Blizzard Entertainment said this week that it sold more than 3.5 million copies of Diablo III on launch day, setting the record for fastest-selling PC game. The company also sold 1.2 million copies of the game to subscribers of the World of Warcraft Annual Pass, meaning 4.7 million copies of the game were in the hands of gamers on day one.

NewImage
There were a number of server slowdowns and issues for gamers looking to play the game on opening day and, as a result, Blizzard was very apologetic in its statement:

"We’re definitely thrilled that so many people around the world were excited to pick up their copy of Diablo III and jump in the moment it went live," said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. "We also regret that our preparations were not enough to ensure everyone had a seamless experience when they did so. I want to reaffirm our commitment to make sure the millions of Diablo III players out there have a great experience with the game moving forward, and I also want to thank them for their ongoing support."

To cut down on cheating and piracy, Blizzard requires the Diablo III client to be connected to their servers at all times during gameplay, even during the single-player campaign.

Diablo III is available via Blizzard's website and at retail stores.

Top Rated Comments

Dr McKay Avatar
174 months ago
Yea, I totally enjoyed being locked out of a game when I was trying to play it Single-Player.

Oh whats that? It's to stop the Pirates? In 2 weeks when they've circumvented this measure, the Pirates will be getting the better gaming experience while paying customers are dicked with this.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Yamcha Avatar
174 months ago
I'm not happy with the requirement of a internet connection.. Also what happens 5-10 years from now? Will the servers still be around? I doubt It..

It's more like we are renting a game.. I really hope later there will be a patch for offline play..
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lord Appleseed Avatar
174 months ago
I'm not happy with the requirement of a internet connection.. Also what happens 5-10 years from now? Will the servers still be around? I doubt It..

It's more like we are renting a game.. I really hope later there will be a patch for offline play..

I feel the same way. I'd love to buy and play the game, but under these circumstances Diablo can remain in hell.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
satchow Avatar
174 months ago
I'm not happy with the requirement of a internet connection.. Also what happens 5-10 years from now? Will the servers still be around? I doubt It..

It's more like we are renting a game.. I really hope later there will be a patch for offline play..

Will the servers be around? Knowing Blizzard, yes.

The thing about having to be online and connected to a server to play though is that there's freaking lag in single player. That's unacceptable.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mad-B-One Avatar
174 months ago
I'll go to Engadget when I want to read about random tech stuff. More apple stuff less random stories.

Errr? Blizzard Entertainment is one of the few publishers which actually publishes top titles for Mac - and that on the same launch day as PCversions, not 5 years later. This game broke sales records for the first day (so did Diablo 2 by the way back then) and that also because it is for both PC and Mac. This is not a random story. If you just want to read about the latest rumors about hardware, why do you even bother posting? Troll?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mad-B-One Avatar
174 months ago
I know this is a wee bit off topic but I was wondering (since I have a wack of Diablo players in here) if someone could explain to me the multiplayer aspect of Diablo. I've been watching videos having never played WoW/Diablo 2/any MMoRPG and I just can't figure out what you do when you connect with friends in Diablo. I don't usually play these sorts of games, but I loved Skyrim so I'm considering it.

I will definitely do the honor:

In Diablo, it is very simple. You usually have an NPC fighting with you. In Diablo 3, it is first a Templar which later in the game you can exchange for a Scoundrel. Later in the game, you can also choose the Enchantress.
The moment, you choose to play an open game, other players can join. You will loose your Follower (Templar or so on) and that other person will fight with you. Up to four people can fight together. You get a system message that someone joined and that your foes got stronger or that someone left and the enemies get weaker. This happens without you having to worry about it (except you are in the middle of a fight and 3 people join - you might be toast at that point - but even that is survivable). In other words: It's easy as pie! Run to the front lines and fight side-by-side!
Alternatively to letting people join, you can join a game in your character menu by selecting to join a public game instead of starting a game.
Have to correct that: Actually, when the last friend or random player left, you are asked if you want your Follower back and you are back in business.

About the loot:
In Diablo 3, everybody has his or her own loot. That means, you open a chest or kill a foe and gold and items drop. You cannot see what drops for your mates and they cannot see yours - but if you drop something out of your inventory, other can see it and pick it up. Therefore, don't sort things by dropping stuff in a multiplayer game because people can snatch it. This system makes it easy for you to give things away to others if you don't want it.

Also: Your Treasure Chest inventory is the same accross all characters. So, in order to get a bow to your Daemon Hunter from your Monk, you just place it in your chest and log in with the other character.

Another Also: You can improve your Blacksmithing skills and Jewelcrafting skills. If you do so, they will be improved accross all your characters. So, you farm resources with your highest character and you will be good. My tip: Always demount jewels before selling/destroying items you don't want to use anymore. Can't have enough of them.

Another thing is (like skyrim) if you hack your equipment why does it matter if it only affects you..? Does it?

Not really. Since this game is clearly more made towards multiplayer and will include PVP at one time, people who cheat might ultimately be a threat to other people's game experience. As an example: If I play a sorcerer and I am one of the Damage Dealers, I don't want to feel useless because someone hacked (or altered) his Barbarian's equipment and slashes everything with two hits. Where would be the fun in that game? Where is my sense of accomplishment? I also don't want to be forced to run alone to avoid these kind of things... If that is rendered impossible with the online-only system, I am guarantied a better quality and fairness. Besides: Played through Normal difficulty with a Monk - easy as pie! Really! Diablo didn't get me below 50% health. I already realized that Nightmare, the next difficulty, is way harder and starts to be more fun. There again: I can't cheat my way through and I think it is way more rewarding.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26 Feature

iOS 26.1 to iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Wednesday October 1, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
iOS 26 was released last month, but the software train never stops, and iOS 26.1 beta testing is already underway. So far, iOS 26.1 makes both Apple Intelligence and Live Translation on compatible AirPods available in additional languages, and it includes some other minor changes across Apple Music, Calendar, Photos, and Safari. More features and changes will follow in future versions,...
iPhone 17 vs Air and Pros Feature

New iPhones See 'Stronger Than Expected' Demand With One Exception

Thursday October 2, 2025 7:26 am PDT by
Nearly two weeks after the iPhone 17 series launched, analysts at investment banking firm Morgan Stanley said demand for the devices has been "modestly stronger than we originally expected," based on a combination of extended shipping estimates on Apple's online store and information it gathered from Apple's supply chain. There has been strong early demand for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro,...
space black mbp

Here's Every New Apple Product That Leaked Yesterday

Wednesday October 1, 2025 8:27 am PDT by
A handful of upcoming Apple products leaked yesterday, through a combination of YouTube videos out of Russia and U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) documents that were released, despite Apple's confidentiality requests. The leaked products include an iPad Pro with an M5 chip, as well as updated MacBook Pro and Apple Vision Pro models. All of these devices had already been rumored...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro teal 1

Apple's iPhone Driver's License Feature Now Available in 11 U.S. States

Tuesday September 30, 2025 6:40 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Apple recently revealed that the feature would soon be available in North Dakota, and starting today, the feature has officially gone...
Tim Cook Rainbow

Apple Event in October? Here's What to Expect

Monday September 29, 2025 9:31 am PDT by
Apple's annual iPhone event is in the rearview mirror, but rumors suggest the company plans to release a handful of additional products before the year ends. Will there be another Apple event this October? We discuss the possibility below. Apple in October Apple's most recent October events were in 2021 and 2023. In 2022 and 2024, Apple did not host an October event. Instead, it...
fcc vision pro leak

FCC Accidentally Leaks Apple's Next Vision Pro

Tuesday September 30, 2025 3:48 pm PDT by
The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has seemingly confirmed Apple's work on an updated version of the Vision Pro headset. One of several documents the FCC shared today references an Apple-designed "Head Mounted Device" with a model number of A3416. An included image confirms the device is a Vision Pro. The FCC's uploads are transmission tests, SAR test reports, and...
macbook pro prime day 2025

FCC Leaks Upcoming MacBook Pro and More

Tuesday September 30, 2025 1:58 pm PDT by
The United States Federal Communications Commission has confirmed Apple's work on a new version of the MacBook Pro and several other products, leaking details on the devices ahead of launch. The FCC published documents that reference model numbers that do not correspond with existing devices. A3434, for example, references an unreleased MacBook Pro, while other numbers are likely for...
Apple 2025 Thumb 1

Apple's 2025 Product Roadmap: What's Still Coming

Wednesday October 1, 2025 3:56 pm PDT by
Apple's two big yearly events, WWDC and the iPhone launch, are done and over with, but there are still some new products that we're expecting to see before the end of the year. Apple TV The Apple TV hasn't been updated since 2022, so it's due for a refresh. It doesn't look like Apple is going to change the design of its set-top box, but we can expect a faster chip Apple code suggests...
maxresdefault

New iPad Pro With M5 Chip Leaked in Unboxing Video

Tuesday September 30, 2025 8:39 am PDT by
An apparent unboxing video for an unannounced iPad Pro with the M5 chip was uploaded to YouTube today by Russian channel Wylsacom. The same YouTube account leaked the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 chip before it was announced by Apple last year, so this is likely a legitimate leak. Based on the box shown in the video, this appears to be a 13-inch iPad Pro with an M5 chip, 256GB of...
iOS 26 Everything New Feature

26 Hidden iOS 26 Tricks to Change How You Use Your iPhone

Wednesday October 1, 2025 9:16 am PDT by
Apple released iOS 26 in mid-September, bringing a range of new features and changes to iPhones across the globe. But not all of the included improvements have been showcased with Apple's typical fanfare, and many are likely to have been overlooked. Below, we've highlighted 26 lesser known additions and enhancements that could potentially change how you use your iPhone on a daily basis. Got...