i kinda imagine that can't be fixed without an absurd amount of investment, because they're still on top of the war3 engine. probably just going to keep being the upgraded models with new voice acting and the same animations that they had in 2002
I will say the animation on the in-engine cutscenes looks REAL bad, but maybe that'll get fixed before launch.
I'm not optimistic myself--this isn't quite a "skin atop a skin" arrangement as in Starcraft Remastered, but they do seem to want to capture the original cinematic direction of Warcraft III which involves a lot of NPCs spinning around, walking to coordinates, stoping, and opening and closing their jaws sort of.
I'd love them to re-do the in-game no-control cinematics, but that might be "too much work" for something that isn't going to command Overwatch or even Starcraft II numbers. I'm just hoping for fixed CG video transfer quality.
Man, I know they were proud of their in-engine cut scenes back then, but trying to play WarCraft III again recently just make me remember how much more I enjoyed the mission briefings and radio transmissions from the StarCraft campaign. You were either in control, or you weren't. No wrestling it back and forth while you wait to play some more.
i would imagine that story tweaking is primarily like, smoothing over some rougher line writes, and then just correcting any dialogue that's since been slightly retconned - the part in Frozen Throne where some tentacles burst out of the ground and Anub'arak calls them an Old God for example, where what they've gone on to make Old Gods is relatively different
i would imagine that story tweaking is primarily like, smoothing over some rougher line writes, and then just correcting any dialogue that's since been slightly retconned - the part in Frozen Throne where some tentacles burst out of the ground and Anub'arak calls them an Old God for example, where what they've gone on to make Old Gods is relatively different
Technically he calls it a Forgotten One.
0
BethrynUnhappiness is MandatoryRegistered Userregular
Hearthstone, I'm not sure about. I don't think the devs are out-of-touch, they may just be... kind of bad at balancing card games? But for all the virtriol they get, they also have a huge, consistent player base, so... shrug.
I think they more or less recognised their income stream from HS was not tied to eSports or competitive ladder players in any way. It has a huge playerbase, but even getting to something fairly simple like Rank 5 puts you in a tiny percentile, indicating just how few active players were interested in ladder. So instead of focusing on balance, they've focused on making cards more attractive and interesting for the minnows. Taking 9 months to fix Pirate Warrior was the clearest lighthouse signal that they weren't interested in making the competitive game feel good, and I stopped playing shortly after that.
...and of course, as always, Kill Hitler.
0
ChaosHatHop, hop, hop, HA!Trick of the lightRegistered Userregular
Hearthstone is too fucking for the LULZ for me to play consistently. It was a good game at the beginning and now it's just bullshit shenanigans.
0
Warlock82Never pet a burning dogRegistered Userregular
Hearthstone, I'm not sure about. I don't think the devs are out-of-touch, they may just be... kind of bad at balancing card games? But for all the virtriol they get, they also have a huge, consistent player base, so... shrug.
I think they more or less recognised their income stream from HS was not tied to eSports or competitive ladder players in any way. It has a huge playerbase, but even getting to something fairly simple like Rank 5 puts you in a tiny percentile, indicating just how few active players were interested in ladder. So instead of focusing on balance, they've focused on making cards more attractive and interesting for the minnows. Taking 9 months to fix Pirate Warrior was the clearest lighthouse signal that they weren't interested in making the competitive game feel good, and I stopped playing shortly after that.
Honestly I gave up on Hearthstone when it became more and more clear that FTP wasn't all that viable anymore. I liked my mage deck, but they kept nerfing it or removing cards from standard to the point you pretty much had to buy the new expansions to even play. So I kind of decided I wasn't having fun with it anymore and quit.
for example, jason schreier reliably breaking news stories about Assassin's Creed is why Ubisoft doesn't send publications he works for review copies of games
+3
Warlock82Never pet a burning dogRegistered Userregular
Seems awful convenient, honestly. "Well we WERE going to announce it but decided to hold off on it."
Well, I mean if they had publicly said so maybe. Remember these are the equivalent of Blizzard employees grumbling about how their company botched the reveal talking anonymously. I'm with gnome though, Schreier is like, an actual journalist (he does a lot of good investigative journalism especially). He does his homework. I trust his word here.
SnicketysnickThe Greatest Hype Man inWesterosRegistered Userregular
He was also working on an enormous dive into Rockstar working conditions (that you may well have read as it was pubished shortly after) some time before the "100 hours" interview, he's solid.
I cannot tell if that is sarcastic because I do not know who that man is
To be fair, there is an extensive conspiracy theory full of data points on the diablo subreddit charting out exactly when they think Diablo 4 got pulled from the lineup. Lots of walking back PR statements, which I don't consider conclusive. But also a ton of upper management hiring on what is theorized to be the D4 project, possibly indicating a lot of heads rolled when the new CEO took over. And then the fact that Diablo appeared to take center stage in BlizzCon promo material.
This is increasingly looking, if true, like less of a nightmarishly tone deaf Blizzard, and instead possibly the worst PR pivot in gaming history.
Schreier was the guy who put out that huge report on Rockstars labor practices and recently reported that Microsoft is buying Obsidian. He's definitely legit.
Seems awful convenient, honestly. "Well we WERE going to announce it but decided to hold off on it."
It is very convenient in the whole, "Well, what could be the best looking reason for us holding off on announcing a game people and instead announcing a game possibly-terrible people don't want" sense.
The best answer I can think of is, "We're too responsible to prematurely announce something that is still many years from it's-done-when-it's-done release, especially when it is still subject to change, even though admittedly huge aspects of Diablo III have changed since its release anyway."
That doesn't make it not true. People sometimes have very good reasons for doing things. And other times they just say they did.
I mentioned it in another thread, but that whole subplot about it being pulled was bandied about over the weekend, too. It sounds plausible. The best reason I saw that I could see suits going with was that it would've taken attention away from Immortal. One person even theorized it was a Netease request to not mention a mainline Diablo.
It's plausible.
XBL: Bizazedo
PSN: Bizazedo
CFN: Bizazedo (I don't think I suck, add me).
+2
3cl1ps3I will build a labyrinth to house the cheeseRegistered Userregular
"Don't announce D4 because it will overshadow the mobile game and potentially hurt its revenue, just announce the mobile game the crowd will love it" sounds exactly like C-level executive last-minute, utterly out of touch meddling.
It would also explain why the Diablo guys all looked like deer in headlights if making a mobile game the biggest announcement of the show wasn't the original plan.
I suppose they didn't want to get in another huge announcement->release gap like Diablo 3, or Diablo 4 is really struggling internally.
Maybe? But Bethesda announcing TES6 and saying "it's going to be out in like, twelve years, be patient" actually worked out really well. I think just reassuring people that the thing is eventually happening can go a long way.
I suppose they didn't want to get in another huge announcement->release gap like Diablo 3, or Diablo 4 is really struggling internally.
Maybe? But Bethesda announcing TES6 and saying "it's going to be out in like, twelve years, be patient" actually worked out really well. I think just reassuring people that the thing is eventually happening can go a long way.
Yeah. I mean, again, people went nuts over just the Metroid Prime 4 logo, no gameplay, no screenshots, no release date, not even a developer. Just saying stuff is being made can be huge.
"Thank you for enjoying our reveal of Diablo Immortal. We couldn't be more excited...!"
"...but one last thing....."
"In addition to Diablo Immortal, we have one final Diablo reveal....! You've asked for it. You've begged for it! And we've been trying to keep it under wraps from our pal Jason Schreier for months, now."
"We are honored to reveal...WORLDSTONE, Heroes & Villains of Diablo! Built on the Hearthstone engine, pick one of 9 heroes or villains from the Diablo world and battle in whimsy filled card battles!"
<Video shows Leah and Cain eyeballing each other across a table, cards in hands>
"Please be excited!"
XBL: Bizazedo
PSN: Bizazedo
CFN: Bizazedo (I don't think I suck, add me).
I suspect one issue is that they aren't sure what they want to call it yet. I recall a rumor to exactly that effect that the name wasn't finalized.
Reasons why a next Diablo wouldn't be called "Diablo 4"
1) Jay indicated that 1-3 was supposed to be a closed trilogy in terms of story.
2) 1-3 were mostly boxed soloable games with limited content, the next one will be an MTX filled MMO-lite with a 10+ year planned lifespan.
3) They might be doing something even more radical to gameplay, like a typical 3rd-person view, maybe even controller-centric.
There's probably still some way to tease it, but how do you indicate that it is the PC/console successor if there isn't "4" in the title? Can you even show a logo at that point?
They had a bunch of merch at Blizzcon that was branded under "Diablo: Reign of Terror," which if it was the name of the next game, would jive with the idea that they were going to announce a new PC Diablo title but pulled it towards the last minute.
Undead Scottsman on
0
Warlock82Never pet a burning dogRegistered Userregular
I thought massively's take was pretty good, and it explains why much more of the show fell flat than just Diablo. TLDR Blizzard is trying to treat a fan convention (place for fans to congregate and celebrate) as a trade show (place to advertise new things to attendees, especially new audiences) So not only was Immortal a bad idea here because its not targeted at existing fans, they also end up doing panels for other games where there is next to nothing exciting to announce, because they still have to announce things because its a trade show. Hearthstone was notably announced at PAX for good reason.
Finally got a chance to read this. Very good take. I was particularly struck by them bringing up the WoW panel "Megadungeon" bit because that's literally how I felt when they announced that. I was feeling ok about that panel and then "Oh, I see... we're back to the things I hated about Legion..."
Or Diablo 4 isn't anywhere beyond a white board with "Diablo 4!" written on it and circled and underlined somewhere at Irvine.
They could literally post this exact image and gotten away with whatever they have to deal with now
Nintendo showed the logo for Metroid Prime 4 and that was enough to satisfy people.
So, yeah. A Diablo 4 logo would've gone a long goddamn way.
That's a little different.
Like, we know Diablo 4 is happening at some point, it's just a matter of when. Seeing a logo is just them going "Soon! Maybe? Maybe not!"
Metroid Prime 4? I was completely not expecting that and I'm happy to know it's in development. That said, the fact they didn't show ANYTHING about it at E3 this year kinda ticked me off as they could have held the reveal off for a whole year. Use the time during the direct to show off Samus Returns instead of shoehorning it into the post-show.
They had a bunch of merch at Blizzcon that was branded under "Diablo: Reign of Terror," which if it was the name of the next game, would jive with the idea that they were going to announce a new PC Diablo title but pulled it towards the last minute.
That would be hilarious on multiple levels.
"Uh, crap, if we're not announcing the game, should we pull the shirts?"
"Nah, people will buy Diablo merch no matter what, and we're not storing those pallets for another year. Leave 'em out. When we announce it'll basically be an easter egg in retrospect."
First they came for the Muslims, and we said NOT TODAY, MOTHERFUCKER!
You know, looking over the history of Blizzard's association with NetEase and the look of Diablo: Immortal, it strikes me that maybe this really super isn't for the Blizzcon fanbase. Because this is entirely Blizzard trying to cash-in on the asian market and anything that happens in the Western market is purely an incidental bonus.
Posts
Those are most certainly not the same animations they used back in 2002.
EDIT: There's also a big "ART NOT FINAL!" so like I said, hopefully the weird animations get fixed.
Man, I know they were proud of their in-engine cut scenes back then, but trying to play WarCraft III again recently just make me remember how much more I enjoyed the mission briefings and radio transmissions from the StarCraft campaign. You were either in control, or you weren't. No wrestling it back and forth while you wait to play some more.
Technically he calls it a Forgotten One.
Honestly I gave up on Hearthstone when it became more and more clear that FTP wasn't all that viable anymore. I liked my mage deck, but they kept nerfing it or removing cards from standard to the point you pretty much had to buy the new expansions to even play. So I kind of decided I wasn't having fun with it anymore and quit.
there is literally no way for me to say "i am not sarcastic" because you will wonder if i am being sarcastic
Just like
Blink twice if you're not being sarcastic and Jason Schreier is a reliable news source
Well, I mean if they had publicly said so maybe. Remember these are the equivalent of Blizzard employees grumbling about how their company botched the reveal talking anonymously. I'm with gnome though, Schreier is like, an actual journalist (he does a lot of good investigative journalism especially). He does his homework. I trust his word here.
D3 Steam #TeamTangent STO
To be fair, there is an extensive conspiracy theory full of data points on the diablo subreddit charting out exactly when they think Diablo 4 got pulled from the lineup. Lots of walking back PR statements, which I don't consider conclusive. But also a ton of upper management hiring on what is theorized to be the D4 project, possibly indicating a lot of heads rolled when the new CEO took over. And then the fact that Diablo appeared to take center stage in BlizzCon promo material.
This is increasingly looking, if true, like less of a nightmarishly tone deaf Blizzard, and instead possibly the worst PR pivot in gaming history.
It is very convenient in the whole, "Well, what could be the best looking reason for us holding off on announcing a game people and instead announcing a game possibly-terrible people don't want" sense.
The best answer I can think of is, "We're too responsible to prematurely announce something that is still many years from it's-done-when-it's-done release, especially when it is still subject to change, even though admittedly huge aspects of Diablo III have changed since its release anyway."
That doesn't make it not true. People sometimes have very good reasons for doing things. And other times they just say they did.
It's plausible.
PSN: Bizazedo
CFN: Bizazedo (I don't think I suck, add me).
It would also explain why the Diablo guys all looked like deer in headlights if making a mobile game the biggest announcement of the show wasn't the original plan.
Maybe? But Bethesda announcing TES6 and saying "it's going to be out in like, twelve years, be patient" actually worked out really well. I think just reassuring people that the thing is eventually happening can go a long way.
Yeah. I mean, again, people went nuts over just the Metroid Prime 4 logo, no gameplay, no screenshots, no release date, not even a developer. Just saying stuff is being made can be huge.
They could literally post this exact image and gotten away with whatever they have to deal with now
This will be here until I receive an apology or Weedlordvegeta get any consequences for being a bully
Shoulda posted the elder Scrolls teaser with a line through it and Diablo 4 scribbled across.
"...but one last thing....."
"In addition to Diablo Immortal, we have one final Diablo reveal....! You've asked for it. You've begged for it! And we've been trying to keep it under wraps from our pal Jason Schreier for months, now."
"We are honored to reveal...WORLDSTONE, Heroes & Villains of Diablo! Built on the Hearthstone engine, pick one of 9 heroes or villains from the Diablo world and battle in whimsy filled card battles!"
<Video shows Leah and Cain eyeballing each other across a table, cards in hands>
"Please be excited!"
PSN: Bizazedo
CFN: Bizazedo (I don't think I suck, add me).
Law and Order ≠ Justice
ACNH Island Isla Cero: DA-3082-2045-4142
Still waiting on Dan "Man of his Word" Ryckert to eat a hat
Reasons why a next Diablo wouldn't be called "Diablo 4"
1) Jay indicated that 1-3 was supposed to be a closed trilogy in terms of story.
2) 1-3 were mostly boxed soloable games with limited content, the next one will be an MTX filled MMO-lite with a 10+ year planned lifespan.
3) They might be doing something even more radical to gameplay, like a typical 3rd-person view, maybe even controller-centric.
There's probably still some way to tease it, but how do you indicate that it is the PC/console successor if there isn't "4" in the title? Can you even show a logo at that point?
Finally got a chance to read this. Very good take. I was particularly struck by them bringing up the WoW panel "Megadungeon" bit because that's literally how I felt when they announced that. I was feeling ok about that panel and then "Oh, I see... we're back to the things I hated about Legion..."
So, yeah. A Diablo 4 logo would've gone a long goddamn way.
That's a little different.
Like, we know Diablo 4 is happening at some point, it's just a matter of when. Seeing a logo is just them going "Soon! Maybe? Maybe not!"
Metroid Prime 4? I was completely not expecting that and I'm happy to know it's in development. That said, the fact they didn't show ANYTHING about it at E3 this year kinda ticked me off as they could have held the reveal off for a whole year. Use the time during the direct to show off Samus Returns instead of shoehorning it into the post-show.
That would be hilarious on multiple levels.
"Uh, crap, if we're not announcing the game, should we pull the shirts?"
"Nah, people will buy Diablo merch no matter what, and we're not storing those pallets for another year. Leave 'em out. When we announce it'll basically be an easter egg in retrospect."