Diablo3.com actually existed as a blog for a bit before it got the vbulletin treatment. I think mockery said that once. There was an odd subtle tension between mockery's site and... god, I forget that other one. It wasn't medievaldragon's, it was that older one. I think it was founded in 2001. It's still around and dated as hell, lol.
Welcome back Jetrall! Miss those days!
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Very interesting. This site has a fascinating 'behind the scenes' history.
Originally Diablo3.com was owned and managed by Mockery who, if I recall correctly, was based out of Quebec (maybe Ontario?). Umaro was aother primary admin for the site with him at the time (who was a bit more 'active' in the day-to-day running of the site).
Blizzard contacted Mockery about purchasing the Diablo3.com domain name in anticipation of the game announcement, but Mockery (I think, quite cleverly) opted instead to 'donate' the domain name to them in exchange for promotion - specifically, listing the new site (DiabloFans.com) on the official Diablo III website. When the game was announced, this led to a huge surge in users (IIRC from about 10,000 to 30,000 - practically over night). It was just before this 're-brand' that Umaro asked me onto the team to help with the graphical elements (e.g. new logo & banner, forum re-skin, etc).
Not long after, it was announced that Mockery was moving on from the site and selling to the Curse gaming network (I believe around 2010-2012). At first, the site experienced a lot of growth during this period as anticipation for Diablo III grew - however, I believe shortly after the game was released, the site's activity experienced a decline. My guess would be this was for a few reasons. I think the mutual anticipation of the game had held more energy than the actual game itself and, when it was released, I think a lot of the spirit subsided. Many of us were tired of the wait by this point. Additionally, some, like me, were probably disappointed in Diablo III and weren't as motivated to remain active in the community. These factors probably combined to produce a decline in activity.
Curse operated the site as part of its network for some time - before being acquired by Amazon / Twitch in 2016. Then, in 2018 the site (and many of Curse's assets, including DiabloFans.com and other similar sites) were bought by Wikia (aka Fandom). The current owner/operator of DFans is MagicFind - which appears to be a subsidiary of Fandom/Wikia - as their advertising is generated by Fandom (though I haven't actually confirmed that this is the relationship).
I'm guessing that the 'blackout' you've been referring to happened sometime in that 2018-2020 range (does that seem correct?)
ANYWAYS! All this has been very interesting to reflect on and research. I had to dig through some old emails from pre-2010 and do some Googling - which has all been surprisingly enjoyable. Thanks everyone for the nostalgia trip!
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What would be better - a straight remaster of the original game (gameplay and mechanics unchanged) or a remake (with actual gameplay and mechanics updates as well as enhanced graphical elelements)?
As much as I love the original D2, I could see room for improvement - though I'd be concerned that too much unnecessary tweaking could be problematic.
Perhaps if they released a 'remake' with a 'classic' / 'vanilla' option that could be a good compromise (though that seems like much more work).
This said - I'm skeptical they would remaster or remake D2, as they are still actively making so many new entries into the Diablo franchise. Re-releasing the most beloved entry in the series might cannibalize a good portion of their audience for the newer titles.
What do the rest of you think?
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That's interesting. What are the limitations on the randomisation (how crazy does it get)?
I'm wondering if this mod is intended to create a chaotic ridiculous experience or simply to enhance replay value by allowing more variation.
Thanks!
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Hello all,
Jetrall here - I'm an old timer, but I've been away for some time now and figured I may warrant a re-introduction.
Many years ago, when this site was still Diablo3.com, before the game was announced and Blizzard bought out the domain, I was a Mod here - and, later, an Admin. I was tasked with re-designing the site prior to the Blizzard buyout and the logo I made still sits atop the site today.
I experienced some disappointment with the initial release of Diablo III and that, combined with a general burnout with online gaming and seeking a degree, led me away for a long while.
I was, however, intrigued by the Diablo IV trailer and it got me reminiscing. I figured, if I wanted to stay up to date on the series and see where D4 is heading, it would make sense to come back and keep an eye on the forums & news.
I'm especially interested to know if there are any others, like me, still around from the 'old days' and I'd also love to see how the site and its users have grown and changed over the years. What are the best new things on DiabloFans.com? Who are the users to know?
Also - thanks to Chaud for resurrecting this account for me!
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What the hell, man? Why you trying to steal my thunder?
The staff of DiabloFans clearly picked their favourite to represent the site and it currently adorns the top header of the page - just as it has for years.
In other words, the winner is me and I'd appreciate if everyone else stopped trying to downplay that and complain that no winner was chosen.
Bah humbug!
/ Troll
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These are quite good as well, IMO.
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(Specifically the first one).
I feel like these are the most effective (in order from top to bottom).
If I have time I will work on one of my own.
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I think this is only the second time I've said this, but I agree with Meph.
I don't care about Amy Winehouse. Never listened to any of her music, never cared about her career or life, etc. I don't think she deserved death anymore than any other person does. (I'm of the belief that nobody deserves death or torture - although I understand that it can be acceptable in the face of the imminent deaths and/or torture of many others).
With that in mind, I will say that anyone who thinks she deserved this is an asshole. Anyone who doesn't care is normal. Anyone who cares should focus more on their own lives and less on the lives of celebrities.
That is all.
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Also, the announcement / name change, etc is a good indicator.
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Your errors and misguided ideas are quite numerous (esp. in regards to Islam). I myself am an agnostic atheist w/ no Muslim or Arabic ancestry, but I at least understand a few of these key facts:
Islam is not a society. It is a religion. You are not in it until you die anymore than you are w/ Christianity or Judaism or Buddhism. You can convert out of it just like any other religion. As with any other religion, you may or may not experience backlash based on the sorts of people you know.
Islam is also not a nation. Now, I'm pretty sure you knew this and weren't speaking literally - but then I must ask which nation you were speaking of. There are no nations that are 100% Muslim. There are countries with a majority, but to suggest that most of them are "bullies" anymore than most Western or Eastern powers is absolutely ridiculous. Look at America, Britain, North Korea, China. Those countries are dangerous bullies in their own rights.
What on earth does Nike have to do with anything? Where are you getting the idea that Nike is the #1 supporter of Muslims? That doesn't even make sense. Do you mean they donate the most money to mosques, that they personally fund Muslim people, or that they invest in Muslim-run countries/companies? You can't just throw such a vague and relatively meaningless fact into an argument for no good reason - so what's your reason?
A Jihad? Seriously? The Muslim world is going to hold a Jihad against Nike? Yeah - right. Not only does the Muslim world as a whole not condone any Jihads, Jihad doesn't even always refer to a "holy war" as most people in the West incorrectly assume. I believe it means "struggle" and there are many personal ways in which to experience Jihad.
At most one small group of Muslims might announce their hatred for Nike (who, btw, is a terrible organization that has and does abuse international child labour) - but how is this different than any other group announcing a hatred for any other organization? Should PETA or GreenPeace be denounced for hating companies that do animal testing? Should we assume that all Americans are associated with these groups and that they all believe the same way?
I'm glad you're at least open to listen to reason - but you've really got a long way to come. The American government and media has done an awful lot to skew your impression of foreign nations and exotic religions. The amount of xenophobia bred into Americans from birth is just shocking.
I sincerely hope you do some more research on Islam, the Middle East, and the world in general before you make any more such statements. I'm not going to go into anything further about Christianity or America or the idea that change is somehow evil, but I want to ask that you seriously consider your stance on all these points and really ask yourself where your beliefs come from and whether or not real facts validate them.
Thank you!