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[ShadowgeistX]

They get more armoured as they go along

Yeah, I kinda expect that from playing D2 lol...it just kinda seems like the char creation screen could use a knight/paladin-type character, at first glance. I'm having some fun with the monk though, I may just main a monk at release. The russian accent is baffling me though, totally unexpected.

 

[JWong]

I wonder if I can suddenly have beta access.

 

[dorkimoe]

I wonder if I can suddenly have beta access.

Would be nice. As someone who has never played any diablo game, Id really like to try this before throwing money away

 

[FrontalMonk]

Would be nice. As someone who has never played any diablo game, Id really like to try this before throwing money away

at its heart, it's a dungeon crawling loot game. if you don't know if you'd like it or not after having the chance to play any number of well crafted dungeon crawling loot games that have come out over the last decade or so (BG: Dark Alliance and Torchlight come to mind) then I don't know how to answer you except to point you in the direction of youtube and say "Pretend you're playing."

 

[ShadowgeistX]

Would be nice. As someone who has never played any diablo game, Id really like to try this before throwing money away

Couldn't you just play the Torchlight demo? From the 3h I played of it, it seems almost like a mix between the older Diablo 2 and Diablo 3. The demo gives you 2 hours to evaluate whether you'll like diablo-type games.

 

[JohnOfMars]

Yep. Few of us have lamented on these forums. If you read a bit more within the bnet forums... you'll see that they are putting it on optimization issues. Many people are even reporting that lowering the settings makes things even worse. The one fix that I've found that DID help optimization was turning off shadows. I never missed it.

Can you expand on that "optimization issues"? Does that mean that this is a Beta and the final client will be better optimized or that too bad, get a better machine? I.e. If I was really wanting native OS X play, am I screwed?

 

[SteveWD40]

Can you expand on that "optimization issues"? Does that mean that this is a Beta and the final client will be better optimized or that too bad, get a better machine? I.e. If I was really wanting native OS X play, am I screwed?

So far we don't know, on the one hand Blizzard are known for good optimisation and solid OSX support, for me WoW ran identical on both and can run on a hamster wheel...

...on the other, they can be known to ignore issues if they are considered fringe (so mac customers).

I would wait until after retail, within days mac owners will be reporting on it.

 

[Eric WK]

EricWK #1966

 

[Valnen]

Would be nice. As someone who has never played any diablo game, Id really like to try this before throwing money away

You can always play the starter edition when it comes after launch.

 

[TheExodu5]

So far we don't know, on the one hand Blizzard are known for good optimisation and solid OSX support, for me WoW ran identical on both and can run on a hamster wheel...

Definitely not. SC2 and WoW are some of the worst optimized games out currently, as they require very fast CPUs to run at 60fps due to their lack of multicore support.

 

[secretanchitman]

Played the D3 beta on my Mac for the first time last night and oof! It's bad. I can run Skyrim on this hardware at 720p ultra or 1080p high and I couldn't get Diablo 3 to run smoothly at all. Graphics set to 720p with lowest settings across the board. Shadows off, physics off, textures low. Looks terrible, but even then if I get more than 5 enemies on screen, it just stutters and even freezes. I wasn't expecting to max out graphics, but I was at least expecting something smooth. I beat the minimum specs and am close to recommended.

Minimum req's:
Mac® OS X 10.6.8, 10.7.x or newer
Intel® Core 2 Duo
NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT or ATI Radeon™ HD 2600 or better
2 GB RAM

My system:
10.7.3
Intel Core i3 550 3.22GHz
ATI HD 5670 512MB
4 GB of RAM

It looks like I'm not the only one based on the b.net forums. But man, I was hoping for better. This is terrible and really making me reconsider my pre-order.

Any other GAFers playing on Mac?

i play diablo 3 (current patch) on my 15" mbp just fine. i have everything set to 1680x1050 max settings except for shadows which are on medium, with AA and vsync enabled.

my specs:

osx 10.6.8
intel core i7 2720qm 2.2ghz quad core
amd radeon hd 6750m 1GB
16GB of ram
patriot wildfire 240GB ssd

 

[Valnen]

Definitely not. SC2 and WoW are some of the worst optimized games out currently, as they require very fast CPUs to run at 60fps due to their lack of multicore support.

I know for a fact SC2 and WoW at least use 2 cores. Because going from single to dual will improve the performance in those games by a lot.

 

[Macattk15]

Sicar #1798

 

[SteveWD40]

First I have heard anyone say WoW wasn't well optimised. First time for everything, but then I quit in 2011, it could run on a potatoe back then.

 

[TheExodu5]

I know for a fact SC2 and WoW at least use 2 cores. Because going from single to dual will improve the performance in those games by a lot.

SC2 and WoW use the second core to maybe 20-30%.

First I have heard anyone say WoW wasn't well optimised. First time for everything, but then I quit in 2011, it could run on a potatoe back then.

Both WoW and SC2 are very scalable, but poorly optimized. Most people tend to refer to the fact that their games can run on old hardware, but that doesn't imply an optimized engine.

As for D3...the beta runs well enough, though my hardware might have something to do with that.

My main issue with the beta is that it still stutters even with a perfectly vsynced 60fps.

 

[SteveWD40]

SC2 and WoW use the second core to maybe 20-30%.



Both WoW and SC2 are very scalable, but poorly optimized. Most people tend to refer to the fact that their games can run on old hardware, but that doesn't imply an optimized engine.

As for D3...the beta runs well enough, though my hardware might have something to do with that.

My main issue with the beta is that it still stutters even with a perfectly vsynced 60fps.

Ah, fair enough, I should have said scalable then.

 

[JohnOfMars]

i play diablo 3 (current patch) on my 15" mbp just fine. i have everything set to 1680x1050 max settings except for shadows which are on medium, with AA and vsync enabled.

my specs:

osx 10.6.8
intel core i7 2720qm 2.2ghz quad core
amd radeon hd 6750m 1GB
16GB of ram
patriot wildfire 240GB ssd

Wow. I should hope so! You have literally double (at least) every one of my specs and a SSD. Honestly, I'm surprised you're not at max native res & full max settings with that setup.

Thanks for all the input guys. I think I'll try the Windows client tonight. Depending on that, I may cancel my preorder and see what the final Mac client looks like.

 

[IceMarker]

 

[sazzy]

flash applications running in the background slows the cpu clock. like youtube etc.

i dont know how it works, but i read it on the official wow tech forum. definitly seems to be true for me.

 

[ViolentP]

Battletag: violent#1580

 

[secretanchitman]

Wow. I should hope so! You have literally double (at least) every one of my specs and a SSD. Honestly, I'm surprised you're not at max native res & full max settings with that setup.

Thanks for all the input guys. I think I'll try the Windows client tonight. Depending on that, I may cancel my preorder and see what the final Mac client looks like.

yep! 1680x1050 is my max native res (i paid for the high res matte screen, forget glossy), and while i can put shadows on max, i just dont even bother.

boot camp will definitely give you a lot better performance - windows is better for gaming 95% of the time compared to osx.

 

[Yoshichan]

Really liked environment and enemies design from 1:34.

BTW next Blizzards footage with framerate problems ;\

It looks like IGN got a class preview video of the Demon Hunter.

.

 

[hobart]

For you Mac guys--

I had read somewhere that the game simply wasn't hitting on all the cores of the video card. Many had claimed that they felt the game was only utilizing one core... which is problematic when you are like me and you have 4. And this kind of draws into what they are stating when they say "optimization issues," the game simply isn't catered to the settings and hardware of Mac users (and even Windows users as well).

In any case... same place I read this (I honestly don't remember where... but that's moot), it stated that playing the game at low settings actually proved to give WORSE performance. I was bored last night and I wanted to play thru a bit of my Wizard... so I cranked up my settings and... well... it certainly didn't get any worse. And I found that it was very playable, though, there was stuttering here and there... but not NEARLY what I was getting when I put the game on pretty low settings.

So, for those of you struggling to get your D3 fix, definitely run the game in Windowed mode... and try pumping the settings up a bit to what you'd be used to in others games. If you can also manage... obviously... don't play it on OSX if you don't have to. But, for the purpose of my story, I *did* try this on OSX last night and it was the best playing experience I've had since 3 or 4 patches ago.

 

[ScrabbleBanshee]

The fact that there will be an OSX client on release at all is pretty cool of them (though it doesn't matter to me), those OSX guys can't complain too much if it's not perfect on release date because they are going to get far more press / sales on the PC side.

 

[JohnOfMars]

I'm currently running XP in boot camp, and it does fine for my PC gaming. Will I notice a significant increase in performance if I upgrade to Windows 7? $100 ain't something to sneeze at for me.

 

[hobart]

I'm currently running XP in boot camp, and it does fine for my PC gaming. Will I notice a significant increase in performance if I upgrade to Windows 7? $100 ain't something to sneeze at for me.

I don't see a need. If you don't have the extra $100 to spend - don't spend... I don't think it's necessary.

 

[Mr Swine]

How fun, my brother has gotten in the Diablo III beta today and I'm still not in (

 

[KKRT00]

.

?

Its Blizzard's footage, not IGN's. Eurogamer got it also.
http://www.eurogamer.net/videos/diablo-3-footage-shows-off-demon-hunter

 

[maabus1999]

?

Its Blizzard's footage, not IGN's. Eurogamer got it also.
http://www.eurogamer.net/videos/diablo-3-footage-shows-off-demon-hunter

I have my own criticisms of the game, but I believe I saw that clip awhile back so it may be old and therefore outdated?

 

[Xanathus]

The footage is at least a few months out of date since Shadow Power was changed (since... early this year?) to a life steal buff instead of a attack speed/damage boost. Also I feel like I've seen that b-roll footage before. I'm guessing they prepared that footage awhile back but can't be bothered to make new ones so they're just telling outlets to just publish that one.

 

[Carm]

Most of the stuttering I see in that trailer is exactly what I've always seen in beta, in regards to assets not loading correctly. Every time you see something new in the game, it will stutter to load it. They said awhile ago it was fixed internally, but I'm starting to doubt that because it's never made it to the beta after numerous patches.

 

[JWong]

Any contests going on for beta keys?

 

[Ricker]

Most of the stuttering I see in that trailer is exactly what I've always seen in beta, in regards to assets not loading correctly. Every time you see something new in the game, it will stutter to load it. They said awhile ago it was fixed internally, but I'm starting to doubt that because it's never made it to the beta after numerous patches.

Yeah,so far it seems to be more prominent with the Monk...I have played him,the DH and now currently going through it again with a Wizard and there is no stuttering per say(up to level 7)...so far I like the DH better,then Monk and Wizard is last...he seems very fragile and his spells don't really have any ''punch''...Skeleton King may actually offer a little challenge with him hehe...

 

[TheOnlyMook]

I would like to play this game. I hope for Diablo himself to grant me beta access.

 

[Detox]

So I got into the beta tried signing in got redirected to the create battle tag site and I made one but now the login button is unclickable no matter what I enter into the login boxes...

The login should be the same as your battle.net login I'm pretty sure

Thanks. I tried that for a few times it just didn't work but now does, weird.

 

[forrest]

So I got into the beta tried signing in got redirected to the create battle tag site and I made one but now the login button is unclickable no matter what I enter into the login boxes...

The login should be the same as your battle.net login I'm pretty sure

 

[JohnOfMars]

For you Mac guys--

So, for those of you struggling to get your D3 fix, definitely run the game in Windowed mode...

I could kiss you. I was running regular full screen. The game looked and played like ass. Changed to "windowed" full screen and the game is smooth at 720p high textures. All the text & icons look so much better too! I could actually play and enjoy the game! Thank you!

 

[Cpt.Underpants]

Just got an invite (EU)

I can't seem to add my name of the GAF battletag list

CptUndrpants#2780

 

[IceMarker]

I can't seem to add my name of the GAF battletag list

*cough*

 

[CarbonatedFalcon]

-Previously, Inferno difficulty was mlvl 61 across all of Inferno, and now it starts at mlvl 61 and ramps up quickly in Act I and ends somewhere around 65 (?) in Act IV. We've only increased the difficulty.

-I'm aware of internal bets on how many months it will take someone to beat Inferno. (emphasis mine)

Neat. They hadn't clarified exactly how Inferno was going to work since changing it to a progressive difficulty like all the others.

 

[maharg]

Oh the hubris. Game devs constantly underestimate their users.

 

[Hazaro]

Oh the hubris. Game devs constantly underestimate their users.

This was my impression as well, but no one knows the EXP scaling to 60 and Diablo II had some insane ramp ups with very punishing deaths to 99. So I'll give them half credit on this.

Most likely through I give it a group of guys finding some overpowered mechanic and they do it in <3 weeks.

 

[V_Arnold]

Oh the hubris. Game devs constantly underestimate their users.

Nice query into the future. We shall see.

Edit:

Most likely through I give it a group of guys finding some overpowered mechanic and they do it in <3 weeks.

Yep, this is certainly a possibility.

 

[Corky]

This was my impression as well, but no one knows the EXP scaling to 60 and Diablo II had some insane ramp ups with very punishing deaths to 99. So I'll give them half credit on this.

Most likely through I give it a group of guys finding some overpowered mechanic and they do it in <3 weeks.

Put me on the <2 week bet.

 

[Zaptruder]

Oh the hubris. Game devs constantly underestimate their users.

There's little more impressive in this universe than crowd-sourcing intelligence to really hard problems.

The sheer amount of adaptive computational power that is available, and coupled with the feedback and communication mechanisms of a modern internet means that as long as there are adequate tools to solve the problems, problems will be solved... in a time frame that exceeds naieve expectations!

Of course, if you really want to be an ass about it, you can design your game like the FFXI team, creating bosses that with inhuman constraints (20+ hour kill times) and laugh at players while some of them play themselves to the point of sickness.

 

[Fjord]

Fjord #6835

Now that the you can't join a public game if you're level 11-13 I need friends ;_;

 

[CarbonatedFalcon]

Oh I definitely think people will have downed Inferno within a month. Maybe 6 weeks max. I'd be more curious on the number of players in the first game to do so, and what class and skill composition.

I included the line about the internal bets (there was a bit more to the post that wasn't as interesting) because it seemed so silly.

 

[IceMarker]

"Race you to the end of solo Inferno!"

 

[Ricker]

No way I will win any race to the end that's for sure,I break every barrel,loot every bookshelf and make a detour to pick up even 1 gold if I see one I missed on the ground lol...

 

[Mengy]

-Previously, Inferno difficulty was mlvl 61 across all of Inferno, and now it starts at mlvl 61 and ramps up quickly in Act I and ends somewhere around 65 (?) in Act IV. We've only increased the difficulty.

-I'm aware of internal bets on how many months it will take someone to beat Inferno. (emphasis mine)

WAIT, so inferno isn't all the same ilvl now? Wasn't the entire freaking point of inferno to give max level characters an even difficulty to farm items where no one area was better than the others??? Wasn't the whole point to avoid people doing endless Baal runs over and over and OVER again????? So if inferno slowly ramps up in difficulty to a max level, just like every other level, then does it stand to reason that the end of inferno will be better to farm for drops, just like hell in D2?



This disappoints me greatly if it's the case. I was real excited about inferno being an entire difficulty level with no specific best area to run. Doesn't sound like that's the situation anymore....