The Blizzard-related rumor mill has been in full effect this week, thanks to massive hype from Blizzard's splash pages as well as countless Internet speculation regarding Diablo 3.
A post over at fan site Diabloii.net claims that a Blizzard "inside source" has confirmed the Diablo 3 reveal for Blizzard's Worldwide Invitational in Paris this weekend. Although there is no proof in the pudding (not to mention any comment from Blizzard), several factors have pointed towards the speculated title in recent weeks while other clues have suggested the big announcement could be something entirely different.
Most readers are already aware of the teaser splash pages over on Blizzard's official website. The first version appeared on Monday donning sheets of ice converging in the center. Towards the left edge, you could see a rune etched into the ice; the symbol resembles one of the runes engraved into Arthas' sword from Wrath of the Lich King. The second rune, appearing on Tuesday on the right side of the cracking ice, resembles the Hel Rune used in Diablo 2; the center pit begins to widen. Could something be underneath?
Wednesday the third rune appeared at the bottom, a symbol taken from the upcoming game Starcraft II. By Thursday, the tundra of ice had finally broken, revealing an evil set of eyes within the growing dark chasm along with a new, "crop circle" rune that no one can identify. Today the beast within emerges, yet remains cloaked in shadow, revealing only a few additional ridges of its face. Another rune has appeared as well, snowflake in design and unidentifiable as well.
Originally, it was speculated by many (including this writer) that the splash image might represent the resurrection of Baal, the final boss defeated at the end of Diablo 2: Lord of Destruction. Now it seems clear that the overall splash page represents Blizzard on a whole, with its three properties carved into the ice. What's left to appear in the ice remains a mystery until tomorrow, however crafty detectives have discovered secret images linked within the splash page's style sheet which we have pieced together below. Although the image looks like something yanked from a Dr. Seuss book, the issue remains mysterious nonetheless.
What is most interesting is that the entire splash page mystery included the numbering sequence from the popular TV show Lost: 4, 8, 15, 16, 23 and 42. We're not exactly sure why Blizzard would identify with the TV show, however each number was associated with the secret image along with a description: tundra, harbinger, cavern, cold, icy and one to be labeled tomorrow (although the image was already on the server). Are these adjectives describing the new game? And what's with the purple penguin? We have no idea.
While ideas surrounding the beast remain up in the air (it's looking more like either a Death Knight from Wrath of the Lich King or a Protoss from StarCraft II), Diabloii.net theorizes that the "crop circle" rune represents three Blizzard game worlds that could converge in a new title. It also resembles Pax Imperia (Warcraft 2, 3), or it could mean the return of Lost Vikings. Heck, maybe the "snowflake" rune is a sign of Starcraft: Ghost returning to the stage.
And who owns that menacing face breaking through the ice? Is it really Baal? Is it Arthas? A Protoss? A Death Knight? Or is it something totally different, a completely new IP perhaps? We'll know soon enough. Whether or not the Diablo 3 "inside source" is genuine, or out to stir the rumor mill on purpose, leave it up to Blizzard to keep fans on edge until their mystifying "big reveal" comes to fruition Saturday. Hang tight, fans. Tomorrow is only a few hours away.
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