After months of [[Console|rumours and official non-denials]], on February 20, 2013 Blizzard officially announced a Diablo 3 is being developed for console version coming to the Playstation 3 and Playstation 4 .<ref name=ps3and4pressrelease>[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/official-diablo-3-ps3-and the Xbox 360 -ps4-announcement Playstation 3 and Xbox One4 in Production Press Release] - Blizzard Entertainment, 21/02/13</ref>, <ref name=announced>[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/diablo-3-coming-to-playstation-4/ PaxEast presentation] - Blizzard Entertainment, 21/02/13</ref>.

 Although content is near-on identical there are a few differences to note:  * There is an offline mode.* There is no [[Auction House]].* Do not connect via [[Battle.Net]].* Camera is zoomed in a little more.* Enemy wave spawns slightly altered.* Movement is direct through the thumbstick (as opposed to click and move to).* [[Evade]] skill included for all characters.* Loot drops less frequently but is higher quality.* Fast equip option.  ==Game Modes==[[File:Ps-ui.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Playstation 3 shared screen]][[File:Xbox-ui.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Xbox 360 shared screen]]  As with the PC version the maximum number of players is four.<ref>[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/blizzard-defends-diablo-3s-four-player-maximum Four player maximum] - CM, Blizzard Entertainment, 29/03/13</ref> The reasons for this in brief are:  * There is a noticeable impact and contribution from each of the four players.* The most powerful group Buffs and Auras will not need to be nerfed to compensate for increased numbers simultaneously active. * On-screen noise. More people fill more of the screen and create more action on the screen at any one time.  ===Offline Mode===  Offline mode allows up to four players to play on the same screen at the same time. There is no split screen but in order to keep the screen as uncluttered as possible each player's on-screen UI is condensed with each one sitting in a corner of the screen.  Characters can be copied to a USB drive and then accessed via another console, allowing gamers to continue playing offline characters at each other's houses. Characters created offline can never be played on the consoles' online services however. In that respect it's the same way Closed and Open characters are handled in Diablo 2. It's not known if characters created online can be transferred to offline mode.  To save character's to the consoles hard drive 5mb will be needed on the Xbox 360 and 12mb on the Playstation 3 version. More is required on the PS3 version because of the [[Playstation 3 Trophies|trophy pack]].[http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/9280998875?page=3#45 Hard Drive space needed] - CM, Blizzard Entertainment, 15/07/13</ref>  ====Hardcore Characters==== As characters can be copied onto a USB this means if a Hardcore character dies and it's saved it can potentially be restored. However, when restoring from the USB it restores your online profile which contains all your characters and would overwrite other characters.<ref>[http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/9280238334#12 Offline Hardcore Characters] - CM, Blizzard Entertainment, 08/07/13</ref>  ===Online Mode===  Online mode is accessed via Playstation Network or Xbox Live and not Battle.Net. A Battle.Net account is not necessary to play Diablo 3 on a console. Characters created this way will be stored on your cloud storage space or on your console's hard drive. <ref name=detailspaxeast/>  As there are different tiers of membership available on Playstation Network and Xbox Live access to characters is handled differently depending on the console. <ref>[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/diablo-3-console-save-files-and-offline-play-issues Saves Files and Offline Play] - CM, Blizzard Entertainment, 15/06/13</ref>  <blue>How guests can play with you on same screen co-op varies between the console systems.  On the PlayStation 3, additional players will have access to any saves that any User on the system has; however, only the primary User can unlock trophies during single-system co-op.  As an additional point of clarification, PS3 players that visit a friend’s house for some local co-op action will be able to access their own characters from either a save on a USB stick, or by accessing their characters from cloud saves (if they have PlayStation Plus).  How this works is that at their friend’s house, the visiting player would need to create a new local User on the console, then sign into their Sony Entertainment Network (SEN) account with PS+ and pull down their save from cloud storage. They could alternatively bring over their save on a USB stick, but they will still need to create a new local User on the console in order to partake in local co-op with their character(s) from home.  On the Xbox 360, if additional players logs in on other profiles, they are able to load their own heroes from their own save files. They can also bring their profile and Diablo III save on a memory unit or memory stick and load it at their friend’s house, or alternatively, they can bring their save file and recover their profile from Xbox LIVE (both Silver and Gold tier accounts can do this). If the player is an Xbox LIVE Gold Tier member and they choose to use Cloud Saving from Microsoft, they can also recover both their profile and their save at their friend’s house. It’s important to note that only Gold Tier members can play online with other players over Xbox LIVE, however, Silver and Gold Tier members can play locally and recover profiles.  If additional Xbox 360 players log in on a guest profiles, they cannot load their own heroes from save files. If they log in on a guest profile, they will need to create a new hero and when they quit out of the game, their hero will not be saved.  On the Xbox 360 version, each profile that is playing together can unlock achievements.</blue>  Playstation, Xbox and Battle.Net characters can not play together and they can not be transferred between the different services.  ==Controls== [[File:Evade.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Evade]] in action]]Movement is controlled by the console controllers (as illustrated below). There is no 'point and click' as with the PC but rather users have direct control via the thumbstick so movement is manually directed to the spot you wish the character to move to, taking the character around obstacles, between them and to the destination.  A lot of skills have been specially tuned for controller support. Skills automatically centre on the targeted monster or fire off in the direction your hero is facing if none is targeted. [[Elective Mode]] is available allowing players to freely map skill keys to any buttons they wish. <ref>[http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/9281829030#3 Elective Mode] - CM, Blizzard Entertainment, 147/06/13</ref>  All classes have the [[Evade]] ability, (accessed via the right stick) which enables characters to dodge and roll about 10 yards in whichever direction they wish. There is no resource cost, cooldown or level requirement so it can be used repeatedly without delay. It can also be used to smash into and break barrels and other [[destructible]]s. This gels with the visceral feel of a console game.  :* Read more about [[Evade]] skill.  In offline multiplayer, (as all characters share the one screen), if a character disappears from the screen as the other players move away the character will instantly teleport to the rest of the group.  {||[[File:Xbox360-controler-diablo3.jpg|500px]]|[[File:Ps3-controller-diablo3.jpg|500px]]|}  There are no plans to add support for USB mice or keyboards. <ref>[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/no-diablo-3-playstation-network-and-pc-battle-net-connectivity USB mice and keyboards] - CM, Blizzard Entertainment, 26/02/13</ref>  ==Skills== [[File:Nephalem globe.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Nephalem Globe]]All five classes have access to the same [[skills]] as are available in the PC version, their stats are also the same, however, they have been specially tuned for controller support. <ref>[http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/9280998875?page=3#45 Skill control] - CM, Blizzard Entertainment, 15/07/13</ref> There isn't any cooldown when changing skills.  ===Nephalem Globes=== [[Nephalem Globe]]s are console-only items. Any time a [[Health Globe]] drops from a monster there is a small chance that it will turn into a Nephalem Globe instead. They look like [[Health Globes]] too but are yellow instead of red. The globes apply a random temporary buff to players such as increased experience points gained, movement speed improved, damage or attack speed increased or more magic/gold find.  ==Items and Loot==  In the console version of Diablo 3 less junk loot drops to avoid cluttering up the screen. In general, less drops but what does drop will be better quality as players do not have access to the Auction House to ease character progression and less inventory access will be needed helping keep gameplay flowing.  In offline multiplayer games any loot on the ground can be picked up by any player so some rules of play will need to be set by those who are playing. 'Round robin' or 'need over greed' for example or just go for ninja-looting for seat-of-your-pants gaming.  [[File:Quick-equip.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Quick Equip feature]]Items on the ground can be equipped without entering the inventory by using the '''Quick Equip''' feature. Picking up an item will display its details by your on-screen UI. It will display the name of the item, an icon indicating the slot it would occupy but most importantly whether it is better than the item you currently have equipped by way of up to a maximum of 3 green arrows (1 being slightly better and 3 being significantly better) in three criteria. To indicate an inferior item the arrows will be red down arrows and an item neither better or worse will display minus lines. From here you can either equip or drop the item on the ground for someone else to pick up.  Using the D-Pad you can scroll through the last few items picked up in this way too. Unlike accessing the inventory screen this action will not interrupt game play in local offline play.  Loot in online multiplayer games is handled as it is in the PC game. Loot drops for each player and it's only visible to whoever it belongs to and accessing the player's inventory will not interrupt other players' game play.  ===Console-Only Items===  All pre-orders of the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3 version of Diablo 3 will come with special bonus items. All classes will get the items. *"Infernal Helm" – Wearable at level 1, the console-exclusive Infernal Helm in-game item confers a +EXP bonus to help you whip your new PlayStation® or Xbox characters into shape*"Angelic Wings" – Taunt the forces of the Burning Hells by sprouting a cosmetic pair of glowing angel wings*"Bottled Cloud Dye" – Dye your armor sets a cloudy white with this heavenly dye*"Bottled Smoke Dye" – Dye your armor sets an eerie smoky black with this sinister dye  {||[[File:Bottled-smoke.jpg|400px]]|[[File:Bottled-cloud.jpg|400px]]|-| [[File:Infernal-helm.jpg|400px]]| [[File:Angelic-wings.jpg|400px]]|}  ===Playstation 3-Only Items===  There are also items that come with the Playstation 3 version regardless if it is preordered. These come with the game automatically, they do not need to be found.  {|| [[File:Heros-journey.jpg|400px]]| [[File:Leorics-gauntlets.jpg|400px]]|-| [[File:Drakes-amulet.jpg|400px]]| [[File:Crimson-angelic-wings.jpg|400px]]|}  ==Gallery of Items== <gallery>File:Angelic-wings-image.jpg|Angelic WingsFile:Crimson-angelic-wings-image.jpg|Crimson Angelic WingsFile:Heros-journey-image.jpg|Hero's JourneyFile:Infernal-helm-image.jpg|Infernal HelmFile:Leorics-gauntlets-image.jpg|Leoric's Gauntlets</gallery>  ==Monsters==  Monster density has been tailored to better suit the console. The waves of monsters aren't as large as the PC version and there aren't any attacks from off the visible screen. Density will increase however when the difficulty is ramped up in Inferno difficulty ('Medium' and upwards). Boss fights have also been changed somewhat so they feel like more traditional console boss fights.  ==Difficulty Levels== Difficulty levels are the same as the PC version (Normal, Nightmare, Hell and Inferno) and completing one gives access to the next. However, instead of the traditional [[Monster Power]] setting you can select within those four difficulties to increase the challenge on the PC version, there are extra grades as detailed below. As with Monster Power these increase monster damage, magic find, experience points, more powerful loot etc. On Inferno difficulty on '''Medium''' setting or above the monster density will also increase although not to the degree it does on PC. The list below shows the difficulty setting and it's equivalent in the [[Monster Power]] level on PC. This could change before the console version releases. <ref>[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/more-diablo-3-console-infos Difficulty settings] - CM, Blizzard Entertainment, 17/07/13</ref>  :Easy = Monster Power 0:Medium = Monster Power 2:Hard = Monster Power 4:Master I = Monster Power 6:Master II = Monster Power 7:Master III = Monster Power 8:Master IV = Monster Power 9:Master V = Monster Power 10  ==User Interface== [[File:Onscreen-user-interface-consoles.jpg|right|thumb|200px|On-screen UI]] The user interfaces have been remodelled so they work intuitively with the consoles' controller.   The on-screen user interface is a simpler, more condensed version of the PC version. There is no health orb, that is replaced by a simple bar under which sits the level up gauge and the character's level. Above or below that sits the skills currently equipped and the potions button, all of which are overlaid with the key needed to access. Next to that is the resource globe. It contains all the basic information needed but takes up much less space than the PC version.  [[File:Playstation-inventory.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Console Inventory]][[File:Playstation-skills.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Skill Interface]]  The character's inventory is automatically organised by item slots as opposed to one large bag as is the case with the PC version. Items are grouped so highlighting the slot on the radial menu on the left will display items in the inventory that can be equipped there. Selecting one of the items will compare it to the currently equipped item that is displayed on the right of that. The new item can be equipped from there or you can carry on looking through the items available for that slot or drop the item on the ground for someone else.  The '''Quick Equip''' (as detailed above) enables players to compare and equip items they've recently picked up without opening the full inventory which, in offline multiplayer games, interrupts gameplay.  The Skills interface is the same arrangement with a radial slot selection area on the left and on the right details of the skills available. This area looks pretty much the same as the PC version although it only displays the simplified skill information.  In offline multiplayer players will need to take it in turns to access their various user interfaces as they open full screen and so only one interface can be viewed at a time.  ==Town Portal== [[Town Portal]]s work slightly differently depending on the group set up you have.<ref>[http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/9281828262?page=1#5 Town Portal Execution] - CM, Blizzard Entertainment, 114/06/13</ref> *Multiplayer local games on the same console everyone will return to town if someone casts a town portal. *Multiplayer games online casting a town portal will return only the caster to town (same as PC).  ==Achievements== There are [[achievements]] in the console version but not quite as many as the PC version. There are [[Playstation 3 Trophies]] and [[Xbox 360 Achievements]].  ==Auction House==  There is no Gold or Real Money [[Auction House]].  As online characters can be stored on the console's hard drive there would be security implications in allowing items to be bought by other players. There is no way to validate the items are not duped or altered in some way and so the trading environment would quickly descend to what we see in Diablo 2. The economy would be undermined and duped or hacked items could also disappear leaving players out of pocket and Blizzard inundated with claw-back claims. <ref>[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/no-diablo-3-console-rmah-xbox-version-possible No Auction House] - Josh Mosqueira, Blizzard Entertainment, 23/03/13</ref>  Items can still be traded in via the in-game trade window however.  ==Finally, to Note== * There is no Collector's Edition for either console version.* Console versions of the game can not be purchased with [[Battle.net Balance]].* Patching frequency is still to be clarified.* Can not transfer heroes from PC version to a console version.* There is no beta for the console version of Diablo 3.* Gold cost for crafting has been reduced on the console to compensate for the lack of Auction House.<ref>[http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/9280998875?page=4#65 Crafting Costs] - CM, Blizzard Entertainment, 08/08/13</ref>* The PS4 is not backwards compatible with the a PS3 disc.* Only the Xbox 360 version allows you to play your own music. Both PS3 and Xbox360 have the same full Diablo 3 score as the PC version.* A version for Xbox One has not been confirmed.* [[Reaper of Souls]] has not yet been confirmed for the console.  ==From Rumour to Announcement==  Development of the console version began back in 2011 but with a very small team led by [[Josh Mosqueira]]. Blizzard spent the following months recruiting to fill all manner of posts. <ref>[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/diablo-3-console-development-continues Console Development Continues] - Kotaku, 18/08/11</ref> <ref>[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/diablo-3-coming-to-the-ps3 Senior Software Engineer Required] - Blizzard Entertainment, 04/06/11</ref>. Full development did not begin until after Diablo 3 was released on the PC in May of 2012. <ref>[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/blizzard-defends-diablo-3s-four-player-maximum - Full Development Start Date] - Blizzard Entertainment, 29/03/13</ref>

After months of rumors and official non-denials, on February 20, 2013 Blizzard officially announced a Diablo 3 console version coming to the PlayStation 3 and 4.<ref>[http:name=ps3and4pressrelease//diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/official-diablo-3-ps3-and-ps4-announcement Playstation 3 and 4 in Production Press Release] - Blizzard Entertainment, 21/02/13</ref>, <ref name=announced>[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/diablo-3-coming-to-playstation-4/ PaxEast presentation] - Blizzard Entertainment, 21/02/13</ref>

The [http://us.battle.net/d3/en/console/ official Console page] went online that day, but without a release date announced. Many more details about the console were revealed in March 2013 at the PAX gaming show and at that time console release was said to be coming, "Soon-ish."<ref>[http:name=detailspaxeast//diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/additional-diablo-3-console-details-revealed-at-pax-east Hands on at Paxeast] - Unknown, 25/03/13</ref>