Diablo III launch whips expectant fans into expected frenzy.

The Associated Press reports that the frenzied anticipation for the midnight release of Diablo III was insane, because of course it was. Take it away, AP!

A crowd of more than 1,500 gathered Monday night around a stage built underneath the Ferris wheel at the Irvine Spectrum Center, located about a mile from developer Blizzard Entertainment’s headquarters, for the launch of the gritty sequel set in the fantastical world of Sanctuary.

Anticipation for Diablo III from publisher Activision Blizzard Inc. has bubbled over because the previous entry in the series was released 12 years ago.

Intrepid Kill Screen reporter Yannick LeJacq was on the (digital) scene for us, and downloaded the game on his computer and has been playing it since 6am. (Look for his review early next week.) Over gchat, I asked him what he thought of it so far. Here is his report “from the front,” as it were.

[via Salon/AP]