And since it's an Activision game, it will retail for $59.99 for the foreseeable future.Eluvei said:I won't be getting this for more than $19.99.
And since it's an Activision game, it will retail for $59.99 for the foreseeable future.Eluvei said:I won't be getting this for more than $19.99.
Eluvei said:Did you see the in-game cutscene they released for her? That was really awful. Some cliched motivational dialogue about "choices" that has absolutely nothing to do with the series' atmosphere, at least as far as I could see, because I couldn't bear to see it until the end. It's in vein with the Jim Raynor cringe-worthy speeches of StarCraft 2.
Blizzard is one of the worst offenders of this. They make good games. But, whoever writes dialogue for their games exhibits a really dangerous sense of self-importance and infallibility. It's some really hokey, cliche trash. Unfortunately, their success in the gameplay department ends up invalidating any writing criticism that might get thrown their way.Griffith said:Note to video game writers: there's a reason you're not doing books, plays, movies, or television.
Stud-Horse of Ys said:I know it's tough to come up with new, unique ideas (don't ask me to create a class for a fantasy game!), but a warrior that uses the powers of demons against them? Why do I feel like I've seen that before?
Walter said:Blizzard is one of the worst offenders of this. They make good games. But, whoever writes dialogue for their games exhibits a really dangerous sense of self-importance and infallibility. It's some really hokey, cliche trash. Unfortunately, their success in the gameplay department ends up invalidating any writing criticism that might get thrown their way.
Just read any of the "plots" in World of Warcraft or the dialogue in Warcraft 3 for a choice sampling.
OmegaSeamaster said:possibly because they're all highly derivative of more original sci-fi and fantasty stories that are far superior.
I admit to sharing this feeling more often than not, but I still believe voice acting can add a lot to the immersion in a game. Our shared stigma comes from how we, for the most part, were bred on games that didn't have the budget or vision to create a truly good experience; a result of the industry being in its infancy. But the industry has grown up since those days. We're at least in the Terrible Twos now!Rhombaad said:I'm tired of voice acting (if it can even be called "acting" when it comes to video games and animation) altogether. Give me speech bubbles again. The voices sounded better in my head anyway.
Rhombaad said:(I have to say I enjoyed Mass Effects voice acting, though.)
Walter said:Look at what Naughty Dog has done with acting in Uncharted (Click for opening of Uncharted 2), and of course L.A. Noire. Games like these have proven that there's room for good performances in the medium. It just takes money and a director who knows what they want for their game. Voice acting is something where a developer should either give it their all, or don't even bother. Half-measures will fail.
Sure, but I think that goes directly back to the importance of having a director in charge who knows what he wants his world to be, and has the foresight to trim the fat for the good of the whole project. Kojima is a criminal in this regard. But RPGs are the worst offenders. Games of that genre tend to think verbosity is a plus, just because they have a lot to explain. But showing is always better than telling, particularly in a medium so finely tuned toward visuals.Griffith said:To me the problem isn't quality but quantity, there's just too much damn talking and most of it is useless if not worthless. Even in text based games I can't stand meaningless conversations that can go on for a half hour, because I feel obliged to read/hear everything. The idea of a huge immersive game world and civilization was exciting, but now that we can do it it's become clear it doesn't mean we always should. Let's just take the hidden gems of dialogue in these games and lay them all on the table, and cut the filler.
Rhombaad said:I'm tired of voice acting (if it can even be called "acting" when it comes to video games and animation) altogether. Give me speech bubbles again. The voices sounded better in my head anyway. (I have to say I enjoyed Mass Effects voice acting, though.)
Aazealh said:Not to dwell on this forever, but I think Walter's right for the most part, although I'd also blame a lot of your weariness simply on bad acting. As time goes by it'll keep getting better until most games have quality voice acting. I don't mind speech bubbles, but I can't deny that good voice acting can add a lot to a game.
OmegaSeamaster said:Taking stock of the five character classes on the official website, it appears that all of the D2 classes are back with new coats of paint.
The barbarian has become the brawler, the monk is the assassin, the demon hunter is the amazon, the shaman is the necromancer and the wizard is the sorceress. Now all Blizzard has to do is release an expansion pack with a druid and paladin clone and we'll be all set.
OmegaSeamaster said:Now all Blizzard has to do is release an expansion pack with a druid and paladin clone and we'll be all set.
It's a Blizzard game. Count on a 9-10 rating on average.Bearded Skeleton said:I don't think I'll be getting this game unless it gets great reviews.
Hardcore mode is intended to provide an additional level of challenge in which players try to keep their characters alive through a combination of skill and luck. Allowing players to access the currency-based auction house with their Hardcore characters would undermine the value of Hardcore-related achievements for everyone because the playing field would not be even.
It's a business decision, nothing more. They know they can't control that group, so may as well incorporate it and levy a tax per transaction. That just makes business sense.John Smith said:'well, so many people were cheating and currency swapping in Diablo 2 that we decided to incorporate people we used to call farmers and cheaters as the most active part of our economy. We also didn't want them to take on so much risk in these 3rd party websites, so now we're making it convenient for them.'
Because then it wouldn't really be hardcore, would it?And if currency swapping is an inevitability, especially when so much more is at stake in hardcore mode, why not let hardcore players buy power too if you care so much about the inconvenience and risk involved in 3rd party websites?
The difference being this is a market that's curated and controlled by them, not Chinese Gold Farmers.Blizzard used to ban accounts and sue websites for debasing the currency and taking the skill out of the game. Now they're making it as convenient as possible.
Woland said:The reason why is because I miss games like Baldur's Gate, which took a lot from Diablo's style and added DnD and party control.
John Smith said:I am sad to report that Diablo 3 will let players buy power. People will be able to auction their items for actual money in addition to gold and blizzard will charge a listing and transaction fee for each auction. Their justification is that 'well, so many people were cheating and currency swapping in Diablo 2 that we decided to incorporate people we used to call farmers and cheaters as the most active part of our economy. We also didn't want them to take on so much risk in these 3rd party websites, so now we're making it convenient for them.'