DiabloFans

I don't usually post on forums, but something in particular has been on my mind since people first began talking of a Diablo-based MMO.

Going with the assumption that a Diablo MMO would be an RPG, I'm curious to know if it would be 3rd person? I understand that a core component of the Diablo franchise (for its dedicated fans, at least) is the isometric view, but it must be understood that MMO's depend upon a very large fanbase that might not be so accepting of a style that is, regardless of what you make of it, still restrictive and old-fashioned. The truth is most gamers would like to see a horizon line; especially in MMO's as it gives scope and distance. An isometric MMO simply could never compete with the likes of WoW, AoC, and the half-dozen or so extremely hyped releases for the near future.

I realize that many fans consider it heresy to discuss such a change, but personally I believe that as long as combat was not jeopardized (and frankly I've played some better, more satisfying combat games in 3rd person than isometric or 2D) 3rd person would be the only viable Diablo MMO perspective - unless they opted for something like an RTS (which I sincerely doubt). Honestly I'd put more money on it being an SC MMO, or WoW 2, but nevertheless the subject interests me.

It would probably look like the Night Elf campaign on The Frozen Throne anyway. Where they first encounter the Naga?

Seriously though, I better get to see Skovos. I also want to see the Necromancer's capitol.

its pretty off-topic but i'll reply anyway:

Quote from "Ritual" »

I didn't find the story very compelling and everything was overall too freaking huge.

the story was fine if you bothered reading the quest texts. From the minor invasions in each starting region to the massive trouble in the high-end areas. Its all very interesting.

Quote from "Ritual" »

Sometimes it was hard to find your way and you'd have to grind to get to whatever level instead of doing quests (which mostly included killing 10/10 monsters anyway).

true, like in every MMORPG. But, wait a minute! Did the quests in Diablo 2 (that you so seem to revere) request anything else than killing? No. And is questing rewarded with experience? No. So, whats the only way to level in Diablo 2? GRINDING or leeching. Where the second isnt the best thing that comes to mind, the first shows that at least in WoW you can do more things than just kill monsters to get your level.

Quote from "Ritual" »

It was just a freaking haste to get to 60 so you could join everyone else for raids, pvp, etc etc.

its not a haste unless you want it to be. All the lower level regions have quests and dungeons to explore and find stories and items of interest. If they chose to rush to 60 (or 70 now and 80 after WotLK) for the epic purpleness of the raid boss loots or the arena pvp, thats their choices. I have a paladin thats at level 65 for like 2 months now and i keep having fun whenever i play with him, finding quests i havent found before (when rushing to 70 with my mage first week of release).

on the "like things about Diablo" i could also say a few things:

Quote from "Ritual" »

That it in fact had a pretty compelling storyline which also acted as the red line through the entire story which never grew old or dull.

Pretty cliche storyline i'd say. A lone hero kills all demons and goes even to Hell to find the greatest enemy of this world and defeat him? Well, as much as i like how Blizzard presents it, its still nothing too fancy. Yes, it acts like a red line throughout the game, but it makes the game pretty linear on how to finish it. Even if you kill every monster in each area you follow the regions given to you to an ultimate end. While most MMORPGs give you the freedom to choose where to go next and the game never ends, no matter if you reach the level cap.

Quote from "Ritual" »

It was quite simple. You didn't have like 2879234 professions, 237492837498 different items or whatever like in WoW where the super huge city has like 2874 vendors who all do different things. You easily got the hang of Diablo and didn't have to worry about all the different side-aspects that WoW often have. You wouldn't really have to worry that you would miss anything in the game that you couldn't fix later.

If simple is what you like you could also take Tetris. But no, Diablo 2 wasnt as simple as you say. And it wasnt so easy to fix your mistakes either. In WoW you can correct every mistake you made in the past, be it a profession that doesnt suit you, a talent spec, equipment decisions and all. Yes, you can get many items, but there are only some that are good for each class. Once you get a hold of the basic stats you need for each class you know what to do. You can also do some lower region quests later and you even get money for doing so!

Now the ones that start Diablo 2 have the first dozens of characters completely useless because they invest their skills in abilities that are completely useless on the long run, making their characters useless for Nightmare and Hell difficulties. If they dont bother looking up for trainers - that they shouldnt - or game guides - that they shouldnt be forced to either - they waste some hours of their lives before they understand which abilities work best.

i think its safe to jump to the conclusion that WoW is more user friendly than Diablo in every aspect.


now to go back on topic, I do like the idea of a Diablo MMO in the future (maybe after a Diablo 3 expansion if they decide to release oen) with the freedom to explore the world of Sanctuary myself and to not have to run after anyone. The camera view and the gameplay would have to change, but that happened too with World of Warcraft and Warcraft III. And because Diablo 3 will remain RPG it doesnt mean its anything like classic MMORPGs like WoW, AoC or LotRO.

And maybe after that we get a Diablo 4 to introduce more enemies and new plots in the storyline we havent thought of yet. Very much as Warcraft 4 will do after WoW (and after StarCraft 2 is out because as they said, the same team makes all their RTS').

some of the d2 chars will return but it seems that necro would not return probably he is the cannon hero in 2

Oh my god, guys- every single thing you people are saying is what everyone was saying days, weeks, months, and years before Diablo III was announced. Everything. The "factions". The "map". The "timing". They're not making an MMO for Diablo. The next-gen MMO on their site isn't connected to Diablo at all. You were all wrong before, you're wrong now.

There won't be an MMO.

you cant be too sure about that. in time there will be, even if the next gen mmo they're working on isnt in the Diablo universe.

You can't be sure about that, either, because you aren't omniscient.

Well anyways back on topic, I think it would be pretty nice to see Skovos, but I'm just trying to imagine what it would look like if it got completely wrecked by some evil force, as thats probably the only way we would go there....

Quote from "Ritual" »

But to conclude it actually would take away the whole diablo-feeling completely. The angle plays a huge part like many other things which would be destroyed in an MMO.

You DO know that 'MMO' does not mean free mouselook and WASD movement? There's several MMOs with isometric perspective and point&click interface. Maybe it wouldn't be an MMORPG, maybe something like MMOH&S?

Isn't Diablo sort of an MMO?

thats what Blizzard said, but its not a traditional MMO. Its a single-player game with multiplayer possibilities, while MMORPGs are multiplayer only and most likely pay to play. That last part is what makes them so hated in this community.

Quote from "Act_VI" »

Isn't Diablo sort of an MMO?

Not by a long shot.

No it isn't.

I like how the people with petitions in their sig lack grammar skills ><

by definition "MMO" is a game where many many people play it online. In which case Diablo and Diablo II were in a way MMO. But as i said before, they're not the "traditional" MMORPGs with 24/7 customer service and a world where you log on and play (and content patches and of course additional fees). It consists of channels and "instanced" worlds created for (groups of) players.

it's been hell getting access to this site.

finally fixed that issue.

Diablo genre game is called action RPG by most industry people.

there are three categories of games that Blizzard currently makes.

a. real time strategy
this game involves coordinating and directing a large army of units at the same time.

b. massively multiplayer online [mmo]
this game involves 100+ players online with the ability to interact with any other player.

c. rogue-like games

this game doesn't really fit into any category. others have tried making similar games and it is a game that stands alone. so for the sake of public awareness it was labelled action role playing game [rpg].

for those of you unaware of what rogue-like games are you can find information about them on the internet.

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in response to the direction of Blizzard making permanent outdoor locations.

outdoor play areas should be randomized.

if they can't figure out how to do it they shouldn't be reducing features that players love in the game. it is not too complex. it was done in diablo2 and regardless of the demands on the art department i think that having waited ten years that we deserve a game that keeps that critical feature of Diablo. the RANDOM factor.

what they are describing is bringing MMO concepts into Diablo. Diablo was never a MMO and it deserves to be developed as its own game with its own concepts.

just because MMOs bring in money doesn't mean it's the best model.

for example.

10 million WoW subscrbers at $15.00/month. that is $150 million dollars/month in income before expenses to Blizzard.

that's more than $1 billion dollars a year before expenses.

so Blizzard is thinking that they can move other games into that model and 'synergize' their games.

this is already known by most of you.

not every game can be merged.

at its heart these are what Blizzard fans think:

starcraft is a real time strategy game.

warcraft is a real time strategy game.

world of warcraft is a mmo.

diablo is a rogue-like game.


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if Blizzard wants another MMO make it. but don't take diablo and try to convert it into an MMO. that is what i am seeing and it will be a lot better if they announce Diablo MMO and Diablo 3.

Diablo will always be a rogue-like game. if they want to offshoot and make movies and MMOs fine, but keep my Diablo game the way it is supposed to be played.

AWww I wanna go to amazon Isle oh well underground necro city sounds ten times bettah!

How are they bringing MMO-like qualities in to Diablo III? They want to reduce the number of players per game to 6 or less. Your definition says the main quality of an MMO is 100+ players to a game.

Quote from "Lucion" »

There are soooo many Bowzon fans from DII I just know we'll be facing a petition if Skovos appears in the DIII expansion and the amazon is no longer the obvious choice for an ultimately powerful character.

Heck, it's been a week already without a petition...

Dont be givin any ideas about some petition you dont know waht kind of crazy crackaszs are out there