It was hard not giving in and pre-ordering as I'm a big (casual offline/LAN playing) fan of D2. Once I heard about the always online DRM and the RMAH, something seemed to smell fishy, but my gut reaction was I wanted it anyway. Seemed the always online connection, given you are essentially instancing on their servers, was going to launch just like most MMOs do... badly. These two things allowed me enough willpower to hold off, but I was certain I'd still want to pick it up after launch.
Now I'm having reservations about even picking it up at all based on what I've been able to piece together from the official forums over there. Let me disclaim that I like a bit of research before I purchase anything as I don't have the money or time for me to not like it. That said, it was hard to read through the hyperbole, blind fanboyism, and equally blind ranting, simply to find little nuggets of constructive feed back here and there, but I did it!
Please correct me if I'm wrong as I haven't played it yet, but I've come to the conclusion this game suffers from a distinct case of multiple personality disorder. One the one hand it seems Blizzard has marketed to us the successor to D2 promising all the fun that game had to offer, just with always online DRM to cut down on hacking, duping, pirating, and a RMAH for those who want to participate. I have no plans to use the RMAH. I truly have no problem with this, but is this what I'm actually going to buy?
After everything I've read so far it seems on the other hand Act/Blizz, I feel the need to put them together now, has developed this game by putting a player controlled RMAH as the centerpiece, then built the rest of the game to act like a funnel bringing you back all the way around it. This stinks to be a twist on some of the F2P models that are floating around out there, only this game cost $60 friggin bucks!
Examples why I think this to be the case:
So, is Diablo 3 a F2P game wrapped in sheep's clothing, a sort of single/multi player not so F2P hybrid were we are forced to pay for the game and then forced again to pay for epic gear? It saddens me greatly that I'm leaning towards yes.
Please tell me I'm wrong and why, because I really really want to play a true successor to Diablo 2!
Now I'm having reservations about even picking it up at all based on what I've been able to piece together from the official forums over there. Let me disclaim that I like a bit of research before I purchase anything as I don't have the money or time for me to not like it. That said, it was hard to read through the hyperbole, blind fanboyism, and equally blind ranting, simply to find little nuggets of constructive feed back here and there, but I did it!
Please correct me if I'm wrong as I haven't played it yet, but I've come to the conclusion this game suffers from a distinct case of multiple personality disorder. One the one hand it seems Blizzard has marketed to us the successor to D2 promising all the fun that game had to offer, just with always online DRM to cut down on hacking, duping, pirating, and a RMAH for those who want to participate. I have no plans to use the RMAH. I truly have no problem with this, but is this what I'm actually going to buy?
After everything I've read so far it seems on the other hand Act/Blizz, I feel the need to put them together now, has developed this game by putting a player controlled RMAH as the centerpiece, then built the rest of the game to act like a funnel bringing you back all the way around it. This stinks to be a twist on some of the F2P models that are floating around out there, only this game cost $60 friggin bucks!
Examples why I think this to be the case:
- An extreme amount of legendary drops have been worse than the blue drops they already have on. The best loot is turning out to be so rare that once a good legendary drop is found many will be tempted to run to the RMAH to sell it, once it's online that is. This hides under the guise of "more exciting"
- Crafting's random out come where it seems rolling good gear is at an extreme low and is also suppose to be "more exciting". Combine that with high costs and most dropped gear is selling for much cheaper than the cost to craft it. Again, it seems crafting a really good piece will be just as rare as above with a similar outcome.
- I've read a ton of threads where people are complaining about how Blizz have decided NOT to hash out a complex, balanced, and flexible character skill system in favor of a more streamline system hiding under the guise of "more fast pace = more fun". This puts more pressure on the reliance of dropped gear
- I could go on and on put I've made my point. This lends itself to a player controlled real money auction house F2P model by design. There's that fishy smell again. Dare I add these to models will not jive well together and it may already be starting to show.
So, is Diablo 3 a F2P game wrapped in sheep's clothing, a sort of single/multi player not so F2P hybrid were we are forced to pay for the game and then forced again to pay for epic gear? It saddens me greatly that I'm leaning towards yes.
Please tell me I'm wrong and why, because I really really want to play a true successor to Diablo 2!
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