Battle.Net Member
This is more of a "is it easily possible?" or a "how can this be done?" to the techies out there who know 3d modeling and making games:
I was looking at the new Unburied screenshots, namely this one (http://us.media.blizzard.com/1901200114/_images/screenshots/ss81-hires.jpg).
On his own, the Unburied looks pretty cool. When there are three or four standing next to each other, exactly identical, it looks kind of less-amazing. What I want to know is can there possibly be a RANDOM generation of features on mobs (particularly big ones like this guy where you really notice it) such as the position/number of spikes on his back, the size and shape of head and limbs, etc?
Does this put too much strain on CPU/GPU to be feasible? Will creating the code for this random model maker take a team of coders six months of hard work to get working? Would it be easier to just design say, 10 models of each mob and then when populating a map with mods, randomly select from these 10 models?
So there you have it, you probably won't see screens filled with nothing but the unburied.Bashiok
Well to be perfectly honest all of these shots are set up. Generally you're probably not going to run into that many at one time. So a couple dispersed within a sea of every other monster, you don't see the stark repetition. I don't think normal spawning conditions would have that many facing you at once, especially because they're kind of tough.
As far as having randomized creatures... mmm... it would take a lot of work but of course it wouldn't be impossible. The question is though, does that massive undertaking just to make sure a creature doesn't look the same as the one next to it matter when they're dead within a matter of seconds? Probably not.
Or a more important question is, how many unique types of monsters do we cut from the final game so this guy doesn't always have an arm in the same place?
The stark reality of production schedules! They give me nightmares too.
There will be creature variations, but it's not quite the same as randomization of body parts.
It is essentially the same, but whats the difference besides better graphics?
Well, in diablo 2 tons of different mobs were all in the same area creating an effect of diversity.
So, to see how it will look in diablo 3 somebody could photoshop the other creatures from the bestiary in one image with a background.
I'm sure it would look fine.
Secondly, we're talking about adding on additional 3D parameters, not just changing some colors. Adding algorithms to control random monster creation, in addition to random dungeon creation, in addition to random quests, in addition to the other instances and programs all running simultaneously is suicide for computers that don't have the l33t up to date gear. It would include adding additional 3D models, which would take time to get through because of concept artists and the modeling, itself, and they will not want to have to make more disks than is necessary to contain all the game data- that costs more money.
And, like he said, monsters in Diablo die in seconds. It isn't necessary. I'd much rather see more amazing super unique monsters.
And, again, you have no credentials or experience, so you cannot possibly say that something is easy. Just because the end result is a simple-looking addition doesn't mean the algorithms and extra code blocks are.
Read this:
Bashiok
"..Or a more important question is, how many unique types of monsters do we cut from the final game so this guy doesn't always have an arm in the same place?
The stark reality of production schedules! They give me nightmares too."
It's not even the point of taking too much time.
I'd rather have more Unique Diablo III monsters and shit than worrying about one monster having varying looks.
One monster isn't worth the cutting of many monsters from the final product.
This one should remain the way he is so that we have more uniques.
I def don't think it's worth the time and effort for some crappy variations your gonna see for 3 secs.
I think slight colour tones on the monsters could help a pack look less generic.
I wonder how if it's not so massive, how come every game has the exact same look for each type of monster.
Maybe they'll go for it, though. There's always that thought. I don't particularly care- the repercussions would not affect me, they would affect people with slower computers and connections as well as the release date, which I'm in no rush to get to since I have a million other things to do with my time right now
If you were doing a report about impressionistic painting, and you cited a random person of the street for your entire argument who had no background knowledge in the subject, is he or she credible? No. Only for opinion, but not for facts. In the same way, I cited a person who actually has credentials and experience. I'm nto saying "he's right because he's right", I'm saying "he's right because he has the background to know what he's talking about".
I like how Murderface put it. Basically, do we want to sacrifice other elements of the game to make monsters we'll kill in seconds worth looking at for that brief amount of time? I'd say no.
Oh come on now. You should know by now that that's the only way he can argue. He's right, you're wrong, and you're a moron for disagreeing with him.
Doppel would make an outstanding TV Clergyman.
Now I'm not saying that every creature should have this. For instance I think that the cultists should look all the same, because they're in an f'ing cult. But monsters that are supposed to spawn from body parts of mass buirials is another story completely.
I agree with everything you said. The question, however, is not if it would make the game more immersive for the players, the question was if the additional meshes and 3D-modeling, programming, and algorithms for this to become a reality would be feasible for low-end computers, disc space, speed and efficiency, the Diablo team's time restraints, etc. Also, for monsters that die in the amount of time it takes you to click the mouse button once or twice, is it really worth it? There would have to be sacrafices of other parts of the game that we might have enjoyed more.
If it had to be done, I would go with your view of it there.