Quote fromSo yeah, we're still working on the patch. It's coming along really well. We're getting there. I can't give an estimate or date, we're expecting there to be a good amount of testing required due to the types of changes being made. We want to take our time and put out a solid patch, and that means we don't have a release date right now.
Some exciting news - and it also may be some comfort - due to the types of changes we're making we will be offering the Diablo II 1.13 patch for testing and feedback on a test realm before its release. We'll have more information about how you'll be able to help test it in the coming weeks.
Source.
Thanks Flyarion!
To keep us sane. Though D2 at this point is so messed it seems like a test realm as it is. Interesting that they are being so professional about this patch. Good to hear. But maybe also bad. Is this a sorry that D3 is going to take forever patch?
Though a lore tie-in would be awesome. I just wish they wouldnt say as early as the end of april when they not only need more time to work on it but also a few weeks to test it. at least there will be a test realm
I mean, they're obviously going to add some pretty big content, which will need a new monster or two, or new skills, or a new quest, even a new item. Which all may have some sort of lore tie in.
I don't think they'll just add new runewords and not have any explanation. If they do I'll be disappointed.
-Obviously they have been working on this patch for sometime. Or at least they make it seem that way.
-NEW content, This could include new items, but they have done they before in previous versions [ bosses, items etc] but never stated it to be a huge update or anything. Extending on that idea, new bosses and items of that extent really don't take THAT long to create. Look at diablo 2 mods so far and you will understand.
-Lore. This could very well what they are working at. A tie in for diablo 3. Im 98% sure there is going to be somthing for lore for this patch.
-Game tools. By tools I mean things that will update the game for the new age. Higher res, possible new video settings, and better support for vista/win7
-Battle.net 2.0. This has already been announced and can now integrate world of warcraft. This could also a way to beta test the system and improve things like latency and hacks/dupes.
-Skills/levels/new difficulty. Skills would be an awesome way to improove the game content wise. If they somehow acutaly added a whole new tier of skills that would be fantastic. But I think they would more border line adjust the skills to improve some and nerf some to help flow of new builds instead of the cookie cutter hammderdin.
as for levels they might just bump up the skill level to 100. Its really easy thing they could do and it wouldn't affect most of the game play at all. Hell I know there are tools for mods that can make custom level charts with a single button.
the new difficulty thing seems a bit too far fetched from blizzards view on things. From the whole difficulty posted from before on d3 issues it doesn't seem like they are trying to add a 4th mode. They might make later levels in hell harder and possible give new bounses.
there is proably more I can think of but at the moment that is how I feel the patch could possibly end up being.
hehe, forgive my ignorance on this one!
So this time , it could be another huge change on game mechanic.
just stay a while and listen
That, my friend...
would be AMAZING.
The first time I played the game I went through that place for like an hour wondering what it was for because it seemed so epic.. or they could make a quest out of it?
I am hoping they wll change the skill system, add items, add interesting things like no immunes in hell or add level 100 like others said, and ofcourse change some runewords \ cube recipes etc...
I want them to add a new event that will randomly happen in Baal's throne room. Sometimes he will keep summoning minions even after Lister and the minions of destruction.... Baal will go on a frenzy and start summoning random things, which after a while it gets really hard so only high levels with a good gear can do it...
Im really excited about this patch
I'd also love to see some new skills or maybe even a re-spec system being introduced.
No it wouldn't, there's already mods that have it done. All it does is make you see more area. If anything it makes things look better because it compresses the graphics so they're not smushed up. It's slightly smaller, but it's hardly noticeable.
And where is Abbaddon and that other place that was previously mentioned located?
Take all of their 3d art assets, render them in a higher resolution, and offer THAT as an optional high res video mode.
The game'd get real funky when you have the vision to arrow monsters before they even trigger their AI.
Yea, they are in hell not just some hole in the ground
Act 5 in the Frigid Highlands, the Pit of Acheon is in the Arreat Plateau.
Thanks pwnsickle, I hope they do add some more bosses that would be crazy cool
Hahaha that's what they usually do, and that's why they said *maybe*. People usually complains because they never release enough dates...
Like most of you said, if it requires testing, and lots of testing, there has to be a whole new area, not just a boss. A single boss / event would just require a bit of tweaking.
I'll take that they removed immunities. That would just be the best thing to do, make a whole lot more builds playable iin hell. It was so freakin annoying to not be able to play your char anywhere unless it's a hammerdin... And now it needs lots of testing, since immunities were a big part of hell's difficulty. Seems logical.