When I want an intro, I want an intro to the characters I will be playing and to the world as I will see it.
Again, without former knowledge of having played the games, neither of the previous Diablo cinematics did this. Before playing the first game, the Warrior was just "guy in armor." There is nothing in the cinematic that says, "This is the guy you will be playing." Same goes with the D2 cinematic: they are most definitely important characters, but there is no indication that your character will be interacting with Marius or the Wanderer. Diablo 3 will be the same way. We have this cinematic, and then the game begins with your character going to investigate the events in said cinematic. You will learn about the characters and the world in the exact same way you did when you first played D1 and D2. It's difficult to look back and see the first two cinematics with a clear mind; the same will go when you look back at this cinematic after playing through the game.
But thats not what its trying to show o.0. That would be silly to throw humans into that fight.
This game is about heaven and hell, we humans are now a part of this, but only pawns to the main war. Heaven vs hell.
So I'm playing an Angel or a Demon? What does that introduction prophecy have to do with me as a new player?
Came off as bad michael bay eye candy.
thats what you find out when you play... you know you play a game to get story... not to have it told to you at the start.
You have nothing to do with whats going on back then, and your part in this is found out as you go along with the game, theres nothing to show there at the start.
Having two threads on the same thing is a bit confusing. Could they be merged?
no, this thread came first, merging would not work with the news post.
Then this one should have been closed when the official went up, just like every other time a news post mimics an existing forum thread. There's no reason to have two threads with the exact same content.
So I just watched it for about the fifth to sixth time, and I am loving it more and more.
Reading this whole thread, I have to agree with Molster, this intro tells you all you need to know.
It doesn't say who cain is, but we know he is very knowledgeable from telling the prophecy and having a huge pile of documents. We know that leah is related to him and must know some about what is going to happen.
At the beginning, it shows angels fighting demons, and Cain is even giving an explanation what is happening, so there's no real mystery there.
In my opinion, it tells us everything we really need.
Now saying that the D1 trailer told us everything is pure malarkey. I watched it and was thinking "There's a sword, there's a broken village", "oh hey, people who committed suicide?" "A dungeon!", "Oh, there's a random knight" (no way would I have ever figured out I was going to play him) then I just saw a montage of random dark things, and then a tomb opens, and then the knight is swinging at the shadows, and suddenly, Diablo.
Now I have to say it did have a good amount of suspense, which was really nice, but there was no story being told. There was no narration, or context at all. There was a random knight, a burned down village, a sword, a tomb, Purple lights everywhere, and suddenly a demon.
I would highly suggest you don't play Diablo 3 then. Because we've been told it's insanely similar and faithful to Diablo 2.
With that being said, this Cinematic ISN'T.
They have also said, multiple times, that they wanted to do a better job of telling the story in the game. Have you played or watched any of the better footage? You find out a lot about Leah and the town right away. They are letting you discover things as the player as opposed to just laying everything out before you meet everyone in the game.
This is how picky you are, I'll give you an example of what you'd be saying if the cinematic was exactly like Diablo 2:
"OMFG! So that cinematic happens and then what?! You spawn in a town and they don't tell you where it is?! How am I supposed to know who Gheed is? Who are these people in town? Why doesn't the cinematic tell me? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO FIGURE THESE THINGS OUT? Why don't I know what my initial mission is going to be? TERRIBLE CINEMATIC!"
Introduction.
No outside knowledge.
My knowledge of the game does not matter.
I am viewing the Introduction as STANDALONE. OH YEAH, BOUGHT DIABLO 3, HEARD THE HYPE, COOL, CANT WAIT TO PLAY!
(NO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE)
*stares*
"Well okay. That was neat. But I have no idea what just happened or who the hell those people are or what the hell that cardboard stuff was. Okay. I guess I play as a Demons or something fighting Angels. Or whatever... Wait, what the hell? A Barbarian? ... I didn't see that... Whatever."
the intro for Diablo 2 was the same way.... whats worse is you dont even lay a hand on baal until a expansion later but we already meet him. so whats the difference?
I love the music in blizzard movies... They do an amazing job in setting the mood
Sorry about the other post. I just think it's interesting that the music from the last 30 seconds of the D3 cinematic comes from the TBC and WOTLK Cinematics. I consider the TBC and WOTLK Cinematics their best work, hence probably why they borrowed from them.
I love the music in blizzard movies... They do an amazing job in setting the mood
Sorry about the other post. I just think it's interesting that the music from the last 30 seconds of the D3 cinematic comes from the TBC and WOTLK Cinematics. I consider the TBC and WOTLK Cinematics their best work, hence probably why they borrowed from them.
Indeed. Though you can tell they are new and unqiue, they def do share some of that sound for sure. Which is not surprising I guess, Like I said they do such great work when it comes to matching music with their movies, I can see them getting ideas from past ones for sure.
I think the BC sounds so much alike as its the same voice, it sounds like its at a different tune though, but I think thats why it gives it that BC sound/feeling there.
If I put myself into a newcomer, this looks like a fine introduction to me.
1 - There is some cryptic saying about a fight between light and dark. This is a popular fantasy subject so I get the angel vs demons, heaven vs hell thing. Then I see angel kicking demons and a big demon shows up that must be important. Ok.
2 - Ok this was a vision or a dream. An old guy comes up and speaks about the forces of hell rising. The girl doesn't look very concerned, maybe she doesn't believe it (and cain ask if she does so she is not certain). Ok her name is Leah.
3-The place they are in starts to rumble. Look like shit is coming. he gather papers so it is important to him, some kind of research. He is her uncle.
4- Comet comes down, make a big fire hole, uncle is missing. Dead ?
Then knowing beta, the game start with you searching the falling star (comet).
Conclusion: All right, this look good enough for an introduction to set me on track. It's quite simple by the way, I don't understand everything but the main lines.
I don't think a newcomer need 30min of speeches explaining everything. This introduction was on the right track for a fast paced and entertaining storytelling.
Now comparing it to D2. Yeah maybe D2 was better... it was also A LOT longer so if you want to complain about length then yes there is never enough. About the cinematic itself D2, pobably because of its length has also more content. But I must criticize that between the cinematic and how you start the game, the link is very poorly made.
I agree with LordRayken. As a cinematic intended to introduce new players to the game, it fails on several levels. Its predecessors (linked earlier in the thread) are apt comparisons and duly show the weakness of this cinematic from a thematic and writing perspective. As an earlier poster mentioned, the pace of this cinematic was too fast. There was very little build-up. It seems like eye-candy took priority over intellectual stimulation. The writing (or lack thereof) was what personally stood out to me. Take a look at this excerpt from the ending of Diablo 2's intro cinematic:
"Why did I follow him? I don't know. Why do things happen as they do in dreams? All I know is that when he beckoned, I had to follow him. From that moment we traveled together, east. Always into the east."
Compared with:
"UNCLE!!!!!!"
This may be harsh, but as a loyal Diablo fan I can say that this new cinematic turned out to be a giant turd.
www.myspace.com/mpotatoes for all your Trans Siberian Orchestra listening pleasure
If you want to arrange it
This world you can change it
If we could somehow make this
Christmas thing last
By helping a neighbor
Or even a stranger
And to know who needs help
You need only just ask
I would highly suggest you don't play Diablo 3 then. Because we've been told it's insanely similar and faithful to Diablo 2.
With that being said, this Cinematic ISN'T.
They have also said, multiple times, that they wanted to do a better job of telling the story in the game. Have you played or watched any of the better footage? You find out a lot about Leah and the town right away. They are letting you discover things as the player as opposed to just laying everything out before you meet everyone in the game.
This is how picky you are, I'll give you an example of what you'd be saying if the cinematic was exactly like Diablo 2:
"OMFG! So that cinematic happens and then what?! You spawn in a town and they don't tell you where it is?! How am I supposed to know who Gheed is? Who are these people in town? Why doesn't the cinematic tell me? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO FIGURE THESE THINGS OUT? Why don't I know what my initial mission is going to be? TERRIBLE CINEMATIC!"
Introduction.
No outside knowledge.
My knowledge of the game does not matter.
I am viewing the Introduction as STANDALONE. OH YEAH, BOUGHT DIABLO 3, HEARD THE HYPE, COOL, CANT WAIT TO PLAY!
(NO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE)
*stares*
"Well okay. That was neat. But I have no idea what just happened or who the hell those people are or what the hell that cardboard stuff was. Okay. I guess I play as a Demons or something fighting Angels. Or whatever... Wait, what the hell? A Barbarian? ... I didn't see that... Whatever."
the intro for Diablo 2 was the same way.... whats worse is you dont even lay a hand on baal until a expansion later but we already meet him. so whats the difference?
It's called book ending. You start with the beginning of the end and build up to that same scene during the story. It's far more effective.
In Diablo 2 you are seeing Marius narrate the story to Baal (who he thinks is Tyrael - and as the audience, we have no clue. we are meeting him for the first time along with Marius) and explains what happens - you as the player are following in the immediate wake of Marius's story.
Then, as you finish the game, you are brought back to that same opening scene and the mysterious robed figure is finally revealed as Baal! and then the set up for the expansion is already put in play (it shows they had that planned out for a very very long time)
Not to mention when he walks out with the soul stone setting everything on fire in his wake was awesome.
Also, the subtle piano music was FAR more effective in setting mood then that weird ass heavy metal grunge rock during the paper cut out angels & demons war scene. I found that kinda out of place.
I agree with LordRayken. As a cinematic intended to introduce new players to the game, it fails on several levels. Its predecessors (linked earlier in the thread) are apt comparisons and duly show the weakness of this cinematic from a thematic and writing perspective. As an earlier poster mentioned, the pace of this cinematic was too fast. There was very little build-up. It seems like eye-candy took priority over intellectual stimulation. The writing (or lack thereof) was what personally stood out to me. Take a look at this excerpt from the ending of Diablo 2's intro cinematic:
"Why did I follow him? I don't know. Why do things happen as they do in dreams? All I know is that when he beckoned, I had to follow him. From that moment we traveled together, east. Always into the east."
Compared with:
"UNCLE!!!!!!"
This may be harsh, but as a loyal Diablo fan I can say that this new cinematic turned out to be a giant turd.
I have to agree. The writing in Diablo 2 was very very good.
It seems like eye-candy took priority over intellectual stimulation. The writing (or lack thereof) was what personally stood out to me. Take a look at this excerpt from the ending of Diablo 2's intro cinematic:
"Why did I follow him? I don't know. Why do things happen as they do in dreams? All I know is that when he beckoned, I had to follow him. From that moment we traveled together, east. Always into the east."
Compared with:
"UNCLE!!!!!!"
LOL thanks. Yes, you could say D1/2 had a far more... pscyhological effect. These games were about the lord of terror, and terror is what they tried to evoke. In D3 we just got a bunch of guys fighting instead.
I don't know about the other games introducing players to all the story points really. That seems a pointless aside and it certainly wouldn't explain the dislike some fans here have who are far from new. The cinematic just has to grab your attention and set a tone, but the tone this sets for D3 is not a subtle one.
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Again, without former knowledge of having played the games, neither of the previous Diablo cinematics did this. Before playing the first game, the Warrior was just "guy in armor." There is nothing in the cinematic that says, "This is the guy you will be playing." Same goes with the D2 cinematic: they are most definitely important characters, but there is no indication that your character will be interacting with Marius or the Wanderer. Diablo 3 will be the same way. We have this cinematic, and then the game begins with your character going to investigate the events in said cinematic. You will learn about the characters and the world in the exact same way you did when you first played D1 and D2. It's difficult to look back and see the first two cinematics with a clear mind; the same will go when you look back at this cinematic after playing through the game.
You have nothing to do with whats going on back then, and your part in this is found out as you go along with the game, theres nothing to show there at the start.
Then this one should have been closed when the official went up, just like every other time a news post mimics an existing forum thread. There's no reason to have two threads with the exact same content.
Reading this whole thread, I have to agree with Molster, this intro tells you all you need to know.
It doesn't say who cain is, but we know he is very knowledgeable from telling the prophecy and having a huge pile of documents. We know that leah is related to him and must know some about what is going to happen.
At the beginning, it shows angels fighting demons, and Cain is even giving an explanation what is happening, so there's no real mystery there.
In my opinion, it tells us everything we really need.
Now saying that the D1 trailer told us everything is pure malarkey. I watched it and was thinking "There's a sword, there's a broken village", "oh hey, people who committed suicide?" "A dungeon!", "Oh, there's a random knight" (no way would I have ever figured out I was going to play him) then I just saw a montage of random dark things, and then a tomb opens, and then the knight is swinging at the shadows, and suddenly, Diablo.
Now I have to say it did have a good amount of suspense, which was really nice, but there was no story being told. There was no narration, or context at all. There was a random knight, a burned down village, a sword, a tomb, Purple lights everywhere, and suddenly a demon.
the intro for Diablo 2 was the same way.... whats worse is you dont even lay a hand on baal until a expansion later but we already meet him. so whats the difference?
Listen to the similarities
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxgAVpfeBDs&feature=player_embedded#!
WOTLK: 2:30-2:36 Diablo 3 Cinematic: 2:16-2:22
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMRhnC4-QGQ&feature=rellist&playnext=1&list=PL01BDEB17ECE88911
The Burning Crusade: 2:18-2:48 Diablo 3 Cinematic: 2:30-2:53
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp5XsILypYQ
There is some Cataclysm I think from 2:26-2:30.
I love the music in blizzard movies... They do an amazing job in setting the mood
Sorry about the other post. I just think it's interesting that the music from the last 30 seconds of the D3 cinematic comes from the TBC and WOTLK Cinematics. I consider the TBC and WOTLK Cinematics their best work, hence probably why they borrowed from them.
I think the BC sounds so much alike as its the same voice, it sounds like its at a different tune though, but I think thats why it gives it that BC sound/feeling there.
good find.
Now that was a sick cinematic!! Underwhelmed by the d3 one.
If I put myself into a newcomer, this looks like a fine introduction to me.
1 - There is some cryptic saying about a fight between light and dark. This is a popular fantasy subject so I get the angel vs demons, heaven vs hell thing. Then I see angel kicking demons and a big demon shows up that must be important. Ok.
2 - Ok this was a vision or a dream. An old guy comes up and speaks about the forces of hell rising. The girl doesn't look very concerned, maybe she doesn't believe it (and cain ask if she does so she is not certain). Ok her name is Leah.
3-The place they are in starts to rumble. Look like shit is coming. he gather papers so it is important to him, some kind of research. He is her uncle.
4- Comet comes down, make a big fire hole, uncle is missing. Dead ?
Then knowing beta, the game start with you searching the falling star (comet).
Conclusion: All right, this look good enough for an introduction to set me on track. It's quite simple by the way, I don't understand everything but the main lines.
I don't think a newcomer need 30min of speeches explaining everything. This introduction was on the right track for a fast paced and entertaining storytelling.
Now comparing it to D2. Yeah maybe D2 was better... it was also A LOT longer so if you want to complain about length then yes there is never enough. About the cinematic itself D2, pobably because of its length has also more content. But I must criticize that between the cinematic and how you start the game, the link is very poorly made.
"Why did I follow him? I don't know. Why do things happen as they do in dreams? All I know is that when he beckoned, I had to follow him. From that moment we traveled together, east. Always into the east."
Compared with:
"UNCLE!!!!!!"
This may be harsh, but as a loyal Diablo fan I can say that this new cinematic turned out to be a giant turd.
If you want to arrange it
This world you can change it
If we could somehow make this
Christmas thing last
By helping a neighbor
Or even a stranger
And to know who needs help
You need only just ask
It's called book ending. You start with the beginning of the end and build up to that same scene during the story. It's far more effective.
In Diablo 2 you are seeing Marius narrate the story to Baal (who he thinks is Tyrael - and as the audience, we have no clue. we are meeting him for the first time along with Marius) and explains what happens - you as the player are following in the immediate wake of Marius's story.
Then, as you finish the game, you are brought back to that same opening scene and the mysterious robed figure is finally revealed as Baal! and then the set up for the expansion is already put in play (it shows they had that planned out for a very very long time)
Not to mention when he walks out with the soul stone setting everything on fire in his wake was awesome.
Also, the subtle piano music was FAR more effective in setting mood then that weird ass heavy metal grunge rock during the paper cut out angels & demons war scene. I found that kinda out of place.
The cinematics were finished long before the game was.
I have to agree. The writing in Diablo 2 was very very good.
"Just google "diablo 3 gold guide" and magical rainbow covered demons will assault your eyes."
LOL thanks. Yes, you could say D1/2 had a far more... pscyhological effect. These games were about the lord of terror, and terror is what they tried to evoke. In D3 we just got a bunch of guys fighting instead.
I don't know about the other games introducing players to all the story points really. That seems a pointless aside and it certainly wouldn't explain the dislike some fans here have who are far from new. The cinematic just has to grab your attention and set a tone, but the tone this sets for D3 is not a subtle one.