Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. today offered the public the first-ever opportunity to play an early version of its highly anticipated action-role-playing game, Diablo III. Players at the BlizzCon 2008 gaming convention in Anaheim, California, adventured alongside fellow attendees, fighting the hordes of the Burning Hells in one of the game's early dungeons. "Until now, no one outside the company has been able to play Diablo III -- we're excited to offer the first such opportunity to the gamers here at BlizzCon," said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. "We're working hard to make sure Diablo III lives up to the high standards of the first two games in the series, and we look forward to hearing what players think." During the show, Blizzard Entertainment also unveiled the game's third playable class: the wizard.



A wielder of the elements and a master manipulator of time, the wizard can hurl environment-shattering lightning bolts, channel explosive arcane energies, and create pockets of space outside the normal temporal flow. BlizzCon attendees were able to adventure as either the wizard or the previously unveiled barbarian or witch doctor, battling alone or with up to three other players through the catacombs beneath Tristram Cathedral to a final showdown with the Skeleton King. First announced at the Blizzard Entertainment Worldwide Invitational in June 2008, Diablo III picks up twenty years after the events of Diablo II, as a fiery omen from the sky heralds the return of dark forces to the mortal realm. Players will take on the role of one of five champions, collecting powerful spells, abilities, and items as they clash with twisted demons and explore the dark corners of the world of (more) Sanctuary. Diablo III will feature unique random scripted quests, destructible environments, and cooperative and competitive play online through an upgraded version of Blizzard Entertainment's Battle.net gaming service.

Source: Planet Diablo, Shacknews