#Blizzcon 2019

[bcamelsamples]

Sample: Diablo IV Feature Overview (Diablo IV)

One more Diablo thing, then we'll move on. I promise. 😊

While I left Blizzard in early 2020 prior to Diablo IV's launch, I was involved heavily with the announcement plans and reveal at BlizzCon 2019. That was a cathartic triumph of an experience for me—members of the community can tell you I was crying in the audience when the trailer played, because I'd been holding this secret in for so long.

At this stage, I was pretty much the only North American community manager dedicated to Diablo, handling D3, Immortal, and now D4 communications (I did work with a kickass social media manager, though, so I wasn't totally alone). We were in the process of hiring a new manager above me, which was all well and good; I really didn't want to be a manager (and still don't) because I enjoy writing and creating.

I wrote pretty much every article covering Diablo IV on reveal day (and for the whole of BlizzCon 2019), in addition to managing all our influencer activations onsite, posting on social live from the event, and generally ensuring Diablo stuff was running smoothly each day of the event. If I didn't pause to say hi to you, that was why. 😅 Probably the biggest, busiest BlizzCon I was ever involved in.

This and all the other blogs around that time are preserved by the Wayback Machine - I picked this one because it had the best performance out of all our blogs. People really enjoy details, after all.

Warning: this is a very long one under the cut; if you're playing Diablo IV right now, how has the game changed since reveal?

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Diablo IV Feature Overview

We know you’re all eager to learn as much about Diablo IV as possible, and we’re incredibly excited to share everything with you! To get you started, we’re taking a comprehensive look over the features and details we’re sharing at BlizzCon 2019 and answering a few of the most common questions you undoubtedly have about the next mainline entry in the Diablo franchise.

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The Classes of Diablo IV

At launch, Diablo IV will have five unique character classes, each bringing its own distinct mechanics that embodies their respective fantasy. Today, let’s talk about the first three we’re bringing to life: the Barbarian, the Sorceress, and the Druid.

Barbarian

A brutal, physical warrior, the Barbarian roams around the battlefield constantly, dishing heavy damage and wielding an array of powerful weapons with ease. With the Arsenal system, Barbarians can swap between different types of weapons, such as from a heavy two-handed mace to a pair of sharp, agile hand axes, depending on the situation, skill, and your player needs.

Barbarians will be able to haul around four total weapons and swap between them dynamically at any time. You’ll also be able to assign specific weapons to different skills, allowing advanced players even greater depths of customization.

Sorceress

Harnessing potent elemental powers, the Sorceress is brimming with all your favorite flavors of magic. Fragile but destructive, this high-risk, high-reward hero weaves between Fire, Cold, and Lightning. Her mastery of magic is an iconic and indelible part of the Diablo power fantasy, and we’ve only continued to build upon this sturdy foundation.

You’ll be able to control and dominate enemies with a new Chilling mechanic. The more Cold damage you deal, the more foes will be slowed, frozen, and eventually shattered by your attacks.

Druid

The master of shapeshifting makes his triumphant return to Sanctuary! Seamlessly changing forms from human to Werebear to Werewolf, his command over earth and storm magic is second to none.

Different skills utilize different forms, and entirely new skills like Cataclysm will annihilate hordes of enemies with the unbridled fury of nature itself. Storm magic persists on the battlefield, so you’ll be able to unleash torrents of lightning, wind, and rain before shifting forms to ravage foes.

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Skill Points & Talent Trees

Diablo IV will feature permanent character progression as well as personal customization. To accomplish this, we’re reintroducing both Skill Points and Talent Trees.

Skill Points will be earned by leveling up as well as by hunting down rare tomes out in the world. You can choose to spend Skill Points as you go, save them up to invest more heavily in skills that are unlocked at higher levels, spread them out between multiple skills, or focus on your favorites to make them more powerful.

Each class also has a dedicated Talent Tree for further character customization, though your choices may come at a cost. For example, the Sorceress concentrate on skills that emphasize mobility or Lightning damage while passing up more powerful Cold powers in the process. The Druid might choose to become a tanky melee combatant by investing in Werebear talents, though this doesn’t prevent him from using his Werewolf or Caster skills; they’ll just be less optimized. Where you want to specialize is up to you, and your Talent investments will reflect these decisions.

Talents get more powerful the further down the tree you travel, so make sure you’re choosing wisely as you grow!

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Open World & Multiplayer Gameplay

Unlike previous Diablo games, Diablo IV is fully open world. This means you can explore any of the five distinct regions in any order, at any time, and travel seamlessly between them. Sanctuary will become a living, breathing place to explore and plunder. With introductions like monster ecologies tied to regions, a shared player world with public events, and town points of interest that act as social hubs, Diablo IV will feel a little less lonely (though no less bleak).

The distinctive regions we’re introducing are connected contiguously, for streamlined adventuring from area to area with no loading interruptions.

Scosglen

Home to the Druids, this verdant and rainy land is heavily forested and borders the coast. Werewolves lurk in the thick foliage and the new monster family, the Drowned, crowd the haunted coastlines, waiting to drag unsuspecting victims to a watery doom.

Fractured Peaks

Snowy and secluded, a sect of devout priests find refuge in the isolation of this high mountain range. They seek enlightenment while remaining unaware of the horrors that dwell in the dark cave complexes below.

Dry Steppes

The unforgiving, harsh environment of the Dry Steppes is home only to the hardiest—or desperate—souls. Be warned; the denizens of this land will do anything to survive, resorting to anything from petty banditry to savage cannibalism.

Hawezar

Witches and zealots call this snake-infested swampland home, scouring the murky depths for ancient artifacts. The unaware will quickly find themselves in dire straits.

Kejhistan

As we’ve seen from previous visits to Alcarnus and Caldeum, the desert shadows of Kejhistan make excellent cover for a group of rising cultists. They quietly plumb abandoned ruins, seeking power to aid the return of the ancient Prime Evils.

To Party or Not to Party

Whether you’re prone to partying up or an independent adventurer, Diablo IV will have a way for you to play.

When it comes to the Campaign, you’ll be able to play through the entire story at your own pace or alongside friends, with progress syncing up to the party leader so there’s no question about what’s been done or what’s next on the checklist.

While most of the world is socially open, certain, smaller parts of each region are campaign specific. Once the campaign objectives have been completed, those areas will also dynamically open to other players. This means you might see another party of adventurers pass you by or you could organically stumble into an event or World Boss other players are already battling. You won’t need to party up to enjoy these activities; whether you decide to join the fray or continue your own journey, that decision remains yours.

Delving Dank Dungeons

Dungeons will be separate, instanced experiences. While you won’t see wandering adventurers alongside you as you delve an abandoned ruin, you can opt to bring up to a party of four players in to tackle tougher challenges for greater rewards.

As has become hallmark to Diablo, Dungeons are randomized experiences, including both their layouts and the events that might occur within them. They can be interior or exterior landscapes, may mix and match between different tilesets, and offer totally seamless exploration; moving from one level or scene to another is now a natural, loading screen-free process.

We’re also introducing Dungeon Objectives, which help guide your adventure and offer greater rewards and increased danger. As you complete Dungeon Objectives, the goals you have will continue to update, and the Dungeon itself might respond by sending tougher enemies and challenges your way. Each Objective has been custom designed to give their Dungeons their own identity and character, and there are hundreds of dungeons with tons of events, ensuring each delve is a unique one!

We’re also evolving endgame Dungeons by building them around three pillars: variety, strategic depth, and player agency. One new system we’re sharing today is what we’re calling Keyed Dungeons. By finding a key out in the world of Sanctuary, you can upgrade an existing Dungeon into a special endgame version with increased difficulty, greater rewards, and dungeon affixes. Between the natural randomization, knowing the strength and affixes you’re going to face, and choosing your skills and equipment in advance, we’re hitting all three of these pillars for a unique, ever-evolving endgame.

Monsters of Sanctuary

You know where you’re going to kill things, and how you’re going to kill them. But what, exactly, is threatening you? Let’s look at some of the enemies you can expect to face in Diablo IV.

Monster Families

To breathe new and realistic life into the world of Sanctuary, we’re taking a fundamentally new approach to how we create and design monsters. Each monster is now part of a Monster Family, which usually includes a handful of different enemies based around a theme and location. Check out one of our new families, the Drowned.

The Drowned are watery entities that can be found around the coasts of Scosglen. You won’t find them anywhere else in the world, and if you’re looking specifically to hunt them down, you’ll need to travel to find them. Each member of the family has a specialty or signature ability that synergizes with other members of that family, becoming stronger when they’re fighting together.

Reimagining Affixes

Affixes work a little differently this time around. While you’ll still see expected effects like Molten, you might be surprised at how the Multishot affix changes up strategic gameplay depending on which enemy it affects.

For example, take the Fallen family. A Multishot enchanted ranged Fallen might throw three projectiles at you, as you’d probably expect. Put that Multishot enchantment on a Fallen Shaman, though, and your priorities change as he begins to revive three of his friends at a time instead of just one. Affixes should change the way you look at and strategize against your enemies, as well as offer different gameplay depending on the monsters they affect.

Ashava and World Bosses

If you got your hands on our BlizzCon demo or watched our gameplay trailer closely, you may have noticed a massive new addition: Ashava. Ashava, the first of our new World Bosses, is an ancient demon lurking below Sanctuary who will take more than just one mighty hero to fell.

Not only will you need to group up (or at least join several other players) to challenge Ashava, but you’ll want to pay close attention to her abilities and carefully make use of your skills. Avoid her deadly strikes with the baseline Evade ability and leverage the new Stagger mechanic in your favor. Rather than having bosses be immune to crowd control effects, they can instead become Staggered, losing some of their capabilities or powering down once a certain threshold has been met. When battling Ashava, Staggering her will shatter her arm blades and greatly diminish the range of her whirlwind attack, making her a little less deadly for you and your friends.

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Itemization

It’s not a Diablo game without tons of new loot to find, and we want to share a broad, top-down approach to our itemization. First, you’ll see the familiar return of most item categories:

Normal -> Magic -> Rare -> Legendary/Set -> Ancient -> Mythic

In Diablo IV, we want Legendaries to be just as, if not more, powerful than Set items. We don’t want you to feel beholden to one particular class set to play your chosen style. Ancient items are a system we’ll be leveraging for Seasons, but we’ll dig into that at a later date. As for Mythic items, these will be so powerful you’ll only be able to equip one of them at a time, so choose wisely!

When it comes to combat statistics, we’ve simplified the math problem. Players should spend more time thinking about stats that change how they play rather than solving arithmetic. Attack and Defense will be your bread and butter; one stat for increasing your damage, and one stat for decreasing damage taken.

More complex stats like Attack Speed or Melee Damage Reduced will still exist; however, these are stats that can change your approach to combat in more than a numerical way. While they might still increase your damage output or reduction, they do so in ways that make you think about the battlefield or which skills work best in different situations.

Some items will also boost individual Talents, effectively acting as bonus points spent in them. If you want to go all-in on Pulverize, you can do so with Skills, Talents, and items!

Legendary Powers

Legendaries should fundamentally change the gameplay of abilities, and that’s exactly the approach we’re taking in Diablo IV. The best way to illustrate this is to review a few powers we’ve worked on for the Sorceress skill Teleport.

One Legendary might increase your defense shortly after you Teleport, making it a great defensive escape tool. Another might increase your damage for a short period of time after you Teleport, making you more likely to want to jump into the fray. Still another removes the Teleport cooldown entirely, but now sends you in a random direction, so you have high, but unpredictable mobility. Lastly, we have a power that adds a burst of area damage to enemies upon your arrival.

Combining all these Legendaries can result in some pretty wild and satisfying results, and it’s up to you (and perhaps a little luck) to decide which ones to combine.

Runes

Runes are back and better than ever! Runes in Diablo IV translate to another layer of gear customization. They come in two types: Conditions and Effects. It’s as easy as socketing in one Condition and one Effect to create your own Legendary power. There will be a great variety of both types of Runes and we can’t wait to see what sorts of combinations you come up with.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question not covered above? Check out the FAQ below.

Q: Will there be trading? A: Yes. While we’re still working on the details, we know this is a huge community request and we want to reintroduce some level of trading while still preserving the loot-finding experience.

Q: Will there be clans? A: Yes! Clans will be a key feature in Diablo IV.

Q: Will there be PvP? A: Yes. Some areas of the world will offer opt-in PvP experiences where you’ll need to watch your back while you adventure.

Q: Will there be Seasons? A: Yes! Seasons will be returning, and we’d like them to heavily impact your approach to gameplay. More details to come.

Q: Will there be Hardcore? A: Yes! We’ve loved this feature ever since it started as a player-created and self-imposed challenge in the original Diablo.

Q: Is Diablo IV coming to consoles? A: We are working with our partners to bring Diablo IV to both PC and console, including Xbox One and PS4. We have no additional platforms to announce at this time.

Q: What about [insert game feature we haven’t yet mentioned here]? A: We know you have a lot of questions about what the final form of Diablo IV will look like. While we’ve been hard at work on all the art, story, and systems we’ve shown so far, we’re far from done and still quite early in the development process. What you’ve seen this weekend is a high-level overview. As we continue working to get the next iteration of Diablo into your hands, it’s likely many things will change.

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A Lot to Share, More to Work On

Diablo IV is early in development, but we just couldn’t wait any longer to share with you where we are so far. While we don’t have any news on when we’ll be moving into our first public access stage, we will be keeping up with quarterly updates available here on the Diablo community site and mirrored on our forums for your easy access.

We’ve got a lot of work to do and even more hell to raise. We can’t wait to see you on the other side!

[mostlysignssomeportents]

This day in history

I'll be in TUCSON, AZ from November 8-10: I'm the GUEST OF HONOR at the TUSCON SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION.

#20yrsago Audio/transcript from BBC Creative Archive talk https://web.archive.org/web/20060306155902/http://digital-lifestyles.info/media/audio/2004.10.28-BBC-Creative-Archive-Q&A.mp3

#15yrsago Heavy illegal downloaders buy more music https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/illegal-downloaders-spend-the-most-on-music-says-poll-1812776.html

#15yrsago Scenting the Dark: outstanding debut short story collection from Mary Robinette Kowal, exploring our relationship to technology and each other https://memex.craphound.com/2009/11/01/scenting-the-dark-outstanding-debut-short-story-collection-from-mary-robinette-kowal-exploring-our-relationship-to-technology-and-each-other/

#10yrsago Surveillance and stalkers: how the Internet supercharges gendered violence https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahjeong/2014/10/28/surveillance-begins-at-home/

#10yrsago Secret recording of corporate lobbyist is a dirty-tricks playbook https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/31/us/politics/pr-executives-western-energy-alliance-speech-taped.html

#10yrsago NZ Trade Minister: we keep TPP a secret to prevent “public debate” https://www.techdirt.com/2014/10/31/new-zealands-trade-minister-admits-they-keep-tpp-documents-secret-to-avoid-public-debate/

#5yrsago Blizzard’s corporate president publicly apologizes for bungling players’ Hong Kong protests, never mentions Hong Kong https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/1/20944022/blizzard-blizzcon-hearthstone-china-hong-kong-response-j-allen-brack

#5yrsago My review of Sandworm: an essential guide to the new, reckless world of “cyberwarfare” https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2019-11-01/sandworm-andy-greenberg-cybersecurity

#5yrsago Report from a massive Chinese surveillance tech expo, where junk-science “emotion recognition” rules https://twitter.com/suelinwong/status/1190194625572569093

#5yrsago Toronto approves Google’s surveillance city, despite leaks revealing Orwellian plans https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/sidewalk-labs-waterfront-toronto-quayside-vote-1.5342294

#5yrsago Chicago teachers declare victory after 11-day strike https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/10/31/chicago-teachers-strike-union-tentative-agreement-makeup-days/4106271002/

#5yrsago Airbnb’s easily gamed reputation system and poor customer service allow scammers to thrive https://www.vice.com/en/article/nationwide-fake-host-scam-on-airbnb/

#5yrsago Suppressed internal emails reveal that the IRS actively helped tax-prep giants suppress Free File https://www.propublica.org/article/the-irs-tried-to-hide-emails-that-show-tax-industry-influence-over-free-file-program

#5yrsago Massive spike in young people registering to vote in the UK https://memex.craphound.com/2019/11/01/massive-spike-in-young-people-registering-to-vote-in-the-uk/

#1yrsago Social Security is class war, not intergenerational conflict https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/01/intergenerational-warfare/#five-pound-blocks-of-cheese

[thecompetitiveedgeblog]

Overwatch 1 vs. Overwatch 2: Evolution or Departure?

Once known as the definitive team-based shooter, and 2016 game of the year, Overwatch captivated millions with its dynamic cast of heroes and revolutionary mechanics in FPS games. But with Overwatch 2’s release in 2022, players are left asking, did the sequel honor its original legacy or break it entirely?

Context and Backgrounds

Released in 2016, Overwatch became an instant phenomenon, that overall redefined the landscape of team-based shooters as we know it. It introduced players to a diverse roster of heroes, each with unique abilities, ethnicities, and personalities, and emphasized teamwork and strategy over pure shooting skills, which was a new take on FPS games. With its colorful, optimistic art style and easy-to-get-used-to mechanics, Overwatch carved out a place not only in casual gaming circles but also in the competitive esports world altogether.

Over the years of Overwatch's existence, Blizzard Entertainment, the game’s developer, maintained the game with updates, seasonal events, and new characters to keep players engaged in the game as time went on, to ensure it didn’t get stale or boring. I personally started playing in late 2016, specializing in the tank role, which is a role crucial to Overwatch’s tactical gameplay when playing. Playing as an off-tank in Overwatch 1 felt like a specialized task, as off-tank heroes like D.Va and Zarya weren't just responsible for taking hits but were focused on "peeling", or protecting the supports and enabling the main tank to secure space on the map. This role synergy made the gameplay feel very deeply strategic, especially when playing in a structured environment like the Console Gaming League (CGL), where I competed on a team called Kinetix. Together, we were one of the top teams on Xbox, winning eight tournaments and establishing a reputation in the community of console Overwatch.

However, as the gaming landscape evolved over the years, Blizzard announced a sequel, Overwatch 2, which aimed to refresh the franchise with new content and mechanics while keeping the core Overwatch experience intact. Overwatch 2 was introduced in 2019 at Blizzcon, a large-scale event where Blizzard showcases what's new in their games and community. Players' initial reactions to Overwatch 2 were mostly positive, as the promise of Overwatch 2 and its new and fresh content stirred excitement but also raised questions about whether a true sequel could be made out of an ongoing game with such a loyal community, and if Blizzard could fulfill their promise to the Overwatch community in the first place.

The Changes from Overwatch 1 to Overwatch 2

Blizzard’s vision for Overwatch 2 involved several significant changes that would reshape gameplay and the overall experience, including a fully-fledged PvE experience that was infinitely replayable. Some of the most notable changes that made it through and were implemented fully include:

Gameplay Mechanics: One of the most controversial adjustments, especially for the community was the shift from 6v6 to 5v5 gameplay, which changed the way the gameplay worked. By removing one tank role from each team, Blizzard aimed to reduce the game’s complexity and make matches faster-paced, as well as reduce the match queue times. However, this change significantly altered team dynamics and forced players to adapt to a more streamlined, yet arguably more chaotic, playstyle. The 5v5 format places greater emphasis on individual performance and roles, particularly on the tank player, whose role becomes even more central to each team. For someone like me, who had grown used to playing off-tank, this change was jarring and also hard to adapt to at first. In Overwatch 1, playing tank was a team-centered experience, with main and off-tanks working in tandem together to win the game and help their team the best they can. Transitioning to a single-tank system meant adapting to a much more aggressive playstyle, as all tank heroes received buffs to make them more self-sufficient. Initially, I found the change exciting, which finally gave me a chance to be the central playmaker for the team I was on, with no other tank to worry about with other responsibilities. However, the complexity and strategic depth I loved about playing off-tank were gone, replaced by a faster, more individualistic game, and in the end, it felt as if a layer of teamwork had been stripped away. 2. Graphics and UI: Overwatch 2 brought a lot of visual updates that gave the game a polished, modern look that definitely improved the way the game looked in the long run. Character models, environments, and animations were revamped, which improved overall aesthetics without sacrificing the original charm that Overwatch once gave. The user interface also saw a complete redesign, aiming for a cleaner, more efficient layout to help players new and old access key information quickly during matches, which also aligned more with the colors and polish of Overwatch 2. However, some fans felt that while the game looked visually impressive, these updates did not justify a full sequel, and it was a waste of time and effort. 3. Progression System: One of the biggest overhauls came with the new progression and reward systems which was one of the key new features and grabs of Overwatch 2. Where Overwatch 1 focused on loot boxes and event-based skins, Overwatch 2 introduced a battle pass system, along with a massive shop update and rehaul, following trends in other multiplayer games in the modern age. This shift, which involved monetizing certain cosmetics and content, whether it be too much or not, sparked many mixed reactions. While some players appreciated the straightforwardness of battle passes, others saw it as a move away from the more accessible reward structure of Overwatch 1, where players could earn skins and items more freely. Most of the recent collaborations that Overwatch has done, such as My Hero Academia, all introduced new skins for multiple heroes, all of which cost real-world money to obtain.

Community Reactions

The community’s response to Overwatch 2 has been complex and often divided, especially as of later 2024. Many long-term players expressed frustration, more specifically regarding the changes to core gameplay mechanics. The shift to 5v5 received mixed reactions, with some appreciating the faster pace but others felt it disrupted the balance and teamwork dynamics that had previously defined Overwatch as a game.

Discussions across social media platforms and online forums like Reddit highlighted several recurring criticisms, especially concerning Blizzard’s decision to monetize more heavily through battle passes and paid skins in the shop. Fans who had invested years in Overwatch 1 felt the switch to a more monetized system deteriorated the inclusivity and accessibility that had previously characterized the game.

Despite the backlash, some parts of the community have embraced the new format, welcoming all the fresh content, faster match times, and graphical updates as a whole. For some players, the changes to heroes and maps provided new challenges and an opportunity to relearn and master the game all over again, capturing some of the magic Overwatch 1 gave them.

Personally, I’ve missed the old 6v6 format. In Overwatch 2, it often feels like the burden falls entirely on me, the single tank, making the game more intense but also more isolating and so dependent on me. The connection I felt when coordinating with another tank in Overwatch 1 just isn't there anymore, and it makes me sad. I still find enjoyment in the game, but Overwatch 2's structure makes me feel more like an individual player in a solo experience than part of a larger, cohesive team overall. Interestingly, Blizzard seems to be listening to these kinds of concerns, as they are currently testing an optional 6v6 mode to see if it could be reintroduced, which shows how divided the community still is over the switch to 5v5, even two years after Overwatch 2’s release in 2022. Players have had a long time to access where their mindsets are about Overwatch 2’s 5v5 format, and Blizzard is taking action.

Overall Evaluation

Overwatch 2 feels like both an expansion and a downgrade from the original game. Blizzard at first aimed to refresh the experience and bring the game into a more modern gaming environment, but this ambition came with many different challenges that were faced. The adjustments in team structure and monetization sparked debates about whether the new Overwatch truly retains the magic of the original, and most people agree that the sequel failed to do that. As someone who has been with the franchise for 8 years, Overwatch 2 captures some of what made the original game special but lacks the collaborative spirit I cherished from the first game. The changes were very bold and overall, I often feel like they have come at the cost of the teamwork and strategic depth that defined the Overwatch experience for me in the earlier days.

Conclusion

Overwatch 2 represents Blizzard’s attempt to modernize a beloved franchise, but it remains a controversial transformation for many longtime players of the game. While the graphical updates, new heroes, and reworked progression systems may attract a new audience, which it did successfully, the move to 5v5 has left some seasoned fans nostalgic for the days of 6v6 and the synergy that two tanks brought to each match. With the recent announcement of a potential return to the 6v6 mode, it’s clear Blizzard is still navigating the balance between innovation and tradition for the game. For fans like me, Overwatch 2 is a fresh yet bittersweet experience and a game that, while it’s thrilling in its own right, feels like it has traded some of its soul for a faster, more accessible format. Whether Overwatch 2 ultimately succeeds in re-energizing the series or falls short will depend on how Blizzard continues to respond to its community’s voices, both old and new. The rest of 2024 will remain a crucial time for Blizzard, as the Overwatch 2 format remains unclear.

[whatzaoverwatch]

Overwatch 2 Invasion thoughts (SPOILERS)

A special thanks to my brother for letting me watch him go through the missions. The three that were previously advertised before have finally made it. Ho boy there is a lot to unpack, this will be spoiler heavy but I’ll give some quick thoughts:

- Main hub is cute, Crispin once again makes Winston enjoyable to listen to. I love the little items you can look at to get unique dialogues between him and Athena. But Eyo peanuts butter banana bread sandwich sounds like the best thing in the world

- Rio mission is basically what we were presented at Blizzcon 2019 only tweaked here and there. Don’t worry folks Lucio didn’t die (but I’m sure his back cracked getting whipped around with Brigitte’s mace). I also gotta love Lucio and is constant positivity given the events and what he is witnessing. Glad it also ties into the Cassidy comic series where the others join in at the end

- The Toronto mission also has some good interactions, Sojourn has become more developed overtime and seeing that she still wishes to bring her people to safety while also dismissing the idea that Overwatch could return to its former glory is a true struggle. You can kind of see her being the weight of reality for Winston and Reinhardt that even though the call is made it’s not going to be how they wanted it. But damn they will try. Also Reggie omnic is a real piece of work lmao

- The Ironclad mission was real cute. I feel like Torbjorn is really under appreciated on how his character development had grown (also bless Keith’s performance as him, you can just about say that for all the VAs for the game). Reinhardt having to accept not only his best friend adopting a Bastion unit but also learning that a new generation is better fit for bringing Overwatch back. Which dives into the theory that Reinhardt may actually die at some point of the story (an old theory when they said previously killed characters would remain playable).

- Also that post credits scene with Zenyatta and Rammatra was a lot to look into (that mission was also teased at Blizzcon where Genji saves Zen from Sombra and Widowmaker)

Honest thoughts? You can see the hard work and I am glad we finally got the lore we’ve desired for ages. But given how late it is it should’ve come sooner. I’m glad people are enjoying it and I am as well, but it still hasn’t convinced me to go back again. But you know me I’ll still look into the lore and goodies for y’all

[duskrosecreatesstuff]

Since traction is messed up elsewhere, let's make use of this place to do something other than stalk other people's cool stuff! I've spent so long making tiny piece after tiny piece of this costume, it never felt like it was coming together. Since it was accepted into the Blizzcon Costume Contest, I had to put it together to get some progress photos. Sure, it's held together with gaffer tape and pins, but I'm crying ... it actually looks like Elise (minus the hip plates, since those had to photographed seperately).

Character is Elise Starseeker, artwork is the 2019 Blizzcon Hearthstone key art by Will Murai.

[freyholland]

I both love and hate deep diving into Actiblizz stuff bc it’s fascinating but SO depressing… the devs in tweets, AMA answers and even interviews being forced to recite verbatim shit Bobby Kotick wrote that they knew were bold-faced lies… Jeff Kaplan being forced to go on stage at Blizzcon 2019 in front of millions of fans and promise a game that he knew was never going to come out with all the bells and whistles he was hyping up because Bobby wanted to “shift the news cycle” away from the Hong Kong thing… and then the longer Overwatch 2 took to develop, the execs started Punishing them by “starving” the team of resources and funding until they didn’t have anywhere CLOSE to the ability to create the OW2 they dreamed of making… and that was, of course, Bobby’s goal in the first place, since the execs outright told the devs who were lovingly crafting this campaign mode that it wasn’t going to make enough easy money, and that they needed to go the route of Microtransaction Battle Pass Hell instead

[its-fjori]

Many moons ago I bought the Epic Purple Shirt off the BMAH on my birthday and haven't taken it off since. In 2019 I attended my first and only Blizzcon, where I traded many things for the Epic Purple Badge.

Both items hold such wonderful memories for me. I love this game so much.

[theodorobrejafmp]

1. Forefront Research - Diablo 4 Cinematic

Since I discovered the Diablo series and I started playing Diablo 3 many years ago, I've become smitten with their art style and dark fantasy graphics. When Diablo 4 came out in 2023 I was surprised by the huge upgrade of their realism and since then, I knew my work would fit perfectly in this form of art style.

My major project is highly influenced by the Diablo 4 aesthetics, as it can be seen through the multiple references throughout the project. However, with this project I didn't just want to try and copy their style, I really wanted to study and understand how they built their aesthetics and what was the reason behind their choices.

In 2019 when the first Diablo 4 teaser trailer was released at BlizzCon, it had a huge impact over the fandom. During my research, I managed to find my holy grail, an article posted senior manager executive communications Amelia Savery with the modeling behind the Diablo 4 trailer.

Fig.1: Behind Diablo 4 "By Three They Come" - Article

During my research, I've tried to find the artists who worked on the characters from the cinematic, or those who worked on the characters from the game. However, the only few artists that I found are the freelancers who worked on different cosmetics of the game. As a result, this article provided me a lot of insight about the workflow they used to create the famous cinematic, as well as the level of detail of the characters.

The article starts with examples of the props sculpted for the environment. I found this to be very useful when it comes to the layout of their presentation. As a junior artist, I've always struggled with showcasing my sculpts in a professional layout. For my presentation, I will use this layout as reference.

Fig.2: Props Sowcase

Following in the article, they showcase some of the environment shots with the 3D models. I found this to be an eye-opener, because I was able to see how the scene looks without any post-processing effects and renders. It also made me realize that one of the biggest reason of why my projects don't achieve the same level of hyperrealism and the cinematic feeling, is because their final results, that we see, have many layers of post-processing and editing to achieve that look.

Fig.3: 3D Environment Without Effects

These environment shots were also helpful because I got to see and learn how they use lighting and the composition of their scenes to create the environment and target the viewer's eye. Even though I am not an environment artist, for most of my projects I created small environments to showcase my characters. Nevertheless, I believe knowing how to use the environment composition and lights to showcase your characters is an essential skill for a character artist.

Fig.4: Environment Lighting

In the article, Amelia emphasizes the different scale they had to work at between the characters and the environment, in order to create that huge scale effect. I found this interesting because I also struggled to get the right proportions between the environment and characters when working on my own project.

Fig.5: Character and Environment Scale Comparison

When it comes to characters, I found it fascinating the way they approached the realism factor. Jason Huang, the lead character modeler said "At Blizzard, we don’t do photorealistic" which indicates that even though the direction is to achieve realism, without actually using scans to achieve that. Amelia explains that "Although actors were cast for reference, the modeling team was also provided concept art—their task was to push the boundaries of realism back and forth between the actors and the art, both on a character-by-character basis and overall, until they landed in a perfect spot".

Fig.6: Character Portraits Style High Poly Sculpts

In my project, I used the same technique, where I would have a concept art generated with MidJourney for the overall design of the character. However, I also used a lot of real life references in order to make sure I have real proportions and believable constructions. As Amelia said, I had to find the sweet spot between the realism of reference and the concept design to bring uniqueness to the character.

The essential part of the article is the section where they showcase the characters in their sculpted form used for animation. Seeing the wireframe of the characters gives me a crucial insight of the poly density and the topology flow they used. While working on my characters, I tried to achieve the same clean topology and level of detail. However, even though there I have improved tremendously during this project, I still have a lot of work to achieve their level.

Fig.7: Topology and Wireframe Full Body Showcase

When it comes to the blend of realism and concept for the characters, Jason says: "They don’t have to be realistic, they don’t have to be live-action, but they have to be convincing enough that the viewer is not taken out of cinematic because there’s something off about the character. As long as these characters are believable in their world, in the way we are presenting them, then I am good with it". This makes an excellent point, which helped me better understand the style I was pursuing. When I was explaining my style to other people, I always struggled to explain that I do a blend between hyperrealism and stylized.

While diving deeper into studying their cinematic process, I also came across a video on YouTube from Houdini, in which they explain how the technical artists managed to simulate the ritualistic placenta from which Lilith is born.

Fig.8: Houdini Flesh Portal Technical Showcase

Even though I am not a technical artist, I find it intriguing to find out how all these crazy elements are made and understand all the processes that come together to achieve such a high level end result.

Fig.9: Chris Connor Reaction and Analysis Video

As a big fan of cinematography, I was also eager to learn more about how they used their cameras and how they chose the shots to create the cinematic. In his reaction video, Chris Connor analyses in detail and explains the different camera and perspective techniques they used to showcase the characters and achieve the cinematic atmosphere.

I believe this to be an inspiring forefront artefact which envelops the highest level of character design, environment compositing, technical artists and cinematography. Seeing how they presented the article and the insight over the technical side of the production, helped me tremendously in my work and I will further use it as reference in my projects.

Bibliography:

Fig.1,2,3,4,5,6,7: Savery, A. (2020) It’s a gate: The modelling BehindDiablo IV’s “by three they come,” Artstation. Available at: https://magazine.artstation.com/2020/10/its-a-gate-the-modelling-behinddiablo-ivs-by-three-they-come/

Fig.8: Houdini (2021) Building and tearing a flesh portal for Diablo IV: By Three They Come | Nema safvati | blizzard. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XauHIveIVuA

Fig.9: Connor, C. (2020) Filmmaker reacts to Diablo 4 cinematic trailer! YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV2PUti_EpQ

[alecbicheno]

Live brief treatment

We decided on our idea for the brief, that being my proposed idea of the fantasy dungeon betrayal. From there we had to create a treatment document for the week 1 deadline for David Pumpa to review our ideas. This document entailed going over various different aspects of the project. Some of these are a summary, an asset list, some concepts, some style references and story articulation. I handled the style reference and story articulation. The story articulation was simply just fleshing out the story and what the characters do, comparing it to Hansel and Gretel. The style references I showed what had in mind for the overall look and setting for the cinematic. I was mainly inspired by the Diablo 4 announcement trailer and a sequence from the show WandaVision, but also from the movie Spy Kids 2, as it features both treasure and skeleton enemies that the protagonists encounter.

Bibliography

‘Breaking the Fourth Wall’ (2021) WandaVision, Series 1, episode 7. Available at Disney+ (Accessed 19 February 2024)

IGN, 2019. Diablo 4 - Official Announcement Cinematic Trailer | Blizzcon 2019. [Online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SSYzl9fXOQ [Accessed 19 February 2024].

Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams. 2002. [Film] Directed by Robert Rodriguez. United States: Troublemaker Studios.

[belghast]

BlizzCon 2023 Thoughts

BlizzCon 2023 Thoughts - This past weekend was BlizzCon 2023 and this morning I share my thoughts on what I felt was one of the better events in awhile.

Good Morning Folks! I have to be honest… I had every intention of writing a post on BlizzCon this past Friday as the event was going on but that never quite came to fruition. For those who do not follow such things, this past Friday and Saturday was the first in-person BlizzCon since 2019. I know a ton of friends who were very happy about the return of the event and made plans to travel to…

[trashexpert-ru]

Выставка BlizzCon 2023 пройдёт с 3 по 4 ноября

Выставка BlizzCon 2023 пройдёт с 3 по 4 ноября В пятницу, 3 ноября, Blizzard Entertainment официально откроет BlizzCon 2023, где разработчики расскажут о предстоящих новинках и изменениях в своих играх на ближайший год. В этом году BlizzCon станет действительно значимым событием, так как последние выставки не проводились с 2019 года из-за пандемии Covid-19. Недавно компания-разработчик также перешла в собственность Microsoft, и, возможно, эта корпорация сделает ряд заявлений на BlizzCon 2023.... #Новости_технологий #Компьютеры #IT #ТрешЭксперт #TrashExpert #Высокие_технологии Read the full article

[gameforestdach]

Zusammenfassung: Nach einer zweijährigen Pause kehrt die BlizzCon zu Live-Events zurück! Geplant für den 3. bis 4. November, hat Blizzard Entertainment einen detaillierten Sendeplan veröffentlicht. Das Event folgt auf die gewaltige 69-Milliarden-Dollar-Übernahme von Activision Blizzard durch Microsoft und verspricht spannende Panels, darunter mehrere „Was kommt als Nächstes“-Streams für World of Warcraft, Hearthstone und Overwatch 2. BlizzCon 2023 markiert die Rückkehr zu Live-Events. Die Veranstaltung findet vom 3. bis 4. November im Anaheim Convention Center in Kalifornien statt. Elf Panels werden in voller Länge über YouTube und Twitch gestreamt. Große Panels bieten tiefe Einblicke in World of Warcraft, Hearthstone und Overwatch 2. Einführung Die Wartezeit ist fast vorbei! Die BlizzCon, eines der am meisten erwarteten Gaming-Events des Jahres, kehrt erstmals seit 2019 zu Live-Veranstaltungen zurück. Geplant vom Samstag, dem 3. November, bis Sonntag, dem 4. November, verspricht dieses Jahr ein besonderes Event zu werden. Elf Panels werden für Fans gestreamt, die nicht persönlich teilnehmen können. Lasst uns eintauchen, was uns auf der legendären Konvention erwartet! Sendeplan Tag 1: 3. November Zeit (PDT) Event 11:00 Uhr Eröffnungszeremonie 13:30 Uhr World of Warcraft: Was kommt als Nächstes 14:30 Uhr Overwatch 2: Tiefgehende Analyse 15:30 Uhr World of Warcraft Classic: Was kommt als Nächstes 16:30 Uhr Hearthstone: Was kommt als Nächstes 17:30 Uhr Warcraft Rumblings Tag 2: 4. November Zeit (PDT) Event 12:00 Uhr World of Warcraft: Tiefgehende Analyse 13:30 Uhr Overwatch 2: Was kommt als Nächstes 14:30 Uhr Diablo 4 Lagerfeuer-Gespräch 16:45 Uhr Gemeinschaftsabend 18:15 Uhr Auftritt von LE SSERAFIM Die Bedeutung der Rückkehr Die diesjährige BlizzCon hat aus mehreren Gründen eine besondere Bedeutung. Nicht nur ist es die erste Live-Veranstaltung seit 2019, sondern sie folgt auch auf die monumentale 69-Milliarden-Dollar-Übernahme von Activision Blizzard durch Microsoft. Zusätzlich, nach schwerwiegenden Vorwürfen und einer Klage des Bundesstaates Kalifornien im Jahr 2021, könnte dieses Event ein Wendepunkt für das Unternehmen sein. Quelle Was erwartet uns Zu den am meisten erwarteten Panels gehören die „Was kommt als Nächstes“-Streams für World of Warcraft, Hearthstone und Overwatch 2. Diese Panels werden den Fans wahrscheinlich einen Vorgeschmack auf kommende Updates, Erweiterungspakete und vielleicht sogar neue Spiele geben. Hat Blizzard letztes Jahr ein „brandneues Survival-Spiel“ angeteasert, könnte dies die große Enthüllung sein? Nur die Zeit wird es zeigen. So schaut man zu Alle Panels werden live über YouTube und Twitch gestreamt, sodass es für Fans weltweit zugänglich ist. Also, markiert euch den Kalender, denn ihr werdet keinen Moment dieses ikonischen Events verpassen wollen! Schlussbemerkungen Die BlizzCon 2023 deutet darauf hin, dass sie ein Event voller Enthüllungen, Aufregungen und vielleicht sogar einiger Wiedergutmachungen sein wird. Ob ihr persönlich dabei seid oder von zu Hause aus zuschaut – es verspricht spannend zu werden!

[duskrosecreatesstuff]

Haven't had a chance to dive in to the 10.2 patch fore Warcraft yet, my little druid heart is very impatient with me about this! However, was chatting with someone who mentioned that the Druids of the Flame show up, and it makes me want to get this costume out of storage (it was made for, and worn at Blizzcon 2019) and wear it somewhere! Just need to check that all the LEDs still work, this is definitely a costume that benefits from being seen in dark hallways.

(Yes this is my profile pic, this one of my favourite pics of me in any costume I've made!)

[gerard-robson]

Why You Should Consider Buying Diablo 4: A Comprehensive Look at its Aspects

Why You Should Consider Buying Diablo 4: A Comprehensive Look at its Aspects

Introduction

Diablo 4 is one of the most anticipated games of 2021. As a gamer, you have probably heard of the game and might be wondering what makes it so special. In this article, we will take a comprehensive look at the different aspects of Diablo 4 and why it is a game worth buying.

The Storyline

The storyline is one of the most important aspects of any game. In Diablo 4, the storyline is set in a world of evil where the player is tasked with saving humanity from the wrath of the dark forces. The game's storyline takes players through different levels and stages, each with its unique challenges. The storyline is engaging and keeps the player on the edge of their seat, making it hard to put the game down.

According to Gamespot, "The game story is dark, and it isn't afraid to take its time to explore its themes, with many well-written characters with personal motivations for the player to interact with."

The Graphics

The graphics in Diablo 4 are exceptional and will leave you in awe. The game's developers have taken their time to ensure that every detail is perfect. The graphics are smooth, detailed, and give a lifelike feel to the game. The game's weather effects add to its visual appeal and make it feel even more realistic.

GamesRadar says, "The game looks like a painting come to life, with intricate details and dynamic environments that are visually stunning. The game's graphics are not just impressive but add to the immersive experience of the game."

The Multiplayer Mode

The multiplayer mode in Diablo 4 is a game-changer. Players can join forces and build teams to conquer the challenges that lie ahead. The multiplayer mode makes the game more exciting and engaging as gamers can now play with their friends and other players from all over the world.

As PC Gamer puts it, "The multiplayer mode in Diablo 4 feels like a whole new game. Players can join forces and create teams, allowing players to easily share loot, skill, and strategy. The multiplayer mode makes the game more exciting and engaging than ever before."

The Game Crafting and Customization

The game now includes crafting as one of its new features. Crafting in Diablo 4 allows players to make unique items and weapons to assist them on their quests. Additionally, players can also customize their characters and equipment to suit their gameplay style.

As IGN puts it, "Crafting in Diablo 4 offers a whole new level of gaming experience. Crafting unique items adds to the fun, excitement, and uniqueness of the game. With the ability to customize your equipment and strategy, the game is vastly more immersive than its predecessors."

Conclusion

Diablo 4 is an exceptional game worth buying. Its storyline, graphics, multiplayer mode, and crafting add to the game's excitement, immersion, and overall experience. If you are a gamer looking for the next big thing, Diablo 4 should be at the top of your list.

References:

Gamespot: https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/diablo-iv-review-pain-waiting-to-be-felt/1900-6417662/

GamesRadar: https://www.gamesradar.com/diablo-4-preview/

PC Gamer: https://www.pcgamer.com/diablo-4-preview/

IGN: https://www.ign.com/articles/diablo-4-was-the-biggest-announcement-of-blizzcon-2019

Article by: None No break, no break, what is it buy diablo 4 aspects.

[joyce-davis]

The Hype is Real: What We Know About Diablo 4 So Far

The Hype is Real: What We Know About Diablo 4 So Far - None

Introduction

Gameplay Features

The World of Diablo 4

The Story

Introduction

Diablo 4, the highly anticipated hack-and-slash action role-playing game, is finally coming. After years of anticipation, Blizzard Entertainment announced the game at BlizzCon in November 2019. The announcement trailer displayed some of the game's newest features such as a darker, gothic art style and a shared open world for players to explore. Although there is still no official release date, fans of the series are already buzzing with excitement. Here is what we know about Diablo 4 so far.

Gameplay Features

Diablo 4 will feature three playable classes at launch, which are Barbarian, Sorceress, and Druid. Each class has its unique abilities and playstyle. Barbarians are powerful melee fighters, Sorceresses use elemental magic to decimate enemies, and Druids have the ability to shape-shift into ferocious beasts. Players can level up and customize their characters with an extensive skill tree and equipment system.

The game also introduces a new feature called "Mounts," which allows players to ride horses or other creatures to traverse the world faster. Mounts can also be utilized in combat to deal damage to enemies. Another new feature is the addition of PvP combat. Players can enable PvP mode in certain zones and battle against each other for loot and bragging rights.

Diablo 4 will also see the return of some fan-favorite features, such as Blood and Gore and the Runeword system. Blood and Gore is a graphic detail setting that increases the level of blood and dismemberment during combat. The Runeword system allows players to combine specific runes with specific items to create powerful weapons and armor.

The World of Diablo 4

The world of Diablo 4 is set to be the darkest and most unsettling entry in the series. The game takes inspiration from gothic horror and features environments such as desolate wastelands, haunted forests, and ominous dungeons. The world is also shared, meaning players can encounter enemies and other players while exploring the open world.

The game’s environmental storytelling is also a key feature, with various landmarks, dungeons, and NPCs that tell a story about the world itself. The game promises to be an immersive experience for players who want to invest time in discovering everything the world has to offer.

The Story

Although the exact details of the story are still unknown, Blizzard has stated that Diablo 4 picks up where Diablo 3 left off. Lilith, the daughter of Mephisto and the Queen of the Succubi, plays a key role in the story. Players will encounter Lilith as she seeks revenge on the world that shunned her.

The game's narrative focuses on the theme of light vs. darkness and the struggle between humanity and demonic forces. Players will travel to different regions and encounter various characters who have their motives and stories in a quest to rid the world of evil.

Article written by None.

References: Diablo 4 Official Website When it comes to it, there are many different approaches and viewpoints to consider the coming diablo 4.

[patrick-jimenez]

Interviewing on Development Insight on Creating a Brand-New Experience with Diabolo 4

Interviewing on Development Insight on Creating a Brand-New Experience with Diabolo 4

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it’s always an exciting time for gamers to see what’s new on the horizon. One such game that’s got people buzzing is the coming diablo 4. The game is set to revolutionize the gaming experience and bring a new dimension to the RPG genre. In this article, we’ll unpack the development insight behind the creation of Diablo 4 and why it will offer gamers a completely unique brand-new experience.

Diablo 4 is Set to Impress

Diablo 4 was announced at Blizzcon 2019 with a stirring cinematic trailer that showcased a darker aspect of the gameplay and direction the franchise was heading. Since then, the hype has been at an all-time high amongst the gaming community, eager to get their hands on the latest edition, Diablo 4.

The Development Insight Behind Diablo 4

The team behind the game wanted to develop a Diablo 4 that pushed the boundaries even further, taking the franchise in a completely new direction. They wanted to create a game that would redefine what the RPG genre is, with more dynamic systems. One of the development team members noted that the developers strove to create a more interconnected world that is “true to the roots of Diablo but also...something different”.

Maintaining the Core Identity of Diablo 4

The developers of Diablo 4 were keen to maintain the core identity of the franchise while adding new elements to the game. Diablo 4 will have a much darker tone, with more in-depth character development and a story that is all about terror and fear.

Diablo 4 - A Completely New Gaming Experience

Diablo 4 has new features, missions, and consistent content updates for all players to enjoy. The game promises to provide a deep, dynamic gameplay experience. From the colorful atmosphere that players will see to the sound of the damage being done by their weapons, Diablo 4 promises to be a truly unique experience.

Wrapping Up

Overall, Diablo 4 will offer fans of the franchise a completely new and innovative gaming experience. The game will take the world of RPG to a whole new level, with a more interconnected world, deeper character development, and a darker tone. With more missions and consistent content updates for players to enjoy, Diablo 4 promises to be a journey like no other.

References:

Official Diablo 4 Website

PC Gamer - Diablo 4

We Want Diablo 4 To Know From The Outset This Is A Gothic, Dread-Fueled Darkness

Article by: None Brand