Sadly, Blizzard has not said exactly when it will be released. Currently Diablo 3 is in Beta Testing, and it is expected to arrive Q1 of 2012. Although recently there has been some setbacks.
Some retailers have set Diablo 3's release date as February 1st, only to be denied by Blizzard as not true.
"Diablo III does not have a release date. Any store or person claiming otherwise is guessing,"
(https://twitter.com/#!/Bashiok/status/156120460009013248) - Source
Game director Jay Wilson hinted at the release here.
Transcript
"Greetings Korean gamers.My name is Jay Wilson, and I am the Game Director for Diablo III.
We know you are very excited for Diablo III, and we want you to know that we appreciate your support and continuing patience.
2012 will be a great year, because the Diablo series will finally make its long awaited return.
We are currently working hard to deliver Diablo III to you and ensure that it lives up to your expectations. We plan to deliver nothing less than an epic gaming experience.
The Release Date is nearing, and we eagerly await your return as the heroes of Sanctuary. We wish each and everyone of you the very best in the new year."
The Setbacks
"While working on Diablo III we've been called out for messing around with systems too much, that the game is good as-is and we should just release it," said D3 game director Jay Wilson. "I think that's a fair argument to make, but I also think it's incorrect. Our job isn't just to put out a game, it's to release the next Diablo game. No one will remember if the game is late, only if it's great."
For starters, Blizzard is cleaning up the inventory. There are no more Scrolls of Identification in the game. Now players can simply right-click an unidentified item to discover its properties. The Stone of Recall has likewise been removed from the game. In order to return to town, players will now use a button at the bottom of the screen called "Town Portal." Potions are here to stay but they're becoming easier to use; the fifth quick slot button is being changed to a dedicated potion button.
Blizzard has also eliminated the Cauldron of Jordan and Nephalem Cube artifacts because they're now redundant. The Cauldron would've allowed players to turn items in their inventory into gold, which is unnecessary if players can use Town Portal and sell their loot to a shopkeeper. The function of the Nephalem Cube - breaking down unwanted items into crafting materials - is now fulfilled by the Blacksmith.
The Blacksmith, meanwhile, has one less colleague in town. Blizzard has decided to remove the Mystic artisan from the game. The Mystic cast enhancement on players' items - a type of customization that Wilson felt didn't add anything to the game.
"Enhancement was really just the socket and gem system with a different name, and it would prolong the release of the game even further to go back to the drawing board and differentiate it, so we’ll revisit the Mystic and enhancements at a later time. Removing her from the game took some time, but it’s nowhere near the efforts that would be required to flesh out a better customization system. We hope she’ll be able to join your caravan in the future, but for now we’re going to focus on the extensive customization options the game already offers."
Blizzard trimmed the number of player stats as well. There are now four core attributes: Strength, Dexterity, Intellect, and Vitality. The eliminated attributes - Defense, Attack, and Precision - are being replaced by existing secondary stats. The developers believe these changes will make the stats easier to understand. To make sure you see how each item affects your character, the game will also now show stats directly on the inventory UI.
Wilson adds that there's a "lot of work left to be done" with D3. They're adding Battle.net features, making balance changes, and filling out the game with new items and recipes. Furthermore, they have "large systems changes" in the works for the skill and rune systems. Additional details will be provided in the near future.
Looking Forward
Activision Blizzard will hold the 2011 Q4 Results Conference Call on February 9th, where Blizzplanet speculates Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime might announce the approximate release date of Diablo III to Activision Blizzard (ATVI) shareholders.
(http://www.blizzplanet.com/blog/comments/jay-wilson-tells-korea-diablo-iii-release-date-is-nearing) source
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