Diablo III Options

[Crushinator]

I was suprised we don't have a thread for this yet, but I guess since blizzard is so stingy with the news its not unexpected.

Anyways, straight outta GamesCom we have details on the crafting system!



Looks fast, slick, and unobtrusive. I love how you can break down the "big loot" into crafting shit so you don't have to TP to town constantly to sell big things like armor.

Update with some details on the caravan:

Diablo III Caravan FAQ
Q: What is the caravan?
A: The caravan is a persistent group that follows the heroes across Sanctuary, providing a centralized hub for players to find quest givers, crafters, and other important NPCs. As your character moves through the world so too will your loyal band, setting up in specific locations to remain close by should you need them.

Q: Who are the artisans?
A: In order to access the professions in Diablo III, you’ll need to gain the loyalty of various artisans through your travels in Sanctuary. The blacksmith, mystic, and jeweler will each provide unique services over the course of the game.

Q: What do the artisans offer?
A: Skilling up your artisans will unlock unique recipes, granting your character access to benefits that may not be found anywhere else in the world. The blacksmith crafts weapons and armor, and can add sockets to some items. The mystic creates scrolls, potions, magical weapons, spell runes, and charms, and can also enchant items. The jeweler crafts gems , amulets, and rings. The jeweler can also remove gems from socketed items and can combine gems to improve their quality.

Q: How do I find the artisans?
A: Finding the artisans will be part of the main quest. Each artisan has been fleshed out to include their own story and quest line.

Q: How do I use the artisans?
A: You’ll collect loot as a reward for slaughtering the forces of the Burning Hells. Unwanted items can be salvaged in your inventory, converting these goods into raw crafting materials—higher-level items are salvaged into higher-level materials. You’ll then take those raw materials and hand them over to the artisans, putting them to work crafting or enchanting for you. Upon returning to the caravan after a lengthy foray, you may also find that the artisans have been hard at work plying their trade for your benefit.

Q: How do I salvage my items?
A: Players will find an item while progressing through the main quest that will allow them to convert unwanted gear into crafting materials from the inventory. This item will not take up any inventory space. This should be a more satisfying option for offloading unwanted loot than the alternative—dropping things on the ground or making frequent trips to a vendor.

Q: Why are you including crafting professions in an action game?
A: Professions add depth to the item collection gameplay that drives the action of Diablo III. We want to provide players with an alternative way to acquire gear, potions, and other randomly found items. We also want to provide additional forms of customization for players—adding jewels, enchants, or sockets to existing gear allows players to further tailor their characters. Many rare crafting recipes and materials are only found as world drops, enhancing the item acquisition process by increasing the diversity of items dropped by monsters.

[Knightsword]

Blizzard is also requiring an alway on internet connection to prevent cheating and the like

The other substantial, but perhaps not unexpected, game changer is the requirement that all Diablo III players be online to play Blizzard's next game, even if they plan on slaying demons solo. Blizzard says it's implementing the internet connection requirement to combat cheating and improve the overall multiplayer experience—plus keep its new, player-run economy stable. That may prove a controversial stipulation, not being able to play a game of Diablo without an internet connection, but it's the new Auction House, the eBay-like market that enables players to exchange virtual goods for in-game gold or real money that is perhaps Blizzard's most surprising change.

http://kotaku.com/5825580/blizzard-will-le...-for-real-money

[HC82]

This is what I am thinking...

I buy a Robe of Epic Purple Awesomeness for $5 or 1000 Gold.

I say "fuck it, I spend more on drinks, lemme buy the damn thing with cash"

Blizzard takes a 50 cent fee from the player as their "broker fee" in REAL LIFE currency, not some bullshit MMO gold like on most online auction houses.

Blizzard profits x 9000 billion micro transactions. Diablo is now free to play 4 lyfe. LOLOLZ, MAD CA$H!1!

Blizzard creates a real supply and demand economy, and "if" they wanted to they can increase their profit by manipulating the money supply (ie. drop rates and gold supply).
Blizzard's been learning a thing or two from EA. If I were a game developer, I think it's great for the developer because it allows free to play models to work. As a gamer, game currency to real cash always bothered me. Maybe because developers could totally exploit it to the max.

I honestly think it will work out well for Blizzard from a profitability stand point.