I'm going to go with the more optimistic here and say they're about 60-70% done. Keep in mind they've been in production for greater than 3 years now. The average development cycle for Blizzard games is 4-5 years. Despite them changing their art direction a few times (as mentioned by blue posts) that doesn't mean during that time they can't lay down the code foundation, mechanics, dialogue, sound effects, etc.
In game design, often the game engine and code is laid out before any art assets go in. Programmers put in filler images until the artists are complete. You could follow that and assume most art assets are simply swappable making their development cycle virtually unhindered while they wait for the art team to nail down a suitable art direction for D3.
That's not to say they haven't had their hiccups. But, I think, despite all of their setbacks during development, they are probably further along than we perceive.
A few screenshots and web pages do little justice in showing us just how far they are. Rather, look at their track record for average development cycle, and then compare that with how long they mentioned they've already been working on the game.
"Greater than 3 years" means this year will complete 4 years, and next year is 5, pinning a 2010 release. Sounds about right.
I alot of you are guessing. I just have one thing in mind, please release before dec 21, 2012. Myth or fact, I still wanted to enjoy before that date. I'm also looking forward that date as well.
30-40 percent.... there is no way they are even close to having the classes balanced out with complete skill trees without having one other class dominate over the other in pvm... that takes alot of time to get worked out because so many different builds and bugs... then theres the whole matter of pvp... max 40% most likely 30%ish
Last we heard is Act 1 is all done from the artists' side, and they were working on playable Act 1 content as the art team has moved to Act 2. That was said earlier this year, about the same time they said that three classes are heavily in the works, the mechanics of the fourth class (which had no art at that point) was being developed and the fifth class was only on paper.
I estimate that by Blizzcon, they will have finished a crude version of Act 1 with a good number of dungeons, almost all art required to get Act 2 kicking, and four very playable classes with some basic art and abilities for the fifth class. They should already be able to release the fourth class and some new Act 1 dungeons. I bet they could also show some Act 2 terrain if they wanted to.
It would also be fun if they showed some PvP. I bet that by the end of next year when they will have finished all five classes, they will allow Blizzcon attendees to engage in PvP tournaments themselves.
I wish I was able to make a realistic guess for how long it would take to make the game based on programming and stuff, but sadly I failed computer programming. Tic Tac Toe was just too damn hard. But I will go ahead and say 60-70% because it makes me feel good that the game might actually be that close.
By the way, whats with the world ending, Dec. 21, 2012? Where did you guys hear this? There's been other speculation about the world ending before, but they never happened. Remember back in 6/6/06? Nothing happened then on the date with the sign of the beast in it so I wouldn't be worried about it.
I wish I was able to make a realistic guess for how long it would take to make the game based on programming and stuff, but sadly I failed computer programming. Tic Tac Toe was just too damn hard. But I will go ahead and say 60-70% because it makes me feel good that the game might actually be that close.
By the way, whats with the world ending, Dec. 21, 2012? Where did you guys hear this? There's been other speculation about the world ending before, but they never happened. Remember back in 6/6/06? Nothing happened then on the date with the sign of the beast in it so I wouldn't be worried about it.
666 is just a number and we just happen to exploit and make a movie of its reference to the number of the beast, with no real infomation about it. y2k is same thing, agian pretty perfect numbers. But Dec. 21, 2012. There REALLY is a rare galactic alignment, numberous of books, legend behind this date. Mayan said their calendar ends at 2012. It its unknown to us if its refering to the doomsday or just the calendar book. Some mention there is a tranformation of a new age (positive or negative). There is also a big blockbuster movie coming out soon. See for yourself. And have fun.
20% done when Blizzcon hits.
"Eternal suffering would be too brief for you, Diablo!"
I'd say more of a 60% done but really it doesn't matter 'cause after the game is 100% done there's going to be like 6 months of testing.
Exactly. There's still an alpha and a beta to come after they are "done."
And honestly, I doubt they are even 60% done at this point. Probably closer to 40%.
My hopes - Late 2010 release.
More realistically - Mid 2011 release.
Actual Release - Late 2011 (Blizz moves at two speeds - slow and stop)
In game design, often the game engine and code is laid out before any art assets go in. Programmers put in filler images until the artists are complete. You could follow that and assume most art assets are simply swappable making their development cycle virtually unhindered while they wait for the art team to nail down a suitable art direction for D3.
That's not to say they haven't had their hiccups. But, I think, despite all of their setbacks during development, they are probably further along than we perceive.
A few screenshots and web pages do little justice in showing us just how far they are. Rather, look at their track record for average development cycle, and then compare that with how long they mentioned they've already been working on the game.
"Greater than 3 years" means this year will complete 4 years, and next year is 5, pinning a 2010 release. Sounds about right.
I"m counting the beta testing as the last % on my guess. So my 100% is when the game is ready to be released.
http://www.blizzard.com/diablo3/media/artwork.xml#81
You can see more obviously at diablo3.com under "artwork"
Im gunna guess 65-70% done
Hell, there was one done in 2004. I just was looking again and saw this one:
http://www.blizzard.com/diablo3/media/artwork.xml#60
I think Blizzard is way more done then they are letting on....
I think I'm gonna change my mind and say 55-70% since I'm hearing some good arguments here.
"Eternal suffering would be too brief for you, Diablo!"
"Eternal suffering would be too brief for you, Diablo!"
gamma11 > east
I estimate that by Blizzcon, they will have finished a crude version of Act 1 with a good number of dungeons, almost all art required to get Act 2 kicking, and four very playable classes with some basic art and abilities for the fifth class. They should already be able to release the fourth class and some new Act 1 dungeons. I bet they could also show some Act 2 terrain if they wanted to.
It would also be fun if they showed some PvP. I bet that by the end of next year when they will have finished all five classes, they will allow Blizzcon attendees to engage in PvP tournaments themselves.
http://www.gamesradar.com/f/upcoming-games-that-could-revolutionize-the-industry/a-20090702115859375050/p-3
Character progress- 50-75% (spells, skills, balancing, and character storylines)
Monsters- 10-30% (# of monsters, monster creation, monster atacks)
overall- 25-50%
thats how i feel the game is going. cant wait for blizzcon!!!
By the way, whats with the world ending, Dec. 21, 2012? Where did you guys hear this? There's been other speculation about the world ending before, but they never happened. Remember back in 6/6/06? Nothing happened then on the date with the sign of the beast in it so I wouldn't be worried about it.
666 is just a number and we just happen to exploit and make a movie of its reference to the number of the beast, with no real infomation about it. y2k is same thing, agian pretty perfect numbers. But Dec. 21, 2012. There REALLY is a rare galactic alignment, numberous of books, legend behind this date. Mayan said their calendar ends at 2012. It its unknown to us if its refering to the doomsday or just the calendar book. Some mention there is a tranformation of a new age (positive or negative). There is also a big blockbuster movie coming out soon. See for yourself. And have fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz86TsGx3fc