I felt very compelled to write this in response to the recent and very vocal requests from some members of the Diablo fans community who are, in a word, 'disappointed' with Diablo 3's current artistic direction.
I have written this post to represent those of us, whom I feel are great in number, who genuinely believe that Blizzard should continue to do what they are doing with Diablo 3's art direction and not bend to the wishes of those who would wish to see Diablo 3's beauty and vibrancy reduced to shades of gray and brown.
Likewise, I feel compelled to state that we the players very much enjoy the stylistic and silhouette-heavy art of Diablo 3, because it lends much character to the game and allows us, the players, to be able to make out distinct qualities of each individual character and monster within the game.
Many of those who complain forget that Diablo and Diablo 2 were not without color. The vast majority of the game consisted of rich colors that allowed the darker areas, such as the Durance of Hate in Act 3 of Diablo 2 to stand out as one of the more 'Gothic horror' locations, in contrast the verdant jungles of Kurast. Spells were extremely colorful, and many of the game's unique locales were undeniably vibrant.
The current art direction within the game, as depicted in the trailers is completely immersive due to its distinct shapes, and the tones and vibrancy of its colors lend a truly 'epic', and 'fantasy' feel to the game expanding an already wonderful setting. To see all of this changed would be a great shame to a great many of us.
There are a great many of us out there who are disappointed in the complete lack of vibrance and the abundance of boring shades of gray and brown in many recent titles, and it is a breath of fresh air for us to see Blizzard's art direction with Diablo 3.
I therefore ask Blizzard to keep doing what it's doing, and retain the game's current art and style direction. We have the full measure of faith in Blizzard to deliver a fantastic game with fantastic art direction, in every sense of the term 'fantastic'. I also encourage all fans of Diablo 3 to keep their faith in Blizzard and marvel at the great accomplishment that will be Diablo 3.
Common arguments:
Q: The Diablo series was always dark, gloomy, muddy and dirty in every single instance.
A: Hyperbole. While Diablo 1 may have been darker than its sequel due to its lack of locations, it nonetheless featured some very bright, and visually vibrant locations like Tristram itself and the Caves.
Diablo 2 had many bright and vibrant locations in every single Act of the game. Act 1 had a gothic monastery with vibrant colors. Act 2 consisted of a brightly lit desert with an abundance of cacti, Act 3 had colorful jungles and vibrant step-pyramid tombs. Act 5 had crystalline formations and rivers of ice.
Q: Being colorful destroys the game's immersion and 'gothic feel'. A: Gothic Cathedrals are filled with vibrant colors, due to the heavy use of stained glass windows and vibrant furnishings, yet still possess a very 'dark' and surreal quality. Colors are only one aspect of the mix. Gothic horror movies make heavy use of rich twilight gradients and colorful clothing on everyone who isn't a vampire.
Diablo 3's Art is currently:
* Stylish, giving Diablo 3 its own character and personality, allowing it to stand out from the crowd of brown and grey games, or 'realistic' (e.g. boring) looking games.
* Hand-crafted, and lovingly so. Elicits a highly 'fantasy feel' that feels like a breath of fresh air.
* Not monotonous. The use of inviting colours, contours, tones, vibrance, and animations are some of the game's major strengths. Makes the game accessible and playable for a long period of time.
* The use of colors allow for a wide variety of settings and locations, away from the mundane worlds of greys and browns.
* Vibrant colors and a wide variety of locations do not prohibit the game from having 'dark gothic' locations within the game. Diablo 2 consisted mainly of vibrant locations, but that didn't prevent the Durance of Hate from being a part of the game.
It is my opinion, therefore, that the art direction of Diablo 3 should remain as it is, because we have full faith and confidence in Blizzard Entertainment's ability to deliver a truly compelling, and involving game.
Anyway I think they still have plenty of room to add the gloomy/dark effect, we haven't seen that much of the game yet, most of it was outdoors which I think looked great with the colors. The dungeon if anything could use a little less saturation but I still liked the way it all looked. I knew the "looks like WoW" argument was going to come up, it always does cause people just can't let it go?... Anyway I like the way it looks right now
It is my opinion, therefore, that the art direction of Diablo 3 should remain as it is, because we have full faith and confidence in Blizzard Entertainment's ability to deliver a truly compelling, and involving game.
I agree Sol.
I also feel that Blizzard will eventually make us all happy. I am hoping and believe that the game will get increasingly "dark" and infested with evil as it progresses through the acts, with the option of visiting previous acts like in D2 available.
Damn right, thats why I don't understand all the crying. Diablo 3 will not be a failure its going to be a bad ass game that will steal 6+ years of my life.
Blizzard has never let me down. Not once. I'm confident in their ability to deliver a game that's nothing less than stellar.
Exactly. It's hard to think of another game company with Blizzard's track record on ridiculously fun and successful games, you think by now people would give them some credit instead of wetting themselves at the first hint of change.
Good read, I'm also in agreement. While I hope they add a bit more gloom to the dungeons, I'm very happy with the direction of the game. It looks awesome, will probably play better than expected, an' will definitely deliver a hefty blow to my social life... Good deal!
Meh, I don't disagree with all of your post, and I know hyperbole seems to be the favourite word right now... but I will show Blizzard support by purchasing the game when it is released. I dont need to be all up on their dick lolling about how great they are and I am forming Blizzantology cause they can do no wrong. Many people have said the colours are not the problem, its the texture details. Diablo, to me, is not an airy hyper fantasy feel. But that is my opinion.
So I, too, think Blizzard should continue doing what they are doing and I will wait and see what happens. However, I think they should also listen to all of their fans responses. With a grain of salt of course, considering there's 8 years of pent up nerdgasms being released. I wonder if anyone else has considered they released this content on purpose to create more mass hype and hysteria because they know the later stages are badass in comparison...
I watch the game trailer, and this is suck. NO light radius concept. Diablo, is not Warcraft. Warcraft I Warcraft II was a great game, that s all. I play 0 hours WOW.
And i play approx 6000 Hours, in the Diablo universe. So i know what is Diablo. Blizz loves money too much. Blizz gone made about Wow, and in every game, they want to create a new Wow Zombie. Diablo Isnt a WoW Zombie! Wow Universe isnt Rule Diablo Universe. Diablo is the greatest game, of all time. Becouse of the atmosphere of the world, and becouse of the hardcore mode.
I Just live in the Diablo world, when i play so much, i even dream with Diablo 3. That was a real prophethic dream. YEah i see the gamepley in isometric 3d view. And i wear an 47000 def point plate, what can rab the attacked enemy, with 1% chance.-) Cool:)
BUt in my dream, Diablo 3 wasnt a WOW Diablo. So the petition will win:) I m the 27811 th signer:)
AT this point the only good thing in the game, is the music:)
Music is cool.
cu
pksaresuxx
Quit copy-and-pasting the troll sewage you keep spewing all over the forum.
MTV's Multiplayer Blog just did a feature on how there are many fans and supporters of Blizzard and Diablo III out there who want Blizzard to simply do the best at what they're good at: making a great game.
From the sounds of it, many of MTV's readers and commenters (some of whom are great game designers) agree fully agree with letting Blizzard simply do their thing instead of whining and complaining.
MTV's Multiplayer Blog just did a feature on how there are many fans and supporters of Blizzard and Diablo III out there who want Blizzard to simply do the best at what they're good at: making a great game.
From the sounds of it, many of MTV's readers and commenters (some of whom are great game designers) agree fully agree with letting Blizzard simply do their thing instead of whining and complaining.
Dude, you should make this post again, except use a title that makes it clear that you want people to sign a petition supporting the Diablo 3 art style. I signed it, but your post doesn't make it clear that people should go to Petition Online to sign this petition.
I have written this post to represent those of us, whom I feel are great in number, who genuinely believe that Blizzard should continue to do what they are doing with Diablo 3's art direction and not bend to the wishes of those who would wish to see Diablo 3's beauty and vibrancy reduced to shades of gray and brown.
Likewise, I feel compelled to state that we the players very much enjoy the stylistic and silhouette-heavy art of Diablo 3, because it lends much character to the game and allows us, the players, to be able to make out distinct qualities of each individual character and monster within the game.
Many of those who complain forget that Diablo and Diablo 2 were not without color. The vast majority of the game consisted of rich colors that allowed the darker areas, such as the Durance of Hate in Act 3 of Diablo 2 to stand out as one of the more 'Gothic horror' locations, in contrast the verdant jungles of Kurast. Spells were extremely colorful, and many of the game's unique locales were undeniably vibrant.
The current art direction within the game, as depicted in the trailers is completely immersive due to its distinct shapes, and the tones and vibrancy of its colors lend a truly 'epic', and 'fantasy' feel to the game expanding an already wonderful setting. To see all of this changed would be a great shame to a great many of us.
There are a great many of us out there who are disappointed in the complete lack of vibrance and the abundance of boring shades of gray and brown in many recent titles, and it is a breath of fresh air for us to see Blizzard's art direction with Diablo 3.
I therefore ask Blizzard to keep doing what it's doing, and retain the game's current art and style direction. We have the full measure of faith in Blizzard to deliver a fantastic game with fantastic art direction, in every sense of the term 'fantastic'. I also encourage all fans of Diablo 3 to keep their faith in Blizzard and marvel at the great accomplishment that will be Diablo 3.
Common arguments:
Q: The Diablo series was always dark, gloomy, muddy and dirty in every single instance.
A: Hyperbole. While Diablo 1 may have been darker than its sequel due to its lack of locations, it nonetheless featured some very bright, and visually vibrant locations like Tristram itself and the Caves.
Diablo 2 had many bright and vibrant locations in every single Act of the game. Act 1 had a gothic monastery with vibrant colors. Act 2 consisted of a brightly lit desert with an abundance of cacti, Act 3 had colorful jungles and vibrant step-pyramid tombs. Act 5 had crystalline formations and rivers of ice.
Q: Being colorful destroys the game's immersion and 'gothic feel'.
A: Gothic Cathedrals are filled with vibrant colors, due to the heavy use of stained glass windows and vibrant furnishings, yet still possess a very 'dark' and surreal quality. Colors are only one aspect of the mix. Gothic horror movies make heavy use of rich twilight gradients and colorful clothing on everyone who isn't a vampire.
Diablo 3's Art is currently:
* Stylish, giving Diablo 3 its own character and personality, allowing it to stand out from the crowd of brown and grey games, or 'realistic' (e.g. boring) looking games.
* Hand-crafted, and lovingly so. Elicits a highly 'fantasy feel' that feels like a breath of fresh air.
* Not monotonous. The use of inviting colours, contours, tones, vibrance, and animations are some of the game's major strengths. Makes the game accessible and playable for a long period of time.
* The use of colors allow for a wide variety of settings and locations, away from the mundane worlds of greys and browns.
* Vibrant colors and a wide variety of locations do not prohibit the game from having 'dark gothic' locations within the game. Diablo 2 consisted mainly of vibrant locations, but that didn't prevent the Durance of Hate from being a part of the game.
It is my opinion, therefore, that the art direction of Diablo 3 should remain as it is, because we have full faith and confidence in Blizzard Entertainment's ability to deliver a truly compelling, and involving game.
Hellforge: Forging a passion for video games.
Anyway I think they still have plenty of room to add the gloomy/dark effect, we haven't seen that much of the game yet, most of it was outdoors which I think looked great with the colors. The dungeon if anything could use a little less saturation but I still liked the way it all looked. I knew the "looks like WoW" argument was going to come up, it always does cause people just can't let it go?... Anyway I like the way it looks right now
It is my opinion, therefore, that the art direction of Diablo 3 should remain as it is, because we have full faith and confidence in Blizzard Entertainment's ability to deliver a truly compelling, and involving game.
I also feel that Blizzard will eventually make us all happy. I am hoping and believe that the game will get increasingly "dark" and infested with evil as it progresses through the acts, with the option of visiting previous acts like in D2 available.
Hellforge: Forging a passion for video games.
Exactly. It's hard to think of another game company with Blizzard's track record on ridiculously fun and successful games, you think by now people would give them some credit instead of wetting themselves at the first hint of change.
In Blizz We Trust! :thumbsup:
Where there is truth, he must find.
Where there is destruction, he must rebuild.
Where there is love, he must protect."
World's Fair Exhibit
"God gave us memories, that in life's garden we may have June roses in December."
John Barrie
So I, too, think Blizzard should continue doing what they are doing and I will wait and see what happens. However, I think they should also listen to all of their fans responses. With a grain of salt of course, considering there's 8 years of pent up nerdgasms being released. I wonder if anyone else has considered they released this content on purpose to create more mass hype and hysteria because they know the later stages are badass in comparison...
Quit copy-and-pasting the troll sewage you keep spewing all over the forum.
MTV's Multiplayer Blog just did a feature on how there are many fans and supporters of Blizzard and Diablo III out there who want Blizzard to simply do the best at what they're good at: making a great game.
From the sounds of it, many of MTV's readers and commenters (some of whom are great game designers) agree fully agree with letting Blizzard simply do their thing instead of whining and complaining.
http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/07/03/diablo-fan-petitions/
Hellforge: Forging a passion for video games.
MTV's Multiplayer Blog just did a feature on how there are many fans and supporters of Blizzard and Diablo III out there who want Blizzard to simply do the best at what they're good at: making a great game.
From the sounds of it, many of MTV's readers and commenters (some of whom are great game designers) agree fully agree with letting Blizzard simply do their thing instead of whining and complaining.
http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/07/03/diablo-fan-petitions/
Hellforge: Forging a passion for video games.
Making Controversial points one post at a time!