Common Paradox Tech Blog

Aside from one obscure little game whose name escapes our memory at the moment, WarCraft has been out of action since WarCraft 3: The Frozen Throne’s release back in 2003. Don’t take this world without WarCraft to mean that Blizzard’s completely iced the idea of a fourth entry in the popular fantasy RTS series, though. Just be prepared to wait a tick before scratching your orc-commanding, night elf-outsmarting itch.

"Warcraft 4 is certainly something that gets talked about on a pretty regular basis," Blizzard’s J. Allen Brack said in an interview with AusGamers. "While I think we’re all excited about a Warcraft 4, in concept, [the WarCraft 3 team is] going to finish up StarCraft 2, and then they’re going to work on the two StarCraft expansions that we’ve announced, so they’re booked for the next few years."

And though he stopped just short of nailing the team to the project, Brack did say that "it does sort of make sense."

Another Blizzard game, another tremendous wait. But at least we can while away the, well, years until Diablo III’s launch with Torchlight. As for WarCraft 4, though… hey Runic, ever think about making an RTS?

The elevator up from hell sure is taking its time. We imagine that Mass Effect’s Shepard — even with his eternal patience for cramped spaces, boring music, and upward mobility — would be cursing up a storm by now if he were aboard that infernal machine. So just imagine how poor old Diablo must feel – especially now that the not-so-loveable lug may have a “few years” left before he finally surfaces.

A recent Blizzard presentation listed Diablo III as arriving in the “next few years,” along with StarCraft II’s expansions and Blizzard’s next massively multiplayer cash cow. In store for “next year,” meanwhile, are StarCraft II and WoW: Cataclysm. The bottom line? No loot-grabbing and Satan-stabbing until – at the earliest – 2011. Unless, of course, Diablo III goes into full-on beta mode next year, but we’re not getting our hopes up.

Honestly Diablo, at this point, we’re thinking you should’ve taken the stairs.

Look, it’s the box art from Star Trek Online (along with new screens and impressions)! Also read on for the latest infotainment regarding Diablo III, a Diablo clone, the Avatar game and, of course, Modern Warfare 2.

Even More Star Trek Online Screens
Confession: I downloaded these off Atari’s press site, just for my own personal “use.”

Star Trek Online Preview: Ignoring Regulation
Btw, Jason Chen and I are also very actively begging our way into a press beta. Wish us luck.

LEGO Rock Band Review: Redefining The Rock Block
Spoiler: It’s like every other Rock Band title, but with LEGO.

Avatar: The Navi Side Of The Story
Which will lose more money, the movie or the game?

StarCraft II Expansions, Diablo III Coming in “Next Few Years”
Just like I predicted, Diablo III won’t be here until 2011…at the earliest. Being right can suck.

Diabloriffic Torchlight Coming To Retail
So since Diablo III will take so long, feel free to sleep around a bit.

Modern Warfare 2 Sells Nearly Five Million Copies In A Day
That’s a launch of over $300 million in revenue.

Borderlands Sequel A “No-Brainer”
My siren is level 28. Frucci’s hunter is like level bajillion.

They Made The Wii Bowling Ball, And They’re Not Done Yet
There’s plenty more plastic crap where that came from!

Oh…and as a little bonus, the worst lines in the history of video games:

[Today's Big Thing]

Love Diablo, but not sure if you can wait much longer for Diablo III? Well then, why not spend a night spelunking cavernous areas with Torchlight? The game’s practically Diablo’s twin sister, and it knows what you like. Don’t worry. We won’t let Diablo III know. This will be our little secret. We promise.
 
Still on the fence? Yeesh. Talk about brand loyalty. Here – at least try this demo of Torchlight. It’s on us. Now take a peek at those high-res, barely legal graphics. And if you’re still not sold, what other demonically themed hack ‘n’ slash comes with a free dog (or cat!) that lugs your loot back to town while you keep on questing?

Yeah. That’s right. You equip that breastplate with +3 to mana and +10 electrical resistance. Just like that.

Er, what?