Screenshot confirms that Diablo III is "Hydra"
by Mike Schramm 
Jun 30th 2008 at 1:30PM
And we also know now, of course, that Diablo III isn't an MMO, which means that Blizzard still has at least one secret project running: that next-gen MMO that we've been told about via job listings. Unfortunately, we probably won't hear much about it for a while -- unless Blizzard wants to ramp up their production, three titles at once is a lot for them to work on, and even at BlizzCon later this year, we don't really expect to see a new game announcement (although they might use the occasion, if Wrath really is released by then, to announce the next planned expansion).
Still, that's one mystery solved. Maybe we'll overhear another codename this year in Anaheim, and the rumor wheel can start spinning up yet again.
Filed under: Odds and ends, Blizzard, Screenshots, Wrath of the Lich King, Rumors, Worldwide Invitational
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Bodarim Jun 30th 2008 1:47PM
Hydra now makes sense. At the end of the cinematic trailer you saw a 3 headed firey demon.
Ryan Jun 30th 2008 2:03PM
Now if only they add the ability to rotate the camera, I may actually play it.
jrb Jun 30th 2008 2:42PM
there really shouldn't be, from a technical PoV. maybe from a gameplay mechanic PoV, but that would be dumb.
jbodar Jun 30th 2008 3:48PM
Why? There's never a problem seeing things, since walls go transparent when they need to and it's all point-and- click. There's no advantage to be gained by moving the camera. That's just such a pointless complaint.
The isometric view is probably also necessary because it uses a tileset to dynamically create each area every time you play. I doubt that would work in a "true" 3D environment.
Kaylek Jul 1st 2008 9:00AM
Yeah, to me it feels like Blizzard's overdeveloping otherwise extremely simplistic gameplay styles. It was a letdown to see Ghost flop because it seemed like they were finally breaking the mold and doing something almost new for them.
Ryan Jul 1st 2008 9:02AM
Probably because I don't like click-move gameplay at all, and would prefer the option to mirror wow-type controls in the game.
jbodar Jul 1st 2008 4:26PM
WoW-type controls wouldn't really work unless the mechanics were redesigned, so it couldn't be an option. Skills like Teleport or Leap rely on right-clicking your destination quickly. You wouldn't be able to teleport behind a huge boss without monkeying with the camera.
Of course if they gave it WoW controls, there would be cries that Blizz made a WoW-clone. So, to each his own, I guess. If you don't like point-and-click, you won't like DIII, but it would take a mechanics rehaul to do what you suggest.
Ryan Jul 1st 2008 4:29PM
That's fine with me, I skipped Diablo II, so I won't have any compunctions about skipping this one as well. Starcraft II will be more than enough Blizz love for me (though I also think a rotatable camera in that game would improve the playability, it isn't as near of a make or break type thing)
Heilig Jun 30th 2008 2:04PM
Considering that they already announced that the next Hero Class they have in the pipes is the Archdruid, smart money is on the next expansion being Emerald Dream.
Alittan Jun 30th 2008 2:38PM
hm? gief proof?
Heilig Jun 30th 2008 3:07PM
Sorry, when looking up the interview where it was announced, I realized it wasn't a direct quote from Kaplan, rather a "hot tip" from the interviewer.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=181521
I imagine he mentioned it by accident and then said "Don't print that."
Leviathon Jun 30th 2008 2:37PM
The new MMO is probably the Blackthorne project.
Meriones Jun 30th 2008 3:15PM
While it was probably a joke, during the L80 Elite Tauren Chiefton concert at WWI, they performed a Starcraft song.
Before the song started the lead singer asked the crowd "Who wants to play a game based in the world of Starcraft?" There were a few cheers, as I think some may have been lost in the language translation, so he rephrased it, then just flat out asked "Who wants to play World of Starcraft right now?" Still the crowd didn't seem to go as crazy as anticipated, so Samwise just said "well, there goes four years of development down the drain."
While he was joking, with him being the art director at Blizzard, there may be something to it. It makes for a good rumor anyway.
Glorim Jun 30th 2008 3:02PM
I don't see why Blizz needs to make a new MMO just to hire an MMO-expert or something. I can easily imagine this guy (and the ohters) working @ Starcraft or Diablo for some "special" features
Tekoa Jun 30th 2008 11:39PM
i don't think so
Blide Jun 30th 2008 3:09PM
Im hoping for a World of Warcraft 2. Something like EQ2. Same game new content etc better graphics.
Green Armadillo Jun 30th 2008 3:15PM
The odds of Wrath being released by Blizzcon '08 are virtually nil; they're PTR-testing level 70 Brewfest content, and Brewfest '08 is slated to run through October 4th. We might get a release date for Wrath, but they're certainly not going to announce the next expansion.
Green Armadillo Jun 30th 2008 3:16PM
The odds of Wrath being released by Blizzcon '08 are virtually nil; they're PTR-testing level 70 Brewfest content, and Brewfest '08 is slated to run through October 4th. We might get a release date for Wrath, but they're certainly not going to announce the next expansion.
Joseph Jun 30th 2008 7:57PM
Just an fyi, Blizzard always has at least 3 concurrent projects. It's obvious now that while TBC was being released, SC2, and D3 were in development. While WoW was being released, TBC and SC2 were being drawn up. And when WoW was first conceptualized, WC3 and D2 LOD were in development.
I wouldn't be surprised if Blizzard is already working on the expansion that follows WOTLK. It'd be amazing to look into the workspace of someone on their art team, just to see how far in advance they plan things.
UberNoober Jun 30th 2008 11:42PM
Are we sure there is going to be another MMO? Wouldn't it be just as easy to assume they are just hiring more people to work on their current MMO, WoW?
Or is there something I am missing?