After playing through the game 40 times or so...I don't want to be forced through the content that i've seen over and over again. For me, like many others, the lasting appeal of the game lies in achieving next to perfect equipment for your character, getting to very high levels, and competitive PvP. I want to be able to do these things fairly quickly, without the bore of going through each and every quest over and over again.
If they do make the game non-rushable, they would HAVE to add a respec feature...which I really don't care much for. The reason why D2's system worked without the need of respecs is because we had the OPTION to be rushed, if we so desired.
You can still play through the quests and storyline normally if you want. I would like to retain the option to skip through it if I have played through the game so many times.
"there is no cow level!" is a cheat in starcraft, iirc.
good find find though, i enjoyed the read. it gave me a slight bit more hope towards the art direction of D3. only thing that troubled me is that Rob can't make the obvious decision of D3 as the game of choice, if he had to choose. Shame on you.
You should consider being a bit less arrogant in your tone when posting. I know you were flamed with a GTFO for even speaking of DOTA, but responding as you do only adds to the stereotype.
I'd much prefer to see the detail of the actual weapon, and not a disco lightshow. I think they should reduce the glow on all weapons to a mild dim, especially if it is just enchanted with that property. The exception would be a sword whose blade is completely made of fire or a lightning or something of the like, that is understandable.
I believe the Nathrezim Buckler, and Eaglehorn iare the only other items from diablo. There are however, a few more references to Diablo. Such as King Leoric, and Pudge (the butcher).
It's not the color design or amount of light in image.
Just look at any Diablo2 screenshot with inventory opened. Items look like Diablo ones. Realistic, medieval, I can't really put it in words. (random google screen - http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/9316/updated2je.jpg)
Then take a look at Diablo3 one. (screen from newspost here http://seattle.gametent.com/diablofans/wwi-diablo3-items/items2.jpg + as I am not a WoW player, have played it for like 20minutes years ago, but if someone would show this but slight edited screenshot before announcement and recent rumours of diablo3, I would think it's that new WoW addon thats comming out...it's that different). Single slotted items just sadden me. Only thing common with diablo here is font used.
Sorry, but even if UI and items doesn't look like diablo one... Call it WOW'ish or whatever you want it's just not Diablo anymore.
As for graphics, this http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l318/frostwake/Diablo31.jpg is how I expected Diablo 3 to look like in my mind. It's slightly darker than I would prefer, but just pay attention to textures, they look so damn better, lifefull, diablish, one more example is this picture http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/7807/itshouldrh5.jpg , again, don't look at grainy filter, or light level, just see the floor textures, they have more life, feeling in them. They look serious, even if it sounds silly.
Blizzard have 3 UNIQUE franchises. Why mix them?
WoW followed W3.
Diablo3 should follow Diablo2.
Simple as that.
You sir, hit the nail on the head. This is definitely the most structured and thought out argument toward the art design in the entire thread.
I agree with you entirely, especially on the look of the items.
Now before I start, I just want to make it clear that I am quite aware that this game is still in the pre-alpha or alpha stages, and there is a massive amount of change that can occur between now and release. I am merely posting an observation of the game given what little images, gameplay videos, and information we have, in an attempt to help sway the art direction back to it's more hellish roots.
We do not want an entirely realistic look to the game. Style is a very important aspect, which I am glad the devs are focusing on. But the direction they are going with the over-all style of the game could be a bit more directed to a gothic, forboding, and well hellish tone that we have come to love from Diablo.
The current focus of portraying a more "epic" feel to the characters is a good in theory. We are supposedly playing as mighty warriors that are challenging the most powerful demons of hell. Making us feel larger than life with a more stylized animation would only seem natural, right?
I am actually fond of this style of graphics, it looks very well done (although could use room for improvement) and vividly add that "epic" feel to the game as the devs described. However, this type of direction in art just does not stay true to the Diablo feel. I'm not saying everything should be dark and gritty, I'm not even saying that I like the plethora of "what it looks like/what it should look like" pics that have taken the current images and added a greyscale and grit to them.
I think for the most part, the environments are well done, although could use a bit more "decay" in dungeons. My biggest qual is with the character mdoels and the item display/models. These things look almost to be a complete re-hash of WoW, with a bit more detail. Yes, WoW does have very well-done models for the type of game that it is. But that does NOT mean the style should be carried over to a completely different game.
What I am getting at is, from what I have seen thus far, changes need to be made to stay true to the Diablo name and not delude Diablo graphically to a hack-n-slash version of WoW.
Some suggestions to do this are:
-The ever popular "add more grit and grey!" (though I'm not too fond of this quick fix)
-Add more signs of age and corruption to the environment. I realize that it is 20 years later story-wise, but the addition of corpses, skeletal remains, blood spatterings, demonic symbols, withered plants, cob-webs, and the like, in more abundance would help add to that hellish and forboding appeal.
-Change the item design to look slightly more gothic and threatening ala D2. I want to feel as if my weapons and armor are helping me to defend myself and slay the foul demons for the benifit of mankind.
I don't want my weapons and armor feeling disproportional and overly sized to give that feel of "KEKE I PWN TEH MONSTERZ WIT BIG MACE!!1!", ala WoW.
-Reinsate light radius (not sure about this wone either)
Whatever the case may be, if the gameplay is as solid and addicting as D2, I will still play the game religiously. However, if I'm going to be investing as much time as I did in D2, I would much prefer to have the art direction stay true to the series.
Evolution of a game graphically is one thing. Completely altering the image and feel of the game is a whole different story.
I think Mythos and HG:L has a great difficulty system of elite vs non-elite. Basically keep normal, nm, and hell modes, then add an elite mode, where normal, nm, and hell modes are even harder.
elite mode has tougher mobs, more champion mob spawns, higher chances of getting a condition...lots of stuff.
I do not want or support the idea of subscriptions for D3. D2 is STILL going strong without the need of a subscription model. If they make the game right by release, sub'ing won't be needed. It will be fun, engaging enough, and have enough content to play without having to pay a monthly fee for extra content.
However, if Blizz were to add a sub model to the game...I'd probably end up paying up anyway, just because its D3
They will be keeping the brighter color in the game, but remember, the build is hardly even in Alpha stages. The graphics will be updated a good bit by the time of release. I imagine the textures will look much sharper and more detailed by release to add to the foreboding mood. Just my opinion though.
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If they do make the game non-rushable, they would HAVE to add a respec feature...which I really don't care much for. The reason why D2's system worked without the need of respecs is because we had the OPTION to be rushed, if we so desired.
You can still play through the quests and storyline normally if you want. I would like to retain the option to skip through it if I have played through the game so many times.
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good find find though, i enjoyed the read. it gave me a slight bit more hope towards the art direction of D3. only thing that troubled me is that Rob can't make the obvious decision of D3 as the game of choice, if he had to choose. Shame on you.
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You sir, hit the nail on the head. This is definitely the most structured and thought out argument toward the art design in the entire thread.
I agree with you entirely, especially on the look of the items.
Now before I start, I just want to make it clear that I am quite aware that this game is still in the pre-alpha or alpha stages, and there is a massive amount of change that can occur between now and release. I am merely posting an observation of the game given what little images, gameplay videos, and information we have, in an attempt to help sway the art direction back to it's more hellish roots.
We do not want an entirely realistic look to the game. Style is a very important aspect, which I am glad the devs are focusing on. But the direction they are going with the over-all style of the game could be a bit more directed to a gothic, forboding, and well hellish tone that we have come to love from Diablo.
The current focus of portraying a more "epic" feel to the characters is a good in theory. We are supposedly playing as mighty warriors that are challenging the most powerful demons of hell. Making us feel larger than life with a more stylized animation would only seem natural, right?
I am actually fond of this style of graphics, it looks very well done (although could use room for improvement) and vividly add that "epic" feel to the game as the devs described. However, this type of direction in art just does not stay true to the Diablo feel. I'm not saying everything should be dark and gritty, I'm not even saying that I like the plethora of "what it looks like/what it should look like" pics that have taken the current images and added a greyscale and grit to them.
I think for the most part, the environments are well done, although could use a bit more "decay" in dungeons. My biggest qual is with the character mdoels and the item display/models. These things look almost to be a complete re-hash of WoW, with a bit more detail. Yes, WoW does have very well-done models for the type of game that it is. But that does NOT mean the style should be carried over to a completely different game.
What I am getting at is, from what I have seen thus far, changes need to be made to stay true to the Diablo name and not delude Diablo graphically to a hack-n-slash version of WoW.
Some suggestions to do this are:
-The ever popular "add more grit and grey!" (though I'm not too fond of this quick fix)
-Add more signs of age and corruption to the environment. I realize that it is 20 years later story-wise, but the addition of corpses, skeletal remains, blood spatterings, demonic symbols, withered plants, cob-webs, and the like, in more abundance would help add to that hellish and forboding appeal.
-Change the item design to look slightly more gothic and threatening ala D2. I want to feel as if my weapons and armor are helping me to defend myself and slay the foul demons for the benifit of mankind.
I don't want my weapons and armor feeling disproportional and overly sized to give that feel of "KEKE I PWN TEH MONSTERZ WIT BIG MACE!!1!", ala WoW.
-Reinsate light radius (not sure about this wone either)
Whatever the case may be, if the gameplay is as solid and addicting as D2, I will still play the game religiously. However, if I'm going to be investing as much time as I did in D2, I would much prefer to have the art direction stay true to the series.
Evolution of a game graphically is one thing. Completely altering the image and feel of the game is a whole different story.
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elite mode has tougher mobs, more champion mob spawns, higher chances of getting a condition...lots of stuff.
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However, if Blizz were to add a sub model to the game...I'd probably end up paying up anyway, just because its D3
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