Following years of speculation and a carefully maintained paucity of information, Blizzard has finally unveiled the third instalment in their popular Diablo series.

Speaking at the 2008 Blizzard Entertainment Worldwide Invitational in Paris, France, lead designer Jay Wilson presented the long-awaited sequel to Diablo II and discussed details of its gameplay. As expected, Diablo III will feature fully three-dimensional environments along with larger and more detailed character models. While the gameplay will remain faithful to previous entries in the series, a number of important revisions have been made.

For instance, although it will keep the gameplay at the 3/4th isometric view, environments will now be almost fully interactive with destructible elements, hidden traps, and breakaway structures that can be used to the player's advantage. The combat system has also been revamped, with a more streamlined user interface that makes it easier to switch between abilities. Although Blizzard has kept mum about the final number of classes in Diablo III, it did reveal one new class, the Witch Doctor, who can cast status-altering spells and summon monsters called Mongrels to aid in battle.

While interaction with NPCs was fairly rudimentary in Diablo II, Blizzard has now made it essential to the game. The new conversation system will make speech an important aspect of the gameplay. Unfortunately, very little is known about how this system will work.

Blizzard has launched a website for Diablo III, which consists of an FMV video and a longer video depicting the gameplay. No release date has been scheduled as of now.

• GameSpot

• Official Diablo III Website