Diablo III too colorful?
Many Diablo III fans are going nuts about the fact that Blizzard has released screenshots of the game that are too colorful. Some gamers are so unhappy about this that they have gone to the extent of creating their own doctored screenshots to show the guys at Blizzard how the game should actually be…
Highjacked from multiplayer blog, here are are a few of the comparison shots. Which ones do you prefer?
Lead Designer of Diablo III, Jay Wilson (thanks again for Dawn of War, dude!!!) has actually been kind enough to comment on some of these shots…
The key thing to remember here is that this has been Photoshopped. This isn’t created by the engine. Though it looks really cool, it’s almost impossible to do in a 3D engine because you can’t have lighting that smart and run on systems that are reasonable. If we could do that, we probably would in a few of the dungeons.
Of the below shots, the top one is Blizzard, the bottom is the fan one…
What’s wrong with colorful spells?
(as before, of the below shots, the top one is Blizzard, the bottom is the fan one…)
Still… I prefer the top… in the bottom I can’t see what’s going on… what do you think?
On this one, here is a comment I am quoting I found here (at slashdot):
[...] I’m a bit torn on this story because I don’t even think this designer needs to answer to people putting up screenshots that are entitled “wow gayness” when compared to their preferred screenshots. But as to whether or not he felt they had a valid point or he Blizzard just really cares for their fans, I cannot say.
While the lighting in a few of these looks like definitely done by hand, the only other major difference I see is color and tint. In example #1 the lighting is much better in the fan screenshot but I can definitely see what the designer was talking about with it being ’smart.’ My question would be (and I’m a complete idiot with vector graphics) why do they have no problem putting directional shadows behind characters but not the scenery? It seems to me that the candle light in that particular screenshot is being blocked by walls and ridges. Is this difficult with scenery? I’m guessing the levels are dynamically generated like in the first and second (a great aspect of the game, might I add), is this what causes difficulty with shadow play? I think by and large with the fan shots they use borderline too much shadow. I am guessing shadow is crucial in setting the mood but dynamically generated shadow would be difficult [...]
Now, the rest of this stuff just seems to be color pallette and tint which seems to be artistic preference. I can’t say which I like better but I’ve a feeling I’ll appreciate color (and a change of that between levels) if I’m going to be staring at it for hours. [...]
(of below, top Blizzard, bottom fan)…
What’s your take? To be honest… I like the blizzard one most and agree with this statement from the forum previously quoted:
All I have to say is thank goodness the fans aren’t designing the game. I much prefer Blizzard’s more colorful, softer feel.
The last thing I need is every little gritty detail being so prominent preventing important details like enemies, items and my own character from standing out. I also don’t want Diablo 3 turning into yet another drab, monotone game like most other games out there.
Awesone Tyrael art source is here.
it’s too early to tell. blizzard is known to change lots of stuff during its course of game development.
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I too prefer Blizzard’s versions. The point that fans seem to be missing is that this thing will be animated, while they are thinking in terms of static screenshots.
I agree on the fact that a darker, Brom-esque palette can create a cool and evocative atmosphere, but dark scene after dark scene? I don’t think I could enjoy that – or even be able to properly play that!
As it’s often the case, Penny-Arcade nails it.
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Although I am sure that the blizzard created images are perfectly fine. I must admit I like how the fan created ones look. The dark atmosphere reminds me a lot of diablo 2.
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I hate to argue but I am more with the fans on this one. Minus the last screen shot. I like Blizzards style better on the last shot. However, for the rest of them, especially the one that has the “wow gayness” on it, i would say it will give gamers a better feel for the game Diablo style. those shots would be like Diablo 2 but with better graphics. The original screen shot with the “wow gayness” i would say is not so great. It is too bright. The fan created version is way better. The original one looks like how most other games look now. The fan created version is more unique and gives it a midieval gothic feel. How many other games give you that?
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I like the Bloz versions, they are bright. Remember especially that you need to be able to see the enemy, and your team when playing. Tose darker version, although look more stylish, may not provide such good game play.
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yeah I don’t think i appreciate the blue and green look that much. Even if necromancer’s choice is a litte bland, there are ways to give the game color and personality without painting everything blue.
i don’t think its fair either for the author of the blog to claim he can’t see what’s going on, especially since it is a static image. the first time iplayed starcraft, i couldn’t tell a barracks from a factory, but before long, they looke dentirely different, and the game was easy to see, if you know waht I mean.
another thing, especially for dungeons, i did like the light radius. I agree some of those modified shots would require a lot of pixel shaders and destroy any current system, but adding a light radius is perfectly possible. and as long as the graphics are scalable, why not add some shaders?
another thing, i’m wondering what time of day these outside screenshots are taken in. If its a daytime shot, i have no problem with them (except maybe adding some nice shaders). with night time shots, i would like to see silhouettes and shadows, except within my light radius. heh it’d be interesting having a game that is too scary to play alone.
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