We all know by now that some people went as far as to make a petition for Blizzard to change the graphics, even only after 3 days of seeing the very first screenshots of Diablo 3. Why did Blizard choose a different art style for Diablo 3 than the previous games in the series? When asked, lead Diablo 3 producer Keith Lee, stated that in Diablo 2, and 1, they featured darker landscapes and dungeons which fit great with the whole theme of the games. Since the very first screenshots were released, people have blamed them to look a lot like World of Warcraft, and complained that they were too bright and colorful for a Diablo game.
Keith Lee stated the following about this: “One of the things that we considered when we were working on the visuals for ‘Diablo III’ is the fact that color is your friend. We feel that color actually helps to create a lot of highlights in the game so that there is contrast. A great analogy is like in ‘Lord of the Rings’ — not everything is dark. It allows you to see what a creepy dungeon can be like but if everything is dark it doesn’t allow you to have a lot of contrast. Diablo I and Diablo II are darker, and I think that the one of the main reasons why is the fact that in ‘Diablo I,’ you’re basically in a dungeon the whole time. And in contrast to ‘Diablo III,’ you’ll be exploring outdoors, you’ll be in dungeons, you’ll be experiencing so many different areas."
"We want to bring as much variety as we can when you’re playing the game so that you’re excited to check out new environments. We don’t want everything to look the same and that’s really what we’re trying to aim for. What we also tried to do is create very clean textures so that you can really focus on them. It’s a stylized feel and in that sense, it’s very sort of a Blizzard philosophy. It’s just really pushing the envelope in terms of the visuals so that everyone is excited about how everything looks. We think that ‘Diablo III’ is going to be better in so many different ways. We’re just building and improving upon the the first and second ‘Diablo’ games.”
Kieth also stated, "We’re very involved, because everyone’s very passionate about our games. Blizzard employees spend a lot of time actually iterating on [the game], and so in terms of the next phase, what we’ll try to do is a proof on concept on lot of different gameplay aspects. And we really want to get as much feedback as possible so that we can improve on the game and ensure that we meet Blizzard quality for our fans and for ourselves as players.”
So I want to apologize in advance for my "graphics" post. I was just outraged that people did not appreciate just the fact Diablo 3 was announced, and instead complained. It seems as Blizzard will be listening and making the graphics as the people want them to be. Which is good to hear, but at the same time, I would still love to see them done by a professional, and not only by what some people want them to do.
But really, this is great news, as it means that Diablo 3 will feature both great colors for some areas, that will include waterfalls, and other vibrant textures, but in other parts of the game, such as dungeons, caves, etc. the game will bring back the dark and shadowy Diablo 2 feel that the series is so used to.
Diablo 3 Graphics Explained by Lead Producer Keith Lee
Labels: diablo 3 graphics explained
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
12 comments:
July 3, 2008 12:56 AM
I too tend to lean toward the developer's judgement because of his/her greater involvement with the product. Most people who complain have only had a shallow look and feel of the game. We saw how potential consumer input changed the color saturation of terrans in starcraft 2.
Lets hope the developers will know where and when to stand their ground. Unfortunately for diablo, unlike starcraft, no professional gamers will be able to yield long-term guidance. Although this is more a matter of taste than mechanics. I also feel that diablo 3 strays away from the traditional gothic color scheme, but now that I let the idea sit with me, I think it will ultimately be for the best. Diablo 3 will indeed be a different game from d2. From what we've seen, however, the game does draw very obvious visual reference to the lord of the rings films.
July 3, 2008 3:34 AM
I hope Blizzard wont listen too much on people who whine and stuff.
http://www.petitiononline.com/d3art/petition.html
Well, i don't know what to say? Why can't people tell Blizzard their comments instead of making those meanless pictures.
July 3, 2008 12:31 PM
Well, I must admit that I do think that the game would look better if it kept the dark and gothic feel of D1 and D2. Having said that...
It does not mean the game has to be completly that way, that's nonsense. Of course the outdoor areas should be brighter.
That also does not mean I don't like the game, far from it. D3 looks amazing and it'll be a great game.
I suppose what I mean is that I do appreciate all the work done by Blizzard -as always top quality- but it's normal that people have suggestions. And that's all this is. No need to start fighting or calling names over it.
Blit
July 3, 2008 7:04 PM
I hope really great news. Because Diablo II is not dark lets say on the desert on act II. Has enough light, maybe just one color: yellow, but the textures is what really matters. They are employing an engine somewhat similar like Star Craft II for Diablo III.... wrong idea!
Seems that old school people at Blizzard ar not longer working there... Blizzard North? after 10 years, seems this is going to have strong influences by WoW. Seems this is gonna be a teens game (who won't care about the 17+ rating) rather than a game for veterans who loves Diablo I and II.
And the problem is not the light on dungeons like caves. The problem is that aqua blue/green color that dominates and those textures that has not realism at all. Diablo 3 should have textures and colors redone to be a full success. Light from your sword or your magic should light the enemy and not the aqua/blue light from the dungeon, that who knows where that it came from, maybe the hell now is blue rather than red.
And BTW. I don't like at all that necromancer, looks like stolen from War Craft 3. Where's the skinny look of a cult veteran human that likes dark magic?
I hope too that this is not going to be a game similar to Dungeon Siege... I hate hack and slash. I need hardcore challenge to use the keyboard fast and not just a mouse and 4 keyboard keys
July 4, 2008 3:29 PM
ok well I BEG U WE NEED A NECROMANCER but realy it would rock to see a necromancer in 3-D and see them using there spells in 3-D but i got an idea for the eyes u could make them blue shiny very shiny so they can look like real necromancers but it does no matter plz everybody is saying that they still want the necromancer in d3 and i beg u!!!(sorry if i sounded crazy i just dont want to play this game with out a necromancer summoner XD)
July 4, 2008 3:33 PM
plz I BEG U i wee need a necromancer i mean it would rock to play with a necromancer that is in 3-D and imagin the spells how they will look like we need a necromancer in diablo 3 every 1 want 1 and btw if u add the necro it would look cool to guive him blue shiny eyes very shiny blue so they can look like realy necromancers and scary but any way plz add him thanx(sorry if i look crazy it is just that i cant play diablo 3 with out a necromancer summoner!! XD)
July 10, 2008 11:01 AM
I don't think Diablo 2 was all that dark. In Act 2, you were mostly in the desert / sands and the dungeons were a golden hue. In Act 3, you were mostly in the Jungle. In Act 5, the ice caves and everything else was colorful with mostly white. As long as there is balance, I'll be fine with it.
July 19, 2008 3:10 AM
i was also a bit confused over the "brightness" when i saw the first screenshots.. but after seeing the gameplay vid and reading about the game.. i think it was prety cool.. for those out there who complain about the brightness and graphics... wait and see what the final release brings. you might be surprized :D
August 11, 2008 5:41 AM
vote for your opinion on this issue here:
http://www.pollsb.com/polls/poll/2035654/which-version-of-art-style
September 19, 2008 11:08 AM
I strongly agree that colors should be used, but not in the outside world. When I look outside, I see so much green, it makes me sick. When I'm near water, all I see is the peach-colored sand and green/blue water. Contrast adds a feeling of detail to the game, however it's not meant to be overused. If the excruciating amount of contrast that was used in Warcraft is used throughout, the magic that oppositional colors has is lost in the blizzard (no pun intended). Instead, they should reserve strongly contrasting color schemes to the dungeons that emplore more mysticism or enchantment. Cultural schemes in towns or human-settled area can also reflect the spiritual essence, and have high contrasting colors. Take it out of nature though, and put it where it belongs.
January 13, 2009 5:11 AM
Yeah, I read a dev response to the D3 graphics complaints in PC gamer a couple month ago.
He wasn't even subtle about telling the thousands of die-hard Diablo fans who signed the petition to piss off and suck a fatty.
Their position can be summed up as such:
"We'll do whatever we want, you homo. You'll pay 50 bucks to buy it anyway, so shut your whore mouth."
These new graphics are an absolute detriment to the appeal of this franchise to the core fanbase that would kill for any sequel at all.
It's Blizzard saying
"Thanks for all your patronage and support! You really gave us all the revenue we needed to keep this glorious line of games running, but because WoW has made us more rich than God, we're going to scrap the visual appeal of the first two games, and opt instead to paste our goofy, child-friendly cartoonish graphics over your beloved gameplay, so although you will finally get to play Diablo 3, what you're really playing is a lie, crafted to make us millions while you sit playing, crying, and missing your eerie, understated graphics design and light radius.
Now, give me your wallet right now, or we're going to introduce the next playable class as the 'Interior Decorator'"
They KNOW we're going to buy it, because the gameplay is orgasmic.
That's why they could care less if we don't like how it's turning out.
I don't know why we expect anything less from Blizzard.
They started pissing in our face and mugging us stupid the minute WoW went live.
January 15, 2009 1:22 AM
You're all fuggin weak.
Wait for the damn game to come out before critisizing it is all I'm saying.
And can you cry more over the color-scheme and texture in-game in the dungeons? Take your ass back home and fap to D1 and D2 screens.
They're the friggin developers, not you. And the visuals are beautiful. I dont fuggin care if they're not the dark, gritty universe I'm familiar with, I'll still be playing the damn game, and it's not because of it's visuals. It's just because it's D3.
So far, circa 50,000 people signed the petition for a different take on the visuals. How important do you think the visual question is to the dev. team? They even stated they weren't going to change it.
Let's see any of you try to make a game that not only appeals to the fanbase the prequels have built up over the years, but a whole new crowd. They're trying to make the game as appealing as possible, and ofcourse they're not gonna go for satisfying the smaller crowd of customers over the larger crowd. That's just stupid.
Stop your fugging whining and wait till the game comes out before you try to push your opinions on how the game should be. It's not your choice to make. D-tards...
anon
Post a Comment