The Black Soulstone cinematic

The fully CGI cinematic was first aired at the opening ceremony at BlizzCon 2011. This is not the name of the cinematic in the full game, and this version is slightly-edited (to remove some plot info) from the full version.

It's not known where this cinematic will be seen in Diablo III -- perhaps after Act Two, as it introduces Azmodan who is the end boss for Act Three. (If not earlier, as foreshadowing for the upcoming events.)

Cinematic Content

The cinematic begins with Leah, who is lost in thought while reading Cain's Journals. She falls into a trance and is transported (mentally, not physically?) into the Burning Hells, where she receives a menacing lecture from Azmodan, before he gives her a preview of the demonic invasion he's launched, through the crater of Mount Arreat.

As this is an edited version of the cinematic, we do not know if it ends differently in the full game, or how literally to take the events seen in it. View it below.

The transcript of Azmodan's speech:

You thought you were so clever, that you would outwit us all. One by one our brethren fell into your trap but not me. I defy you. I know the black soulstone is the key and it shall be mine. Soon my army shall pour forth from the shattered mountain ravaging this world and all hope of resistance . My minions ''will'' find the stone......wherever you choose to hide it. Then, at long last, Azmodan will reign as the prime evil. ~ Azmodan

Cinematic Stills

A selection of images taken from this cinematic. Many more can be seen in the Black Soulstone image gallery.

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  Leah working in her journal.

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  The Black Soulstone

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  Thrones in the Burning Hells.

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  Leah and Azmodan.

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  Azmodan close-up.

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  Azmodan's armies near Arreat Crater.

Awards

In February 2012 this cinematic was nominated[1] for the Visual Effects Society's award for “Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Commercial or Video Game Trailer”. See all the other nominees in this news post.

The awards were handed out a month later, and in early February, 2012, The Black Soulstone won[2] the award, continuing Blizzard's history of domination in that category.