Blizzard Surprised by Reaction to Online-Only Diablo 3

[Spyre2000]

The title to those article should be. "Blizzard VP reveals he is completely out of touch with gaming community."

That's really the only explanation that makes any sense. Because he they did have an idea there was going to be some backlash they would of at least prepared some kind of spin. Such as "there will always be people unhappy with the choices you make for your game" or something along those lines to try and play down users concerns.

But to try and play it as it was unexpected, especially after the backlash from SC II not supporting LAN, just makes it look like they are completely out of touch with their community. I guess there current staff are too use to doing WoW the thought of making an offline game if foreign to them.

 

[Tony2077]

It's simply a matter that many gamers, including myself, don't want to have to connect to the Internet to play a single player game, or rather don't want to have to invoke our Internet connection to play a single player game. And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one whose not really interested in the multiplayer. Having a constant connection to the Internet is fine if you're playing an MMO or playing some other form of online multiplayer game, but when playing single player one expects that the Internet is not required. Even with High Speed Internet where the connection is always present, one still doesn't expect it to be required for a single player experience. It's the principle of the thing.

unless your like me and have it on all the time streaming email its just easier to leave it on

Perhaps you missed the last part of my post where I said "Even with High Speed Internet where the connection is always present, one still doesn't expect it to be required for a single player experience. It's the principle of the thing."

just looks like a lame excuse to complain to me

 

[lacktheknack]

So why not just make an offline mode for people who want to play that way? "You're introducing a separate user flow, a separate path that players are going to go down," he explained. "And, at the end of the day, how many people are going to want to do that?"

ALLBefore you go all pedantic on me, I'm fully aware that 95% isn't "all". Hyperbole, people..

OF.

THEM.

Yeesh, you wonder why some people say that devs are disconnected from the player base...

 

[camazotz]

This is about the cash item auction shop. Its remarkably clever PR because they manage to avoid mentioning that 800 pound gorilla in the room rather handily, but its painfully obvious.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

It's simply a matter that many gamers, including myself, don't want to have to connect to the Internet to play a single player game, or rather don't want to have to invoke our Internet connection to play a single player game. And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one whose not really interested in the multiplayer. Having a constant connection to the Internet is fine if you're playing an MMO or playing some other form of online multiplayer game, but when playing single player one expects that the Internet is not required. Even with High Speed Internet where the connection is always present, one still doesn't expect it to be required for a single player experience. It's the principle of the thing.

unless your like me and have it on all the time streaming email its just easier to leave it on

Perhaps you missed the last part of my post where I said "Even with High Speed Internet where the connection is always present, one still doesn't expect it to be required for a single player experience. It's the principle of the thing."

just looks like a lame excuse to complain to me

I'm not complaining. I'm expressing my feelings regarding the issue. I am allowed to do that aren't I?
I wasn't planning on saying anything more about it until you quoted me because I know it wouldn't make Blizzard change their plans. I was planning on making Blizzard painfully aware of how I felt about this by not buying the game however.

 

[Mechanix]

Oh great, another nail in Blizzard's coffin. They do all this crazy shit, and then act all surprised that people didn't like it? Man that's pathetic. I wonder what crappy design they're going to reveal next.

 

[faefrost]

To flip this around... why are they surprised? Why are we surprised?!?!?! No really? We had to have realized this was coming. The writing was obvious on the wall. Diablo 1 and 2, 2 of the most pirated games in history. World of Warcraft possibly the least pirated epicly succesful game ever. Do the math! Plus the online play of both Diablo's was completely overrun with hacks cheats and such. Now compare that to players obvious acceptance, nigh embracing of the unobtrusive online model, (see; Steam, XBox Live, PSN and there own Battle.Net) We taught them that they could use this model. Heck in our constant cries for everything to have some online component we have encouraged the drive away from the single player stand alone game model entirely into a situation where there really is less and less of anything that truly resembles a single player game. (note any game reviews in the past year. Any game without an online mode with the exception of some revered RPG's gets heavily gigged for not including online). So why are we surprised when the developer of one of the most anticipated new games decides to simplify the code base abd make just 1 game. Single and Multiplayer completely the same?

Once again we knew or should have known this was coming after Ubisoft and after SC2 requiring internet and having no true unconnected option.

 

[Feylynn]

In a single player game this would be a problem.
But Diablo is not and never has been a single player game, least of all 3.
I'd never utilize that feature for anything but mods if they became available and even then it's not likely, that's what Skyrim is for.

I'm actually kind of surprised people are viewing this as a single player game, I know like 6 friends that are going to get it and I'd like to be able to pop in when some of them are on. Then if you look at the emphasis they've mentioned that trading and arena's and team play have it's kind of obvious what they are making here.

 

[TheMagicLemur]

It's not about DRM, it'd be about cheating the Auction House system they're going to be using, what would be the point of the AH being flooded with duplicated items from a single player file, this would also be the same reason for mods I assume.

Yeah, but, again, many of us are more than willing to have a separate, offline-only character that can't be used online if that's the trade-off.

 

[Tony2077]

It's simply a matter that many gamers, including myself, don't want to have to connect to the Internet to play a single player game, or rather don't want to have to invoke our Internet connection to play a single player game. And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one whose not really interested in the multiplayer. Having a constant connection to the Internet is fine if you're playing an MMO or playing some other form of online multiplayer game, but when playing single player one expects that the Internet is not required. Even with High Speed Internet where the connection is always present, one still doesn't expect it to be required for a single player experience. It's the principle of the thing.

unless your like me and have it on all the time streaming email its just easier to leave it on

Perhaps you missed the last part of my post where I said "Even with High Speed Internet where the connection is always present, one still doesn't expect it to be required for a single player experience. It's the principle of the thing."

just looks like a lame excuse to complain to me

I'm not complaining. I'm expressing my feelings regarding the issue. I am allowed to do that aren't I?
I wasn't planning on saying anything more about it until you quoted me because I know it wouldn't make Blizzard change their plans. I was planning on making Blizzard painfully aware of how I felt about this by not buying the game however.

not like they'll lose enough to make them give a shit about you people so your stance is pointless. blizzard still has decades ahead of them so not like this will do anything and now where the hell is the release date

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

What exactly do we gain? Nothing. (Seriously, can anyone tell me a thing the player gains by having an always on connection?)

While I'm an opponent to constant connection there are benefits to it.

1. Constant access to the community - you are always connected to your fiends and various community groups.

Ugh. And no benefit in single player. I can run AIM, IRC, MSN or Steam instead.

2. Access to online content - the AH is a prime example of this, you can always go and buy the item you wish (for gold or cash or whatever).

Is it likely you're going to be doing that during the game?

3. Helping make a better game - while you are online you constantly send data to the company so they can analyze the performance of gamers, see what they did and didn't do and work off that (why do you think Dragon Age 2 has only human as a race option? Over 50% of the gamers chose a human origin in DA:O. This is why the new class in ME3 is combat-orientated, instead of magic or engineering).

That would be a nice idea, if anyone took any notice of it. Valve are the masters of this, and they've still overloaded the Soldier with thousands of weapons while leaving the Engineer/Spy/Medic/Heavy to rot.

4. Events - you can participate in events.

Most events I've ever been in run at 2 fps when you have 60+ people in a small area.

So, generally, no real benefit. Instant messaging for 1, 2 is Alt-Tab, 3 is dubious at best and 4 actually works against it. You have a large event with lots of people in one place and you're far more likely to lose your connection.

TF2 has an always on connection, and the worst you get from that is your loadout disappearing. Imagine if your Steam Cloud popped as well - losing all your achievements.

There would be blood.

 

[Craorach]

Who wants offline D3? I do.. I never once stepped foot on Diablo 2's Battlenet, I played completely offline at all times, and I was hoping that this was going to be a game that I could do that again.

 

[A-D.]

well have fun bitching and complaining its not going to change anything. i'm going to leave this shit storm i need a shower

Just going to ask but, whats your Point in this Thread? At least the last 3 Posts i have seen from you here are simply to insult anyone who in any shape or form argues against "Always On"-DRM Measures of any kind.

Dont like the Topic? Dont click on it. Whats so hard to grasp about that one?

 

[Leyvin]

I don't understand why so many people are so amped whenever a company releases a title, that requires a persistant internet connection. Especially today with high-speed always-on broadband being the standard.

People can cite how they might want to play on their Notebooks or loose Internet Connection; but in the same breath how many of you play World of Warcraft? It's an MMO so yes it requires the persistant internet connection with no offline mode. The complaints are honestly completely stupid imo

Notebooks running a graphics intensive application such-as Diablo 3, will likely last for a maximum of 2 hours; even the new Fusion APU Notebooks will probably only get you an extra half-hour at most. So the likelihood is anyone actually wanting to play on their notebook will be at home, or another place they can plug-in the device; in-which case there are two possibilities of internet connectivity, either the place they are (Starbucks for example) already has support for local WiFi or you can invest in a 3G USB Modem; they're hardly expensive and work anywhere your cellphone does.

Loosing Internet Connection... Oh no! Still crap happens, and you have the option of resetting the Modem and Router to get it working again; What happens if you have a black-out, you gonna ***** at Blizzard again because they didn't think that people might want to play when acts of god happen?

C'mon I'm getting sick and tired of seeing people bitching about the recent integration of persistance internet connections; when honestly it has been a DECADE since always-on Broadband and right now with full 3G integration and hundreds of WiFi hotspots, some countries (such-as the UK) have WiFi integration in their public transportation as well as growing Mega-WiFi ... honestly people have no excuse NOT to have an active internet connection while their Computer is turned on.

We are in an age where people freak out if they can't check their e-mail, google, wiki, twitter, facebook and youtube on every damn device they have including their TVs now; but ask them to always be connected which they are already and suddenly they react like Rush Limbar just came round and took a huge dump in their cornflakes.

Now I'm not a fan of Blizzard, because frankly they're kinda ripp-off merchants who are in-bed with a company that I percieve as the devil; so I'm not against people actually hating them. Just hate them for the right damn reasons!

 

[TheMagicLemur]

It's not about DRM, it'd be about cheating the Auction House system they're going to be using, what would be the point of the AH being flooded with duplicated items from a single player file, this would also be the same reason for mods I assume.

"And, at the end of the day, how many people are going to want to do that?"

Idk, thousands of people?

I wasn't really pissed until he was really dismissive of people who don't want to fucking group up and play multiplayer. Not everyone -wants- to socialize in games. I get enough useless assholes in real life, I don't need to deal with them in my game too.

 

[A-D.]

In a single player game this would be a problem.
But Diablo is not and never has been a single player game, least of all 3.
I'd never utilize that feature for anything but mods if they became available and even then it's not likely, that's what Skyrim is for.

I'm actually kind of surprised people are viewing this as a single player game, I know like 6 friends that are going to get it and I'd like to be able to pop in when some of them are on. Then if you look at the emphasis they've mentioned that trading and arena's and team play have it's kind of obvious what they are making here.

You have played Diablo 1? No? Well you should. Now recall it was released in 1996 if i recall that one correctly. DSL and stable internet broadband for everyone at that time, right? Yeah no. Dial-up with "Charged by the Minute" Deals. Thats what.

Diablo 1 and 2 were Single Player Games first, the Multiplayer was a added Component. A Option. A Feature. If it were any different, it'd be advertised as a MMO. D3 isnt advertised as that, so making it basicly like WoW (a MMO Game that is) in a new Setting is utterly bonkers.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

What exactly do we gain? Nothing. (Seriously, can anyone tell me a thing the player gains by having an always on connection?)

All-penetrating eye of Blizzard's Warden makes the life of a cheater very very stressful.

For all practical purposes, you can be certain that the guy standing next to you in dungeon or in Arena didn't hax his way up.

No-one standing next to me in single player.
If it's PvE, I don't really care.
PvP never works in these games anyway.

I don't understand why so many people are so amped whenever a company releases a title, that requires a persistant internet connection. Especially today with high-speed always-on broadband being the standard.

Because it's a standard only a few have. Half of us have a connection that drops because of spikes, lag, nearby electrics, Mother switching the kettle on, cats chewing the cable, brownouts or anything else.

Now, if you lose everything to a brownout, when you didn't need to, then you're going to be well-amped. This is pre-emptive amping for the people who have shitty connections.

 

[Tony2077]

well have fun bitching and complaining its not going to change anything. i'm going to leave this shit storm i need a shower

Just going to ask but, whats your Point in this Thread? At least the last 3 Posts i have seen from you here are simply to insult anyone who in any shape or form argues against "Always On"-DRM Measures of any kind.

Dont like the Topic? Dont click on it. Whats so hard to grasp about that one?

it not the topic i hate its the stance that some people are taking i hate and also find pointless and stupid and don't stick your nose where it not wanted or it make get bitten off

 

[Vonnis]

I'm surprised blizzard is surprised. Some people just want to play singe player without the game crashing when their connection fails for a second. I'm not interested in a single one of "all the things I get" from an always-online system. Just let me play my damn game without fuck-ups. Not everything has to be a bloody MMO, blizzard.

 

[Feylynn]

In a single player game this would be a problem.
But Diablo is not and never has been a single player game, least of all 3.
I'd never utilize that feature for anything but mods if they became available and even then it's not likely, that's what Skyrim is for.

I'm actually kind of surprised people are viewing this as a single player game, I know like 6 friends that are going to get it and I'd like to be able to pop in when some of them are on. Then if you look at the emphasis they've mentioned that trading and arena's and team play have it's kind of obvious what they are making here.

You have played Diablo 1? No? Well you should. Now recall it was released in 1996 if i recall that one correctly. DSL and stable internet broadband for everyone at that time, right? Yeah no. Dial-up with "Charged by the Minute" Deals. Thats what.

Diablo 1 and 2 were Single Player Games first, the Multiplayer was a added Component. A Option. A Feature. If it were any different, it'd be advertised as a MMO. D3 isnt advertised as that, so making it basicly like WoW (a MMO Game that is) in a new Setting is utterly bonkers.

I have played both, primarily single player initially.
It did not take me long to come to the conclusion single player was silly and I had very little reason to play it offline the second online was an option.