on existing information, data gleaned from Beta testing of D3, and insights provided by most of Blizzard’s vendors, the Diablo 3 release date appears to be set for Q1 2012, most likely towards the end of the quarter or March 2012. Sources inform us that beta testing is going as expected and progressing quite well. Of those that have begun the testing, a fair faction are already building player guides, walk-through and a wealth of information on the game and its components which we’re excited to see. Most testers also report the game experience is high and the graphics are well worth the wait. Has Blizzard sent us a game experience we’ve been waiting for? Preliminary results are that even though expectations are high, they will be met.

It appears it is now possible to pre-order the game through amazon and game stop. Don’t run off to the presses we’ve got your links right here.

Also Collector’s Edition appears to have more than we bargained for

Collector’s Edition Contents

Glowing Tyrael-style wings are a special bonus.

The full contents were revealed at Blizzcon 2011.

• Diablo III full game.
• Behind the scenes making of DVD.
• Diablo III Soundtrack.
• The Art of Diablo III book.
• Diablo skull and 4gig USB soulstone.
  • The full games: Diablo II and Diablo II: Lord of Destruction come loaded on the flashdrive.
  • The soulstone USB fits into the skull as a resting place/decoration item.
• Special digital bonus features in Blizzard games:
• “Aesthetic Artifacts” in Diablo III: Two special color dyes and glowing Tyrael wings.
• World of Warcraft Fetish Shaman pet.
• Starcraft II Battle.net character portraits

This Collector's Edition of Diablo III is encased in White Ivory

Of course everyone comes to the site and asks about the D3 release. That is the whole point of the site. Well right now I think we have to assume that Blizzard is pushing off Diablo 3 release date into 2011. The primary reason for this is that Starcraft II was already confirmed as a release for June 27, 2010. If Diablo III was ready for this date then I think we would have seen an announcement already. Blizz has never released two major releases on the same day. Due to this confluence of events, initiated with release announcements, launch announcements, and new product announcemnets in the Diablo and Starcraft universes, always happening in June  - then unless Blizzard is looking to get this product out before Christmas, a turnover this year is highly unlikely.

Once Blizzard gets set on a path they rarely deviate from it. So this series of announcements – D2 release Jun 27, D3 announcement June 26, Starcraft II release June 27 – it seems like they will stick to this mantra and give us a June date. With June already starting up, it’s not likely to be this year.

So unfortunately all the incredibly patient and ravenous Diablo 3 Fans are going to have to wait until next year for their delicious release.

Could we be asked this question more than we have already? The reality is that Blizzard is responsible for giving us a release date which makes it quite difficult to distinguish a proper timeframe for the instore or download date.

Previous rumors put the D3 date at August 2010 but we remain skeptical. Blizzard is typically late with releases and we expect Diablo 3 to be no exception. Is your goal to read more about the upcoming release of D3 or to actually learn about the gameplay? We have a number of articles that should help you find your way.

In other words, once the Diablo 3 Release Date is posted and live, we’ll be the first to get you out there playing with free downloads, free guides, maps, quests and everything else that Diablo will have to offer.