'Diablo 3' sales set record despite launch issues

6 hrs.

Winda Benedetti

The long-awaited launch of "Diablo 3" hasn't exactly gone off without a hitch, what with the launch-week?server problems and?the ongoing hacking claims. But that doesn't seem to have stopped eager gamers from snatching up the hack-n-slash, role-playing title?in record numbers.

According to Blizzard Entertainment, the game sold more than 3.5 million copies in its first 24 hours which makes it the fastest-selling PC game of all time. And that?number doesn't even include the more than 1.2 million players who received 'Diablo 3'?as part of signing up for a "World of Warcraft" promotion.?

Those first-day?sales figures beat the previous record holder (and another Blizzard game)?? "World of Warcraft: Cataclysm."?Meanwhile, "Diablo 3" sales ballooned to a whopping 6.3 million within the first week.

"We're definitely thrilled that so many people around the world were excited to pick up their copy of 'Diablo III'?and jump in the moment it went live," said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment, in a press release.

Alas, it was?all of those people jumping in at one time?that made it so many gamers were unable to play the title?they'd waited more than a decade for. Morhaime acknowledged that the launch had not exactly gone smoothly?... and (sort of)?apologized.

"We also regret that our preparations were not enough to ensure everyone had a seamless experience when they did so," he said. "I want to reaffirm our commitment to make sure the millions of 'Diablo III'?players out there have a great experience with the game moving forward, and I also want to thank them for their ongoing support."

Problems aside, In-Game's own Todd Kenreck confirms "Diablo 3" has been well worth the wait. Check out his video review right here:

Winda Benedetti writes about games for msnbc.com. You can follow her tweets about games and other things here on Twitter or join her in the streamhere on Google+. And for more video game news and reviews be sure to check out the In-Game Facebook page right here.

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