Blizzard Quote [source]

DEATH BREATHES NEW LIFE INTO SANCTUARY

More than 2.7 million players join the crusade against the Angel of Death with the launch of Diablo^® III: Reaper of Souls^™

IRVINE, Calif.—April 3, 2014—Malthael claimed that no one could stop Death . . . actually, Diablo^® III players have already stopped Death more than 1.5 million times and counting. On March 25, players the world over launched a crusade against the fallen angel with the release of Diablo III: Reaper of Souls^™ for Windows^® and Mac^®. As of the first week of the expansion’s availability, more than 2.7 million copies have sold-through online and at retailers worldwide.^*

Players, community personalities, and members of the press joined Blizzard to celebrate the expansion’s release on the evening of March 24 at launch parties in Seoul, Taipei, Warsaw, Stockholm, and Los Angeles. The icy grasp of the Angel of Death reached players around the world through live streams from several of the events, with total Diablo III views on Twitch on launch day alone exceeding 2.4 million.^†

“With Reaper of Souls, we wanted to emphasize all the things that Diablo gamers have always loved about the series, from the dark gothic setting to the piles and piles of epic loot,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “We’re excited to see that players are enjoying the changes we’ve made to the game, and we look forward to achieving our Paragon levels alongside everyone else in the weeks and months ahead.”

Reaper of Souls continues the Diablo III story with a challenging new act that takes players from the legendary city of Westmarch to the unhallowed halls of the Pandemonium Fortress, culminating in an epic battle with Malthael, the Angel of Death. The expansion also adds the unstoppable Crusader class to Diablo III’s roster of heroes, and increases the game’s level cap to 70, adding several powerful spells and abilities for the original five hero classes.

Other new features in Reaper of Souls include Adventure Mode: a new game mode that allows players to choose their own path across Sanctuary in total freedom; Bounties: randomized objectives that award gold and experience; Nephalem Rifts: fast-paced randomized dungeons offering endless replayability and heaps of loot; and the Mystic: a powerful new artisan who provides gear-customization options.

Diablo III: Reaper of Souls is available for purchase in retail stores throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, as well as digitally around the world via the game’s official website (http://www.diablo3.com/reaperofsouls). The expansion will launch in Russia and the CIS, and at retail stores in Mexico, Chile, and Brazil, on April 15. Reaper of Souls has been fully localized in English, German, French, Latin American Spanish, European Spanish, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Russian, Italian, Polish, and Brazilian Portuguese.

With multiple games in development, Blizzard Entertainment has numerous positions currently available—visit http://jobs.blizzard.com for more information and to learn how to apply.

Blizzard Quote [source]

The next next chapter in Sanctuary's epic saga has been unveiled. Summon your sickles, put on your pointy hood, and get ready for Happy Reaper™ —the definitive Diablo experience coming soon to web and mobile!

What is Happy Reaper?

In Happy Reaper, players take on the role of Malthael, the Angel of Death, who's recently returned to Sanctuary with a vengeance. With a series of well-timed mouse clicks or finger taps, you'll skillfully guide Malthael through a network of ancient Pandemonium ruins to collect human souls and obliterate all puny nephalem with your trusty Death Laser of Doom™.

Easy, right? WRONG. Happy Reaper is probably the most challenging Blizzard game you've ever played. It's incredibly difficult to learn and almost impossible to master!

Feature Highlights:

• Robust, interactive storytelling allows every choice to matter in Happy Reaper. Will Malthael ascend to victory or fall into oblivion? Only you decide!
• New Tapright™ technology captures your clicks and taps better than ever, offering unparalleled responsiveness and absolutely no scapegoat for your imminent failure.
• An all-new, fully loaded soundscape stimulates your senses and helps you reduce stress, improve sleep, and lose weight *.
• Experience the WHOOSH of every ghostly wing flap and the POW of every laser beam blast with our proprietary Dia-Bling™ FX engine.
• Larger-than-life in-game collision system provides exceptional (and increasingly difficult) levels of challenge.

Bursting with rich gameplay depth, hidden difficulty modes, and the most spectacular end-game content we've ever seen **, Happy Reaper offers limitless hours of frustration enjoyment for any aspiring harbinger of death.

Can't wait to get your hands on Happy Reaper? (Who said patience was a virtue?) Test your mettle RIGHT HERE on our website with an exclusive first look of the in-browser client.

Also, be sure to stay tuned to diablo3.com for additional details about Happy Reaper including upcoming beta tests, supported browsers and mobile devices, release date and pre-order opportunities, and much more. In the meantime, happy reaping!

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

**Or at least that we're told. We haven’t actually made it past pillar #4. Let us know how it goes!

Blizzard Quote [source]

I do hope you have been making the best of your time, nephalem, because the sands in your hourglass have run out. The time has come for my master to sweep clean the streets of Westmarch, and your feeble efforts will mean little against our inevitable tide.

Today marks the arrival of Reaper of Souls™, and though there is much to explore and possibly aid you on your futile quest, I expect you to achieve little more than a swift and painful demise.

Fresh Blood

- The Crusader -

Taking on Death himself requires more than flashy spells, endless ammunition, and brute strength. If you are not confident in your current skills, perhaps you should look at other endeavors. Though I doubt the layers of armor and power of your feeble Light will stand against my blade, it is, perhaps, a good place to start.

The Crusader is the latest nephalem to challenge my lord. If you feel up to the task, you may consider taking up a flail and shield. But be advised—the path of the Crusader is a demanding one, and plotting out your skills and learning as much as possible about your Order would be wise. Catching you unawares would make my job far too easy.

Welcome to Death's Lair

- Exploring Act V -

The siege has already begun, and you, my dear heroes, are late to the party. Challenge my brothers and sisters in Westmarch if you dare, but be aware—we will not fall easily.

Doubtful as your success may be, Malthael lies far beyond the city's walls and you will have to traverse the deadly Blood Marsh before catching even a glimpse of possible victory. If it comes to pass that you find yourself face to face with my master on forgotten and distant battlefields, well… I wish you the best of luck. You will need it.

Train Up

- Beyond Level 60 -

Fortunately for you, it seems the time has come to shed your current constraints and grow further in power. Though it matters not, reaching the exalted 70^th level of experience offers powers beyond your wildest imaginations. New skills are available for each brave warrior who rises to the challenge, and I dare say these impressive feats might provide a smidgen of advantage.

But do not take my word alone, as you may wish to try Avalanche, Vengeance, Epiphany, Piranhas, and Black Hole for yourselves. I wholeheartedly advise becoming intimately familiar with these skills before employing them—I do not require further reason to regard you as fools.

Beyond Death’s Grasp

- Adventure Mode -

Hypothetically speaking, let us imagine for a moment you surpass all odds and save the world. What is a hero who has defeated the embodiment of Death to do? An infinite wealth of challenges lie beyond my master's defeat, should you prove worthy. That traitorous Tyrael might have the odd job or two for you, and ancient tales speak of challenges meant only for the most powerful of nephalem.

Of course, that would not be you, so I would not concern yourselves with such hearsay.

Get All the Help You Can Get

- The Mystic -

It is unavoidable that you will struggle along your journey. Somehow, fate has looked kindly upon your unfortunate soul and guided the powerful Mystic to cross your path. Myriam is a stubborn ant who will not be stomped, despite my best efforts. Find her, and she may be grateful enough to enchant your equipment with more powerful abilities.

Of course, arrogant nephalem like you may find little need for more power, and instead may partake in frivolities such as ensuring your boots match your shoulder pads. Luckily, the Mystic will humor you in such ridiculous endeavors... for the appropriate coin.

No One Can Stop Death

- But You’re Welcome to Try -

I do hope my insights have proven helpful, adventurers. Whilst it is fated we meet one another on the battlefield, understand that my advice comes not from a place of good will. You are, after all, standing in opposition to my dear Angel of Death, and I am nothing if not a devoted servant.

Fare thee well, nephalem. I look forward to claiming your soul.