Personal i think that this type of game is supposed to be enjoying with friends. Ppl that have said that they got boarded after playing it for a few hours were on their own. When you have a bunch of you hacking your way through monsters it become more fun. I think this game can boost that it has that FPS fast past action mixed with the fantasy RPG.
Below are two images that i got from IGN, personal i think there different, but both conform too that RPG style.
WOW * Higher colour contrast and blander environment.
D3 * Much richer environment with less contrast.
Also does anyone know if that games level system is going to be the same as d2 where each level changed completely.... for instance the question/gate/enemies position would be placed randomly anywhere in the level each time you entered that area.
Ugh, the grass is what really kills the outdoor screens for me. I get a feeling like the ground is just a non-distinct colorful roiling mist rather than solid turf. The painterly rock looks is really cool though.
seems like they've gone through and grimed up sc2 a bit since the initial screens, and with all the enviro job openings at blizzard right now, I doubt the look of the game is set in stone. They may very well desat things a bit, alter the palette, add in pink bunnies... who knows. There's still room for (minor) change.
The game does look really nice, but yeah the petition kind of has a point, I don't agree with it, but would have been cool if they tried to develop their three properties differently.
Actually it's around .1%; if we take Blizzards statistics of over(we'll round down) 2 million copies sold for every game they have released since 200x.
Though it does mention one thing I do agree with which could end up being in there either way, Light Radius.
It might be old school, but light radius really helped the Diablo atmosphere in the dungeons, and I love not being able to see around pillars and junk.
Ferg: I think that pic just goes to prove that Diablo 3 can be turned into a bona-fide stylistic successor with a desaturation post-processing pass and light radius. :P
yah, was talking about that with a friend, how most of the changes the petition is asking for could be done pretty easily with a little post processing... and damn if they dont bring back more of that good ol Diablo mood. Would be interesting to see the same processes applied to their outdoor environs.
That second pic looks pretty bad. What's wrong with me not having to squint?
All those self proclaimed art critics who signed the petition would already have their copy pre-ordered if they could. The game could take place in the magical land of Unicornia and they'd still eat it up.
All those self proclaimed art critics who signed the petition would already have their copy pre-ordered if they could. The game could take place in the magical land of Unicornia and they'd still eat it up.
so? we all buy max [or maya] while complaining about how it could be better.
From what I can see the game is looking bueatifull, and for all those that are worried about being moody and hate the new color direction. Can't you just adjust the color/brightness/hue/ and contrast on your monitors and it's a win win for everyone?
Eh, I'll disagree with you sectaurs, people complaining about the art style is certainly different from people complaining about clicking a button in a program and it crashing, or geometry getting corrupted.
That's not to say people aren't entitled to their opinion but I think people look pretty damn silly signing an online petition because they don't like the colors in a game or the proportions of their characters.
btw i would just like to say i don't have a problem at all with colorfullness; i hate the sepia and monochrome fad immensely. what pisses me off about diablo3 is the low-tech graphic engine.
Yeah Ferg, awesome example, its a simple little thing that would add a lot of the old character back into it. Even if it was just at night and in dungeons.
So here's hoping, I'm sure it's a good few years away, so there's always time.
From what I can see the game is looking bueatifull, and for all those that are worried about being moody and hate the new color direction. Can't you just adjust the color/brightness/hue/ and contrast on your monitors and it's a win win for everyone?
Spark
If Blizzard threw in post processing presets in the option menu that would definitely solve it.
i actually think that the screenshots of that petition look more "diablo2" , but this is diablo3 , a friend of mine said "the world isnt in the shitter anymore aparently" , and thats the impression i get from diablo3, and yeah a post process effect would be cool like "classic diablo".
I think with less saturation, more contrast, and a sharpen effect they could bring the style around to the grittier d2 look. All in about a days work. :P
tinman - you're right, of course. it is much different. but discounting someone's complaint because they'll end up purchasing the product anyways doesn't make much sense to me, and that was the point i was making.
i can certainly understand people feeling a bit betrayed - this is more than just a game to them. look at sc2 - fans getting exactly what they want ie: exactly the same thing only... more. i imagine a lot of the diablo fans thought they'd be getting the same thing.
So I have read a few interviews now, and looking at the system specs, character designs etc, I think it is obvious that Blizzard decided to make a game they thought would appeal to their massive WoW user base.
"...One of the things I like to remind people is that its okay to steal from ourselves. A good idea is a good idea and a good skill is a good skill and so when we look across all our games we borrow from each other all of the time. [...]"
"Kotaku: In that case do you think that this might work in your favour, that WoW players, for example might be persuaded to try Diablo III?
Jay Wilson: Yeah, actually, I do think that. I think players like things that they are familiar with and I dont think theres anything wrong with them saying: Oh, this class is like the warrior in WoW. Cool, I wanna play that! Especially if its going to get them into the game. I think we gain as much as we could lose, people love to see something familiar and the reaction to Whirlwind was a great example."
This guy obviously has the attitude that they have 10 WoW fans to make up for every disappointed Diablo fan. If you are a game company with 2 fantasy franchises, it seems like a dumb move to not differentiate them from each other as much as possible.
It is not fair to fans of the original art direction to say you can just desaturate it and it will be the same. Obviously restricting the color palate lets you work with intense color in a lot interesting ways (and the original games did this with vibrantly colored special enemies, blood, etc)
To me, it is kind of a big deal to take out the LOS stuff. It seems like Diablo is getting further and further away from it's roots as a Rogue-like, which is too bad
Anyone who would petition against this game is dumb. The gameplay video looks (graphically) AWESOME and so agrees everyone I've shown it to. Half those that signed the petition probably watched the low-resolution video... which looks like ASS.
I love the colours and saturation. The 'fixed' shot up there is visually boring to me. Black and brown and bad lighting do not make things 'dark' or 'macabre'.
But whatever... those petitioners will buy/download/PLAY the game anyway...
That was actually the last thing I wanted to hear though.. blizzard is big enough and talented enough to differentiate each IP. I think we can all agree that Diablo could use a grittier look, but I am enjoying the style they have set... each time I look at screenshots and re-watch movies it just fits better and better.
Damn you Blizzard and your super duper awesomeness of everything...
I wonder how many signatures I could get on a petition that suggested that the people signing the other petition are foolish. Might almost be worth trying.
We all know the game hasn't been released yet, right? Whats to say they aren't going to add light radius, ect.
Besides, if you want to it look like d2, why not turn off AA, turn you graphics on low and play at 640X480 res. That should mimick the look a bit better.
I think petitioning about a games artistic choice is just stupid. I agree that everyone has their own opinion, but to me, its like getting people to sign a petition because your opinion differs from that of someone else, and you think your opinion is better.
Jack you're calling me somewhat "dumb"... words hurt man, words hurt a lot... :P
I actually think there is gonna be some big upgrades to the visual look as the game continues to develope, and I actually do think they'll get in more "next gen" tech that will hopefully push the detail, but still keep the painterly style.
Going one way or another won't work... but finding a nice balance so all the haters and lovers can come together and kill zombies will You can do it Blizzard
As for you Jack... I don't know, I'm feeling really hurt and vulnerable right now, dumb is a harsh word.
Just when you thought the point and click RPG genre was pretty standardized blizzard goes and shows us what we've been doing wrong since the last game.
Didn't we hear a similar complaint about the looks of WOW before it was released? And multitudes claimed they would not play such an "ugly" game. Now look who has 10million + subscribers. Diablo3 looks fantastic. I'm glad Blizzard made the design choices they did...for both WOW and Diablo3. The petitioners should be ashamed.
The only complaint graphically I have is I am seeing a lack of lighting coming from the effects. If there is, I did not notice it in the gameplay trailer.
Right now I'd say visually it's a small step above Titans Quest, but with an expected 2010 I don't know if these visuals will hold up then.
As for you Jack... I don't know, I'm feeling really hurt and vulnerable right now, dumb is a harsh word.
Sometimes one needs to be a little harsh when making a stand for justice, freedom and the artistic way.
In all seriousness, I would suggest they cranked the lighting right up so that they could show off as much art as possible in the dungeon area. Any other critiques are legitmately dumb.
Yea, obviously anyone who tries to voice an opinion different than yours should be ashamed. Arrogant assholes.
Seriously, it's a fucking petition. It's not like they are demanding anything. They are stating their opinions, putting a number to the people that hold those opinions, and giving it to Blizzard. Blizzard doesn't have to pay attention, or they can if they feel the opinions voiced are valid. Calling everyone who voices their opinion with something like this stupid, or saying they should be ashamed... now there's something to be ashamed about.
I haven't and won't sign the petition myself. However, I think this general view that whatever they put out in the first batch of screenshots is perfect and shouldn't be changed at all in any way is just ridiculous.
Openly voicing one's dislike for something is one thing, but petitioning is a direct call for action to be taken based on one's perceived moral authority. (So yes, they are demanding something). They are actually telling you, me, and Blizzard that THEIR opinion is what we should be adhering to, in hopes that they can mount enough pressure on the developer to bring about a change. I do not think any person should be ashamed for openly voicing their opinions. I do think the petitioners should be ashamed of the motive behind the petition, let alone the rudeness of it all.
And for the record, I don't recall having called anyone stupid.
Replies
Below are two images that i got from IGN, personal i think there different, but both conform too that RPG style.
WOW * Higher colour contrast and blander environment.
D3 * Much richer environment with less contrast.
Also does anyone know if that games level system is going to be the same as d2 where each level changed completely.... for instance the question/gate/enemies position would be placed randomly anywhere in the level each time you entered that area.
Daz
foreverrendering and dom :-)
also.. "Diablo Fans Petition Against Diablo III" http://kotaku.com/5021118/diablo-fans-petition-against-diablo-iii
I can just see the lolcat now... "I'm in ur Diablo paintin' ma rainbowz".
And that's just from looking at the screen shots.
Haha 2000 signatures, that like 0.025% of the people who will buy Diablo3.
Though it does mention one thing I do agree with which could end up being in there either way, Light Radius.
It might be old school, but light radius really helped the Diablo atmosphere in the dungeons, and I love not being able to see around pillars and junk.
Agreed. EDIT: I didn't make this pic, it's ripped from the kotaku petition page
All those self proclaimed art critics who signed the petition would already have their copy pre-ordered if they could. The game could take place in the magical land of Unicornia and they'd still eat it up.
It'll be a great game. Aren't they always?
so? we all buy max [or maya] while complaining about how it could be better.
they're still entitled to their opinions
Spark
That's not to say people aren't entitled to their opinion but I think people look pretty damn silly signing an online petition because they don't like the colors in a game or the proportions of their characters.
So here's hoping, I'm sure it's a good few years away, so there's always time.
How is it low tech? I see awesome lighting and stunning effects -- normal maps are not universally the future, not all games need them.
If Blizzard threw in post processing presets in the option menu that would definitely solve it.
i can certainly understand people feeling a bit betrayed - this is more than just a game to them. look at sc2 - fans getting exactly what they want ie: exactly the same thing only... more. i imagine a lot of the diablo fans thought they'd be getting the same thing.
online petitions are hilarious, though
http://kotaku.com/5020721/the-man-behind-diablo-iii-talks-plot-lore-and-battlenet
This guy obviously has the attitude that they have 10 WoW fans to make up for every disappointed Diablo fan. If you are a game company with 2 fantasy franchises, it seems like a dumb move to not differentiate them from each other as much as possible.
It is not fair to fans of the original art direction to say you can just desaturate it and it will be the same. Obviously restricting the color palate lets you work with intense color in a lot interesting ways (and the original games did this with vibrantly colored special enemies, blood, etc)
To me, it is kind of a big deal to take out the LOS stuff. It seems like Diablo is getting further and further away from it's roots as a Rogue-like, which is too bad
I love the colours and saturation. The 'fixed' shot up there is visually boring to me. Black and brown and bad lighting do not make things 'dark' or 'macabre'.
But whatever... those petitioners will buy/download/PLAY the game anyway...
That was actually the last thing I wanted to hear though.. blizzard is big enough and talented enough to differentiate each IP. I think we can all agree that Diablo could use a grittier look, but I am enjoying the style they have set... each time I look at screenshots and re-watch movies it just fits better and better.
Damn you Blizzard and your super duper awesomeness of everything...
EDIT: Well, this oughta be amusing.
http://www.petitiononline.com/PrettyD3/petition.html
Besides, if you want to it look like d2, why not turn off AA, turn you graphics on low and play at 640X480 res. That should mimick the look a bit better.
I think petitioning about a games artistic choice is just stupid. I agree that everyone has their own opinion, but to me, its like getting people to sign a petition because your opinion differs from that of someone else, and you think your opinion is better.
Sigh, what a world.
I actually think there is gonna be some big upgrades to the visual look as the game continues to develope, and I actually do think they'll get in more "next gen" tech that will hopefully push the detail, but still keep the painterly style.
Going one way or another won't work... but finding a nice balance so all the haters and lovers can come together and kill zombies will You can do it Blizzard
As for you Jack... I don't know, I'm feeling really hurt and vulnerable right now, dumb is a harsh word.
BWAH HA AAAA
/glee
Right now I'd say visually it's a small step above Titans Quest, but with an expected 2010 I don't know if these visuals will hold up then.
In all seriousness, I would suggest they cranked the lighting right up so that they could show off as much art as possible in the dungeon area. Any other critiques are legitmately dumb.
Yea, obviously anyone who tries to voice an opinion different than yours should be ashamed. Arrogant assholes.
Seriously, it's a fucking petition. It's not like they are demanding anything. They are stating their opinions, putting a number to the people that hold those opinions, and giving it to Blizzard. Blizzard doesn't have to pay attention, or they can if they feel the opinions voiced are valid. Calling everyone who voices their opinion with something like this stupid, or saying they should be ashamed... now there's something to be ashamed about.
I haven't and won't sign the petition myself. However, I think this general view that whatever they put out in the first batch of screenshots is perfect and shouldn't be changed at all in any way is just ridiculous.
Openly voicing one's dislike for something is one thing, but petitioning is a direct call for action to be taken based on one's perceived moral authority. (So yes, they are demanding something). They are actually telling you, me, and Blizzard that THEIR opinion is what we should be adhering to, in hopes that they can mount enough pressure on the developer to bring about a change. I do not think any person should be ashamed for openly voicing their opinions. I do think the petitioners should be ashamed of the motive behind the petition, let alone the rudeness of it all.
And for the record, I don't recall having called anyone stupid.