12 replies to this topic

[RTG_Sibcoe]

Hey Diablo Fans -

I wanted to share with you the latest episode of The State of Diablo 3, "Positive Things."

I wanted to take the time to explore some of the positive side of Diablo 3, as the negative has been clearly defined.  I am joined today by the owner/operator of Diablo Expressions website, Dred.  

Positive Things

Check it out and let us know here and in channel what your favorite aspects of Diablo 3 are.  

Thanks for wathcing.

Cheers 0/

RTG Sibcoe
-----------------
www.youtube.com/redteamgaming
www.twitter.com/redteamgaming
www.facebook.com/Sibcoe

Edited by RTG_Sibcoe, 05 January 2013 - 06:28 AM.

[TobiasKr]

I did not watch the video, as I'm browsing from a mobile device. However, mine is pretty simple. I have found that the one major thing thst has kept me coming back is the hardcore gamemode. It just makes everything a bit more exciting. All of my friends quit many months ago, but they all played softcore..

[RTG_Sibcoe]

I am working on a summary but for now here it is:

I think the community has already beat the negative horse to death.  As someone on these forums reminded me, it would be good to see some positive.  I agree 100%.  

I love:

- Graphics/Environmental details - like Act 3 Siege breaker from the battlements
- The tiny details on spell effects, like energy armor
- The awesome detail of the Act 1 ferryman holding his shiny lamp on the dock
- The spinning wheels of the broken carts in Act 2 Fields of Slaughter
- The Audio is amazing, with outstanding sound effects.
- The physics engine is out of control good - skeletons flying across the screen as you smash them with HOTA
- The combat engine is amazing.  The game has the best combat engine I have ever seen in any ARPG or even in most MMO
- Foundation - I think the game is an amazing foundation from which to build an awesome game.  Add more systems and support that foundation.
- I think we as a community should allow Blizzard to move away from the shadow of Diablo 1 and 2 and become its own game, and let's see what it can become.  
- Dueling is not really PvP proper, but it is a move in the right direction.  
- The PvP blog is an attempt at community interaction and should be rewarded with some trust and positive hope.  

Those are the basics, if you want the detail, please check out the video.  There will be some collaboration on the channel and Diablo Expressions website in the near future (read next week), so stay tuned for that also.

Thanks for watching and commenting.

Cheers 0/

RTG Sibcoe
-----------------
www.youtube.com/redteamgaming
www.twitter.com/redteamgaming
www.facebook.com/Sibcoe

Edited by RTG_Sibcoe, 05 January 2013 - 08:12 AM.

[Vooodu]

If theres anything positive to say about Diablo 3 its that it can get any worse.

Like the OP said.  The only redeeming qualities of D3 are the enviroment graphics and game physics.  Which actually, when you think about are not even that good either.


The only reasont the enviromental graphics are so great is because it never really changes and the areas are so small.  Which is not a good concept for a true ARPG dungeon crawl.  (See Diablo 2 or Path of Exile).


Also, the actual combat and physics can be really good.  But also really sloppy.  As in watching enemys hit characters when they clearly are no where near them.


Diablo 3 does have some amazing ragdoll physics for monster/player deaths.  But really thats about it.

The most important parts of a ARG (diablo 2, POA TL2) don't exist in D3.  Its more of an ARCADE shooter then an ARPG.

Edited by Vooodu, 05 January 2013 - 03:39 PM.

[IgnatiusReilly]

Quote

- The combat engine is amazing.  The game has the best combat engine I have ever seen in any ARPG or even in most MMO

Phew, with all the graphical praise, thought you wouldn't mention this. (Your heaping praise within the video is also appreciated, lol)

This is actually a bigger point than people realize. And the game doesn't get enough credit for it, because, y'know, this is a game that we play, after all.

But it is frustrating, because there is a lot that can be done with this game, and it's hard waiting for them to do it. They sure are taking their sweet time. More item customization (mystic), character customization (talisman), and even just making the blacksmith appealing again. But the game is a blast to play, yet there just aren't that many things to hunt for right now other than BiS items (of which there are few and they are far between). So, yeah, waiting is hard, I guess.

Skill system is a positive for me, but y'know, opinions n' stuff.

Edited by IgnatiusReilly, 05 January 2013 - 04:51 PM.

[shaggy]

Vooodu, on 05 January 2013 - 03:32 PM, said:

Like the OP said.  The only redeeming qualities of D3 are the enviroment graphics and game physics.  Which actually, when you think about are not even that good either.

That's actually NOT what the OP said.

I wouldn't expect anything but hate from you, though.

[Melt]

Whoever is in doubt of the combat system:
Sell all your gear, play selffound only with 3 friends from now on.

Enjoy the insanity of starting naked on Mp0 in act 1 figuring out who gets the first blue 400 dps weapon that dropped. Enjoy the insanity that unfolds the first time you enter the fields of despair and face 3 cows with a frozen affix. Enjoy finding an upgrade EVERY 20 MINUTES for the next 2 months.

It is NOT possible to play this game "just for fun" instead of competing/farming/e-penissing without having a blast. Once itemization and depth/difficulty/balance/community issues are improved this game will be new reference of the ARPG genre.

[maka]

Melt, on 05 January 2013 - 11:37 PM, said:

Whoever is in doubt of the combat system:
Sell all your gear, play selffound only with 3 friends from now on.

Enjoy the insanity of starting naked on Mp0 in act 1 figuring out who gets the first blue 400 dps weapon that dropped. Enjoy the insanity that unfolds the first time you enter the fields of despair and face 3 cows with a frozen affix. Enjoy finding an upgrade EVERY 20 MINUTES for the next 2 months.

Ha! You either didn't play like that (and therefore don't know what you're talking about), or you're a 1-in-a-million example.
That's how I played since launch (minus the "always with 3 friends" part), and now, I didn't find an upgrade every 20 minutes for 2 months. I guess I could be that 1-in-a-million example, but that's not my experience when talking to other players.
Yes, the combat is good, but that's not why I play the Diablo series, and I'm pretty sure the majority didn't play D2 for it's engine of its combat. Without proper rewards, it's just another God of War, and I hate that game.

The item hunt is still boring, even if you never, EVER buy any gear from the AH, like I do.

Edited by maka, 06 January 2013 - 01:52 AM.

[ProzaicMuze]

As someone that has participated in a Diablo-based podcast, I would STRONGLY suggest adding visual elements to your YouTube videos that follow what's being said. There really isn't a purpose to posting to YouTube if you don't and the traditional podcast options like SoundCloud or iTunes make more sense.

I listened to part of this episode, but a flashplayer crash forced me to reload the video. Unfortunately, I wasn't looking at the timestamp and with YouTube's terrible time scrubber and no visual guides I had no idea where I was and didn't listen to the rest. Doing this would also make it easier to create the summary timestamps people asked for on your previous episode.

[RTG_Sibcoe]

ProzaicMuze, on 06 January 2013 - 02:01 AM, said:

As someone that has participated in a Diablo-based podcast, I would STRONGLY suggest adding visual elements to your YouTube videos that follow what's being said. There really isn't a purpose to posting to YouTube if you don't and the traditional podcast options like SoundCloud or iTunes make more sense.

I listened to part of this episode, but a flashplayer crash forced me to reload the video. Unfortunately, I wasn't looking at the timestamp and with YouTube's terrible time scrubber and no visual guides I had no idea where I was and didn't listen to the rest. Doing this would also make it easier to create the summary timestamps people asked for on your previous episode.

Hi ProzaicMuze -

Thanks for the input, much appreciated.  The static background is very much a temporary placement.  I have some plans in place to move to a much more interesting format, much more like what you and Sixen typically do in terms of being present on camera.  Of course, many others do this also.  I would love ot have gameplay in the background, but it is too long.  I think augmenting the conversation with on camera and other images will help.  Work in progress, I appreciate your patience as I develop it.

Speaking of iTunes, the podcast will be appearing there shortly.  

I a still debating the timestamp part, but I like the idea.

So much work to do, all I need now is like 100 people to help me lol

Thanks for the feedback.

Cheers 0/

RTG Sibcoe

[Lord_Jaroh]

I actually dislike the combat engine in general.  With the too-large of hit boxes and no way to dodge or block, it feels like a poor man's action game.  No sprint, no stamina, and the "unique" resources that mean nothing... that's one thing that I wish they would improve.

I like the Treasure Goblins.  That was one thing they added to the game that was well thought out.

[BornBadd]

Thank you very much! I enjoyed this (listened to all of it this time ). Guess I'm getting old, but I prefer to focus on the positive things in life rather than burden myself with all the negatives. Of course I'm aware of the shortcomings of the game, but in the end it is ... just a game .

Edited by BornBadd, 07 January 2013 - 05:42 AM.

[Zero(pS)]

Interesting podcast.

It's easy to take all that for granted since D3 is a triple A title. As lots of people did by focusing only on what they (or their favorite internet personality) thought was bad, back when the game launched.

I've always tried to focus on the improvements from D2/Titan's Quest/Torchlight. Greanted, a lot (of mechanics) didn't go as planned, and they're definitely taking longer than I'd like them to to fix some obvious problems (hi crit dmg, hi thorns, hi someskillrunes), but I'm ok with the experience so far - mostly positive.