On Tuesday (Aug 21), Blizzplanet correspondent @Handclaw attended the GamesCom 2018 Press-Only Presentation. No camera recording was allowed. Audio recording was allowed only for transcription purposes.

The Diablo III Nintendo Switch presentation was led by senior producer Pete Stillwell and associate producer Matt Cederquist.

**Due to the background noise, however, I am not able to transcribe word-by-word. I’ll highlight what could be heard clearly.

In Diablo III Nintendo Switch, up to 4 players can play together whether they have four Switch controllers or joy-cons. Supports all Switch controller configurations, including single and dual Joy-Con action.

Diablo III: Eternal Conflict Nintendo Switch is running at 900p. We targeted 60FPS. When having four Necromancers playing it feels responsive and plays as well as with any other platform. So we are happy about that.

Cool things, because of this platform, we can truly play offline. Diablo III has been an always-online. Your progress will follow you. If you loot some good loot while offline, when you go online you still keep the same loot.

We are calling it the Diablo III: Eternal Collection, so it will have everything we have launched so far. It has got the base game, it has got the Reaper of Souls expansion, and the Rise of the Necromancer pack DLC.

It is going to have Themed Seasons as well. We will keep adding more Themed Seasons and do some experimentations.

Just to get it out of the way, there is no cross-platform support. You do have to start a new character. We aren’t making character transfers from the PC or Console. You are not required to play the campaign in your first play-through. You know… I restarted in three different systems, and I am about to do a fourth? I was very adamant of doing the campaign again.

Note: The developer talked about the exclusive Zelda-inspired content. Nothing new. The audio has a lot of background noise from the live gameplay shown on the wall-screen during the presentation, so I’ll skip transcribing that. Instead this is what’s common knowledge:

  • The Legend of Ganondorf Transmog
  • Golden Triforce Portrait Frame
  • Echoes of the Mask cosmetic wings
  • Companion Cucco pet

 

The cartridge fits the entire game so there isn’t going to be a big deal in downloading or anything like that. It is about 14GB+. If you need to change the audio localization, you will have to download those additional sound packs essentially.

Blizzplanet: Some fans noticed some of the Diablo III Nintendo Switch gameplay screenshots didn’t show more than 10 enemies onscreen. Is this coincidence, or are there any limitations of monsters that can be onscreen in Nintendo Switch compared with the PC or console version?

Developer: That would just be coincidence. We haven’t changed gameplay or anything like that. (The developer said that our question was a good call. They can try to fix that in the future, screenshots they make public.)

Press: How long have you been working on a port for Nintendo Switch?

Developer: It has been about 9 months.

EDITOR: You can pre-order the Diablo III: Eternal Collection by following the link. Below is the Fact Sheet, and Press Release for the announcement of Diablo III Nintendo Switch, and gameplay/concept screenshots.

Diablo III Nintendo Switch

The definitive version of Blizzard Entertainment’s acclaimed Diablo® III is coming to the Nintendo Switch! The Diablo III Eternal Collection™ includes the original Diablo III, the critically-acclaimed Reaper of Souls® expansion, the Rise of the Necromancer® pack, all content updates and console-specific features, an assortment of bonus items exclusive to Nintendo Switch, and a lifetime’s worth of adventure.

Diablo III on the Nintendo Switch takes full advantage of the console’s flexibility and versatility with multiple intuitive and ultra-responsive controller configuration options. Whether you prefer dual-wielding Joy-Cons, sitting elbow-to-elbow on the couch with your friends using a single Joy-Con each, or entering the fray armed with a Pro Controller, you’ll be able to slay your way. Up to four players can embark on grand cooperative crusades to cleanse Sanctuary—side by side in front of a single Nintendo Switch screen or linking multiple consoles together wirelessly.

  • The Ultimate Action RPG: Experience the five-act campaign spanning the lore-rich and demon-infested world of Sanctuary or forge your own stories in the endlessly replayable Adventure Mode

  • A Treasure Trove of Content: Includes Diablo III, the Reaper of Souls expansion, the Necromancer Pack, and many more content updates including Kanai’s Cube, Challenge Rifts, and the recently unveiled Themed Seasons

  • Vanquish Evil as Seven Powerful Character Classes: Play as the Barbarian, Crusader, Demon Hunter, Monk, Witch Doctor, and Wizard; as well as Diablo’s newest playable hero, the fan-favorite Necromancer

  • Collect Awe-Inspiring Loot: Grow in power as you gather powerful tools of destruction from the shattered remains of your enemies, including Ancient Items, Powerful Sets, and Legendaries

  • Choose Your Weapon: Supports multiple Joy-Con configurations as well as the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

  • Slay Anytime, Anywhere: Portability of the Nintendo Switch platform is a perfect fit for Diablo:

    • Four players can take on the Lords of Hell on a single Nintendo Switch
    • Link up to four Nintendo Switch consoles wirelessly; no Internet connection required
    • Online play available through the Nintendo Switch Online service
    • Nintendo Switch Online cloud saving support for save data and character progress

     

  • Nintendo Switch Exclusive Bonus Items: The Diablo III Eternal Collection on Nintendo Switch includes the Legend of Ganondorf cosmetic armor set, Tri-Force portrait frame, Cucco pet, and Echoes of the Mask cosmetic wings.

For more details about Diablo III Eternal Collection, visit www.diablo3.com/switch

DIABLO® III ETERNAL COLLECTION™ BRINGS THE LEGENDARY ACTION RPG TO NINTENDO SWITCH®

The definitive version of Blizzard Entertainment’s acclaimed Diablo III includes all the features and content from every expansion and update as well as bonus items exclusive to Nintendo Switch

IRVINE, Calif.—August 16, 2018—The minions of Hell have grown unfathomably strong since Diablo® III’s release, but lucky for the High Heavens, reinforcements are on the way. Later this year, Nintendo Switch players the world over will join the fray with the Diablo III Eternal Collection™ and wield their systems’ portable power to slay demons and amass vast hoards of loot anytime, anywhere.

The Eternal Collection is the definitive edition of the award-winning action RPG, including everything from the original Diablo III, the critically-acclaimed Reaper of Souls® expansion, and the Rise of the Necromancer® pack. With seven powerful character classes, a five-act campaign that spans the lore-rich and demon-infested world of Sanctuary, and an endlessly replayable Adventure Mode, the Eternal Collection is the perfect all-in-one package to introduce newcomers to a lifetime of adventure.

The Eternal Collection for the Nintendo Switch incorporates the system’s flexibility and versatility into its design. Whether using a Joy-Con™ controller or a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, players will have an awe-inspiring assortment of demon-slaying powers at their fingertips, thanks to intuitive, ultra-responsive controls custom-built for Nintendo Switch. And true to the spirit of the Diablo series, players will also have a wealth of options when it comes to cleansing Sanctuary cooperatively—up to four players can band together to engage in grand multiplayer crusades, whether they’re sharing a screen on a single Nintendo Switch, linking their systems together wirelessly, or teaming up through the Nintendo Switch Online* service.

“The Eternal Collection is the definitive version of Diablo III, and we’re thrilled to team up with Nintendo to unleash it for Nintendo Switch gamers around the world later this year,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “Bringing the world together through epic entertainment is core to our mission at Blizzard—we can’t wait to welcome a new generation of demon-slayers to Sanctuary.”

"At Nintendo, we're huge fans of rich and compelling games that speak to players around the world," said Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America President and COO. "By partnering with companies like Blizzard, we're able to create new ways of engaging with beloved content. Blizzard and Nintendo share a commitment to redefining the way people play games, and with Diablo III Eternal Collection for Nintendo Switch, that means players can now explore the vast world of Sanctuary anytime they like, and anywhere they go."

Diablo III is the fastest-selling PC game of all time**. The Reaper of Souls expansion introduced the mighty Crusader class, the infinitely-replayable Adventure Mode, and a host of other game-defining features, like the random loot-filled Nephalem Rift dungeons. In 2017, Rise of the Necromancer resurrected the fan-favorite Necromancer class from Diablo II, bolstering players’ forces with the gruesome powers of blood and bone. All of this is included in Diablo III Eternal Edition for the Nintendo Switch system, on top of platform-exclusive bonus items, like The Legend of Ganondorf cosmetic armor set, inspired by the iconic villain from The Legend of Zelda series.

Diablo III Eternal Collection for Nintendo Switch will be available later this year at retail stores everywhere and digitally through the Nintendo eShop. Gamers in North America and Europe will be able to get an early look at Diablo III Eternal Collection this August at Gamescom in Cologne, Fan Expo in Toronto, and PAX West in Seattle. For more information, visit https://www.diablo3.com/switch. For screenshots, video, and other media, visit the Blizzard Entertainment press site at https://blizzard.gamespress.com/Diablo-III.



* Nintendo Account required. Online services and features, including online play, are free until the paid Nintendo Switch Online Service launches in September 2018.

** Based on internal company records and reports from key distribution partners.

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BlizzCon 2019 Panel Transcripts