Publishers spend millions of dollars creating hype for their games, sometimes as much or more than they spend on actual development.
Of course, hype creates expectations, and often games simply do not manage to satisfy expectations.
It looks like this is exactly what Blizzard is trying to prevent from happening with Diablo III.
In a post on the official Diablo III forums, Blizzard community manager Micah “Bashiok” Whiple has actively come out and asked gamers to lower their expectations a little bit.
Bashiok on Diablo III expectations
“On a more serious note, I too worry that we won’t be able to meet the expectations people have built up for themselves. Part of my job is managing people’s expectations, so… eh… stop it. Stop thinking about how awesome this game could be. Just imagine it’s a new M. Night Shyamalan movie. Sure Sixth Sense was amazing and Unbreakable had it’s moments, but this right here is the sequel to The Village … or The Happening … or Signs … or any of the movies besides the two I first mentioned. So just like, lower those expectations, but still definitely buy the game please, and everything will be just fine. K?”
As an official spokesperson for Blizzard’s public relations team, the message in the most can be taken as a direct statement from the publisher itself. We’re pretty sure this is the first time a publisher or developer has come out and asked fans to be less hyped about an unreleased game, but in fairness, it is Diablo III and the current level of anticipation may well be impossible to satisfy.
Source: Official forums
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It is very difficult to live up to such a monstrous prequel… I am very excited about this game but I don’t expect it to be this revolutionary breakthrough in the hack n slash/rpg genre. Hack n slash is pretty basic as is. What I am expecting is a reborn Diablo II with better graphics, new heroes, new enemies, new levels and the online community. If they can nail that I’ll be happy.
I used to spend all my time in Diablo II but since I tried WoW I have been glued to MMO’s so I think I will see myself jamming Diablo III until Guild Wars 2 comes out. Diablo III will probably be my go-to game for when I feel like some mindless slaughter.