Diablo 3 - Release

[JamesMichael]

Since Diablo 3 is released in just a few short days (I know I can't believe it too!) I thought I'd start a thread. I loved Diablo 2 growing up and played it heavily online for many years on and off. Been waiting for the 3rd for years and its finally here! Not been this excited to play a game in what feels like forever. Anyone else on here getting it to?

[Mack702]

I agree with you 100% , I had the beta downloaded but never played it because I wanted to taste the full feature ;) I for one am stoked for this release!

[7Force]

I'm actually thinking about getting it. I was never a big fan of Diablo, but I've wanted to have some good new PC games for a while now.

[f2bnp]

Played the beta of Diablo 3 a couple of weeks ago. It's every bit as awesome it's supposed to be. Much awaited, never was a fan of Diablo 2 though, I much preffered the 1st one!

[JamesMichael]

Glad people are as stoked as me on here! 7force I highly recommend picking it up, it's probably the highest profile PC game in recent years.

[mairsil]

High profile does not mean that it is going to be good (for everyone). I know that I was really looking forward to it until I heard one of the developers say that Diablo was always a "multiplayer experience" during a preview sometime last year. It's not and I don't want it to be.

[Skaarg]

I downloaded the beta, and I loved the hour of it that I played on my own, but then I randomly got kicked off battle.net during my single player game. When I went to log back in I got an error a few times that the servers were full. That's when I uninstalled and cancelled my preorder. I kind of understand the issue with item generation and the real money auction house, but you could have at least implemented something where an offline character was locked to offline mode only. I might play it some day if I get it cheap, but I'm not paying that much for a game that restricts how and when I can play it.

[karsten]

I downloaded the beta, and I loved the hour of it that I played on my own, but then I randomly got kicked off battle.net during my single player game. When I went to log back in I got an error a few times that the servers were full. That's when I uninstalled and cancelled my preorder. I kind of understand the issue with item generation and the real money auction house, but you could have at least implemented something where an offline character was locked to offline mode only. I might play it some day if I get it cheap, but I'm not paying that much for a game that restricts how and when I can play it.

this was a silly decision. they were making stress tests on purpouse to see when the servers would fail... :D

[Bad_Ad84]

D3 is just D2 with SLIGHTLY (and I mean slight) improved graphics.

Dont see why its taken so long when nothing is new/improved

[HEX1GON]

I downloaded the beta, and I loved the hour of it that I played on my own, but then I randomly got kicked off battle.net during my single player game. When I went to log back in I got an error a few times that the servers were full. That's when I uninstalled and cancelled my preorder. I kind of understand the issue with item generation and the real money auction house, but you could have at least implemented something where an offline character was locked to offline mode only. I might play it some day if I get it cheap, but I'm not paying that much for a game that restricts how and when I can play it.

Wow, really?

[Bad_Ad84]

Wow, really?

No, not really.

It was a stress test weekend. He was helping to test server loads, nothing more.

[JamesMichael]

D3 is just D2 with SLIGHTLY (and I mean slight) improved graphics.

Dont see why its taken so long when nothing is new/improved

What? The graphics and physics are miles above D2?

[GungriffonEX]

I wasnt blow away by the beta. I'll pick it up when its cheap.

Much more hyped for Borderlands 2.

[Bad_Ad84]

What? The graphics and physics are miles above D2?

For 10+ years?

Hardly a big improvement, wasnt overly impressed. Was just the same thing all over again. Just higher res

[G0dLiKe]

Absolutely, 10yrs development?

Not really.

Blizzard was to occupied milking the WOW cow, they could have released D3 years ago but they chose to get some more money from the WOW machine, losing many Diablo fans, like me and plenty of my friends, with that decision.

I always wanted to see D3 but now I dont feel anything good for it, I dont care if its out after all the years of waiting and waiting. I just dont care anymore.

Just my 2 cents.

[Cyantist]

D3 is the result of 3 years of work, albeit that 3 years work was staggered over 10+ years.

[JamesMichael]

For 10+ years?

Hardly a big improvement, wasnt overly impressed. Was just the same thing all over again. Just higher res

They started work on Diablo 3 round about 2003ish but it quickly fell through meeting expectations of Blizzard and the team got smaller and smaller resulting it being shelved. WoW pretty much took up all of Blizzards time in that period it would seem but as already stated Diablo 3 is 3-4 years work and judging from what I've read its going to be rammed with features and longevity play.

[Bad_Ad84]

It doesnt take 10 years to code good graphics, obviously that wasnt my point.

The difference graphically for 10 years apart isnt as big as you would expect.

The game looks pretty old graphically and doesnt seem to be any different from D2 in gameplay.

I was expected something much better.

[numlk]

I can't wait!

[johnace]

Online only!!!! Im not living through the Starcraft 2 bullshit again.......Im out

[JamesMichael]

It doesnt take 10 years to code good graphics, obviously that wasnt my point.

The difference graphically for 10 years apart isnt as big as you would expect.

The game looks pretty old graphically and doesnt seem to be any different from D2 in gameplay.

I was expected something much better.

You know what they say if it isn't broken why bother fixing it? ;)

Seriously though from what I've read from people playing the Beta its a huge step up in features from D2 and to be honest most fans already know what to expect game play wise from the series already. I'll report back tomorrow what I think and I'll post a small write up.

[GaijinPunch]

The first Diablo was pretty much the first PC game I was into. Way, back when... god damn. Feeling old. It was fun as shit though and I almost had to do another semester of school b/c I'd sit around smoking cigarettes playing it all day. Fun times... repetitive as shit though.

[graciano1337]

I've never gotten into Diablo. Should I play the first one? Or just skip to two? Or just do 3? haha, i don't have a computer that could run 3 all that well though.

[Bad_Ad84]

You know what they say if it isn't broken why bother fixing it? ;)

Seriously though from what I've read from people playing the Beta its a huge step up in features from D2 and to be honest most fans already know what to expect game play wise from the series already. I'll report back tomorrow what I think and I'll post a small write up.

I played the stress test weekend, hence my comments.

Like I said, wasnt impressed :(

[7Force]

Yeah, I did end up getting Diablo III. Played under an hour, but it's been pretty fun so far.

[karsten]

got it and played a couple hours before the servers collapsed :P

i don't get the people having problems with the graphics... they look good and smooth and are quite decent 3d too. how it can't be an improvement from the pixellated D2 is beyond my grasp ( and i love both d1 and d2 an played them to death)....

[7Force]

Yeah, I haven't been able to play for several hours because the servers are overloaded. It's absolutely ridiculous that you can't even play single player without logging in! Oh well, that's PC gaming in 2012 for ya: fuck your customers over at every opportunity, then wonder why nobody buys PC games anymore.

[JamesMichael]

I've never gotten into Diablo. Should I play the first one? Or just skip to two? Or just do 3? haha, i don't have a computer that could run 3 all that well though.

I recommend just getting D3 mate and getting stuck in online


I played the stress test weekend, hence my comments.

Like I said, wasnt impressed :(

Well judging from the servers going down i guess the demand for the game was too much.


Yeah, I haven't been able to play for several hours because the servers are overloaded. It's absolutely ridiculous that you can't even play single player without logging in! Oh well, that's PC gaming in 2012 for ya: fuck your customers over at every opportunity, then wonder why nobody buys PC games anymore.

Main problem with PC gaming is how easy it is to just torrent and game which has greatly effected developers choice on developing games these days for it. Obviously the online at all times is to combat the high level of piracy of PC gaming today even if it maybe a bit excessive. On the other hand though it gives the developers money to keep bringing new content for years to come!

[7Force]

Main problem with PC gaming is how easy it is to just torrent and game which has greatly effected developers choice on developing games these days for it. Obviously the online at all times is to combat the high level of piracy of PC gaming today even if it maybe a bit excessive. On the other hand though it gives the developers money to keep bringing new content for years to come!

True, but screwing your paying customers over is hardly the answer. Seriously, you should at least be able to play single player offline, even Steam has an offline mode.

[JamesMichael]

Just had a good few hours play and so far I'm loving it (hopefully my laptop can take the stress of my hours to come!) Anyone who has played the others will be right at home with D3 the core game-play remains the same with some tweaks here and there to how things work. Was confusing at first with the whole always online thing which basically means you can take your characters online with people at any time which is pretty decent. Although I kind of miss the lobby D2 used to have where you could chat to anyone and see what other games are join-able. Not had much experience with the playing online with people yet but can you pick a game to join or is it just random?

[Zetrox2k]

Anyone got a spare guest pass? Id like to give it a crack before i fork out some dough :)

[GaijinPunch]

After searching around for footage of the game on Youtube I realize what I hate most about modern gaming: the commentary.

[Rogue]

I'll play it and love it. Come on. It's a Diablo game. Who cares if you need to stay connected to play.
It's like Duke Nukem Forever. I like it no matter what Call of Duty fanboys think.

And it's "usually" very likely that they will allow the offline mode after some years. I mean, usually for other softhouses, because we still can play Diablo online after all those years. Blizzard proved that they can handle servers and not "OMG they took down my game!!!", like big names did.

Of course it's a shame that they choosed to take this path to reduce income loss, but for a Diablo game, it's kind of worth it. And yeah, it's my opinion and I would play it with the first Diablo's graphics anyway...

[Zetrox2k]

most of the feedback on this game has been generally positive... im trying to get a hold of a guest pass to try it out, but if i dont get a hold of one soon, i may just go ahead and dish out the dollars.

[Vosse]

Pretty much a fail launch. And this inane retarded Constant Online connection just for SP have destroyed any interest i'll ever have in this title.

OH BLIZZARD. <3
You can lie about "Income loss protection" all you want and all the fanbois will eat it up. But there is no logical way you can prove that having a completely offline mode, unrelated to the online mode(With the inability to take that and play online AT ALL. Thus 0 access to 3rd party RMT, outside of maybe the sparse idiot paying for a cheat program). Would cost you money.
The way I see it, in the online mode they are offering RMT Auction houses to buy stuff for your character right?
It's more like "We dont' want people to play offline, because then they wouldn't be able to purchase RMT items and give us more of that peverbial fat hard earned cash!" Think about it. They are in this to make money. And if you force your users to play online and give them no offline mode, knowing that they will bitch about it but still play online anyway and end up someday potentially using the RMT auction house. Thus giving them the opportunity to earn more money from you after your initial 50/60$ Purchase through the use of fees.


To the shock of most observers[1], in July 2011 Blizzard announced that the Diablo III Auction House will have a real money aspect to it. The real money is only usable for item (and eventually character) sales for softcore (non-hardcore) characters, and it operates in tandem with the in-game gold trading auction house. Players may list items on either service. Blizzard charges a flat fee for each item listed (to discourage players from flooding the market with junk items), then takes another fee from successful sales. Proceeds can be spent on Blizzard merchandise and games, or withdrawn in actual currency, after another fee is paid to Blizzard and the financial partner.
Think about it.

Even if the fees are small, You add that up over a few million listings and that's SERIOUS MONEY.

It's pretty fuckin genius and almost downright insidious if you ask me.

With a clear cut, cut-off offline mode with no access to any multiplayer at all. You wouldn't have to worry about players doing outside "illegal" RMT to buy items.

[karsten]

played 3-4 hours so far. not bad, look like a reboot of diablo 1, but i have tosay i don't like the inability to customize my build and skillsets.

in any case, quite good so far.

[APE]

Internet access required for single player? Failure of the year right out of the gate.

If I can't play the game in 15 years without having to hack the crap out of the game it is beyond broken. Anyone paying money for this abortion should feel ashamed for supporting a company that abuses its "customers" so blatantly.

My challenge to anyone who says this game is "good" to "great": unplug your computer from your internet connection and then tell me how good the game is. If you can honestly say that without an internet connection it is just as fun as with a connection I'll go buy three copies. No cheating by being drunk and/or tripping on mushrooms or other hallucinogens.

[HEX1GON]

Internet access required for single player? Failure of the year right out of the gate.


Yep, many games are heading down that road...

[johnace]

Internet access required for single player? Failure of the year right out of the gate.


Ahhh the Starcraft 2 debacle all over again....way to go blizzard xD

[Bad_Ad84]

No cheating by being drunk and/or tripping on mushrooms or other hallucinogens.

:(

[7Force]

My challenge to anyone who says this game is "good" to "great": unplug your computer from your internet connection and then tell me how good the game is. If you can honestly say that without an internet connection it is just as fun as with a connection I'll go buy three copies. No cheating by being drunk and/or tripping on mushrooms or other hallucinogens.

Too bad the servers are working again, last night you would've had to buy three copies.

[Cyantist]

After searching around for footage of the game on Youtube I realize what I hate most about modern gaming: the commentary.

Check out LGR, he doesn't go off on tangents much and is entertaining.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXPD6ttkF1g&feature=g-u-u

[7Force]

Check out LGR, he doesn't go off on tangents much and is entertaining.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXPD6ttkF1g&feature=g-u-u

I like that guy because he reviews obscure old PC games. Never watched any of his commentaries on new games, though.

[APE]

Too bad the servers are working again, last night you would've had to buy three copies.

You didn't read the part where I said "unplug your computer from your internet connection". Thus the servers being down was a rather accurate simulation.

[JamesMichael]

Well the servers are running fine now had no errors. Put in at least 4 hours today and I'm loving it! Great addition to the series and if people can overlook the online only they will see its a great game. Strange how they went with preset skills though and no editing attribute skills at all, basically going with what works best for the class you picked.

[7Force]

You didn't read the part where I said "unplug your computer from your internet connection". Thus the servers being down was a rather accurate simulation.

You did say "If you can honestly say that without an internet connection it is just as fun as with a connection I'll go buy three copies" and last night it was just as fun as with a connection, so you would've been obligated to buy three copies :witless:

[APE]

You did say "If you can honestly say that without an internet connection it is just as fun as with a connection I'll go buy three copies" and last night it was just as fun as with a connection, so you would've been obligated to buy three copies :witless:

Got me there.

[Cyantist]

Not sure if this is allowed but there's cracks out for Diablo 3, not sure if they allow you to play offline but certainly worth a look if you want your investment to be protected in the future.

[APE]

Not surprised though I read that most/all of the scripting was handled server side. Simply requiring people to use the internet to log in and authenticate for single player wasn't enough - they made sure you HAD to get online.

Unless someone is quietly finding a way to copy everything locally.

[ASSEMbler]

The sever side emulation doesn't work for d3 cracked so no items, no nothing.

[GaijinPunch]

Check out LGR, he doesn't go off on tangents much and is entertaining.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXPD6ttkF1g&feature=g-u-u

Still a lot of unnecessary dialogue though.

[pool7]

I'll have to wait to buy it, but as soon as I get it and install it I'll be looking for a crack to play it offline...

[7Force]

I'll have to wait to buy it, but as soon as I get it and install it I'll be looking for a crack to play it offline...

Playing this offline is impossible by design like APE said.

[Bad_Ad84]

Playing this offline is impossible by design like APE said.

Impossible is such a strong word.

Other games have tried to do similar and have been cracked. It will be seen as a challenge.

[7Force]

Impossible is such a strong word.

Other games have tried to do similar and have been cracked. It will be seen as a challenge.

That's true, although you'll have to do some weird things to get this working offline. Still, I probably should've said impossible for now.

[Bad_Ad84]

Assassins creed 2 had something similar and the crack had all the missing data put into a dll or something.

Although the D3 DRM sounds more extreme, it will be interesting to see what happens.

[Golan Trevize]

30 minutes into the game I'm finally starting to have fun, I get into the Cathedral and just when I'm about to finish exploring the place I get this message.

Your connection has been lost (ha ha, now you have to start over).

FUCK THIS SHIT.

[Taucias]

I got it and I love it. If anyone wants to team up and play coop some time, leave me a PM. I'm not far in yet (work got in the way), but so far so good.

[Cyantist]

Over 30 pages of people claiming there gear has dissapeared over at the diablo 3 forums.
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/5386227/ (http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/5149148947)

one of many.