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DIABLO® III: REAPER OF SOULS™ UNVEILED
Upcoming expansion to the fastest-selling PC game of all time playable at gamescom
“Death, at last, shall spread its wings over all . . .”
COLOGNE, Germany—August 21, 2013—The defeat of
Diablo, Lord of Terror, should have given rise to an age of hope.
Instead, it has drawn out a shadowy being of immense power, whose
malevolent purpose is yet to be revealed. Announced today at gamescom, Diablo® III: Reaper of Souls™, the upcoming expansion to Diablo III, opens a dark and terrifying new chapter in the ongoing conflict over the mortal realm of Sanctuary.
Malthael, the fallen Archangel of Wisdom, vanished after the events depicted at the end of Diablo II: Lord of Destruction®. In Reaper of Souls, he
returns as the Angel of Death and seizes the Black Soulstone, which
contains the essence of the Prime Evil. It now falls to the players to
track down Malthael and stop him before he unleashes irreversible havoc
on the world.
Fortunately, a new hero is ready to join the cause and bring Malthael to justice—the Crusader.
Driven by a centuries-long quest to cleanse the corruption blighting
their beloved Zakarum faith, Crusaders are warriors of righteousness who
have been hardened through relentless, brutal combat with the foul
evils plaguing eastern Sanctuary. In addition to wearing immensely heavy
armor and wielding a wide range of cruel and punishing weapons, this
new playable class in Reaper of Souls uses
battle magic to strengthen allies and weaken foes. A natural walking
tank, the Crusader adds power and versatility to any party of
adventurers.
“From the beginning, Diablo has always been about the struggle between good and evil, and Reaper of Souls
explores the darker notes of that conflict,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO
and co-founder of Blizzard Entertainment. “This expansion also represents
a big milestone in the ongoing evolution of Diablo III, with
key enhancements to the core gameplay, along with a new act to
experience, a powerful new character class, tons of new loot, and even
more end-game options. We think players will love playing Reaper of Souls, and we can’t wait to get it into their hands.”
In addition to taking the story of Diablo III from the legendary city of Westmarch to the unhallowed halls of the Pandemonium Fortress in Act V and introducing the incorruptible Crusader class, Diablo III: Reaper of Souls increases the game’s level cap to 70.
Players continuing on with their existing Barbarian, Witch Doctor,
Demon Hunter, Wizard, and Monk characters will benefit from an array of
fearsome new spells and abilities as they advance in level.
The expansion also accentuates the key features of the Diablo franchise, with a greater emphasis on randomized environments to explore; epic new quests; horrific new monsters to defeat; and substantial updates to the loot experience,
enabling players to further customize their characters with new and
improved multilevel Legendary items, new Blacksmith and Jeweler
item-crafting options, and more.
Diablo III’s Paragon progression system is also being majorly upgraded for the expansion, adding even more end-game character advancement and replayability. Two new game modes—Loot Runs and Nephalem Trials—are being added as well, providing fun and rewarding challenges for players to tackle when they’re not busy saving the world.
Diablo III: Reaper of Souls is playable on the show floor at gamescom, and Blizzard will be revealing further details about the expansion at BlizzCon and beyond as development progresses. For further information related to today’s announcement and all the latest news about Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, visit http://www.diablo3.com/reaperofsouls.
With multiple games in development, Blizzard Entertainment has numerous positions currently available—visit http://jobs.blizzard.com for more information and to learn how to apply.
About the Diablo Universe
Widely regarded as a benchmark for the action–role-playing game genre, Diablo
(1996) introduced players to the dark, gothic world of Sanctuary and
placed them at the center of what would be revealed to be a conflict
between the angels of the High Heavens and demons of the Burning Hells
over the fate of the world and its inhabitants.
Diablo II (2000), along with its expansion, Lord of Destruction (2001), and
several content patches that followed, took the series to new heights
and depths, with an elaborate multi-act story, bold new character
classes, and an intricate skill system.
In Diablo III
(2012), players return to the world of Sanctuary to again confront the
Lord of Terror, supported this time by a vibrant cast of characters who
join them in battle and aid them in other ways.
With the upcoming
release of Diablo III: Reaper of Souls,
players will face a powerful new adversary, uncover his dark plan for
humanity—and take the fight to him in a desperate bid to save Sanctuary
once more.
About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft® and the Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® franchises, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com),
a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier
developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating
some of the industry's most critically acclaimed games.
Blizzard
Entertainment’s track record includes sixteen #1-selling games and
multiple Game of the Year awards. The company's online-gaming service,
Battle.net®, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active
players.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements:
Information in this press release that involves Blizzard
Entertainment’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding
the future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve
a number of risks and uncertainties. Blizzard Entertainment generally
uses words such as “outlook,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “might,”
“remains,” “to be,” “plans,” “believes,” “may,” “expects,” “intends,”
“anticipates,” “estimate,” “future,” “plan,” “positioned,” “potential,”
“project,” “remain,” “scheduled,” “set to,” “subject to,” “upcoming” and
similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Factors
that could cause Blizzard Entertainment’s actual future results to
differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements
set forth in this release include, but are not limited to, sales levels
of Blizzard Entertainment’s titles, shifts in consumer spending trends,
the impact of the current macroeconomic environment, the seasonal and
cyclical nature of the interactive game market, declines in software
pricing, product returns and price protection, product delays, retail
acceptance of Blizzard Entertainment’s products, competition from the
used game market, industry competition and competition from other forms
of entertainment, rapid changes in technology, industry standards and
consumer preferences, including interest in specific genres such as
real-time strategy, action–role-playing and massively multiplayer online
games, protection of proprietary rights, litigation against Blizzard
Entertainment, maintenance of relationships with key personnel,
customers, licensees, licensors, vendors and third-party developers,
including the ability to attract, retain and develop key personnel and
developers who can create high quality “hit” titles, counterparty risks
relating to customers, licensees, licensors and manufacturers, domestic
and international economic, financial and political conditions and
policies, foreign exchange rates and tax rates, and the identification
of suitable future acquisition opportunities, and the other factors
identified in the risk factors section of Activision Blizzard’s most
recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports
on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based
upon information available to Blizzard Entertainment and Activision
Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Blizzard
Entertainment nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update
any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed
to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These
statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Blizzard
Entertainment or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks,
uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control
and may cause actual results to differ materially from current
expectations.
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Upcoming expansion to the fastest-selling PC game of all time playable at gamescom
“Death, at last, shall spread its wings over all . . .”
COLOGNE, Germany—August 21, 2013—The defeat of
Diablo, Lord of Terror, should have given rise to an age of hope.
Instead, it has drawn out a shadowy being of immense power, whose
malevolent purpose is yet to be revealed. Announced today at gamescom, Diablo® III: Reaper of Souls™, the upcoming expansion to Diablo III, opens a dark and terrifying new chapter in the ongoing conflict over the mortal realm of Sanctuary.
Malthael, the fallen Archangel of Wisdom, vanished after the events depicted at the end of Diablo II: Lord of Destruction®. In Reaper of Souls, he
returns as the Angel of Death and seizes the Black Soulstone, which
contains the essence of the Prime Evil. It now falls to the players to
track down Malthael and stop him before he unleashes irreversible havoc
on the world.
Fortunately, a new hero is ready to join the cause and bring Malthael to justice—the Crusader.
Driven by a centuries-long quest to cleanse the corruption blighting
their beloved Zakarum faith, Crusaders are warriors of righteousness who
have been hardened through relentless, brutal combat with the foul
evils plaguing eastern Sanctuary. In addition to wearing immensely heavy
armor and wielding a wide range of cruel and punishing weapons, this
new playable class in Reaper of Souls uses
battle magic to strengthen allies and weaken foes. A natural walking
tank, the Crusader adds power and versatility to any party of
adventurers.
“From the beginning, Diablo has always been about the struggle between good and evil, and Reaper of Souls
explores the darker notes of that conflict,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO
and co-founder of Blizzard Entertainment. “This expansion also represents
a big milestone in the ongoing evolution of Diablo III, with
key enhancements to the core gameplay, along with a new act to
experience, a powerful new character class, tons of new loot, and even
more end-game options. We think players will love playing Reaper of Souls, and we can’t wait to get it into their hands.”
In addition to taking the story of Diablo III from the legendary city of Westmarch to the unhallowed halls of the Pandemonium Fortress in Act V and introducing the incorruptible Crusader class, Diablo III: Reaper of Souls increases the game’s level cap to 70.
Players continuing on with their existing Barbarian, Witch Doctor,
Demon Hunter, Wizard, and Monk characters will benefit from an array of
fearsome new spells and abilities as they advance in level.
The expansion also accentuates the key features of the Diablo franchise, with a greater emphasis on randomized environments to explore; epic new quests; horrific new monsters to defeat; and substantial updates to the loot experience,
enabling players to further customize their characters with new and
improved multilevel Legendary items, new Blacksmith and Jeweler
item-crafting options, and more.
Diablo III’s Paragon progression system is also being majorly upgraded for the expansion, adding even more end-game character advancement and replayability. Two new game modes—Loot Runs and Nephalem Trials—are being added as well, providing fun and rewarding challenges for players to tackle when they’re not busy saving the world.
Diablo III: Reaper of Souls is playable on the show floor at gamescom, and Blizzard will be revealing further details about the expansion at BlizzCon and beyond as development progresses. For further information related to today’s announcement and all the latest news about Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, visit http://www.diablo3.com/reaperofsouls.
With multiple games in development, Blizzard Entertainment has numerous positions currently available—visit http://jobs.blizzard.com for more information and to learn how to apply.
About the Diablo Universe
Widely regarded as a benchmark for the action–role-playing game genre, Diablo
(1996) introduced players to the dark, gothic world of Sanctuary and
placed them at the center of what would be revealed to be a conflict
between the angels of the High Heavens and demons of the Burning Hells
over the fate of the world and its inhabitants.
Diablo II (2000), along with its expansion, Lord of Destruction (2001), and
several content patches that followed, took the series to new heights
and depths, with an elaborate multi-act story, bold new character
classes, and an intricate skill system.
In Diablo III
(2012), players return to the world of Sanctuary to again confront the
Lord of Terror, supported this time by a vibrant cast of characters who
join them in battle and aid them in other ways.
With the upcoming
release of Diablo III: Reaper of Souls,
players will face a powerful new adversary, uncover his dark plan for
humanity—and take the fight to him in a desperate bid to save Sanctuary
once more.
About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft® and the Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® franchises, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com),
a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier
developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating
some of the industry's most critically acclaimed games.
Blizzard
Entertainment’s track record includes sixteen #1-selling games and
multiple Game of the Year awards. The company's online-gaming service,
Battle.net®, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active
players.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements:
Information in this press release that involves Blizzard
Entertainment’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding
the future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve
a number of risks and uncertainties. Blizzard Entertainment generally
uses words such as “outlook,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “might,”
“remains,” “to be,” “plans,” “believes,” “may,” “expects,” “intends,”
“anticipates,” “estimate,” “future,” “plan,” “positioned,” “potential,”
“project,” “remain,” “scheduled,” “set to,” “subject to,” “upcoming” and
similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Factors
that could cause Blizzard Entertainment’s actual future results to
differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements
set forth in this release include, but are not limited to, sales levels
of Blizzard Entertainment’s titles, shifts in consumer spending trends,
the impact of the current macroeconomic environment, the seasonal and
cyclical nature of the interactive game market, declines in software
pricing, product returns and price protection, product delays, retail
acceptance of Blizzard Entertainment’s products, competition from the
used game market, industry competition and competition from other forms
of entertainment, rapid changes in technology, industry standards and
consumer preferences, including interest in specific genres such as
real-time strategy, action–role-playing and massively multiplayer online
games, protection of proprietary rights, litigation against Blizzard
Entertainment, maintenance of relationships with key personnel,
customers, licensees, licensors, vendors and third-party developers,
including the ability to attract, retain and develop key personnel and
developers who can create high quality “hit” titles, counterparty risks
relating to customers, licensees, licensors and manufacturers, domestic
and international economic, financial and political conditions and
policies, foreign exchange rates and tax rates, and the identification
of suitable future acquisition opportunities, and the other factors
identified in the risk factors section of Activision Blizzard’s most
recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports
on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based
upon information available to Blizzard Entertainment and Activision
Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Blizzard
Entertainment nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update
any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed
to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These
statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Blizzard
Entertainment or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks,
uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control
and may cause actual results to differ materially from current
expectations.
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