Why is Blizzard still announcing games years ahead of release? 'We want to convey confidence in some of our biggest bets coming forward'
Maybe it's the fact it sounds like a year from the opening crawl of a sci-fi movie, but 2030 sure feels a long way off.
The StarCraft trailer unveiled at BlizzCon this year generated a mix of enthusiasm and disappointment. Attendees were initially thrilled before feeling let down upon hearing "STARCRAFT RETURNS 2030" as the final words. The announcement of Diablo 5 arriving in 2029 also raised eyebrows, considering it's been 11 years since the previous game, Diablo 4.
The seven-year gap between Diablo 3 and Diablo 4 gives way to only six years until Diablo 5, making the extended announcement feel increasingly outdated. In today's gaming landscape, people generally assume games will experience delays, so specifying release dates months ahead now seems unnecessary and may even diminish anticipation.
Furthermore, proclaiming a game's imminent release can foster goodwill, whereas stating a projected timeline of three or four years away risks generating fatigue before the game even launches. During a Bloomberg interview prior to BlizzCon, Blizzard president Johanna Faries emphasized the company's commitment to delivering high-quality, on-time releases.
She stated, "We want to convey confidence in some of our biggest bets coming forward," asserting that Blizzard is dedicated to shipping big, successful titles on schedule. While Microsoft has not yet initiated layoffs at Blizzard, more cuts are anticipated next year. Faries acknowledged the need to bolster staff to support the development of numerous exciting projects.
She expressed her intention to create a positive and healthy environment for both Blizzard employees and fans, viewing Microsoft as a potential ally in achieving this goal.
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