Activision CEO Bobby Kotick has announced that Diablo III will launch in the second quarter of 2012. Speaking to the Guardian ahead of an investor call to discuss the company's 2011 earnings, he confirmed that the action RPG favourite will be coming to PCs sometime between March and June.

The game, which revolves around fantasy-themed dungeon combat, is one of the most keenly awaited titles of the last decade. First announced in 2001, it has been through several major revisions, and now features a brand new character progression system, as well as fresh multiplayer modes and a destructible environment. The title also boasts a controversial Auction House which will allow players to buy and sell in-game items for real cash.

This is one of two major Blizzard Entertainment releases due in 2012: new World of Warcraft expansion pack Mists of Pandaria is expected to release this year. During the investor call, Blizzard co-founder Mike Morhaime also told gamers to expect more news on the real-time multiplayer strategy title currently codenamed Blizzard DOTA. Morhaime said the title would bring "unique design elements" to the burgeoning DOTA genre, as well as well-known characters from all of Blizzard franchises. Details on the company's new and as yet unnamed MMO title are also due to be announced in the coming months.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2012/feb/09/diablo-iii-confirmed-for-spring-2012

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/kotick-new-call-of-duty-planned-for-2012-diablo-3-still-launch/