While the world clings onto the hope that Diablo III might release in Q2 this year, previously teased core changes have finally made their way into the closed beta. Why is this important? Well, it could symbolize a Diablo III this is maybe, probably, hopefully almost complete and ready to be dished out to all you eager people.

It seems as though these “core changes” have really only come into effect where skills are concerned. Before the changes, every skill of each of the five classes could be modified in five ways by equipping a rune stone. These rune stones are gone now, replaced with skill runes. The difference is that skill runes are no longer items that can be dropped, like the rune stones. In fact, they’re not items at all anymore. Skill runes simply unlock as you level your character, much in the same way as skills. Game director Jay Wilson spoke more on the change.

“Diablo is certainly about the items. But later in the game, having to juggle all of those various runes was not only un-fun, it was a serious and tedious inventory problem.”

Skill Runes will now unlock at level 6, and a new one will unlock after each level after that, right up to the 60 level cap that is currently in place.

But most importantly, Wilson did not seem to mention or tease any other changes that are coming to Diablo III, which could mean that the game is closer and on track with its rumoured Q2 release window. Hopefully the next bit of news we hear from Blizzard will include a release date. Cross your fingers.

eGamer