Diablo III Announced for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4

While we don’t cover new console releases or announcements, many of our readers will probably be aware that Sony has just announced the PlayStation 4 during a long conference. What they might not know though is that, on Sony’s stage, Blizzard has announced that they’ll be porting Diablo III to the PlayStation 4 and 3, including a local 4-player co-op mode that, for obvious reasons, wasn’t included in the original PC version.

Here’s the full press release, which also announces that a playable version of the PS3 build will be available at PAX:

Blizzard Entertainment announces Diablo® III for PS3â„¢, confirms franchise coming to PS4â„¢ World-first hands-on set for PAX East, March 22 24

IRVINE, Calif. February 20, 2013 The fate of Sanctuary will soon rest in the hands of PlayStation gamers around the world. Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. today announced that it is developing Diablo® III, the latest entry in its award-winning action role-playing-game series, for the Sony PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. The company also today confirmed plans to adapt the game for Sony’s newly announced PlayStation®4, its next-generation computer entertainment system.

The PS3â„¢/PS4â„¢ version of Diablo III will be based on the critically acclaimed core experience of the PC version, including all of the latest upgrades, such as the Paragon leveling system, customizable Monster Power, Brawling, and epic Legendary items. In addition, Blizzard is designing an all-new user interface, including an intuitive control scheme and a new dynamic camera perspective, that will make questing and combat in the world of Sanctuary feel like second nature on PlayStation platforms. Players will be able to battle their way through the story in single-player mode and also experience the hack-and-slash joy of destroying demons and collecting loot together with their friends via seamless four-player online and local co-op modes.

Blizzard also announced today that the PS3 version of Diablo III will be shown live at PAX East, taking place at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center from March 22 24. Attendees there will be the first in the world to pick up a controller and experience the fast-paced action and visceral gameplay of Diablo III via the new custom-designed interface.

(Diablo III looks and plays great on the PlayStation,) said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. (We put a lot of care and thought into the PlayStation version to make sure it would deliver an authentic Diablo gaming experience, and we’re really pleased with the results. We can’t wait for players to try it out at PAX East.)

Diablo III continues the epic Diablo storyline, with players taking on the role of one of five heroic characters barbarian, witch doctor, wizard, monk, or demon hunter and embarking on a perilous quest to save the world of Sanctuary from the corrupting forces of the Burning Hells. As players adventure through rich and varied settings, they’ll engage in pulse-pounding combat with hordes of monsters and challenging bosses, grow in experience and ability, acquire artifacts of incredible power, and meet key characters who’ll join them in battle or aid them along the way. Diablo III was originally released for Windows® and Macintosh® PC on May 15, 2012 and within 24 hours became the fastest-selling PC game of all time. As of December 31, 2012, Diablo III had sold through more than 12 million copies worldwide.*

*According to The NPD Group, GfK Chart-Track, and internal company estimates.

I wonder if the console versions will also be always-online? Either way, considering Blizzard had already confirmed they were experimenting with a console team, the news isn’t really a surprise.