'Diablo 3' Release Date 2012: Why Players Can Expect A Console Edition, 'Feels Better On A Controller'

After years of waiting, the day has finally come for fans of the Diablo series. The third installment of the fantasy RPG video game will be released on May 15 for PC and Mac computers. But there was no mention of a console debut, leaving players wondering when the acclaimed action adventure game would make its way to Xbox and PlayStation devices.

When Diablo 3 was initially announced in 2008, rumors of the game's transition to consoles began to circulate. About four years ago, lead designer Jay Wilson told gaming news website Joystiq that there were no intentions for a console edition, but days later Blizzard began to consider the possibility.

According the video game mag, the company's VP of Game Design Rob Pardo said that the idea was theoretically possible. A year later, COO Paul Sams revealed that console manufacturers have made some pretty compelling arguments when it comes to transferring the series to non-PC devices.

This sentiment developed over the next couple of years, with Blizzard beginning to recruit console development positions in November 2010. Blizzard told Joystiq the following February that the company was exploring the possibility to see if that could make sense. However, there were still issues to consider, such as patching and adding expansions.

Throughout 2011 Blizzard dropped more subtle hints, leading fans to believe that Diablo was inching towards a console release. In June of that year, the company opened up a position for a PlayStation specialist. During Blizzcon 2011, Wilson also said that the game actually feels better on a controller.

This isn't the first time Wilson has teased and taunted fans. The lead developer's Twitter page was filled with tidbits about the development process, enticing gamers with hints before the official release date was announced.

Playing the game is an essential part of making it. Great games are played as much as they are made :) he tweeted on March 14, a day before the announcement.

And the demand for a console version is high among Diablo fans, with some only expressing interest in a non-PC edition.

Couldn't care less about Diablo 3. Unless it will be released on consoles, one player posted on Twitter.

Diablo 3 may be coming to consoles?? F-k yea I'll buy it, another tweeted.

Blizzard denied comment to Joystiq when asked about the console edition, but players are still anticipating the fantasy RPG to hit their TV screens.

What we suspect will happen is shortly after the hype for the PC and Mac version of Diablo 3 dies down a little, or maybe at E3, we expect Blizzard to make an announcement that a console version is coming, Fudzilla's David Stellmack writes.