Just a small introduction since i'm relatively new to the forums. Name is Aaron, most of my gamer buddies call me Dart. I've been a huge Diablo fan since i was in the 5th Grade, i'm not a Sophomore in College. I've been reading around here the past few days regarding many peoples take on the Art Direction that this game is going in. I would like to post my opinion in a more constructive post, making it easier to get my view across.
An Unofficial statement is that it seems the majority of the people on this forum are not overly thrilled about the Art Direction, or satisfied at best. I personally am thrilled. I've seen more threads/posts about how it should be changed, or why a person does not like it, than i have those who have.
Now before those who disagree with me go on a tyraid of accusations about my views on WoW and its Art, i want to let you know right now: Yes, i did play WoW, I no longer do. However, The art fit the world for what it was, and was right for it.
A lot of peoples view on the art direction seems to be that they wish it to be more dark and gritty. While this is not too complicated of a demand, it seems to be made at a rash time, considering the game was only announced Yesterday morning. Obviously the game has been in the works for some time, but on the contrary it isn't near release, and shouldn't be considered a final product.
I've rewatched the gameplay video about 3 times this afternoon in order to get a better grasp on what others have voiced. I took in consideration many comments made on the forums about how it was looking cartoony, or not "Gritty & Dark" enough.
I would like to express my own critique of the games art direction and graphic style. So first i'm going to bring you to this picture.
Personally, from the first section of the video, i believed the Art direction was utterly perfect for the world of diablo. A Damp, dark dungeon. Fog and mist everywhere in site, with dimly lit light-sources provide a proper dungeon feel. I look back to areas in Diablo 2 in which this could slightly compare, such as the jails in Act 1. I personally get a more eerie feel than i do with the jails. It may be that i've done them so many times if it werent for the randomization i could do it with my eyes closed. However, i believe its because we're in a new day and age where graphics have improved over Diablo 10 fold. The light radius that we saw in the previous game isn't as important, and the developers seemingly wanted to show a more in-depth look to your surroundings.
I really don't have much to say about the armor style/direction and i'm personally pleased with it. I recall a simliar helm in Diablo 2, and the armor fits the Barbarian Perfectly.
The summoning of this "Gluttony Incarnate" i found very appealing. I really want to tell you how much this Does NOT compare to WoW/Warcraft in any form. Fire, blood and brimstone were not art styles chosen for the Warcraft Universe, its a much more passive art style without much violence such as dismemberment, guts and gore.
Now on to the outside environment.
Now this is where i can see people saying its not Diablo art. However, this game is taking place 20 years after the events of Diablo 2. Much of the world sees it as myth and legend, and the world has had time to recover from the onslaught of demons, beasts and other creatures. The background almost seems to be a painting in some points and the rockwall seemingly pastel in color. If you compare this straight to Diablo 2, i can see where you think its pulling away from the Art style. Personally, i don't think i would have been too pleased if they painted the same grount texture over a gigantic section of land, randomly placed dead trees, muck holes, and rock walls for bounderies again. I really find it visually appealing.
Back to the Dark/Gritty Standpoint VS World of Warcraft
You will NEVER see this in World of Warcraft. WoW is ment for a much broader audience, and i believe Blizzard is trying to do us well by sticking to what they believe the gruesome world of Diablo really is. Its a lush, diverse world, that happens to be unfortunate enough to be ravaged by the great evils of hell.
For yourself, i personally believe at this point in time, the game should be looked at objectively. There is plenty of room for it to change, and i full-heartedly believe that any changes made, or not made to this game, are going to be made by Blizzard to ensure the fanbases interest in the game.
great post and i agree with everything because you are thinking logically. unlike 80% of the whiners on this site.
the only thing i disagree with you on is the light radius. if we are underground in a dungeon or in a cave it would be harder to see. i know they are trying to visually brag about how much better the game looks however that can definately still be done given the circumstance of being underground/in a cave.
I have to say this is a very good post. Im glad that we finally have someone that made a good topic unlike all the others. I agree with everything that you are saying, great job.
You can smack walls and have them fall on people and if anyone remembers when the bridge was destroyed and the barbarian leaps over it, when he hits the other side a few more pieces fall off, then he smashes the ground and a even more pieces fall off.
Yet, when the giant monster is running around, I'm not noticing footprints or ground alteration, or stones being crushed or anything.
I have to agree with what you said wholeheartedly. Not to try and hijack your thread as my own I'd like to add my thoughts about the points your brought up.
I have seen the video a few times both in the lesser quality of the on site version and the much higher, although far from pristine, quality of the downloadable version and I do like what I see.
I'll go with the one 'bad' point I saw first to get it out of the way.
To be honest I was kind of expecting a slightly higher polygon count of the character models, but it is true that it's better to have them be lower so that the game is more accessible, but you can always dream :P.
Oh and to all the cartoony thoughts out there, the reason is low poly count 'realistic" just looks bad. So they went for a middle ground of mid polygon count with a little cartoony to help out the look. Personally I think they use as little 'cartoony-ness' as possible to stay true to Diablo.
Time for the good :).
The level of detail on the flora and the fauna is lovely to me, I love how the grass and trees look. Sure the textures may not be the best, but remember it's not done yet, for all you know the demo was on a mid setting, give it some time you'll see :P.
As Dart, if I may call him that much of the D3 'footage' is not at all WoW-esk, but much grimmer and grotesque. I mean am I one of the few who saw the barbarian get torn to shreds, and then have the remains still in the living seigeengine of hell's mouth? WoW is for a muich broader audiance than Diablo is catered to, and they hit it well.
Lastly, on the point of the outdoor scenes, I agree completly with Dart. The prime evils have been gone for 20 years, that give sactuary some time to heal. Yes it's true that evil is back, but if you try to compare it with D2 you're a little off. Form what I can tell in D3 you're out hacking around much earlier in evil's spread. While in D2 you came after the land has been conquored by the wanderer (I mean he passed act1 before you got there, of course it'll look all corupt). So to me, the first act (and putting 2 and 2 together, they said they had done most if not all of 'act 1' and the barbarian found a sash and the gold droped was like 5-10 ranges so it's not a late game area) must look 'rather' untouched, but i'm sure in later acts, where time and evil will have taken their tolls, the world will be more hellish and grotesque.
Well hope I haven't bored anyone too much, and i'm sure i've repeated what many have said, but felt good to get it off my chest.
Thanks for taking the time to write this post, it helps a lot. It is better for us to accept and like what we cannot change than to not accept it and keep complaining and perhaps not end up liking it if it was darker (hellgate--its dark but it is not fun).
Also, the lead developer in an interview with gamespot said they want to make the emotions darker which doesnt have to rely on graphics
I am hoping there will be quests like Lazarus in diablo 1. That whole story is vicious. Read about it in Cain's journal on official site if anyone wants to know more
great post and i agree with everything because you are thinking logically. unlike 80% of the whiners on this site.
the only thing i disagree with you on is the light radius. if we are underground in a dungeon or in a cave it would be harder to see. i know they are trying to visually brag about how much better the game looks however that can definately still be done given the circumstance of being underground/in a cave.
Thanks, and yeah, they should be able to do a light radius as well as compliment the scenery of the area, backgrounds/backdrops can bit lit, just give a dimmer foreground.
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Just a small introduction since i'm relatively new to the forums. Name is Aaron, most of my gamer buddies call me Dart. I've been a huge Diablo fan since i was in the 5th Grade, i'm not a Sophomore in College. I've been reading around here the past few days regarding many peoples take on the Art Direction that this game is going in. I would like to post my opinion in a more constructive post, making it easier to get my view across.
An Unofficial statement is that it seems the majority of the people on this forum are not overly thrilled about the Art Direction, or satisfied at best. I personally am thrilled. I've seen more threads/posts about how it should be changed, or why a person does not like it, than i have those who have.
Now before those who disagree with me go on a tyraid of accusations about my views on WoW and its Art, i want to let you know right now: Yes, i did play WoW, I no longer do. However, The art fit the world for what it was, and was right for it.
A lot of peoples view on the art direction seems to be that they wish it to be more dark and gritty. While this is not too complicated of a demand, it seems to be made at a rash time, considering the game was only announced Yesterday morning. Obviously the game has been in the works for some time, but on the contrary it isn't near release, and shouldn't be considered a final product.
I've rewatched the gameplay video about 3 times this afternoon in order to get a better grasp on what others have voiced. I took in consideration many comments made on the forums about how it was looking cartoony, or not "Gritty & Dark" enough.
I would like to express my own critique of the games art direction and graphic style. So first i'm going to bring you to this picture.
Personally, from the first section of the video, i believed the Art direction was utterly perfect for the world of diablo. A Damp, dark dungeon. Fog and mist everywhere in site, with dimly lit light-sources provide a proper dungeon feel. I look back to areas in Diablo 2 in which this could slightly compare, such as the jails in Act 1. I personally get a more eerie feel than i do with the jails. It may be that i've done them so many times if it werent for the randomization i could do it with my eyes closed. However, i believe its because we're in a new day and age where graphics have improved over Diablo 10 fold. The light radius that we saw in the previous game isn't as important, and the developers seemingly wanted to show a more in-depth look to your surroundings.
I really don't have much to say about the armor style/direction and i'm personally pleased with it. I recall a simliar helm in Diablo 2, and the armor fits the Barbarian Perfectly.
The summoning of this "Gluttony Incarnate" i found very appealing. I really want to tell you how much this Does NOT compare to WoW/Warcraft in any form. Fire, blood and brimstone were not art styles chosen for the Warcraft Universe, its a much more passive art style without much violence such as dismemberment, guts and gore.
Now on to the outside environment.
Now this is where i can see people saying its not Diablo art. However, this game is taking place 20 years after the events of Diablo 2. Much of the world sees it as myth and legend, and the world has had time to recover from the onslaught of demons, beasts and other creatures. The background almost seems to be a painting in some points and the rockwall seemingly pastel in color. If you compare this straight to Diablo 2, i can see where you think its pulling away from the Art style. Personally, i don't think i would have been too pleased if they painted the same grount texture over a gigantic section of land, randomly placed dead trees, muck holes, and rock walls for bounderies again. I really find it visually appealing.
Back to the Dark/Gritty Standpoint VS World of Warcraft
You will NEVER see this in World of Warcraft. WoW is ment for a much broader audience, and i believe Blizzard is trying to do us well by sticking to what they believe the gruesome world of Diablo really is. Its a lush, diverse world, that happens to be unfortunate enough to be ravaged by the great evils of hell.
For yourself, i personally believe at this point in time, the game should be looked at objectively. There is plenty of room for it to change, and i full-heartedly believe that any changes made, or not made to this game, are going to be made by Blizzard to ensure the fanbases interest in the game.
Till Next time,
-Aaron (Dart)
the only thing i disagree with you on is the light radius. if we are underground in a dungeon or in a cave it would be harder to see. i know they are trying to visually brag about how much better the game looks however that can definately still be done given the circumstance of being underground/in a cave.
Sign for a Darker Art Direction in the dungeons/caves/etc.
www.myspace.com/mariocamillo
www.youtube.com/mariospeedwagon
You can smack walls and have them fall on people and if anyone remembers when the bridge was destroyed and the barbarian leaps over it, when he hits the other side a few more pieces fall off, then he smashes the ground and a even more pieces fall off.
Yet, when the giant monster is running around, I'm not noticing footprints or ground alteration, or stones being crushed or anything.
Just something I noticed.
CyberPunk RP Nexus
I have seen the video a few times both in the lesser quality of the on site version and the much higher, although far from pristine, quality of the downloadable version and I do like what I see.
I'll go with the one 'bad' point I saw first to get it out of the way.
To be honest I was kind of expecting a slightly higher polygon count of the character models, but it is true that it's better to have them be lower so that the game is more accessible, but you can always dream :P.
Oh and to all the cartoony thoughts out there, the reason is low poly count 'realistic" just looks bad. So they went for a middle ground of mid polygon count with a little cartoony to help out the look. Personally I think they use as little 'cartoony-ness' as possible to stay true to Diablo.
Time for the good :).
The level of detail on the flora and the fauna is lovely to me, I love how the grass and trees look. Sure the textures may not be the best, but remember it's not done yet, for all you know the demo was on a mid setting, give it some time you'll see :P.
As Dart, if I may call him that much of the D3 'footage' is not at all WoW-esk, but much grimmer and grotesque. I mean am I one of the few who saw the barbarian get torn to shreds, and then have the remains still in the living seigeengine of hell's mouth? WoW is for a muich broader audiance than Diablo is catered to, and they hit it well.
Lastly, on the point of the outdoor scenes, I agree completly with Dart. The prime evils have been gone for 20 years, that give sactuary some time to heal. Yes it's true that evil is back, but if you try to compare it with D2 you're a little off. Form what I can tell in D3 you're out hacking around much earlier in evil's spread. While in D2 you came after the land has been conquored by the wanderer (I mean he passed act1 before you got there, of course it'll look all corupt). So to me, the first act (and putting 2 and 2 together, they said they had done most if not all of 'act 1' and the barbarian found a sash and the gold droped was like 5-10 ranges so it's not a late game area) must look 'rather' untouched, but i'm sure in later acts, where time and evil will have taken their tolls, the world will be more hellish and grotesque.
Well hope I haven't bored anyone too much, and i'm sure i've repeated what many have said, but felt good to get it off my chest.
Also, the lead developer in an interview with gamespot said they want to make the emotions darker which doesnt have to rely on graphics
I am hoping there will be quests like Lazarus in diablo 1. That whole story is vicious. Read about it in Cain's journal on official site if anyone wants to know more
Thanks, and yeah, they should be able to do a light radius as well as compliment the scenery of the area, backgrounds/backdrops can bit lit, just give a dimmer foreground.