IRVINE, Calif., April 8, 1997 — Blizzard Entertainment’s Diablo remains the hottest selling game in the U.S. according to the latest sales figures from PC Data. After debuting at number one in January, Diablo earned the top spot again in February. Worldwide, the game has sold more than half a million copies based on sales information from PC Data and key retail accounts.
“We are thrilled with Diablo’s tremendous success,” said Allen Adham, president and founder of Blizzard Entertainment. “As gamers, we saw an opportunity to bring real-time excitement, extensive replayability and free on-line gaming to the role-playing genre. By including these elements, Diablo offers players the right mix of exploration, action and character development set in a rich gaming environment.”
A key selling point for Diablo is the ability to play the game over the Internet for free using Battle.net, Blizzard Entertainment’s new on-line gaming service. Since launching in January, Battle.net has signed up more than 400,000 different users, making it the world’s largest on-line game service. With seven million games played on-line, Battle.net is helping drive retail sales of Diablo.
Said Bob McKenzie, Divisional Merchandise Manager, Babbages Etc., “Diablo is our hottest selling game, and Battle.net is definitely contributing to the game’s popularity. Internet gaming options are becoming increasingly important in the overall success of a title.”
Diablo transports players to a medieval village plagued with evil and darkness. As the central character in Diablo, players explore a dungeon hidden beneath a desecrated church in their village. As players encounter 16 levels filled with corridors, traps, weapons, magical items and demonic creatures, the truth about the evil force that decimated the village begins to unravel.
Diablo is available immediately in Windows 95 CD-ROM format at most computer and software retail chains nationwide for approximately $50. This game, as well as other Blizzard titles, is distributed by CUC Software. Diablo is also offered directly from Blizzard at (800) 953-SNOW.
About Blizzard Entertainment
Best known for blockbuster hits including the Warcraft ® series, Starcraft™ and Diablo™, Blizzard Entertainment® (www.blizzard.com) is a premier publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating many of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard’s track record includes three consecutive number-one selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company’s free Internet gaming service Battle.net reigns as the largest in the world with millions of unique users.
PC Data is the Reston, VA-based market research company that reports actual sell-through statistics for software in a wide range of categories