26 replies to this topic

[Polrayne]

I'm surprised that there aren't more threads out there about this.

I found it very unusual that a Blue wold recently comment on anything to do with an expansion (as they did which appreared in the main news feed on Dfans) unless they want that thought to be out there with the community.  Also with Pardo tweeting recently that both expansions would have a PTR.

Things are changing with community relations and this game - but, I'm sure they've learned their lessons from past experiences.  It would be dangerous to start talking about these things if what they have at this point is something that is too far off from being a viable release in the next year.

I know its always being talked about; "what do you want in xpac" or "will xpac save D3" - but it seems like most of the community is centered on patches, the hate train of D3 and the core issues of customization and itemization.  Comparatively, not a lot of talk about expansions.

As many have said - it would be far easier to fix some of the core issues with the game, recapture some of the excitement of the game with an Expansion.  However - with the removal of Jay, I personally feel like an expansion is way, way off.  Why rush to get something out when so much distrust and concern is already on the table?

Unless of course - they give most of the players what they want in the expansion.  Which is unlikely - imo.  But then...LoD came out, what a year later?

So those that are wiser in the wily ways of games and development - is it fair for folks to latch on to one Blue post talking about an expansion - or just dismiss it and focus on worrying about patches and developer blogs?

[yoshiboi]

Polrayne, on 08 February 2013 - 05:29 PM, said:

I'm surprised that there aren't more threads out there about this.

I found it very unusual that a Blue wold recently comment on anything to do with an expansion (as they did which appreared in the main news feed on Dfans) unless they want that thought to be out there with the community.  Also with Pardo tweeting recently that both expansions would have a PTR.

Things are changing with community relations and this game - but, I'm sure they've learned their lessons from past experiences.  It would be dangerous to start talking about these things if what they have at this point is something that is too far off from being a viable release in the next year.

I know its always being talked about; "what do you want in xpac" or "will xpac save D3" - but it seems like most of the community is centered on patches, the hate train of D3 and the core issues of customization and itemization.  Comparatively, not a lot of talk about expansions.

As many have said - it would be far easier to fix some of the core issues with the game, recapture some of the excitement of the game with an Expansion.  However - with the removal of Jay, I personally feel like an expansion is way, way off.  Why rush to get something out when so much distrust and concern is already on the table?

Unless of course - they give most of the players what they want in the expansion.  Which is unlikely - imo.  But then...LoD came out, what a year later?

So those that are wiser in the wily ways of games and development - is it fair for folks to latch on to one Blue post talking about an expansion - or just dismiss it and focus on worrying about patches and developer blogs?

....My guess....

   Diablo 3 failed in many ways and Blizzard is greatly aware of this now. They tried to dismiss it for the first few months but the gaming community just kept finding too many core mechanics issues  + regulars errors. Blizzard stated in a post that a lot of small fixies will be offered via patch to help the progression of D3, especially in end-game content. But major fixes to core mechanics would only be made with an expansion. Makes sense, it would be easier to implement with offline content offered from a cd and probably a new patch client then adding that through online patches. So don't expect any big changes to spell diversity, runes, crafting, itemization, chat/AH interface, etc to come with a  future patch. they will come with the xpac. My guess.....sadly......is that D3 xpac will probably be a lot of fun....the fun they should of released for the first D3 game. Bad managing? Marketing schemes? Who knows.

[Maffia]

In general, the sooner after release additional content is announced/released, the bigger the sales, given D3 is coming up to 1yo an expansion announcement of some kind is probably due over the coming months.

This is also why lots of DLC ir released within the first month of a game going live these days.

From my experience with games discussion generally comes after some information is released as people can speculate about screenshots, new class names, etc. and actually have something to base the speculation off rather then holding up a finger and trying to guess which way the wind is blowing.

[rebjorn]

They have been talking about an expansion since before D3 was released. They can't afford a disaster again. They've spent millions patching together the bad first impression. They'll spend at least half a year from now on solidifying what they have before taking it one step further.

That's my gut feeling anyway. I might be wrong.

[Bagstone]

yoshiboi, on 08 February 2013 - 05:41 PM, said:

My guess.....sadly......is that D3 xpac will probably be a lot of fun....the fun they should of released for the first D3 game.

"The Lord of the Rings was an awesome movie... sadly... they should've produced it 20 years earlier."

Seriously, I don't know what's wrong with some people. D3 at release had major issues. Yep. But they fixed the major issues, and right now D3 is either a great game or at least a decent game. It's not perfect, but hell, it's better than all the other games out there that people advertise (yep, I've tried them, like TL2, what a joke). And they'll keep improving, through releasing patches or the x-pac. Will the x-pac be there soon? I don't care. But when it's there I'll either play it or move on, but not die in bitterness because it's too late. What's that attitude? And please don't tell me "but I have to pay for that x-pac" - people are buying a new version of Call of Duty every few month for 50 bucks and all that new version offers is an updated DVD cover. And I won't even start talking about EA, a company that makes billions in revenue by releasing unfinished stuff for as long as I can think.

[maka]

Bagstone, on 08 February 2013 - 06:16 PM, said:

yoshiboi, on 08 February 2013 - 05:41 PM, said:

My guess.....sadly......is that D3 xpac will probably be a lot of fun....the fun they should of released for the first D3 game.

"The Lord of the Rings was an awesome movie... sadly... they should've produced it 20 years earlier."

Terrible analogy.
It would be more like "The LotR was an awesome movie...sadly, it was only after they released the 'Enhanced Version' - which, of course, you had to pay for to watch".

Edited by maka, 08 February 2013 - 06:29 PM.

[Ethezial]

I smell an announcement in the coming months.

[shaggy]

maka, on 08 February 2013 - 06:28 PM, said:

Bagstone, on 08 February 2013 - 06:16 PM, said:

yoshiboi, on 08 February 2013 - 05:41 PM, said:

My guess.....sadly......is that D3 xpac will probably be a lot of fun....the fun they should of released for the first D3 game.

"The Lord of the Rings was an awesome movie... sadly... they should've produced it 20 years earlier."

Terrible analogy.
It would be more like "The LotR was an awesome movie...sadly, it was only after they released the 'Enhanced Version' - which, of course, you had to pay for to watch".

Ehhhh it's actually somewhere in the middle.

They *have* released free patches that have addressed some of the things people have asked for, you know?  It's not like you had to buy these patches.

You're a smart guy, smart enough to realize that they HAVE fixed parts of the game and that you haven't had to pay for the fixes thusfar.  I realize they haven't addressed the things that you, personally, want them to address, but it's obvious that itemization is on their radar and will be fixed in time (since it's obviously a far more complex problem than most of the others so far).

I wouldn't go jumping off the deep end and assuming that nothing will be fixed without the purchase of an expansion.  That's way too hyperbolic given that we know they have fixed many things already.  I know for a fact that you think the initial version of Inferno was a bad idea... they fixed that right?  They didn't make you pay for it, right?  They added some content in the form of pLvls and Ubers.  You didn't have to pay for that, right?

The track record may be that the game isn't perfect, it may not even be good in your eyes, but that they *are* patching in free content that addresses things.

Things don't always have to be black and white... there are shades of grey between the two.

My guess is that they are just talking about it to keep people interested, honestly.  I can't see an expansion for D3 before the 18-month mark myself, especially since the 18-month mark lines up pretty nicely with a major consumer holiday!

[Polrayne]

Bagstone, on 08 February 2013 - 06:16 PM, said:

Will the x-pac be there soon? I don't care. But when it's there I'll either play it or move on, but not die in bitterness because it's too late. What's that attitude? And please don't tell me "but I have to pay for that x-pac" - people are buying a new version of Call of Duty every few month for 50 bucks and all that new version offers is an updated DVD cover. And I won't even start talking about EA, a company that makes billions in revenue by releasing unfinished stuff for as long as I can think.

I think Yoshiboi's comment that an expansion will be better than release is totally justified and not a rant at how good/bad the game was at release.  Given the history of the release up to the point of expansion, they've had to repair and align the game to what the majority of the community wanted.  Which is something that many wished would have happened from the start - not something they had to wait for over these past 10 months.  That's not bad attitude - that's consumer expectation.

The expansion will be better than the release.  That's the point of an expansion; to provide more fun and engaging content to an already fun and engaging game.  Many feel that D3 is not fun and engaging, but is on its way to that.

Given what the core issues of itemization and customization - an expansion seems like the only clear path to accomplishing that goal.  So speed is of the essence.  But they need to make it the right step - they need to hit a home run.  Which to me translates into taking their time.

Announcement of expansion at one year mark - gameplay/mechanics reveal at Blizzcon - release at the holidays of 2013 or early first quarter of 2014?

Two more patches.  More class changes in the patches.  What else?

Edited by Polrayne, 08 February 2013 - 08:03 PM.

[IgnatiusReilly]

I'm thinking yes. For one, in an interview a few weeks before he left, Jay said the team had been doing a lot of "building" and I think there's no way in hell he was only referring to PvP design. I'm sure there's a lot going on in terms of development, but they've learned from the pre-release fiascos not to show their cards too early or you end up pissing everyone off. For example, you better be damn sure the Mystic is going into the expansion before you go telling everyone about it.

And if anything, I'm sure they've heard and understand the criticisms of the game loud and clear, but honestly, that stuff isn't going to get fixed in patches, best to just push forward with an expansion and get stuff ironed out there.

At least this is what I hope. OR... they're just swimming around in their pool filled with money.

Anyway, I wildly predict an expansion in a year or less. Revealed at Blizzcon. Perhaps released 6 months later. Wait, that's more than a year, well, something around that time frame.

Oh wow, I just repeated what everyone else said.

However, as for expansions and fan expectations. Two things we definitely won't see in the x-pac is stat point allocation and skill trees/points, will the angry players be content without this if other areas are addressed? I somehow doubt it. I think to a lot of players, they literally want Diablo 2 again, regardless of anything. Diablo 3 will never ever be Diablo 2 redux, so we very well could be hearing about how the game has failed for years to come. Sigh.

Edited by IgnatiusReilly, 08 February 2013 - 08:10 PM.

[IgnatiusReilly]

Whoops. Mis-post?

Edited by IgnatiusReilly, 08 February 2013 - 11:00 PM.

[Elendiro]

Hopefully we will stomp Adria into the ground in the expansion hate that old hag and she deserves to die hard.

We will probably see some sort of trailer in early summer or midsummer, and then expect some lorepanel + deeper trailer/introduction on Blizzcon 2013.

Hopefully we can get 2 acts this time and alot of OTHER content

[DAngel7]

Ethezial, on 08 February 2013 - 06:45 PM, said:

I smell an announcement in the coming months.

It's gonna be announced at this year's Blizzcon for sure
Until then, I wouldn't get my hopes too high.

[Indimix]

Don't know if an expansion, but I smell a big change happening in the next months, a sort of game-changer change.

@bagstone worst analogy I've read in years.

[Polrayne]

I've been idly thinking about this while I work today - because, lets face it; I don't want to work today.

Is it feasible for a patch like 1.0.8 or 0.9 to bring in something as large as a sweeping itemization fix?  I think small customization steps can be taken in the next two patches - similar to the Monk and Wiz content for 1.0.7.  However, I wonder if that is the extent/limit for patches - be it from a capacity stand point or sales.

New item tier, i64 for instance that has more controlled RNG and affix rolls?  Or is that too big to be in a patch?

[DesmondTiny]

Elendiro, on 08 February 2013 - 10:17 PM, said:

Hopefully we will stomp Adria into the ground in the expansion hate that old hag and she deserves to die hard.

We will probably see some sort of trailer in early summer or midsummer, and then expect some lorepanel + deeper trailer/introduction on Blizzcon 2013.

Hopefully we can get 2 acts this time and alot of OTHER content

Elendiro, on 08 February 2013 - 10:17 PM, said:

Hopefully we will stomp Adria into the ground in the expansion hate that old hag and she deserves to die hard.

We will probably see some sort of trailer in early summer or midsummer, and then expect some lorepanel + deeper trailer/introduction on Blizzcon 2013.

Hopefully we can get 2 acts this time and alot of OTHER content

I'd rather the expansion be about a group of renegade angels who decide to try and kill humanity. Adria is nothing in the long run really unless she consumes the black soulstone or something.

[Serpenth]

Polrayne, on 08 February 2013 - 10:55 PM, said:

I've been idly thinking about this while I work today - because, lets face it; I don't want to work today.

Is it feasible for a patch like 1.0.8 or 0.9 to bring in something as large as a sweeping itemization fix?  I think small customization steps can be taken in the next two patches - similar to the Monk and Wiz content for 1.0.7.  However, I wonder if that is the extent/limit for patches - be it from a capacity stand point or sales.

New item tier, i64 for instance that has more controlled RNG and affix rolls?  Or is that too big to be in a patch?

I don't think so.  I've posted a few times on this site my theory behind itemization not being able to be addressed until an expansion.  Which is because the root of the problem lies in their stat system.  With readjusting the values of stats would require all of the abilities, runes, and passives to be adjusted.  It would take a LONG time.  And the best way to introduce this type of change is with an expansion because of two reasons 1)  You can out level all of the old garbage gear that doesn't exactly fit with the 'new' system. and 2) It is much easier to introduce in an expansion format as opposed to saying "Sorry Demon Hunters Dexterity isn't as good as it used to be - your gear sucks now grats''.

Am I a Wizard that is 100% right?  Nope I could be dead wrong, just my theory.  Though I do believe people who think items will magically be buffed and fixed in a single 1.0.x patch haven't the slightest clue what the problem actually is.  Loot is the #1 problem in this game and if fixing it were that easy it would have been done in August.  Again, am I 100% right in thinking a stat overhaul is required to fix this game?  Maybe not - it's just my theory and I'm throwing it out there.  It makes sense.

As far as do I SMELL an expansion?  Oh yes I do.  I wouldn't expect it to be announced until Blizzcon though which will probably be in October.  I think the time frame of the announcement has nothing to do with the success of the game, or lack there of, just the time it is intended on being announced.  It may be released however later than originally intended due to the fact that there are things, many things left to be polished.  Once all of the little things are cut out and they can focus on end game/itemization etc for the expansion.

[aldora]

You can't expand a broken game, you need to deliver a fixed game first. At this point i think an expansion whould be a big flop and we would get alot of critism on the current game state.

[inkcheese]

aldora, on 08 February 2013 - 11:42 PM, said:

You can't expand a broken game, you need to deliver a fixed game first. At this point i think an expansion whould be a big flop and we would get alot of critism on the current game state.

An expansion can fix a broken game.

[Bleu42]

D3's engine, as well as everything that goes along with that including graphics, game systems, lobby and Bent systems ect, were built from the ground up which is one of the reasons it took a long time to complete D3. (there was a year taken off to finish SC2 as well).

But now that the baseline is completed, I think it's perfectly reasonable to presume there could be an expansion within a year, hell maybe winter 2013.