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[Fugu]

People have officially lost it. Go look at some goddamn video. D3's style has changed but it doesn't look SHIT like wow during gameplay.

You dont get to say "Oh hey, that's 3d, and has detailed textures, so it looks like 'X' now". Tech evolves, get over it.

There are far more comparisons that can be drawn between Diablo 3's art style and World of Warcraft's art style than can be drawn between Diablo 2's art style and Diablo 3's art style.

I actually happen to like Diablo 3's art style (although not nearly as much as I like Diablo 2's) but you would have to be trying not to to not see how close they are.

 

[teepo]

i prefer the look of the old.

 

[anaron]

Now that looks like Diablo.

D3 and its disgusting WoW influence need to GTFO.

 

[Lesath]

I prefer it to what they've shown of Diablo 3's colourful art. Good thing it's a PC game and someone will mod all that colour out of it.

Can't you just fiddle with the color settings from your graphics card options?

 

[Gribbix]

People have officially lost it. Go look at some goddamn video. D3's style has changed but it doesn't look SHIT like wow during gameplay.

You dont get to say "Oh hey, that's 3d, and has detailed textures, so it looks like 'X' now". Tech evolves, get over it.

Critics also tend to ignore the difference in character proportions that help define the art style of each of Blizzard's series. Diablo III retains the relatively realistic character proportions from the first two games. In contrast, the characters of WarCraft and StarCraft both feature substantially exaggerated proportions. I agree that Diablo III is much more colorful and less gothic looking than its predecessors, but I feel that's a result of the game's story and wider variety of environments and not an attempt to mimic WoW.

 

[Lesath]

Critics also tend to ignore the difference in character proportions that help define the art style of each of Blizzard's series. Diablo III retains the relatively realistic character proportions from the first two games. In comparison, the characters of WarCraft and StarCraft both feature substantially exaggerated proportions. I agree that Diablo III is much more colorful and less gothic looking than its predecessors, but I feel that's a result of the game's story and wider variety of environments and not an attempt to mimic WoW.

http://us.blizzard.com/diablo3/_images/artwork/ss100-hires.jpg

Yeah, I can totally see it.

 

[Durante]

"Modding the color out" wouldn't fix the cartoony texturing, or the character/enemy model style.

 

[cmonmanreally]

Come on, it's an old series and you can't prevent standards changing and evolving. Every series goes through this if they last long enough. I hate it when people just cling to some arbitary guidelines and tout that something isn't SOMETHING anymore because the game doesn't look exactly like my favourite installment.

I completely agree. Diablo 3 looks pretty amazing for what it's shaping up to be. I think it's also worth mentioning that Torchlight, which shares similar aesthetics to D3 and to a lesser extent, WoW (at least that's what I'm taking from some of the complaints a few posters have made here for being too 'cartoony') was developed by Runic, co-founded by Max Schaefer and Erich Schaefer (co-founders of Blizzard North).

 

[Gribbix]

http://us.blizzard.com/diablo3/_images/artwork/ss100-hires.jpg

Yeah, I can totally see it.

I said they were relatively realistic when compared to the massive stumpy limbs that male human characters have in WarCraft and StarCraft.

 

[subversus]

Damn, the more I look at these screens the more I want to play this game. Not interested in Diablo III at all.

 

[SamuraiX-]

Looks like Diablo to me more than the new one does.

The new one just has too much of the WoW style too it. Its clearly toned down from WoW but the WoW style still stands out.

And now Diablo III looks like WoW. Happy now?

I hope you guys choke on the shoulder pads.

In closing, fuck you Blizzard and your over milked cash-cow joke of a franchise.

I want mah Diablo back. :'(

 

[Lesath]

I said they were relatively realistic when compared to the massive stumpy limbs that male human characters have in WarCraft and StarCraft.

My apologies. I misread and thought you were complaining about DIII's character proportions. Carry on, good sir.

One thing I would like to add is that the art direction has turned with added elements in both environments and armor, which gives it more of a high fantasy flair. The colors don't help, but I think it is a reasonable tradeoff for a workable multiplayer experience. Players can cry about the WoW influence all they want, but it offers the most compelling PvE experience on the market.

 

[Lothars]

In closing, fuck you Blizzard and your over milked cash-cow joke of a franchise.

I want mah Diablo back. :'(

and you will with Diablo 3, this version looks ok but nothing special. Diablo 3 doesn't look anything like Wow to me but I really don't understand the complaints, Diablo 3 looks like a next generation diablo game which is what it's suppose to be.

 

[SamuraiX-]

and you will with Diablo 3, this version looks ok but nothing special. Diablo 3 doesn't look anything like Wow to me but I really don't understand the complaints, Diablo 3 looks like a next generation diablo game which is what it's suppose to be.

Serious question, did you ever even play Diablo II?

 

[peakish]

Yep, those shots sure look like Diablo.

I'll stand with those preferring the design of the previous titles to Diablo 3's, it definitely looks great but there's nothing strange about preferring one thing over another. It's about more than colours as well.

 

[Dresden]

In closing, fuck you Blizzard and your over milked cash-cow joke of a franchise.

I want mah Diablo back. :'(

Boo-fucking-hoo. People blame WoW for fucking everything that Blizzard does.

I like the BlizzNorth's version of D3, but the one we got will just be fine.

 

[Max]

Looks better.

 

[Lothars]

Serious question, did you ever even play Diablo II?

Yes, I've played Diablo II for 10 years and still have it installed, did you? It's one of my favorite games of all times and Diablo 3 is looking just as good.

 

[Kodiak]

Current D3 is absolutely fucking gorgeous and some of the best use of stylized hand-painted textures I have ever seen. The visuals of D3 will endure just like WoW, Windwaker, TF2...


That said, Bliz North's is pretty cool. : )

 

[bigboss370]

People don't seem to understand that its not the color thats the problem, its the art style. To me, Diablo 3's art style looks paper-y and cartoony, like WoW. The gothic style and architecture of D1 and D2 conveyed a mood that was perfect for the setting and story. D3 art style does not convey the same mood and atmosphere.

Personally I will still buy D3, cuz there's basically no other choice and i expect story/characters/gameplay/music will remain true to Diablo fashion. But i still have a problem with the artstyle.

 

[Kodiak]

Yeah, after looking at the full set of screens, D3 is much more sophisticated visually. Much.

 

[maniac-kun]

I prefer the new style. Its interesting to see this old version!

 

[Goldmund]

I love the social commentary in Heaven and the Angelic Lands being pretty much deserted.

 

[Darklord]

And now Diablo III looks like WoW. Happy now?

I hope you guys choke on the shoulder pads.

Yes. I am. New Diablo 3 looks much better.

 

[V_Arnold]

Serious question, did you ever even play Diablo II?

Serious question, why the hell do you even ask this? Are you one of those guys who think that if someone has OPINION X on GAME Y , than they CLEARLY did not play GAME Y-1, because otherwise they would see the truth?

Yes. I am. New Diablo 3 looks much better.

Yep, and it does NOT have the style of WoW.

 

[Lothars]

Serious question, why the hell do you even ask this? Are you one of those guys who think that if someone has OPINION X on GAME Y , than they CLEARLY did not play GAME Y-1, because otherwise they would see the truth?


Yep, and it does NOT have the style of WoW.

I did wonder why he asked it as well but I answered and I await his reply, I agree with you about it not having the style of WoW.

 

[ShinNL]

I don't know how delusional some of you are.. I like the art style of Diablo III, but the latter really screams WoW influence to me.

Objects really pop out in D3 and the lighting is very unrealistic (fantasy), whereas the old Diablo has a more realistic look to it where everything blends together as if it's one painting. D3's style looks amazing in motion, but not so much in screenshots.

 

[V_Arnold]

I don't know how delusional some of you are.. I like the art style of Diablo III, but the latter really screams WoW influence to me.

Objects really pop out in D3 and the lighting is very unrealistic (fantasy), whereas the old Diablo has a more realistic look to it where everything blends together as if it's one painting. D3's style looks amazing in motion, but not so much in screenshots.

Well, you just proved to everyone that the WoW screenshot has nothing to do with how D3 currently looks, thank you. Now it is time for you to rethink the part about being delusional.

 

[Lothars]

I don't know how delusional some of you are.. I like the art style of Diablo III, but the latter really screams WoW influence to me.

Objects really pop out in D3 and the lighting is very unrealistic (fantasy), whereas the old Diablo has a more realistic look to it where everything blends together as if it's one painting. D3's style looks amazing in motion, but not so much in screenshots.

Well to me the screenshots only prove to me that it doesn't look anything like WoW and looks more like Diablo 2 than anything.

 

[ShinNL]

There's not much to argue with you two. I personally think you need glasses, that's all.

 

[agidot]

What about this one?

from http://crankygamer.blogspot.com/2008/07/diablo-iii-world-of-warcraft-15.html

 

[Lothars]

There's not much to argue with you two. I personally think you need glasses, that's all.

I disagree but we are not going to get anywhere with this anyway.

 

[Fallout-NL]

I think it has a little of both. It doesn't look like WoW, but to say there's no influence at all... that's not true either.


Actually I'm worried most of all about the music. Possibly Diablo's strongest point in the past, but with the departure of Uelmen...

 

[snoopeasystreet]

I like how Diablo 3 looks but it certainly doesn't have the same aesthetic as a Blizzard North game. It looks more like it was made by the Starcraft 2 team than WoW.

 

[subversus]

Well, you just proved to everyone that the WoW screenshot has nothing to do with how D3 currently looks, thank you. Now it is time for you to rethink the part about being delusional.

He's right, looks heavy influenced by WoW.

I'm fascinated with this phenomena. It's not really a phenomena, people really see different things as they have different personalities, but looking at its so clear manifestation is thrilling. Thanks Internet. When you try to do this in RL people look at you like you treat them as lab rats or something like that.

 

[Zeliard]

Actually I'm worried most of all about the music. Possibly Diablo's strongest point in the past, but with the departure of Uelmen...

Indeed. That's a harsh loss.

 

[Visualante]

"Modding the color out" wouldn't fix the cartoony texturing, or the character/enemy model style.

Texture and graphical overhaul mods are nothing new.

 

[peakish]

By now I don't think it's just WOW-inspired, it's just more or less the look that Blizzard games have had since Warcraft 3 - more coloured lightning, some exaggerated details on buildings and armour, etc. The modern Blizzard look.

Diablo 3 goes for more realistic humans though which is good. I still would prefer a grayer ambient look than the bluish tones these shots show, and the reinforced roof of the blacksmith hut doesn't really look familiar to the huts I remember from previous games. (Maybe my memory is just bad?)


I still discuss this two years after the first showing (laughs). Again if it's not clear, the game looks great regardless and I can't wait to play it.

 

[Tokubetsu]

Uelmen isn't doing the music? FUCK!

 

[Dwight Schrute]

Texture and graphical overhaul mods are nothing new.

Yeah but modding a Blizzard Game means "no online"

 

[Goldmund]

It's not that the new look is too colorful or its WoW influences are too extreme. I don't like how it treats colors. The fear that colors might clash compromises a meaningful composition in all the screen shots I've seen posted so far. It's as if they had been reduced to cautious shades. I can see how that's off-putting to some.

Granted: we've seen so little and the lead designer said they'd use the colors (or lack thereof) to communicate changes in the world. I don't think Diablo II's (or the prototype's) design would still work, it was the perfect hybrid of design and limitations, something newer 3D engines won't allow for much anymore.

Colorful monsters.

No, I don't think it's the colors. There's something slender and brittle about the visuals (architecture, proportions, inhabitants, paths, hilts) of Diablo II that makes Diablo III appear broad, sturdy and well-fed.

 

[poisonelf]

How can anyone claim that Diablo III's art style is not like WoW is beyond me.

Is it lack of perception, is it that you interpret "same style" as "having to be 100% identical" ? Sure, you may like it, sure it may be in Blizzard's best interests for various reasons, but that does not change the fact that it looks like warcraft 3/ WoW.

If Blizzard could only fucking understand that for all the millions who love WoW there are millions who hate its look and loved Diablo, they way it played and the way it looked.

 

[Zaptruder]

It's like they've gone back to their original source of inspiration and started ripping off Games Workshop art style again, and cross bred it with WoW.

 

[KAL2006]

What interest me is if they are going to change the story in the new game. I wonder if we are going to fight in the high heavens in the new Diablo 3 (it seems the screenshots are from an Act that takes place in Heaven).

 

[AndyMoogle]

Looks more like Titan Quest than Diablo.

 

[poisonelf]

It's like they've gone back to their original source of inspiration and started ripping off Games Workshop art style again, and cross bred it with WoW.

I wouldn't call Games Workshop a source of inspiration for Blizzard. I would call it a source blatantly ripped off as far as creatures, factions, design and looks are concerned.

 

[Lothars]

I wouldn't call Games Workshop a source of inspiration for Blizzard. I would call it a source blatantly ripped off as far as creatures, factions, design and looks are concerned.

I think it was more inspiration than rip off but I don't see how it this game resembles WoW, I just don't see it at all.

 

[Gattsu25]

The art style for the current Diablo III has a bunch of different moods as Blizzard has said it will go from moderate to utter hell as the game reaches the end. This shot shows how different the game feels at different points. You would never mistake this shot for Torchlight.

http://us.blizzard.com/diablo3/_images/screenshots/ss128-hires.jpg

The old Diablo III pics are pretty cool though. I like both the old and the new styles.

Looks like a more detailed undead camp in WoW to me:

 

[V_Arnold]

The cancelled version looked STERIL.
Diablo 2's look was a prebaked background, colorfest in fights (yes, even purple ), and a very specific style of armors, weapons.

In the cited "it looks as wow" picture, we got many elements which people associate with "WoW", but in reality, they can associate it with modern, non-realistic game design as well.

One can argue that the "curvy" rooftop of the building MIGHT look like something from WoW, but as the cited screenshot obviously shows, (and which is clear to anyone who actually played WoW and seen some different architectures there), it is a style which are used for Night Elf, Troll, Human, sometimes Orc, and Dwarven "wood-based" stuff - it has nothing to do with a particular style, it is just not a photoshoot of a building roof automatically turned into a pre-rendered background. That is it.

Well, let us look for more "WoW"-esque elements! There is the weapon and armor rack. One can immediately recognize some of the classic Diablo 2 breastplates and helmets, as well as the correctly rendered, not too huge, properly modeled weapons, with some unique traits. Another thing D3 does not share with WoW, as again, to anyone who played Wow, it is clear, that weapon-wise, Blizzard can create a lot of crazy stuff with overblown proportions compared to its wielder.

Now the colors, we might start arguing, but then again: WoW's STYLE is that every different enviroment has a different style. Different colors and lightning in Zangaramars, different feeling in Uldum and in Vashj'Ir, totally non-human feel in Netherstorm, and a more casual "human-esque" feel in Elwynn Forest - not to mention the dark-fantasy journeys at Icecrown or some very exotic places in WoW overall.

So yep: D3 has colors, has some "muddy" feel when it comes to the background also, and damn, it has light sources with some bloom in them. That is WoW? Or that is just a frequently used effect? Shoulderpads, they are the last ones left. They were visibly large in D2, obviously, and they might have grown a bit in size - but they are nowhere near in size of WoW's huge, again stylistic and "too large" shoulders.

That is what I am seeing. I might need glasses. After all, I AM wearing glasses, have been playing D2 and D1 in the last decade, as well as playing WoW since 2006. Blind me.

 

[Zeliard]

I think it was more inspiration than rip off but I don't see how it this game resembles WoW, I just don't see it at all.

It's clearer in the pic Nirolak posted:

Anyway, here's modern Diablo 3 for easy comparison.

I don't have a big issue with it, but the vividness of the primary/secondary colors combined with the bulky character models definitely harkens more to WoW than it does Diablo. And this is like some hellish dungeon level.

I think it's quite attractive but it's very easy to see where those who think the style is too different are coming from - it's incredibly different. To some that will be a negative, to others a positive, and to others fairly neutral relative to other aspects of the game.