Blizzard axes Blizz North

[Spriggan]

*******
Blizzard shutters northern outpost

Diablo studio closed; remaining staff relocated to Southern Calif HQ
********************
http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/08/01/news_6130138.html

Though it may not be much of a big deal considering all the original people from that studio no longer work for Blizz, though it's sad to see a studio so well thought of to be consolidated.

[Tage]

Wow, I hadn't realized 3 full studios had come out of Blizzard North employees.

I doubt we'll see any announcements about a Diablo 3 until SC:Ghost is at least finished up.

[Spriggan]

who knows.

I think part of the reason was to get employees for WoW after NCSoft stoled a bunch away from Blizz with promises of no insane work schedules.

[Legion]

Has there been any world about Diablo 3?

[Spriggan]

nope.  We do know that Blizz was hiring RPG level designers at Blizz North last year and that a sound track was finished a few months ago for said game.  No one knows what game it is even though most people suspect it's Diablo 3.  I know I was hoping to see or at least hear about BN's secret game at E3 and since northing's official yet I doubt it'll be out for another year at the earliest.

Oh, also Blizzard still isn't making Starcraft: Ghost in house, when they dumped the original developer the game was moved to Swingin' Ape.  Oh and accordeing to 1UP the game is scheduled to come out Summer 2006.

[Legion]

I loved Diablo 2, I hope the cont with the game or at least make more  games like it (also want it to have  free internet play too  )

[Eagle Prince]

Hmm, diablo 3.  The first two I think are some of the coolest video games ever made, I wonder if they can keep it up.  Most companies seem to like disposible rather than lasting quality, so it seems less likely that they will keep the awesome replay value of the first 2.

[Entsuropi]

I hate diablo 2 with a fiery passion

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

I don't hate it. But while I enjoyed it at first, it got boring to me much faster than most games.

[Eagle Prince]

Um, okay.  But I don't know many games that old still getting updates and free internet play.  And now WoW which you pay for the game and then every month.  So I think D3 will probably lose some stuff that made it cool.

[RaoCar]

I am waiting for Starcraft Ghost to come out. Who knows when though. Blizzard has been having a lot of troubles with it lately.

[Faster Master St. Pastor]

RaoCar, as many people will be quick to point out (specifically e, Tage, EUOL, Spriggan, HoM, and many other regulars) you should head over to the FAQ here, http://www.timewastersguide.com/boards/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=news;action=display;num=1080380396

and the Introduce Yourself (http://www.timewastersguide.com/boards/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=news;action=display;num=1051196804) threads and check them out.

[Entsuropi]

Are newbies allowed to self-police themselves?

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

actually, 1eye doesn't have the newbie "vibe." imo. But yeah, if I don't have to post the link, I'm all for it.

[Fellfrosch]

I don't think they're allowed to self-police anyone else, if that's what you're asking.