It's not vital, but even revealing this crap is infuriating.
"Hey guy's we got some awesome news for you about one of our systems. It's super cool followers that give you storyline and some more things to customize to keep you busy. There's one limitation though: It's only for normal difficulty and only for single-player."
Paraphrasing of course, but we finally get a shred of new information since Blizzcon about one of the upcoming systems, and then it's a slap in the face to find that you won't even be able to use it unless you play single-player and ONLY on normal difficulty. I don't understand this whole "screen real-estate" thing either. Blizzard really is catering to the lowest common denominator when it comes to people with pcs. Don't really understand why they feel the need to neuter such a potentially awesome system before the game even comes out.
If the Followers can provide something useful other than speech while sitting idle in town in Nightmare and Hell (and on co-op), then I can see less problems with the system. Even to me, it does seem like a waste of development time if the Followers are only effective in Normal mode on single player, and have no additional features to them that make them useful outside of combat and on higher difficulties.
Honestly, I don't want a Follower in the first place, just to get that same feeling I had in D1, where I was all alone in a dark dungeon seeking treasure and Terror. And hey, that's up to me. I don't have to have a follower if I don't want to. But for my first playthrough, I'll use one. Just to immerse myself in the story, and enjoy everything I can about D3.
What the fuck is your problem, Blizzard? You do -everything- right, and then fuck it up right there in a single strike.
I'm not playing your fucking coop and your incentive just pisses me off as a single player guy.
What the fuck is up with today's thinking that playing with players is better, anyway. Seriously? My worse experience in gaming are all related to the shitty communities that comes with them. Don't try to force me into that crap, and give options to everybody.
I can't take this anymore. What kind of stupid developers do they have. So infuriating.
You don't have to roll a Follower. So, your point is moot.
So, they're poor excuses for warriors that just make witty remarks to make soloing less solo-y. I don't know if I like that. I mean, I guess it works, but it's just such a far cry different from their usage in Diablo II... I guess it feels like a let-down, or a down-play, or...like they've been unimproved. What's the opposite of improved? Degraded? Maybe just repurposed. Hrmph.
Seems like a waste of development time. They already had NPC's that would follow you like this and make remarks and attack. We've seen them in gameplay footage. So, they've basically just given us the same thing and named it--no, put new wrapping paper on an old gift? A cheap gift? If you're going to call it a new gameplay mechanic, at least make it new. At least make it a mechanic.
It finally turned out to be a very shallow and useless feature. As somebody already said it- the option to play co-op is the incentive. No need to create a whole system to supposedly emulate this feeling. Actually I don't even understand how this will spark the desire for MP.
You have a follower for the easiest difficulty- the one place where you actually don't need them.
100% certain this is going to be changed/scrapped before game release or in patches/expansions.
Honestly, in my opinion I don't see a problem with this other than it is only useful for normal.
I don't think it is necessary for mp because it does what multiplayer does in sp mode, gives a friend to help you out. If anything I prefer to use mp anyway, usually player controlled characters are just plain better than NPCs anyway (think of the difficulty difference between PvP and PvE in any game).
And just for those times when I'm not online or not in the mood to be online (or with other people) I can still have a 'co-op' function and still help me out in the game. So technically they just made it a mp game even in sp, and if you don't want the extra help I am sure you can just not hire the follower.
Though the biggest issue is it not being useful in later difficulties, from a developing standpoint it would be wasteful on creating a whole mechanic that would be trashed soon after and from a playing standpoint just when the going gets tough and extra help would actually be useful my help just dies....
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I agree with feminism. I don't think that it's right that for every dollar a man makes, a women gets 70 cents. Why do I only get 30 cents and some chick gets the rest?
What the fuck is your problem, Blizzard? You do -everything- right, and then fuck it up right there in a single strike.
I'm not playing your fucking coop and your incentive just pisses me off as a single player guy.
What the fuck is up with today's thinking that playing with players is better, anyway. Seriously? My worse experience in gaming are all related to the shitty communities that comes with them. Don't try to force me into that crap, and give options to everybody.
I can't take this anymore. What kind of stupid developers do they have. So infuriating.
Normally I disagree with pretty much everything you say...but this time around...I got nothing. I'm all for SP only followers. But WHAT THE FUUUCK? Normal only? You gotta be shitting me! That's not an incentive to make me play MP, that's an incentive to throw the thing in the trash once I'm tired of Normal. If they want to make MP enticing...make it better! I have no wish to touch multiplayer and no matter how many systems they screw up, nothing will make me. I can't believe they are even trying to defend this standpoint. A 5 year old kid could see how idiotic this idea is. I think it's time for a petition to Blizzard to let them know just how much we 'appreciate' the MP incentive. God!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head!
I think we should probably keep in mind the fact that the game CAN be played without a follower. It's not a game breaker in the end.
It's not, it's just a MAJOR disappointment. First they unveil a fantastic looking system...and then place a set of limitations that decreases the system's usefulness to like 5%. So the people who were very excited about this system are now just pissed. And why? Because there are nonsensical regulations in place which could EASILY be removed with no great consequences. But instead of removing stupid regulations, Blizzard decides to remove a great system from majority of the game. And the sad part is they try to defend it like it's the best idea in the world.
(Followers will not stay alive easily past Normal, and if they're not alive you aren't going to be getting their bonuses. I'm sure people will try to game this, and ideally they will fail. If not we will ensure followers are not part of the end-game MF equation. They are not intended to be, and we will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure they cannot be. )
Fine, remove their MF bonuses for all I care but put the damn followers to some use in higher difficulties. If the sole problem of Followers is MF, then remove it...DUH! What's so difficult for them to understand? How could anybody in their right mind think that removing the system's effectiveness in higher difficulties is the solution?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head!
Here's a possibilty as to how the system ended up the way it is now, maybe blizzard were initially looking at implementing a system more like the hirelings in D2 but after trying it realised that it wasn't working effectively or didn't fit in with their other plans for the game (end-game\other systems etc.) and their only options were to either scrap it completely or restrict it's use like they have done, which imo still works well as it stands. Obviously the ppl who wanted to play through all difficulties with 'hirelings' will be pissed at their decision but at least they still have a chance to play with the followers for a part of the game, and the players who wouldn't be using them are totally unaffected.
Isn't this the best outcome? (trying to look at this positively :P)
I think they would've tried to develop this system to work through the whole game initially but couldn't get something that they were happy with and had to scale it back.
And that's probably the system they're least proud of, which is why it was the first of the unannounced systems to be revealed.
think of the follower as a tutorial for people that would struggle playing alone in normal
thats basically what this is
and its incentive for them to pass the game multiple times, for story
remember, hardcore gamers like us are a minority
as long as they find a way to tell these people not to expect followers to do well past normal, and tie it in with coop recommendation somehow
eg tips in the loading areas
OK they want from us to play co-op, ok fine... But why are they made Followers to be useful only in Normal, that's the thing that doesn't make sense to me...
Not only that but... It's only Single player also...
Follower system that only works for Single player and only works in Normal. To try to promote co-op play from the people that only play single player.
think of the follower as a tutorial for people that would struggle playing alone in normal
thats basically what this is
and its incentive for them to pass the game multiple times, for story
remember, hardcore gamers like us are a minority
as long as they find a way to tell these people not to expect followers to do well past normal, and tie it in with coop recommendation somehow
eg tips in the loading areas
I think just to play it safe, a manual of how to open the game box should be provided and also how to insert the disc in the computer.
Of course, the manual should be attached on the box and not be inside it, otherwise it will be a complete disaster.
Seriously though, it is not a question of being hardcore or not. Gamers are not dumb.
Anybody playing the game even casually would want a consistent and rewarding experience. Mercs as one of those features could essentially add a lot in that aspect.
When considering those new to the game, this 'mechanic' as it is could cause a lot of frustration where when difficulty increases, their ally essentially becomes crap. So yes, they will now ditch the game and resume COD. What's left now are those casual/hardcore gamers who would have wanted a more in-depth and better thought-out merc system.
With the proposed normal-only restriction, single player looks more like an undesirable compromise by the developers. They want you to play MP- they are just going on in an extremely bad way about it.
It is painfully obvious that this feature is useless in its current form.
Im imagining it has something to do with no real "offline" character. Your solo character can be brought onto b.net at any time, correct me if I'm wrong, so they don't want people playing with their merc offline to MF and then taking the goods online to sell. Im sure there is some train of thought behind it besides just "we want people to play co-op."
think of the follower as a tutorial for people that would struggle playing alone in normal
thats basically what this is
and its incentive for them to pass the game multiple times, for story
remember, hardcore gamers like us are a minority
as long as they find a way to tell these people not to expect followers to do well past normal, and tie it in with coop recommendation somehow
eg tips in the loading areas
I think just to play it safe, a manual of how to open the game box should be provided and also how to insert the disc in the computer.
Of course, the manual should be attached on the box and not be inside it, otherwise it will be a complete disaster.
Seriously though, it is not a question of being hardcore or not. Gamers are not dumb.
Anybody playing the game even casually would want a consistent and rewarding experience. Mercs as one of those features could essentially add a lot in that aspect.
When considering those new to the game, this 'mechanic' as it is could cause a lot of frustration where when difficulty increases, their ally essentially becomes crap. So yes, they will now ditch the game and resume COD. What's left now are those casual/hardcore gamers who would have wanted a more in-depth and better thought-out merc system.
With the proposed normal-only restriction, single player looks more like an undesirable compromise by the developers. They want you to play MP- they are just going on in an extremely bad way about it.
It is painfully obvious that this feature is useless in its current form.
you obviously don't work in customer service, some gamers are dumb and/or ill-informed of mechanics to the point where the follower system will be a great crash course type tutorial. Imagine convincing your grandma to try it out, and watching over her shoulder. Think of the pain watching her struggle alone in normal, this is where the mercenary is useful. If you can't imagine your grandma doing it, maybe think of a small child.
if the people are informed that it's supposed to not be effective outside of normal, this won't be a problem, and using the same system to warn people mercenaries aren't designed for other difficulties they could say try teaming up with another person.
people can open a box, they do it every birthday/present giving occasion, so they can open the box.
besides, manuals?! what is wrong with you, even suggesting that? nobody reads manuals and, really, having to read a manual would detract from the experience
you obviously don't work in customer service, some gamers are dumb and/or ill-informed of mechanics to the point where the follower system will be a great crash course type tutorial. Imagine convincing your grandma to try it out, and watching over her shoulder. Think of the pain watching her struggle alone in normal, this is where the mercenary is useful. If you can't imagine your grandma doing it, maybe think of a small child.
Now that you've said it, it all makes sense. I'm sorry- I was a bit selfish and I've never thought about how it would benefit all the grandmas and children.
I'm not being sarcastic or anything here. Seriously.
if the people are informed that it's supposed to not be effective outside of normal, this won't be a problem, and using the same system to warn people mercenaries aren't designed for other difficulties they could say try teaming up with another person.
people can open a box, they do it every birthday/present giving occasion, so they can open the box.
besides, manuals?! what is wrong with you, even suggesting that? nobody reads manuals and, really, having to read a manual would detract from the experience
Chill Cheese. Not all children know how to open boxes and the manual can contain descriptive pictures you know, not necessarily words.
See, this way everybody is happy.
people can open a box, they do it every birthday/present giving occasion, so they can open the box.
besides, manuals?! what is wrong with you, even suggesting that? nobody reads manuals and, really, having to read a manual would detract from the experience
Chill Cheese. Not all children know how to open boxes and the manual can contain descriptive pictures you know, not necessarily words.
See, this way everybody is happy.
sorry, that was supposed to sound more sarcastic, i forgot about the limitations of text
Absurdly hot. But a Diablo newbie like myself should stay silent, when the Big Boys are talking. And so I shall be.
You are too kind!
Many "newbies" as you call yourself do the very opposite and come with crazy ideas about things but don't be scared of giving us your opinion. All opinions matter and will be discussed (well maybe not all but you get the idea)
unless of course the same opinions have been discussed a thousand times over
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What makes a follower so critical to playing single player?
"Hey guy's we got some awesome news for you about one of our systems. It's super cool followers that give you storyline and some more things to customize to keep you busy. There's one limitation though: It's only for normal difficulty and only for single-player."
Paraphrasing of course, but we finally get a shred of new information since Blizzcon about one of the upcoming systems, and then it's a slap in the face to find that you won't even be able to use it unless you play single-player and ONLY on normal difficulty. I don't understand this whole "screen real-estate" thing either. Blizzard really is catering to the lowest common denominator when it comes to people with pcs. Don't really understand why they feel the need to neuter such a potentially awesome system before the game even comes out.
Coudn't have said it better myself
You don't have to roll a Follower. So, your point is moot.
Seems like a waste of development time. They already had NPC's that would follow you like this and make remarks and attack. We've seen them in gameplay footage. So, they've basically just given us the same thing and named it--no, put new wrapping paper on an old gift? A cheap gift? If you're going to call it a new gameplay mechanic, at least make it new. At least make it a mechanic.
I don't even
You have a follower for the easiest difficulty- the one place where you actually don't need them.
100% certain this is going to be changed/scrapped before game release or in patches/expansions.
I don't think it is necessary for mp because it does what multiplayer does in sp mode, gives a friend to help you out. If anything I prefer to use mp anyway, usually player controlled characters are just plain better than NPCs anyway (think of the difficulty difference between PvP and PvE in any game).
And just for those times when I'm not online or not in the mood to be online (or with other people) I can still have a 'co-op' function and still help me out in the game. So technically they just made it a mp game even in sp, and if you don't want the extra help I am sure you can just not hire the follower.
Though the biggest issue is it not being useful in later difficulties, from a developing standpoint it would be wasteful on creating a whole mechanic that would be trashed soon after and from a playing standpoint just when the going gets tough and extra help would actually be useful my help just dies....
(Followers will not stay alive easily past Normal, and if they're not alive you aren't going to be getting their bonuses. I'm sure people will try to game this, and ideally they will fail. If not we will ensure followers are not part of the end-game MF equation. They are not intended to be, and we will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure they cannot be. )
Fine, remove their MF bonuses for all I care but put the damn followers to some use in higher difficulties. If the sole problem of Followers is MF, then remove it...DUH! What's so difficult for them to understand? How could anybody in their right mind think that removing the system's effectiveness in higher difficulties is the solution?
Isn't this the best outcome? (trying to look at this positively :P)
I think they would've tried to develop this system to work through the whole game initially but couldn't get something that they were happy with and had to scale it back.
And that's probably the system they're least proud of, which is why it was the first of the unannounced systems to be revealed.
thats basically what this is
and its incentive for them to pass the game multiple times, for story
remember, hardcore gamers like us are a minority
as long as they find a way to tell these people not to expect followers to do well past normal, and tie it in with coop recommendation somehow
eg tips in the loading areas
Not only that but... It's only Single player also...
Follower system that only works for Single player and only works in Normal. To try to promote co-op play from the people that only play single player.
I think just to play it safe, a manual of how to open the game box should be provided and also how to insert the disc in the computer.
Of course, the manual should be attached on the box and not be inside it, otherwise it will be a complete disaster.
Seriously though, it is not a question of being hardcore or not. Gamers are not dumb.
Anybody playing the game even casually would want a consistent and rewarding experience. Mercs as one of those features could essentially add a lot in that aspect.
When considering those new to the game, this 'mechanic' as it is could cause a lot of frustration where when difficulty increases, their ally essentially becomes crap. So yes, they will now ditch the game and resume COD. What's left now are those casual/hardcore gamers who would have wanted a more in-depth and better thought-out merc system.
With the proposed normal-only restriction, single player looks more like an undesirable compromise by the developers. They want you to play MP- they are just going on in an extremely bad way about it.
It is painfully obvious that this feature is useless in its current form.
you obviously don't work in customer service, some gamers are dumb and/or ill-informed of mechanics to the point where the follower system will be a great crash course type tutorial. Imagine convincing your grandma to try it out, and watching over her shoulder. Think of the pain watching her struggle alone in normal, this is where the mercenary is useful. If you can't imagine your grandma doing it, maybe think of a small child.
if the people are informed that it's supposed to not be effective outside of normal, this won't be a problem, and using the same system to warn people mercenaries aren't designed for other difficulties they could say try teaming up with another person.
people can open a box, they do it every birthday/present giving occasion, so they can open the box.
besides, manuals?! what is wrong with you, even suggesting that? nobody reads manuals and, really, having to read a manual would detract from the experience
I'm not being sarcastic or anything here. Seriously.
Sounds like a good solution.
Chill Cheese. Not all children know how to open boxes and the manual can contain descriptive pictures you know, not necessarily words.
See, this way everybody is happy.
Twitter: @FreddyBushBoy
sorry, that was supposed to sound more sarcastic, i forgot about the limitations of text
unless of course the same opinions have been discussed a thousand times over