DiabloFans

Yar, Dae would rock ^^.

Me and Zhuge were discussing it as well (Yeah, we're excluded from your manager meetings, so we have our own minion meetings. Fuck you guys), and we thought that Umpa would probably make a solid choice. Also came to the conclusion that we shouldn't look for staff from the URT crew (goes without saying), and that there really aren't any other old staffies that would make good staff members again.

Genesis and Atru are both gone, Equinox and LinkX would just both be terrible choices with their recent behavior, and Siaynoq... no. Love the guy, but no.

True story, though.
Happened to me as well...

I remember back when I was Seth's babe, he'd buy me all kinds of shiny things, tell me he'd stop spending so much time at the office, but he never did.
He never did :(.

Then I find out he's banging that secretary Nekro, and I fucking flip.
Wiped shit all over the walls of our house, killed one of our kids and collected the insurance, told them he was just playing hop scotch near the wood chipper, they believed me, the dumb shits.

Now I sit here, rich and alone.

Don't hold onto him Nekro, he'll leave you for the next piece of meat that comes along.

Ever wonder why Blizzcon is never held in Europe?
Because of things like Gamescom, it turns out all you European Diablofans have something to look forward too, as do we all come August 18th. That is of course, if this finding by a Battle-Net forum poster is correct.

Blizzard has scheduled a press conference at gamescom 2010 in Cologne where a new feature in Diablo 3 is going to be presented to the audience. It's still highly classified what it's going to be.
We'll get back to you about the details at pcgames.de on August, the 18th around 12:00 pm (CET), so all the Diablo 3 fans should make sure to check back then.

Diablo 3 will be playable at gamescom 2010. It's uncertain if Diablo 3 is still going to ship in 2011 or rather 2012 - Blizzard maybe is going to comment on that at gamescom. The press conference with game director Jay Wilson also includes half an hour of Q&A, during which we'll try to get our hands on as much information as possible.

Bashiok had this to say.


Now, as we all know, Bashiok has a long track record of keeping us in the dark. When something is wrong, he has nothing against flat out denying it, or making witty remarks at the post. Curious then, that he would not outwardly confirm or deny this post, when it is basically guaranteeing Blizzard announce something big to us. To me, this is his way of confirming that yes, Blizzard is going to announce a new feature.

Notice the key word feature. Sadly, this rules out the fifth class for announcement; we all know something that big would be saved for Blizzcon anyways. But, the crafting system has yet to be announced, as well as the resource systems for the Wizard (which was recently changed), as well as the Monk's resource. It may even have something to do with end game content, or god forbid, the next iteration of the chat gem.

They also did not say how playable Diablo III will be at Gamescom. We do not know if it will be a demo similar to the other events, or a beta version. Though the fact that it will be playable once more gives us even more to look forwards to, as this means players may be able to interact with both the Monk and Wizard skill resource systems. Not to mention other various systems and features we've yet to explore.

Then, we have the comment on the release date. I don't want to hype this out of proportion, but it sounds as if they may be looking to announce a concrete release date, possibly even a beta if the full game is playable at Gamescom.

At any rate, it's only a handful of days until we get some concrete news on our hands, and that's something we can all rejoice about.

As we all know, once Hell difficulty was conquered, Diablo II did not have much else to offer. Sure, you could grind Annihilus charms or run Uber Tristram, but outside of those two things there was hardly any PvM left once Hell was done. However, it seems things are going to change once Diablo III hits shelves, as indicated by Bashiok in this post.


Personally, I think Bashiok is spot on about adding a fourth difficulty. While it may seem like a good idea to some, this would solve nothing. With this suggestion, we are essentially assuming that the three difficulties in Diablo III will be scaled similarly to those in Diablo II, in terms of difficulty and overall content. We don't yet know how difficult each level of play will be ( Normal, Nightmare, Hell), we don't know how long they will be, or even if they will be the same game. Basically, we know nothing at this point outside of what Bashiok has revealed to us in this quote.

As was said, Diablo III is going to be an entirely new game. Problems that plagued Diablo II obviously will not be intentionally included in the game. This (hopefully) means a new pace to the game. Where 3 difficulties took us roughly to level 80 in Diablo II, they could take us all the way to the level cap in Diablo III. If this were to happen, it would prevent a lot of unnecessary level grinding from taking place. This would leave us free to enjoy endgame content, and to enjoy the game. Due to this recent series of posts, I'm beginning to think this may happen. As always, bear with me for this next bit of speculation.



From this post, we can conclude that the development team is putting a significant amount of thought into end game activities, be it quests, new areas, or bosses. Possibly even a new realm for players to travel to after completion of Hell. However, due to the fact that they're end game activities, we can assume that they will be more difficult than Hell, which in turn would require high level characters. However, this in turn would put forth a contradiction. If the end game activities are to prevent us from grinding areas or bosses, then would it not defeat the purpose of these if we had to grind areas and bosses after Hell is completed to be able to tackle the end game content? Thus, this may suggest that the experience rates of Diablo III being scaled back slightly, to allow players an easier time of attaining a high level to actually be able to enjoy the end game content.

However, once more, this is all thrown up into the air by the fact that we cannot assume Diablo III is going to be like Diablo II. In principle, it's going to be a continuation. But, we don't even know if the difficulty levels are going to behave as they did in Diablo II. Hell may even turn out to be the end game content, with additional puzzles and scripted events provided to make the final run through an entirely new experience. Until we know more, it's incredibly difficult to peg down one thing that is for sure going to happen.


As always, the specifics of the ideas are not revealed. However, we do know that the content most likely will not involve significant amounts of grinding. Due to the fact that Diablo III already features random side quests, it may turn out that the development team is thinking about implementing random end game content to keep us satisfied. Of course, the difficulty and sheer amount of content would both have to be significant to keep us interested, but it can definitely be done.

Overall, this series of posts has me very hopeful for the end game. It is good to see that the development team has identified problems the players are worried about, and are doing their best to remedy them.

On a side note, if you're looking for a different take on this blue post, check out this thread by Airandius.

Over the development of Diablo III, skill resources have underwent constant iteration. Ideas have been suggested, improved, replaced, even scrapped entirely. With the recent post by Bashiok, it seems we now know even less about what to expect from the Wizard.


We have gone from Mana, to instability, and now to something that may be entirely new. With this brief response, we are left to speculate on what "this is no longer the case" entails for the fate of instability. We do not know if this simply means the resource has been overhauled and no longer behaves as explained, or if the system has been scrapped entirely and replaced with something new.
In the event that instability has been replaced, we have no wonder, where else can they take the Wizard's resource? Of course they could have returned to the mana system, but with Blizzard's previous focus on providing a different resource for each class, I highly doubt this is the case. Perhaps the Wizard now has a system in which they gain a chance for spells to fail after several casts, or hell, maybe they've switched it so they gain mana from the life force of their slain enemies.

At any rate, we can all take solace in the fact that Bashiok has cleared up the remaining skill resources for us, with the exception of the fifth class, of course.

While the Barbarian losing his balls is not news to us, it is nice to see that the resource still behaves as previously shown. Personally, I think Fury as it is currently working, will encourage players to let loose on monsters. Reckless attacks will no doubt be made in attempts to not only gain additional fury, but to uncover health globes from slain enemies. Yet, this does not mean players will be forced to constantly hammer enemies to remain viable in a fight. As Bashiok told us, there are skills that generate fury without requiring the Barbarian to be in combat. With these on hand, players will be able to break off from combat, and join back in after a quick bellow.

On a side note, Bashiok also confirmed that the Witch Doctor is still using mana, and the Monk is still using a "holy" system that fits with his class. We can only wait and speculate on how this will be represented in game.

With the release of Starcraft 2, it seems our forums have been abuzz with all sorts of talk about Blizzard's latest game. Of course, this does mark a point when Diablo III is the next big priority for Blizzard (or so we hope), so it's not all bad.

This doesn't mean we haven't had any Diablo discussion, though. Users continue to put forth all sorts of new and interesting ideas and speculation.


The Forums
At long last, physical contest prizes have come to Diablofans! With the new Create a Monster Contest, first prize features a Diablo III T-shirt, as well as a custom user title and a year of Curse premium. As the name reveals, this contest is all about creating monsters. Art, lore, and mechanics are the three categories set out, and each user is allowed to submit one entry per category. Further questions may be answered in the thread linked to above.

For you gambling types out there, DarkMagicc has suggested a wager system be implemented into PvP. Essentially, this would be a way to make PvP a little more interesting, to offer something outside of bragging rights to the victor. Personally, I'm all in favor of being able to bet gold, or even items on the outcome of duels. From the looks of it, most people also support this idea, so far at least.

As mentioned earlier, the release of Starcraft II has taken a toll on Diablofans. We're slowly losing Diablo players to the blight that is Starcraft (myself included). So, for those of us who have bought the game, Kiserai has set up a thread for us to share our in game contact information so we may set up games, and climb the ladder together. Hope to see you in game!


Forum Changes


The Wiki
At the moment, the skill pages are still being filled in and overhauled. As always, if you want to contribute to the wiki but need some help on getting started, throw a PM at Phrozendragon and he'll set you straight.


Community Projects
No doubt the Create a Monster Contest is soaking up everyone's creativity at the moment, but there are still some solid submissions emerging for Blizzard's own writing contest.

Fan Fiction
Siaynoq has written out quite the submission for the Blizzard writing contest. It was able to keep my attention for the whole story, which is definitely something to be proud of. The story follows Aras, a young merchant tasked with the traversal of a new, uncharted mountain pass. Thus far the story has not reached any conflict, but Siaynoq is working diligently on bringing us the next installment.

Fan Art
ydemonhunter has produced some downright incredible works, with his new monster ideas coming together for the Create a Monster Contest. He's set the bar high!

Roleplaying
Scyberdragonhas produced yet another roleplay, this time one that follows the events of the Diablo II game. So if you've been dying to relive the game in a more creative manner, now is your time to shine.


In Conclusion...

While these last two weeks have been relatively silent on the Blizzard forums, we can only hope that news will pick up once more with Blizzcon looming around the corner. We only have to hold out until then...

Stay classy, Diablofans.

No trust me, I get your complaint, I really do.
It's just... stupid, to say the least.

As SFJake already pointed out, you're completely exaggerating this whole "3 games" deal.
You do realize that if they had mashed all 3 races into one game, the development length and costs would have skyrocketed, yes?

Not only that, but with gaming advancing as it is, the game would have looked like shit when it came out, unless of course it underwent an engine overhaul during the development process, which would have further increased costs and length.

I fail to see why only having a campaign for one race qualifies it as an incomplete game.
Let's take Modern Warfare, for example...

Did the other enemy factions get a campaign?
... No?

SWEET FUCKING JESUS, THE GAME'S INCOMPLETE!!!

I just don't see the disadvantage in having a great story stretched out over 3 normal sized campaigns, even if they hyped up the size of the campaign.

Hype aside, we're still getting 3 normal sized games, at 3 normal prices, which are essentially 2 normal expansions.

We've had expansions in previous Blizzard titles, but this time there are two.
Oh noes.

Quote from Airandius

Because it is one game, split in three.

Because a game featuring a normal sized campaign, fully featured multiplayer for all races, challenge missions on the side and custom map support is a third of a game, right?

I still don't see the complaint here.

Instead of packing 3 campaigns of the same size into one game, which would take development to roughly 2014, they've made a campaign comparable to the size of other games, with a price comparable to other games. The storyline is far better than other games, and the fact that two subsequent games will follow the SAME storyline further enhances this.

Essentially, where they could have given us one game, they've giving us three games each with normal sized campaigns, with a normal price.

I really don't see the problem here, nobody is forcing you to buy the other two if you don't want to.

Venom, bitch.
Yeah, I know my runewords!

Today, twitter user bbcmilk asked the Diablo team if characters would have customizable features such as their hair, face, or skin color. In response, Diablo tweeted a bit on the current state of customization.


Of course, the lack of facial customization is not new to the series, nor is the focus on armor customization. In both Diablo I and II, characters could not be customized outside of the 3 tiers of armor visuals. In Diablo I, this was very fixed, with light medium and heavy armor each featuring a fixed look. In Diablo II, this was expanded to have each limb change based on what armor was worn, in addition to the helmet changing based on what characters chose to fill that slot.
But, to compare what seems to be in place for Diablo III with the rest of the series, would put the past two titles to shame.

If we can recall from the original gameplay video, the Barbarian got an armor upgrade at roughly 5:20. Six pieces of armor drop, and each piece of armor is equipped to a specific slot. Each piece of armor also affects the look of the Barbarian. In Diablo II when a character equipped gloves or boots, they did not actually show up on the character, instead the chest plate determined the entire look of the armor (outside of the helmet and shield, of course). However, from the gameplay video we can see that even the boots and gloves, and a new slot reserved for leggings each fill a unique slot in the visual representation of the characters armor. Equip gloves, and it affects how your hands look, boots affect your feet, leggings affect your legs, and so on.

One more thing to consider, is unique armor. Simply put, will unique armor look like it's base item, or will it look like something else entirely? Now of course, this could result in a lack of diversity due to customization, since most people would deck their characters out with the most powerful unique items and leave it at that. Yet, unique items in the past games have all featured unique inventory sprites, as well as often applying a unique coloration to the armor representation on the character. I see no reason why this would be changed with Diablo III.

Which, brings me to my next point of speculation; armor and weapon dyes. Once more, I see no reason why these would not or could not be implemented. Back in Diablo II, magical properties and rare items would both affect the coloration of the base item. To put this into the hands of the player as a freely customizable option would be a wise, and undoubtedly welcome mechanic. Players would be able to not only choose the look of their armor through the base item, but further customize by way of dye.

Of course, the latter portion of this article is only speculation, but knowing Blizzard, they're cooking something up far beyond our expectations.

And I think it turned out decently. You can't see all the details/shading because I took a picture with my phone, and didn't scan it (yet). Any input would be appreciated.

You asked for a blue, green, and purple variation right? Since Nacho did not do all of them, I took the liberty to do them

Oh wow this is interesting.being away from diablo & diablo fans for a while n see this

God i almost felt like crying reading the old stuff bought D1. Happy New Year Everyone.

Just make the game with Support for mouse and keyboard! Thats all you need give a set away with the console version and every one plays on blizzards servers. Ive been waiting for a game to just support mouse and keyboard!!!!! Don't work around what works when the consoles have built in usb ports and don't start talking about money because you all own rock bank and you cant play rock band with out the stuff they sell you!

I didn't check the whole forum if some one already posted this but I just had to say it for all those who play first person shooters on Xbox and have to deal with duel analog when your a surgeon on a pc wit your mouse!

Ok soo don't freak out if this solution doesn't make sense or if you dont no wat im talking about but u could use a button hold solution.

How it works:

The longer you hold the button the farther the "distance selector" travels on the screen.

Say for instace you want to teleport to a location on screen.

You would use the right joy stick to select the direction you want to teleport

Then you would hold down the teleport button (what ever that may be) for .5 of a second that would put u a half a screen a way and a 1 second hold would yield a whole screen travel.


What ever the travel:time increment would be it would have to be fast enough to be efficient in pvp.

OP: Someone might say how could a person no the diffrence between a half a second and a full second button hold.

Trust me, if you sit someone down and make them use a tool they will learn how to use it.

Im not saying this is the best method but im only trying to help.

Wow, no vote for me even after my great games on the RP forum, and for the idea of bringing the RP forum back to life
Ah well...

My two votes go to Zhar. He has a great personality and is always updating us on the home page.

Here is an updated character overview with text color and brief bio.

OUTLINE:

NAME: Micakineer
AGE: 42
HEIGHT: 6'2
WEIGHT: 240pounds
HAIR: black/grey
EYES: grey
GENDER: male

CHARACTER BIO: A farmer by trade, Micawkineer learned young the value of hard work. Upon his fathers death, he took up the farm, and supported his mother, and 2 younger brothers. Skilled with his hands and polearms, from years in the fields he knew them well. His land, being rich and fertile was often sot after by the king, for himself. One night while sleeping, hired men by the king torched the land, and assumedly kidnapped his family. He awoke, drugged and tied up in his own home, remembering little of what happened.

STRENGTHS: strength, bartering, resistant to poisons
WEAKNESSES: no tactical training, ill tempered, slow learner.

HOW YOUR CHARACTER WAS CAPTURED: Wagered his freedom on a hand of cards.. his hand wasnt good enough, and was sold into slavery. He hopes being around the type of people who kidnapped his family, he may learn where they are.

WEAPONS: polearms/javs

CLOTHING/ARMOR: leathers