Blizzard announced Friday (9/23) morning on Battle.net that the long anticipated Diablo 3 will now have a release goal (notice the nice wide opening... Giggity!) of Early 2012.  The previous release goal had been Soon™.  Blizzard is well known for withholding release dates until they have a finished and highly polished product and we have come to expect that from Blizzard. 

But what can we take from the announcement?  Beta testing will last longer (those of you who got in, I have nerd envy/hate to you).  The product will be that much more polished.  Your Christmas list now has a freed up spot.