Kotaku
Mockery, the owner of long-lived Diablo fan site Diablo3.com, said today that he sold the domain name to Blizzard and plans to hand it over completely in a few months.
Mockery goes to great lengths in his post to say that Blizzard is not confirming that Diablo 3 is in the works or coming soon:
Secondly, while Blizzard is indeed acquiring the diablo3.com domain name, they told me that this shouldn't be considered an announcement for the Diablo 3 game we've been waiting for all these years. They acquire new domains all the time. While this is true, I personally can't help but think that this is a confirmation of sorts that they're working on the next Diablo game. Sure, they can claim it's because they want to protect their intellectual properties 'n what have you, but I can't imagine they would all of a sudden be so interested in the diablo3.com domain if they weren't working on a new Diablo 3 game behind the scenes.
I can't help but think that with the Invitation coming up in Paris in a month and Blizzard rounding up and buying all of the Diablo 3 domain names around the world, the sequel has to be coming soon. Or maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.
Full letter on the jump.
Ahoy there, fellow Diablo fans!
Well, there's no point in beating around the bush any longer, so let's get right down to it. A few months ago we were contacted by Blizzard in regards to the Diablo3.com domain name. While they appreciate all the work that's been put into running this big Diablo fan community over the years, they still want the domain name. Hmm, I wonder why? Now before you get all up in arms about it, allow me to explain a few things.
First off, this fan site isn't going anywhere, it's just getting a new name: Diablofans.com! Blizzard is actually being really cool about it, giving us all the time we need to make it a smooth transition before we hand the old domain over to them. So be sure to update all of your bookmarks and point 'em to diablofans.com instead. Your user accounts will all still be perfectly functional and, along with this new site name, we'll soon have a big site redesign up and running as well. A new name, a new look. Huzzah!
Secondly, while Blizzard is indeed acquiring the diablo3.com domain name, they told me that this shouldn't be considered an announcement for the Diablo 3 game we've been waiting for all these years. They acquire new domains all the time. While this is true, I personally can't help but think that this is a confirmation of sorts that they're working on the next Diablo game. Sure, they can claim it's because they want to protect their intellectual properties 'n what have you, but I can't imagine they would all of a sudden be so interested in the diablo3.com domain if they weren't working on a new Diablo 3 game behind the scenes.
On a final note, I want to thank all of you guys who've made this community so strong over the years. It's only going to get better around here and I hope you'll all stick with us. One of the nice things about this whole name-change ordeal is that Blizzard really appreciates the fact that we're a dedicated fan site and we'll be working with them much more closely in the future to bring you the latest Diablo game news.
It's funny, I've had so many offers over the years from people who wanted to pay a lot o' cash for the diablo3.com domain name and I wasn't even willing to consider then. I set out to have a great Diablo fan site because I simply loved the Diablo series. Fortunately, with the help of some great people on the staff and fans like you, we accomplished just that. But when Blizzard came around asking for the domain, I was excited about it both as a Diablo fan and for their recognition of all the work we've put into the site. Fortunately for us, the diablofans.com domain name was available and it fit perfectly in line with the intentions of this site, so I registered it and here we are. Diablo3.com will still be active for a few more months so everybody can have a chance to get used to the new Diablofans.com domain. After that, it will simply point to the Blizzard.com homepage... at least until they're ready to use it for something more worthwhile. One of the nice things about the new diablofans.com domain is that it's all-encompassing. Instead of the site just being for people waiting on Diablo 3, it can serve as the main hub for *all* current and future Diablo games. Isn't it nice to know you'll always have a place online you can call home? Hey, even Diablo's demon minions need a place to hang their hats too.
Alright, that's all the news for now. I'm sure all of this news is gonna get the Diablo 3 rumor mill running like a mad banshee... so have fun discussing the announcement with your fellow Diablo fans!
Comments
Just to let you know it was not sold, it was given.
Blizzard's making a Mockery of us!! ohohoho thank you very much, I'm here till thursday
So, if Blizz buys lostvikings2.com or rocknrollracing2.com they are just squatting instead of giving hints that there might be a sequel?
This couldn't be more of a comfirmation if Blizzard tried.
They could be shouting it's coming from the rooftops and it wouldn't be as effective as this.
Businesses are all about money, why buy a domain your not going to use for presumably a big wad of cash.
I must admit, I'm excited now :D
Something to look forward to!
Any chance of it ending up on consoles?
Big kudos here to Blizzard. Diablo is their registered trademark, and they have a resonable case for 'taking' the domain name no matter what the history. However, they contacted the site owner directly, and made their case for wanting the domain in a reasonable and respectful manner. The exchange is going to take place in a way that's suitable to all parties and everybody wins.
Now imagine what might have happened had, say, Microsoft or EA wanted a domain name they thought they had a claim to.
@Agnitio: You know, he never really says that. He implies it, but reading it does seem to leave room open for a sale. Which would be absolutely fine. In fact, I think he should get money for the domain, he absolutely wasn't squatting, it was a legitimate, popular site.
I can't say I'm not excited but I've been hearing rumours about Diablo 3 since... well, since Diablo 2: Job offers in their site, guys telling somebody they played the tuba or the chello for the soundtrack, hint's hidden in a WOW item, I've heard everything.
I'll do what I allways do with Blizzard's games: I'll believe it when I see their official announcement.
It was given? Lame. I'd want at least a buck o' five just to say I held out for as much cash as I could.
@cordsie: You're exactly right. I like that they didn't go "We're a big company and can do whatever we want!" and were reasonable instead. Makes me feel better about giving my money to them each month.
Funny, I was just saying to a few buddies that I was about to re-install Diablo II as I've not played the newest patch yet.
@Brian Crecente: Not just that. Old links'll have to be changed, and stuff. Blizzard might not even activate the site very soon.
I wonder if Diablo 3 is the only thing that might threaten WoW...
@El Patricko:
I hope so. I still fire up Diablo from PS1 on the PS3.
Good signs, if there was a checklist for this kinda thing getting the official domain name would be high up there.
As in love with GTAIV as I currently am, a Diablo 3 announcement would make my year (as far as gaming is concerned).
@WinnipegDragon: Hell, Diablo 2 stole me away from WoW a long time ago.
Hmm, would I play a Diablo 3...
I would have much preferred a new Lost Vikings, but I'll accept this instead... this time. Next time they won't be so lucky.
Let's hope they keep the same style and perspective going.
I don't think I'd like a 3D Diablo...
Diablo is my favorite Blizzard franchise among the bunch of heavyweights they produce. I began playing the series when Diablo II was very hyped and immediately fell in love with the game.
I certainly hope they keep things traditional and don't turn this into a friggin' Hellgate london FPS/RPG nightmare.
@Brian Crecente:
From the forums, it looks like it was given away:
[www.diablofans.com]
[QUOTE]
Mockery granted the domain name in mutual agreement ... a fan himself, he was glad to. There was no sale. It was given free.
[/QUOTE]
Mockery is the handle for the site's current owner.
then again, guys... starcraft 2 has been in development since 2003 or so. just because they bought the diablo3 domain name, it doesn't mean the game's coming out any time soon. probably not until 2012.
Abou ttime Blizzard announces that it does nto want to announce Diablo 3. Thats all the confirmation I really need to knwo the game is comming. Do you know taht up to this day I still have some MP3 songs from Daiblo II in mp3 player? If thats not a proof of my love for the game, I dont know what is.
@NateN: I should have pointed out that I saw the whole "We didn't sell it nor were we forced out of the domain" news over at RPS.
The article ID for the Diablo article is 1666. I giggled.
Man, Blizz should've bought the domain, imagine all the hard work put into it.
How can he sell a trademark name that is owned by Blizzard?
Wait, didn't Blizzard own starcraft2.com like, when Starcraft 1 came out? This is Blizzard we're talking about here, even when a game's actually announced and slated to come out you can add a year to the development time or so. I think this just means our grandchildren might be identifying items with Robo-Cain at some point. I'm not holding my breath for me seeing a game before I'm dead, though.
@Garo: Because the word "Diablo" existed far before Blizzard made a game by the same name? :P
Even assuming that there were trademark issues, Blizzard has always been at the forefront of fan-service; they love their fans, which is one reason they have so many of them.
man im so getting the rights for
www.diablo4.com
How come I have never heard of this site? Wait, I don't even like Diablo...
@furiku: Ironically, I just started playing again last weekend... it was real convenient, the CD was still in one of my drives from the last time I was playing.
I would consider this pretty strong evidence of a new title. We all know its bound to be annouced sometime...perhaps that sometime is finally growing near?
@SpishackCola: There was a Lost Vikings 2, and shame on you for not knowing that! :p
Lies, it's not actually going to be Diablo 3.....it's going to be a Lost Vikings MMORPG :p.
Either way, I'd still play the hell out of both games.
I really hope it isn't subscription-based, cause I will so play otherwise.
You don't know how long I've been waiting for this.
Well since Diablo II got old.
@Firefly:
Blah, I only played the first one for 10 minutes at a friend's place when I was much younger XD. Since I'm not big on adventure games I didn't keep up on it after that heh.
Blizzard needs to stop this!! Just announce it! Its quite clear Blizz has been working on D3 for atleast 3 years. This is clearly huge news. I can see them sending a Teaser at this years E3 with some sort of Epic cinamatic. Of course they wont show in game but at the end of the teaser it will like Fall of 2010.
This is insulting. If Blizzard really thinks were so stupid as to buy this clap-trap we should boycott it when it comes out.
You don't buy the obvious sequel domain name several years after the last one went gold randomly.
*raises hand* uhm! uhm! I'd also like to see a new rock'n roll racing.
Fingers: Officially crossed.
Vote #2 for another Rock n Roll Racing. There was a pseudo sequel years ago that was in another time zone. A time zone called shit.
But yeah, I give my first born to blizzard in exchange for Diablo 3. Others should follow to curry more favor.
@Zegridathes: You in the US? I'm a UK resident, if it's possible, maybe we should get some kind of Kotaku Diablo thing going on? Sounds sad, but could be fun.
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