Blizzard: "Console Diablo III" job is "not an announcement"
Blizzard has stressed that it hasn't announced a console port of Diablo III, following the release of an ad for a senior producer on Gamasutra specifically for the game.
The job requires "a minimum of 4 years experience in the video game industry" and the successful candidate "must have shipped at least one AAA console title in a senior producer role."
This is the first time Blizzard has explicitly said Diablo III is being worked on as a console game, but in a statement given to VG247 this morning, the company has been quick to stress ongoing console work is still a "concept".
"We’re exploring a Diablo-related concept for consoles and are currently looking to fill a few senior console-related positions on the Diablo III team," said a spokesperson.
"As we’ve said in the past, with proper care the gameplay could suit the console platform, and we’re interested in seeing what talent out there might be interested in such a project. If you’re passionate about all things Diablo and have the requisite skill and experience, then head over to our jobs site to check out the positions and apply.
"Please note that this is not an announcement of a console title. We are first and foremost developing Diablo III for Windows and Mac PCs and don’t intend to allow any possibility of a console interpretation to delay or affect the release of the game."
"Could make sense"
Accelerated news of a Diablo III-related console game will come as little surprise. Blizzard has talked relatively openly about the possibility of a console port of the hugely anticipated action-RPG for at least six months.
Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime said at DICE earlier this month that, "I think you could make an argument that a game like Diablo might play very well on a console. It’s something that we’re actually doing an investigation into to see if that could make sense.”
The demon hunter class reveal trailer.
The company said in November last year that it was hiring for a “Diablo-related concept” for consoles, but failed to say what the project actually was.
In October last year, Blizzard's Jason Bender told VG247 at Blizzcon that Diablo III was "suited" to consoles.
Diablo III was originally announced at Blizzard's Worldwide Invitational in Paris in 2008.
The game's never been dated, but Activision said recently that it doesn't expect a Blizzard title to release in 2011, but that two games will arrive from the company in 2012.