New Diablo 3 Class: Wizard

[DoctorFinger]

You may not be aware of this, but a small indie game company is holding an event today - Blizzcon. And as usual with Blizzard, they manage to turn a small tidbit of information into a big deal (of course since I'm reporting on it I'm an accessory to the hype, but never let it be said that I don't give my adoring public what they want). Today we learned the third class for Diablo III - The Wizard who according to Shacknews "manipulate[s] primal forces of the universe to vanquish foes".

The Wizard, as well as the previously announced Barbarian and Witch Doctor classes, was playable on the floor of the convention. The Wiz' skill tree is at the moment incomplete, but it apparently has at least one skill previously associated with the Druid, indicating that class may possibly have been removed from the game.

Blizzard has still not said when Diablo III will come out, although most industry watchers think a 2009 release is unlikely.

Source - Shacknews.

[Johan]

I still have to get around to Diablo I and II. Still too expensive!

**I am nothing if not patient**

[Troggles]

I think everyone here saw this coming. You really can't make an fantasy game this days without some sort of wizard class. I am excited to see that it has some of the old druid abilities as well. I do think that we can pretty much count out druids now as the both the wizard and the witch doctor has some of their old abilities or concepts.

[astranoir]

It seems like the Witchdoctor is already Druid/Necromancer-like. I wonder why they're doing that with two classes when they are limiting to so few classes.

[Alkanos]

Originally Posted by DoctorFinger

The Wiz' skill tree is at the moment incomplete, but it apparently has at least one skill previously associated with the Druid, indicating that class may possibly have been removed from the game.

I'm pretty sure I read an interview with one of the Diablo 3 devs that said the only class returning from D2 was the Barbarian. And the only reason the barbarian stayed was because the class they made to replace it was so similar, that the only difference would be a name change, so they just stuck with Barbarian. (Now if only I can remember where I read that...)

[bryan]

Originally Posted by Johan

I still have to get around to Diablo I and II. Still too expensive!

**I am nothing if not patient**

If you don't mind you can get the game from g2buy.com for 5 bucks. It gives you a key which lets you add the game to you Blizzard Store account. Works, bought two keys for a friend and myself.

[Mortis]

Glad the caster has been announced, this will be my first class.

[Oblivion]

Originally Posted by Alkanos

I'm pretty sure I read an interview with one of the Diablo 3 devs that said the only class returning from D2 was the Barbarian. And the only reason the barbarian stayed was because the class they made to replace it was so similar, that the only difference would be a name change, so they just stuck with Barbarian. (Now if only I can remember where I read that...)

I read this somewhere too. The justification was they would be bored making the same classess all over again and I agree, if the devs are not exited about the game how would you expect gamers to be excited about it?

[Gorvi]

I can has console port?

[PathMaster]

Now we just need a range fighter (Rogue/Amazon) and some other class.

[diablopath]

I am not happy with the deletion of the druid.
EDIT: Well, seeming deletion as of now.

[bapenguin]

Originally Posted by PathMaster

Now we just need a range fighter (Rogue/Amazon) and some other class.

You can SEE the rest of the classes. No names yet.

http://www.co-optimus.com/article/66..._Official.html

One looks like a Gypsy or something to me.

[VerseD]

I thought Blizzard said frachise fans wouldn't be happy with the next class to be announced. Wizard sounds pretty close to Sorceress/Mage.

[astranoir]

Originally Posted by bapenguin

You can SEE the rest of the classes. No names yet.

http://www.co-optimus.com/article/66..._Official.html

One looks like a Gypsy or something to me.

Isn't that just the males and females of the ones announced already?

[QueQueg]

Originally Posted by astranoir

Isn't that just the males and females of the ones announced already?

Looks that way to me. Male and female versions of each class! Revolutionary!

[DiBiddilyBop]

Originally Posted by Gorvi

I can has console port?

Negative. Blizzard single-handedly keeps PC gaming alive.

[Mortis]

There is video of the wizard up at Joystiq. Pure awesome, with the amount of video we are seeing I think an 09 winter release is possible.

Edit: There was video, doesn't seem to be working anymore, at least not for me. Edit2: Working now

[DoctorFinger]

Originally Posted by Gorvi

I can has console port?

I really wanted to go to Blizzcon just to start a rumor that they were working on a simultaneous console release for DIII. Saying it was going to be console only would have been seen as BS right away, but saying that they're working on the console version alongside the PC release is just believable enough to drive some people crazy.

[KingGorilla]

Given that the druid for WoW is just a fucking hippie, not a werewolf with carniverous familiars, fucking cut him.
Everyone also agrees that classes was a broken, win button.


I think they will be keeping it more basic. Few hybrids, classic classes only.

[agentgray]

My guess is they'll generate a crazy amount of hype, pass off the development, and then kill it.