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.
And anyway, based on what we have seen so far, the hell and heaven they have in mind might not be as we would expected it would be. Well yeah so far there have been great D3 world establishments, but there're still alot just really out there.
If they want to make the game a kicker. I would say they should just keep on kicking, might as well make this a classic of itself. Aye?
Agreed.
Heh. Your "Wicked" signature image reminds me of the day I won the ticket lottery in Manhattan. $27 Front row seats. Spitting distance
To watch Pogo (Nick Bertke) playing live, and The Wicked in theatre. That's how I'll be willing to lose my soul.
I can only imagine how articulate or dramatically patient he must has to be when you guys just really tried to mess with him. That will be the moment for hating ever being born.
And throw yourself poor on him? Woah. Tell more of what that could possibly mean =D
EDIT: Alright I actually get it right after I posted this. It means throwing down more money on him so he could do more clown stuff I suppose. This is fun reads I'll give you that.
The arcane sanctuary was an extension of Horazon's consienceness, but he was overthrown by the false summoner. Since we killed him, it technically should no longer exist.
Scosglen, pls. The Druids of Sanctuary, better than those of WoW.
I kinda agree with u but, Its HUGE part of the Story/Lore. Imagen heaven is been corrupted with daemons from hell. That could make heaven dark in a light environment. When u enter a part of heaven with a Boss roaring could make your Diablo nerve's back:)
Yea I hope if they inrtoduce Trag'Oul in the game they make it absalutley EPIC!!!!!!!!!!!@!!@$@##@ and keep his description the way it was in the book. Be cool to see lives of otheres going on in his scales and having them randomly shift to new people. Also be cool to see your character walking around killing things.
Want to visit his dark realm of nothingness and seeing him
Really good point actually.
On a side note. I think the reasons why Heaven and Hell, and the crater area is getting the great majority of the votes is because not many people know the storyline, or read any of the D books. (I didn't). So I think the people are really into the detail of this world should be the ones to decide. But judging by where this is heading, I don't think that's going to happen. Chapter V, Heaven. Our end games devil run =P
The deserts different, it's a harsh environment, there's a mental association with that from what we know of real world deserts, and that can make it appear like an evil place easily (which is the reason i want dark environments); Heaven on the other hand is a place of good and angels and stuff, it wouldn't look right despite any storyline to be fighting anything in that kind of environment
We fear the unknown, so as long as it's different to what you would expect and always keep you guessing, it will be a dark place to venture through. It doesn't have to be all light anyway, there can be some dark contrasts in there. Just look into Tyrael's hood...
Also, the fanboy in me wants Ureh. I loved the books! Only problem is, with the ending of that book, it might make it a little hard to put demons up in that biz.