The Diablo 3 release date is expected sometime in 2012. The Diablo 3 beta will last a couple of months.
Expect the exact Diablo 3 Beta release date to be announced soon. It will be sometime in September of 2011.
A video overview of the Blacksmith artisan in the Diablo 3 beta.
The self-proclaimed designer of Diablo II's Battle.net functionality, Michael Scandizzo, formed Castaway Entertainment with level designer Stefan Scandizzo and others. Castaway partnered with Electronic Arts in 2004 to work on an unannounced project, but since then has never revealed a game. As we later discuss, the studio has all but shut in response to financial troubles.
Stefan Scandizzo's short biography on Castaway Entertainment's web site indicates work on a 3D game following the release of Diablo II.
Diablo II was, of course, a 2D isometric game but it had "3D" elements. This could have been for the Diablo II:Lord of Destruction expansion set but was likely for the Blizzard North team's next game. This cannot be confirmed.
Meanwhile, the company chose a striking name. Could this speak to the programmers' feelings toward Blizzard leading up to or following their departure?
