So far in the Diablo series, we have yet to venture to the High Heavens, despite repeated journeys to the Burning Hells. Early in development, Diablo III was supposed to take place in the Heavens, which appeared to be much lighter than most areas we've seen, and most of the architecture was composed of white pillars. If it appeared in the final game, it could end up looking similar to these screenshots. Obviously Heaven could also provide a good contrast to Hell, which is another self explanatory potential location.
Another potential location is the once proud city of Ureh. Featured in The Kingdom of Shadow, Ureh is now trapped between the mortal and immortal planes after Diablo twisted the mind of the city's leader Juris Khan into opening a passage to Hell, only to be foiled at the last second, forcing the city into a state of limbo. Although the city was featured in the announcement cinematic, Ureh has since been removed from the game. However, it is an obvious choice for an expansion location, and its presence at any point in Diablo III would most likely also give the player access to the swamp area surrounding the city.
The Skovos Isles, home to the Amazons, are yet another location that was shown and then removed from Diablo III. From the concept art we've seen, these islands appear to be tropical locations, which would make for some interesting flora and fauna. If an expansion included these isles, it would be interesting to see if Blizzard was able to implement a reasonable way to get from island to island, or if we would only get access to the main island. Either way, exploring the Amazon's homeland would be extremely interesting.
Another interesting homeland to explore could be the Druid homeland of Scosglen. Although we have no idea what Scosglen and the Druid college of Tur Dulra would look like, it appears as though it is an arctic environment. Scosglen is also close to the semi-confirmed Xiansai, the Wizard homeland.
Official Blizzard Quote:
Jay Wilson: Well, our story tends to focus a lot more on the two major demons and the impending invasion of Sanctuary. So the character classes tend to follow those events and not so much their homelands. I think the only character who actually goes through their homeland is, I believe, the wizard, Leonard [Boyarsky] knows more about this than me, sometimes I get this wrong. But I'm pretty sure it's the wizard. The monk's land we're not going to, but there are likely to be other monk characters and details about the religious group and the culture that he comes from.
A more familiar location could be the Sharval Wilds and Ivgorod. Located to the north of Tristram, the Sharval Wilds are home to the Monks of Ivgorod. This region, along with Westmarch, would most likely feel very similar to the area surrounding Tristram and the Rogue Monastery in the previous Diablo games. However, exploring Ivgorod could be more focused on the mountains in the area, while Westmarch is much closer to a port town than anywhere we've gone to in the area.
Mentioned in the Witch Doctor's entry on the official site, the Torajan Jungles surround familiar places like Kurast, but in Diablo II we only explored a small portion of the area. Depending on whether or not you liked Act III in Diablo II, a journey to the Torajan Jungles could be a very appealing or cringe inducing idea, but any Witch Doctor fan would probably enjoy a visit with the Tribe of the Five Hills. The towns in this area could also prove intriguing, seeing as other than Kurast the world map shows no centers of civilization. Small, unprotected villages instead of walled of cities and towns could lead to a lot more dangerous of a feel in the dense jungles.
The only other location on this list that is at all confirmed is the previously mentioned Dreadlands surrounding the Arreat Crater. During the Blizzcon 2010 Crafting Sanctuary panel, we got a short look at the concept art and interior of Bastion's Keep, a Barbarian stronghold located near the Arreat Crater. A short time later, Bashiok told us that we had actually seen a small portion of Act III. Seeing as all other footage was labeled as part of the first two acts, that would appear to imply that we venture to Bastion's Keep during Act III, which would then seem to suggest that Act III takes place in the Dreadlands. However, at this point in time that is pure speculation, so technically the only confirmed locations are the forests around Tristram and the deserts surrounding Caldeum.
So now that you've gotten a short overview of each of the choices, which locale do you want to see in Diablo III and its expansions? Do you have any other locations in mind? Vote in the poll above and discuss your favorite choices in the topic below.
During last week's poll, most people (37%) agreed that a follower system that is similar to what we saw in Lord of Destruction, with the addition of skill choices, would be ideal. The next most popular option was the system Leonard Boyarsky explained in a 2009 interview (28%), and the temporary followers option trailed behind with 18% of the vote. If you would still like to vote in last week's poll, or if you just want to talk about followers and hirelings in Diablo III, be sure to head over to the topic through the link above.
Yea, and theres some concept art portraying ruins in the jungle. Also, I'm pretty sure the goatmen come from that area as well.
As for my top choices, I'd say something like:
1. Xiansai
2. Skovos
3. Ureh
4. Torajan
5. Ivgorod
I'd really like to see the homelands of all the characters, as I feel like that can easily add significance to an area. Heaven and Hell are also places I'd like to go, but it seems like a foregone conclusion that we'll be visiting them at some point, especially since D3 is going to close out this story arc.
Lolwut
The only reason I can see for us going there is if hell invades heaven or something, but that would be strange and out of place fighting demons in heaven. Something along the lines of a outpost in heaven that gives us some quest to head into hell through maybe a portal would make more sense. But still.
If there is lore behind this that I am missing please fill me in
When pve players dropped into these shakes, roles will be given to players that will have more to do with responding to the environment. One of the teammates will be responsible for exploring the environment, by exploring the environment, this role materialize what he sees before him. Players however can choose to walk into unexplored terrortory, yet the demons they encounter will be tougher to kill, and the environment which their extremely near sighted vision will be changing from moment to moment. And the change also refresh the monster spawn in his/her's standing area.
Until the leading team member arrive to stabilize the area, freezing the change. This however can be use as a purposeful teamwork, making one of the non leading team member a scout to walk into dark area, switch away the environment until it's no longer a wall before him, but a door for instance. This can be use when one of the team member sees the environment is turning deserted, or soon will be walking into a dead end.
There could be a treasure placing's logo on the dead zone's map for players to get to. And I think there should be a secret role that comes up once in a while among the team, which the secret role has to kill the path, making it completely blocked, explored. This role will know a different treasure position located somewhere, players can stalk him to get to it, or he can attract hordes to destroy the team...well I haven't figure out exactly how this role should function.
If one's not the guide of the team, walking into dark area and attracted demons from there, these demons will still be the strengthened demons if pulled into explored passage.
And I think this can be at least another angle on what a cow level would be like in D3.
Looting from angels, I suspect there's only a profile of a storeroom dummy behind that hood.
It will be thrilling to kill something with such figurative body. And maybe in a place that will maddened' mortals vision. Background music suited for an asylum. Oh, for heaven's sake!
Oh my...
Well I didn't read any of the D books, I voted for the other, therefore I wouldn't accidentally ruin some kind of close match between two winning candidates, that are two very interesting places we would like to be in. So you guys knock yourself out
If there're medieval jesters to be seen in any of these worlds I will be glad to see them become reality in gameplay. Vampire jesters or demon jesters.
I know nicer clowns will do hiccup tricks though. They will act like they're trying to stop themself from making the hiccups. It can be fun. But still creepy. I agree, clowns give me the creeps. Even the regular ones in our world.
If you bring your girl friend in for the action, both of you do the throwing, it would be the slow motion nightmare I think he'll sincerely remember for the rest of his life =P