D3 Open Beta Weekend - Like Right Now

[SixshotOverdrive]

Also got a chance to play with sixshot before game crashed. I also took an underleveled character to wrong places. Results weren't pretty

lol I got a huge lag spike when we ran into those elite unburied, next thing I know both you and I are dead and my other friends running down the halls with a trail of monsters. Fun times.

[Zidders]

I had fun, I uninstalled. I don't want to get any more attached to it than I am already lol

[kaosweilder]

lol I got a huge lag spike when we ran into those elite unburied, next thing I know both you and I are dead and my other friends running down the halls with a trail of monsters. Fun times.

I actually didn't get any lag at that point. It was just that I was underlevled and got destroyed in the hubris Though my laptop overheated again and shut down It was fun while it lasted. Hit me up when TL2 is out. I'd love to run with you

@Zid: I can empathize I was getting attached too. What made the situation dangerous was that I didn't have money to spend on it I could play this weekend only because I was at a friend's place and he has good internet.

[T6000]

After trying the Beta, I don't think I'll be picking up Diablo 3 myself. I may ask it for my birthday this summer if there are no other interesting games in the horizon at the time. I could forgive the bugs (since it *is* Beta, after all) and the constant disconnection problems (the free weekend was a stress test), but what was hard for me to overlook was the oversimplified gameplay, the lack of customizations for my character as I level him up (skills automatically unlock for you and the game chooses the stat points for you), and the game just felt too easy. Granted, there are some things about Diablo 3 that I liked and, to the developers' credit, some features that were quite creative. I do like the resource system and how they play a bit different for each character class. I also like how characters in town will chat with each other about current events, sort of how like NPCs in Skyrim will chat amongst each other. Now all that's missing is an annoying Bard in the tavern. Ahem, and speaking of current events, I also do like how you can pick up journals that will automatically provide audio that covers some of the backstory of the previous Diablo games and in Diablo 3. It helps keep the action going. I also do like the art alot, it's a cross between the grim art in Path of Exile and the rich, colorful art of the Torchlight series. I can understand if noone likes the art and it turns them off, and certainly won't namecall you for it (unlike a certain community).

I gave my thoughts and feelings with the Beta in various other communities, and came under alot of ridiculous namecalling. I guess since some of them had devoted Blizzard and Diablo fans, I should have known. People accused me of coming up with reasons to hate Diablo 3 (which I don't there are some things I like about Diablo 3), that I hate Diablo 3 because it's "Cool to hate Blizzard currently" (Which I don't. It's ridiculous to hate something because it's cool, and few people really hate because it's 'cool'. Such accusations are an easy way of deflecting an argument with little thought.), and one even accused me of being a paid shill (Which I'm not, though in this economy I sometimes almost wish I was. But if I was a paid shill, I'd argue with people that love the game and flame them. Instead I remain indifferent to people liking it and don't bother wasting my time flaming people who flame the fans).

[hawkn]

You Runic fanboy! Your point is invalid.

Also, you're just plain wrong because everything Blizzard pukes out is absolute perfection!

[D2Hans]

The best fun I had in the beta was when Leah was following my Character I walked into Cain House and read she said I think it is rude to go into other peoples places. I also went into Leah's room and she said "Why are we in my room" I read part 2 of her Diary there.

I was getting more into the game the longer I played. I will not be buying when the game is out due to not having the cash. If the starter's edition is out by then I will play that for a bit to get more of a feeling for it.

[RayBanJockey]

Don't know why people are having such a hard time grasping how itimization and skills work in D3 - It doesn't restrict your choices one bit, it may only seem that way as it works differently.

Skills
What's the real difference between the skill tree of D2 where you unlock skills of your choice tier by tier, and the system in D3 where you are given skills each level and you choose yourself which ones to use? Only difference is you're not actually clicking a little box with a graphic inside it to recieve the skill. You're not forced to use anything you don't want to use, just because you get a skill at lvl 10 doesn't mean you have to use it over the one you got at lvl 8. They're completely different. The skills are there and it's your choice to use the ones you want for your build, ranged/melee whatever. The result is the same except it's way easier to undo your mistakes.

Stats
All I can say is I believe what I read about items and jewelcrafting enabling even larger stat spread than in D2. Instead of clicking your vitality button each time you level up you choose to equip items and use gems with your preffered stats.

So it's all the same really, just streamlined. I think a few months down the road and people will have settled down, realising the D3 way of doing things is in fact a rather nice change.

[jamesL]

Don't know why people are having such a hard time grasping how itimization and skills work in D3 - It doesn't restrict your choices one bit,

because people aren't using "elective mode" for the skills
in "default mode" the game very much restricts skills

and the Demon Hunter is pretty much restricted to bows
and a monk attacks with his fist even when a weapon is equipped
so those things confuse people

[T6000]

My brother tried out the Beta, and though he did share much of my thoughts and concerns he did enjoy it a bit better than I did. However, he does balk at the "Always Online" DRM of the game. And he said that was one of the main reasons he isn't rushing out to get the game, because he's not thrilled about having to go online & stay online everytime he plays Diablo 3. But it is understandable to see how & why he balks at such DRM, since he's mainly a console gamer (and to date no current generation console game requires you to connect online to play any of your games. At least, none that I am aware of).

[wolfmane]

It's interesting to see someone say something like, " I could forgive the bugs (since it *is* Beta, after all) and the constant disconnection problems". I'm not picking on you or arguing T6000, I merely point it out because it's always enlightening to see how someone else views the same experience. I didn't even notice anything and felt the game was about as polished as anything I've seen. Sadly though, I'm pretty well brain washed. The server flip-flops over the weekend and the constant online only don't even register in my head-space.

[Brixtan]

But it is understandable to see how & why he balks at such DRM, since he's mainly a console gamer (and to date no current generation console game requires you to connect online to play any of your games. At least, none that I am aware of).

Not to derail this thread, but I'd bet a substantial amount of money that the next generation of consoles will have something akin to this for DRM-esque purposes.

[T6000]

But it is understandable to see how & why he balks at such DRM, since he's mainly a console gamer (and to date no current generation console game requires you to connect online to play any of your games. At least, none that I am aware of).

Not to derail this thread, but I'd bet a substantial amount of money that the next generation of consoles will have something akin to this for DRM-esque purposes.

Yeah, I too have heard of the rumors going around that the next generation consoles will be incorporating some form of DRM or another to do away with used games sales (and to also deal with console piracy before it becomes too much of a problem). It'd be interesting to see how the Console Gaming community will react to this. We in the PC Gaming community are use to it since Digital Platforms that incorporate DRM have benefits (well.....many but not all), and price drops are not only more frequent but also more substantial (Well.....usually).

[hawkn]

Most analysts are calling the rumors that next gen consoles won't play used game, or have disk drives something along the lines of "laughably stupid".

It just gives the competitors reason to add what the other guy doesn't.

[AttackGorilla]

Stayed up extra late one night this weekend to get an hour of the open beta in. First impression was that it was better than I was expecting, though I hope the action picks up a bit in later levels. I did like walking into a dungeon room, having all the doors lock shut and then having massive streams of skeletons come at me over 60 seconds (though at the same time there were a lot of times I was walking around, just walking and was wishing I could at least run if they weren't going to put any enemies around the area). I also hope that, if there is not already a way, that eventually they will have an option to turn off that distracting enemy glowing effect when you mouse-over them.
I went ahead and pre-ordered (hooray for already having a $30 amazon credit)

[Seer]

There's some nice insigh. I really like what they have done with the art style the whole painterly approach and vibe, generally speaking (still dissapointed with armors). The lighting is also finely integrated into the overall scene, as far as I can tell.

We're not particularly interested in pushing graphical limits with Blizzard games. Our intent is always to provide a timeless stylized aesthetic, while allowing for a broad range of machines to view the game with similar results. The art style for Diablo III is specifically intended to appear as a moving painting, which in general avoids very crisp textures, hard lines, or graphical effects.

In addition we specifically separate background from foreground by using by using a visually unobtrusive canvas and sharper and more saturated enemies and spell effects in the foreground to elevate the gameplay. We actually specifically call it the 'canvas' because the foreground and midground elements and action are painted on top. With the screen full of enemies, spell effects, minions, and players you don't want a busy background with detailed textures and a bunch of visual effects making them look detailed, because it actually detracts from the ability to quickly and easily make important skilled choices during combat.

It's more important for us to serve the gameplay as well as design a timeless game. "Realism" in games is really only as real as the next version of DirectX or video card product cycle. By approaching with a stylized and painterly approach, we intend for Diablo III to be playable and visually appealing for as long as possible.

EDIT: Is there any point in keeping the beta client installed?

[hawkn]

I don't think it really has a painterly look. More like plastic, somewhat cartoony.

Guild Wars 2 is a goof example of a painterly look.

[D2Hans]

Is there any point in keeping the beta client installed?

I doubt that there is going to be another open Beta for the week-end. I am keeping mine installed for now.

You could also just keep it installed because you are a big fan.

[amb2010]

Considering this was advertised as "Your last chance to try D3 before we release the game!", I doubt they'll have another beta.

[Zidders]

That and the beta ends may 1st lol

[FieryBalrog]

I don't think it really has a painterly look. More like plastic, somewhat cartoony.

Guild Wars 2 is a goof example of a painterly look.

There are many valid criticisms of D3 but this is silly. The thing looks almost exactly like a watercolor. "Plastic"?