The team producing Diablo III is almost entirely new, with none of the senior members of the Diablo II team involved. What does the D2 team think of the new game, and the direction Blizzard's taking the franchise? Diii.net has a brief quote from Diablo creator Max Schaefer, and a longer interview with Ben Boos, a senior artist on Diablo 2 and its expansion pack. Ben gives his opinion on how the look of the game has changed since the early version he worked on at Blizzard North, the "too colorful" controversy, and more:
Ben Boos: As for the tone: A comparison of D1 to D2 comes to mind. I remember plowing ahead and making those green pastures and meadows in D2, and thinking after the fact? ?oops! The original Diablo was so dark and moody; did I screw up the atmosphere?? Then I went and made the bright desert wasteland, and the same potential problems cropped up. But it all worked out in my opinion, because we were able to take the player underground, and to various darker environments. Therefore, I think you can?t judge the atmosphere of D3 from a short demo. Who knows what incredible sights await the player of Diablo 3?
Diablo IV may be the latest entry from the Diablo series, but it can sure learn a thing or two from the iconic Diablo II. Both of these games are different and similar to each other, but Diablo II's phenomenal presence should still be more appearing in Diablo IV to make the game even better in its current state.
A fan-run initiative called Project Diablo 2 has brought a 60 FPS update for the classic Diablo title, among other changes.
Boo! Thought this was eventually a patch for diablo2 on PS5. The fact that they can’t get that game to run in quality mode at 60fps is an absolute joke!
Diablo 2: Resurrected developer Blizzard Albany has condemned Activision Blizzard for “hostility” after it allegedly delayed recognition of a new employee union
The game is still $25 +. I'm waiting for it to drop to the actual value of the product.
I can’t fault activision on this one. “Hostile” for the delay in recognizing their power lmao. Yikes. Good luck with that MS.
This attitude is why I'm not a big fan of the MS/Acti deal: you're essentially rewarding repulsive higher-ups with golden parachutes versus absorbing talent like the inXile/Obsidian deals.
But the Acquisition is actually ousting these people; allowing the company to move forward.
The current shareholders, despite all the toxicity and both public and internal outcry, just voted in Kotick yet again.
That's a fair positive, but part of me still hoped their misdeeds would've bit them on the ass in a more damaging way.
Oh, I agree.
I would love nothing more to see someone like Kotick fired on the spot with every employee giving him a kick in the balls on the way out the door.
Unfortunately the world revolves around money, and he made the company a lot of it. Thus the jackass is still around.
Ben was sincerely enthusiastic about D3, and not bitter about all the work he put into the early version of the game being churned when the project was rebooted after Blizzard North closed.
Wow, that's quite interesting to hear the voices from "ex Blizzard", I mean I think Blizzard don't want people to realize that none of the original team is left ;)
Also, I'd DIE to hear some of the juicy company gossip that must circulate around the departure of Blizzard North! I guess a few hints can be read between the lines here, but I want more!
It's very interesting to hear a PoV of someone who was so integral to the look of D1 and 2 with all these comments about 3 not capturing the dark feel of sanctuary. Personally, I love the look of D3. It's still looks ominous to me.
Judging from the gameplay video alone, D3 will be an epic title that last for a decade. I personally don't care whether or not a new team is making the game, as long as it lives up to the expectation.
It's a question of addiction, from an "intangibles" perspective. Will Diablo 3 have that aesthetically pleasing feeling that would only otherwise be instilled by substance abuse. It has to feel like you're so caught up in the game that the idea of stopping never crosses your mind.