I don't like the term endgame. It makes it sound like the rest of the game only sets up for what is to come, like the end matters more than the journey. Nonetheless, an uneasiness crept up on me earlier, especially in view of all the news we were given today.
And no, I am not about to go off on Blizzard for ruining my childhood legacy. In fact, I love everything they've announced. So with that in mind, here's what's bothered me:
First there is the void of skill points, a very flexible change. Now you build a character and change him/her around anyway to your liking. By the time you reach the end of Hell, due to the way the game is set up, you should be near if not already level 60.
From here there are some options remaining, I guess: PvP, keep playing, or create a new character. Let's say your previous character was a Monk, I don't see any incentive for recreating a Monk. So you create a Demon Hunter, finish Hell and then go for a Witch Doctor, and so you reach 60, with each character. I know I'm making it sound like a breeze when in truth it will take time, but bear with me.
Some people probably wont play every class, especially not through each difficulty, I know I'm only focused on three of the five. So let's say I have my desired three up till 60, and I am not interested in PvP. There is little reason to recreate my favorite class, since the one I already have has all the items I already desire, or I may as well focus on pushing for better items, which would be better than restarting anew from level 1. But does keep playing mean I have to do Hell act 5 over and over again? I've read somewhere that they want to remove the boss farming issue of Diablo 2, but the idea of doing this over and over again seems to combat their intentions.
So, here's a thought I had about that issue. What about adding in max level content?
At first I thought another difficulty after hell, but that would be redundant and stupid.
Next I thought, what about the cow level, albeit something similar, not a secret level exactly. More in the line of an extremely challenging level where you could get specific legendary gear, and with challenging fights to really test your character. Think of an infernal pit in act 5 in Diablo 2. It was a mini self contained level. What I'm thinking of is the same deal. While the the level is hard to begin with, it could also spawn dangerous bosses, sort of the same idea as they did with Lilith later on in Diablo 2.
I'm probably getting ahead of myself. This sort of feels like a pre-emptive solution to a something that may or may not even exist as it stands. The thing is, with the new changes I'm just a bit 'worried' - though that might be the wrong word to use here. I just don't see a reason for having more than 5 characters, one of each class. And I'm really looking forward to playing Wizard, but what incentive would there be for playing onward when he's reached level 60?
That's my only thought.
Jay (i think it was him) said they are not ready to release "endgame" exclusive stuff. I'm pretty sure I saw it in one of the interviews listed in Sixen's recent post
Too true.
However, with Blizzard's schedule of releasing expansions a year and a half apart, it's more than likely you will have done Hell with at least 3 if not all the classes. Will you make another character then? What is the point? With the way skills work as of now, it's better to focus on a character and try out builds, rather than recreating new characters. Which I feel is a whole better way to play, I might add. Thank you Blizzard.
I'm not trying to shake up the system here or challenge anyone.
I'm just really eager/itchy to see if they will give incentive to keep playing your characters, and really hoping they do add something.
You've pretty much hit the nail on the head here mate. To me, Diablo 3 has almost no replayability as compared to Diablo 1/2. The whole item farming meta game that drove people to play Diablo 1 and 2 for so long is gone in D3 - All you need to do now is get your char to max level, which appears to take 2-4 weeks for your average joe, and then trade for gold or money (I won't, personally), and you're done. Why bother farming any further if you're max level? There will no longer be any incentive as your character won't be developing any further past L60.
People keep saying there will be 'endgame'. No. Once you hit L60, you have no incentive to grind. The only other option is PvP, which many don't have an interest in.
Further, I'd come back to Diablo 2 every 6-12 months to replay the game and level my char again. Had lots of fun. I won't do that anymore because my L60 char will always be available and maxed.
To me, the core mechanic of the Diablo series is now rendered defunct.
You've pretty much hit the nail on the head here mate. To me, Diablo 3 has almost no replayability as compared to Diablo 1/2. The whole item farming meta game that drove people to play Diablo 1 and 2 for so long is gone in D3 - All you need to do now is get your char to max level, which appears to take 2-4 weeks for your average joe, and then trade for gold or money (I won't, personally), and you're done. Why bother farming any further if you're max level? There will no longer be any incentive as your character won't be developing any further past L60.
People keep saying there will be 'endgame'. No. Once you hit L60, you have no incentive to grind. The only other option is PvP, which many don't have an interest in.
Further, I'd come back to Diablo 2 every 6-12 months to replay the game and level my char again. Had lots of fun. I won't do that anymore because my L60 char will always be available and maxed.
To me, the core mechanic of the Diablo series is now rendered defunct.
I disagree. It is the randomness of Diablo 3 that will keep players playing. You can go through any stage that could be different to what you've seen before. This is one thing. Another would be the implementation of runes. Once you reach 60, there's a small small chance that you will have all the best runes, you can always find better ones with this random system - not to mention if they incorporate that new rune system where each rune is random.
Another thing that will keep players playing is the random loot. I enjoy doing boss runs and just running through levels to find more powerful loot.
The main thing though that will determine the longevity of Diablo 3 is how fun the gameplay is. Because if the gameplay is not as fun as Diablo 2 (which i'd expect it to be more so) than i wouldn't bother looking for more loot, doing boss runs, finding more runes and so on. If the gameplay is really satisfying though, I will do all these things because it will be immensely fun to experience kick ass AOE spamming and slaying monsters over and over again. =)
But here's the thing, whats the point finding better loot? At L60 you're maxed out. There is no more character development. You've done the story 3 times by now in each difficulty. There is literially no more incentive to farm items because your character is at the height of its development.
I don't like the term endgame. It makes it sound like the rest of the game only sets up for what is to come, like the end matters more than the journey. Nonetheless, an uneasiness crept up on me earlier, especially in view of all the news we were given today.
And no, I am not about to go off on Blizzard for ruining my childhood legacy. In fact, I love everything they've announced. So with that in mind, here's what's bothered me:
First there is the void of skill points, a very flexible change. Now you build a character and change him/her around anyway to your liking. By the time you reach the end of Hell, due to the way the game is set up, you should be near if not already level 60.
From here there are some options remaining, I guess: PvP, keep playing, or create a new character. Let's say your previous character was a Monk, I don't see any incentive for recreating a Monk. So you create a Demon Hunter, finish Hell and then go for a Witch Doctor, and so you reach 60, with each character. I know I'm making it sound like a breeze when in truth it will take time, but bear with me.
Some people probably wont play every class, especially not through each difficulty, I know I'm only focused on three of the five. So let's say I have my desired three up till 60, and I am not interested in PvP. There is little reason to recreate my favorite class, since the one I already have has all the items I already desire, or I may as well focus on pushing for better items, which would be better than restarting anew from level 1. But does keep playing mean I have to do Hell act 5 over and over again? I've read somewhere that they want to remove the boss farming issue of Diablo 2, but the idea of doing this over and over again seems to combat their intentions.
So, here's a thought I had about that issue. What about adding in max level content?
At first I thought another difficulty after hell, but that would be redundant and stupid.
Next I thought, what about the cow level, albeit something similar, not a secret level exactly. More in the line of an extremely challenging level where you could get specific legendary gear, and with challenging fights to really test your character. Think of an infernal pit in act 5 in Diablo 2. It was a mini self contained level. What I'm thinking of is the same deal. While the the level is hard to begin with, it could also spawn dangerous bosses, sort of the same idea as they did with Lilith later on in Diablo 2.
I'm probably getting ahead of myself. This sort of feels like a pre-emptive solution to a something that may or may not even exist as it stands. The thing is, with the new changes I'm just a bit 'worried' - though that might be the wrong word to use here. I just don't see a reason for having more than 5 characters, one of each class. And I'm really looking forward to playing Wizard, but what incentive would there be for playing onward when he's reached level 60?
That's my only thought.
And no, I am not about to go off on Blizzard for ruining my childhood legacy. In fact, I love everything they've announced. So with that in mind, here's what's bothered me:
First there is the void of skill points, a very flexible change. Now you build a character and change him/her around anyway to your liking. By the time you reach the end of Hell, due to the way the game is set up, you should be near if not already level 60.
From here there are some options remaining, I guess: PvP, keep playing, or create a new character. Let's say your previous character was a Monk, I don't see any incentive for recreating a Monk. So you create a Demon Hunter, finish Hell and then go for a Witch Doctor, and so you reach 60, with each character. I know I'm making it sound like a breeze when in truth it will take time, but bear with me.
Some people probably wont play every class, especially not through each difficulty, I know I'm only focused on three of the five. So let's say I have my desired three up till 60, and I am not interested in PvP. There is little reason to recreate my favorite class, since the one I already have has all the items I already desire, or I may as well focus on pushing for better items, which would be better than restarting anew from level 1. But does keep playing mean I have to do Hell act 5 over and over again? I've read somewhere that they want to remove the boss farming issue of Diablo 2, but the idea of doing this over and over again seems to combat their intentions.
So, here's a thought I had about that issue. What about adding in max level content?
At first I thought another difficulty after hell, but that would be redundant and stupid.
Next I thought, what about the cow level, albeit something similar, not a secret level exactly. More in the line of an extremely challenging level where you could get specific legendary gear, and with challenging fights to really test your character. Think of an infernal pit in act 5 in Diablo 2. It was a mini self contained level. What I'm thinking of is the same deal. While the the level is hard to begin with, it could also spawn dangerous bosses, sort of the same idea as they did with Lilith later on in Diablo 2.
I'm probably getting ahead of myself. This sort of feels like a pre-emptive solution to a something that may or may not even exist as it stands. The thing is, with the new changes I'm just a bit 'worried' - though that might be the wrong word to use here. I just don't see a reason for having more than 5 characters, one of each class. And I'm really looking forward to playing Wizard, but what incentive would there be for playing onward when he's reached level 60?
That's my only thought.
Anyone else thought about this?
:: Enkeria [Twitter / Twitch / Website / Tattoos]
Too true.
However, with Blizzard's schedule of releasing expansions a year and a half apart, it's more than likely you will have done Hell with at least 3 if not all the classes. Will you make another character then? What is the point? With the way skills work as of now, it's better to focus on a character and try out builds, rather than recreating new characters. Which I feel is a whole better way to play, I might add. Thank you Blizzard.
I'm not trying to shake up the system here or challenge anyone.
I'm just really eager/itchy to see if they will give incentive to keep playing your characters, and really hoping they do add something.
People keep saying there will be 'endgame'. No. Once you hit L60, you have no incentive to grind. The only other option is PvP, which many don't have an interest in.
Further, I'd come back to Diablo 2 every 6-12 months to replay the game and level my char again. Had lots of fun. I won't do that anymore because my L60 char will always be available and maxed.
To me, the core mechanic of the Diablo series is now rendered defunct.
I disagree. It is the randomness of Diablo 3 that will keep players playing. You can go through any stage that could be different to what you've seen before. This is one thing. Another would be the implementation of runes. Once you reach 60, there's a small small chance that you will have all the best runes, you can always find better ones with this random system - not to mention if they incorporate that new rune system where each rune is random.
Another thing that will keep players playing is the random loot. I enjoy doing boss runs and just running through levels to find more powerful loot.
The main thing though that will determine the longevity of Diablo 3 is how fun the gameplay is. Because if the gameplay is not as fun as Diablo 2 (which i'd expect it to be more so) than i wouldn't bother looking for more loot, doing boss runs, finding more runes and so on. If the gameplay is really satisfying though, I will do all these things because it will be immensely fun to experience kick ass AOE spamming and slaying monsters over and over again. =)
There is some solid evidence that there may be a 4th difficulty.
http://www.diablofans.com/topic/26373-hidden-interview-found-on-blizzard-site-inferno-difficulty/
Edit: relinking to thread on this site