Enter Diablo III for the console.
According to Kotaku,
Blizzard is now bringing Diablo III to the console. This version,
though still at its core the very same game, aims to address the
problems of its PC game cousin.
First and foremost, Diablo III can finally be played offline. Gone are the infamous lag issues, server problems and the notorious Error 7 woes. Secondly, the console controller as a replacement for the mouse and keyboard offers a new, potentially more fun and intuitive way to play the game. For one thing, our index fingers will no longer ache from all that clicking. But whether this new interface will lead to sore thumbs instead remains to be seen.
On the PS3, the player uses the left joystick of the controller to move the character around. R1 and the colored buttons are primarily for mauling monsters and interacting with the environment, but they can be customized to fit any play style. The L buttons are for potions.
One addition to the characters’ common moves list is one many fans have been clamoring for and that I, personally, would have loved to see in the original game: an evade command. No longer will our virtual avatars have to stand dumbly in place and take fireballs to the face; now they can dodge enemy attacks, like any intelligent demon-hunting veteran will do. Another gameplay tweak so intuitive one wonders why it wasn’t in the original in the first place, is the ability to move while attacking. For the more fragile classes like the Demon Hunter and the Wizard, this is a blessing.
But wait, there’s more! When questioned about the other changes made to the console port, Joshua Mosqueira and Matthew Berger of Blizzard had plenty to say.
Regarding boss battles, Berger said, "We know that there's a huge tradition of boss battles on console games. We're going through bosses and updating visuals, cinematics. Also, the pacing."
The item system has also been modified. Players can now see how an item will affect their characters’ stats before they pick it up.
Online play will make use of the PlayStation Network instead of Battle.net, which means owners of the console port won’t be able to form parties with PC gamers. There is, however, another option that allows multiplay on one console and on one television, so that now you can play with your mom or your yaya at home if your online friends are too busy ogling Lara Croft to hunt demons with you.
The PC version of Diablo III sold over 12 million copies. Blizzard is confident the console port will sell just as well, however; from their estimates, over 50% of the people who have visited their booths have not yet bought or played the PC game.
As for when fans can get their hands on the console port of the game, Diablo III will be released “Soonish”, to quote Mosqueira. — TJD, GMA News
On the PS3, the player uses the left joystick of the controller to move the character around. R1 and the colored buttons are primarily for mauling monsters and interacting with the environment, but they can be customized to fit any play style. The L buttons are for potions.
One addition to the characters’ common moves list is one many fans have been clamoring for and that I, personally, would have loved to see in the original game: an evade command. No longer will our virtual avatars have to stand dumbly in place and take fireballs to the face; now they can dodge enemy attacks, like any intelligent demon-hunting veteran will do. Another gameplay tweak so intuitive one wonders why it wasn’t in the original in the first place, is the ability to move while attacking. For the more fragile classes like the Demon Hunter and the Wizard, this is a blessing.
But wait, there’s more! When questioned about the other changes made to the console port, Joshua Mosqueira and Matthew Berger of Blizzard had plenty to say.
Regarding boss battles, Berger said, "We know that there's a huge tradition of boss battles on console games. We're going through bosses and updating visuals, cinematics. Also, the pacing."
The item system has also been modified. Players can now see how an item will affect their characters’ stats before they pick it up.
Online play will make use of the PlayStation Network instead of Battle.net, which means owners of the console port won’t be able to form parties with PC gamers. There is, however, another option that allows multiplay on one console and on one television, so that now you can play with your mom or your yaya at home if your online friends are too busy ogling Lara Croft to hunt demons with you.
The PC version of Diablo III sold over 12 million copies. Blizzard is confident the console port will sell just as well, however; from their estimates, over 50% of the people who have visited their booths have not yet bought or played the PC game.
As for when fans can get their hands on the console port of the game, Diablo III will be released “Soonish”, to quote Mosqueira. — TJD, GMA News
source: gmanetwork.com
