- Jan 3, 2004
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DC Test Series Results: Raw Data & Discoveries
This thread contains raw data and World Event discoveries made during the test series performed on 2/23/04. These tests were made in order to clear up the overwhelming amount of misinformation that exists both on this site and elsewhere on the internet. All information presented here will used in my upcoming Super Diablo guide.
8 tests were performed over a period of about 10 hours. A total of 726 sojs were sold to force Super Diablo to 'walk the earth' 8 times.
A link to the original testing thread, which contains play-by-play posts of the entire series can be found here .
Many screenshots were taken during the testing. They should be available for public viewing early next week. I will post in this thread as soon as they are on display.
Special thanks to dop_obo, Emuporium, luucifer (although you talk too much, bud), and IRC members at #DClone-West.
Part 1: Soj Counts
The following points are true for all 8 tests:
a.) All tests were performed on USWest server .152 in various games.
b.) All sojs were sold in the same game for all tests. This game was a SC/NL game set on Normal difficulty.
c.) Margin of error for all figures: +/- 5.
Test #1.
Start: 4439
Walk: 4517 = 78 sojs sold
Test #2.
Start: 4518
Walk: 4594 = 76 sojs sold
Test #3.
Start: 4595
Walk: 4675 = 80 sojs sold
Test #4.
Start: 4676
Walk: 4750 = 74 sojs sold
Test #5.
Start: 4751
Walk: 4876 = 125 sojs sold
Test #6.
Start: 4877
Walk: 4974 = 97 sojs sold
Test #7.
Start: 4975
Walk: 5055 = 80 sojs sold
Test #8.
Start: 5056
Walk: 5172 = 116 sojs sold
Note: These numbers should be considered approximate. We ran into some unexpected problems when keeping track of our soj sales. It seems that:
a.) If sojs are sold very quickly, the counter will not display every sale. Thus, if sojs are sold quickly (say in groups of five every 15 seconds), the counter will skip individual sales and display a tally instead. Example: Current count is 2637. 5 sojs are sold rapidly. Instead of the counter displaying the sale for each soj (2638, 2639, 2640, ect.), it will skip directly ahead and display the total after all 5 are sold (from 2637 straight to 2642). In order to see each individual soj sale, you would have to sell them more slowly; say just 1 every 10 seconds or so.
b.) It seems that the final soj count, the one that causes Super Diablo to walk the earth, is not displayed. Apparantly, the final number is replaced with the "Diablo walks the earth" message. We were not expecting that discovery and thus were poorly prepared to deal with it. I am not 100% satisfied with this finding and will have to perform some more testing to clear it up.
Part 2: Discoveries
1. Player Soj-selling triggers Diablo to walk the earth.
True. Each soj sale resulted in the counter updating simultaniously in all .152 games that we had running. After a certain number were sold (the final tally was different each time), Super Diablo walked in all hell difficulty .152 games. To verify that this was not simply a coincidence, we walked him 8 straight times. This point is no longer a theory folks, it's fact.
2. The World Event is IP-based.
True. Every game we had running was on .152. Every soj sold caused the counter to update simultaniously in every .152 game. Each counter update also displayed the exact same number in every .152 game (in other words, when the counter updated to 3654 in one .152 game, it updated to 3654 in every other .152 game at the same time). When the magic number was reached, Super Diablo walked simultaniously in all .152 hell games. This point is no longer just a theory either.
3. The World Event affects all game 'types' (SC/HC/L/NL) on the same IP.
True. This was proven by making various types of games during the testing and watching the procession of soj counts and walks. The 'type' of game you play does not matter as long as you are on an IP with active sellers. Super Diablo will walk provided you are in a Hell game.
However, I cannot confirm that this is true for D2C at this time. We were unable to acquire any Classic players to test with us.
4. Selling sojs on NL will cause Super Diablo to spawn on L or vice-versa.
True. Read #3.
5. Super Diablo can walk in all difficulties.
False. Super Diablo only walked in the Hell difficulty games we had running on .152. He did not spawn in any Normal or Nightmare games. However, the soj counts did display in all games in spite of difficulty; but when the magic number was reached, Super Diablo only walked the earth in the Hell games.
6. The World Event can be triggered twice on the same IP in rapid succession.
True. Or you can do it three times in a row, or four -- or as often as you want, provided you have plenty of sojs to sell. In our tests, we spawned Super Diablo 8 times in a row on .152, which we chose arbitrarily. This is a significant discovery for a couple reasons:
a.) It means the World Event is 100% player-driven. There isn't some game-master at Blizzard who presses a button and starts the countdown on whichever server he chooses. This in turn means ...
b.) Players who want to create a World Event do not have to sit around and wait for word that a certain IP is active. Provided they can organize enough sellers and generate enough sojs to trigger Super Diablo into spawning, they can arbitrarily choose to start it on whichever IP they want.
7. Super Diablo can walk twice in the same game.
False. He can walk twice on the same IP, but will not walk twice in one game. Once he has spawned in your game, he cannot make a second appearance there. However, if selling is still going on, the counts will continue to update. Obviously, even when the magic number is reached, he will not appear. A new game on the IP will be necessary if you want to fight him again.
8. There are other methods besides soj-selling that can trigger the World Event.
Unknown at this time. Based on what little Blizzard has revealed about the facts of the World Event, the answer to this would seem to be no. However, Blizzard has a well-established track record for being vague and sometimes even misleading in the information they tease us with, so you never know. Also, Blizzard could always decide to change the perimeters that trigger the World Event in a later patch. Keep your eyes peeled.
Part 3: Miscellaneous Q&A
Q: Can you back back and resell a soj to increase the counter?
A: No. They disappear forever when they are sold. If they didn't there would be clones running around in every game 24/7.
Q: So ... if I don't have any sojs to sell, I'm screwed right?
A. Of course not. The World Event is IP-based. As long as you can make a Hell game on an IP with active selling going on, you can simply sit in it all by yourself and wait. If enough sojs are sold by players in other games on the IP you share with them, Super Diablo will walk in your game too. Few people will ever have the means to trade and sell sojs and if you cannot, don't feel ashamed or left out. This is a community-based event. A few can sell, everybody can benefit.
Q: What is the expiration date of an Annihilus left lying on the ground?
A: One hour, just like any other unique item.
Q: Will there be any more testing in the future?
A: I may do some more testing (albeit on a smaller scale) to clear up a few lingering questions that I have. It won't be for awhile though.
Q: Can you do your testing over on East/Europe/Asia realm?
A: Ummmmm, sure ... you bring the sojs and I'll do the testing then.
Q: Will there be a Super Diablo guide made available?
A: Yes, I'm busy working on it but it won't be ready for some time yet.
Q: YO! I hear you got like ... a BILLION annihilus'. Can I have one?
A: No, get your own you greedy @#$%*%!
Q: WTF?! What do you do with all of 'em then?
A: Feed them to Durf. POING!
Whew, I'm so glad I finally got this data posted. Thanks everybody for being patient with me -- I've been pretty busy lately.
If anybody has any questions concerning the data I've presented herein, ask away. I will try to answer as promptly as I can. Please keep any questions relevant to the actual data (ie. don't ask about netstating or killing gear tips here).
This thread contains raw data and World Event discoveries made during the test series performed on 2/23/04. These tests were made in order to clear up the overwhelming amount of misinformation that exists both on this site and elsewhere on the internet. All information presented here will used in my upcoming Super Diablo guide.
8 tests were performed over a period of about 10 hours. A total of 726 sojs were sold to force Super Diablo to 'walk the earth' 8 times.
A link to the original testing thread, which contains play-by-play posts of the entire series can be found here .
Many screenshots were taken during the testing. They should be available for public viewing early next week. I will post in this thread as soon as they are on display.
Special thanks to dop_obo, Emuporium, luucifer (although you talk too much, bud), and IRC members at #DClone-West.
* * *
Part 1: Soj Counts
The following points are true for all 8 tests:
a.) All tests were performed on USWest server .152 in various games.
b.) All sojs were sold in the same game for all tests. This game was a SC/NL game set on Normal difficulty.
c.) Margin of error for all figures: +/- 5.
Test #1.
Start: 4439
Walk: 4517 = 78 sojs sold
Test #2.
Start: 4518
Walk: 4594 = 76 sojs sold
Test #3.
Start: 4595
Walk: 4675 = 80 sojs sold
Test #4.
Start: 4676
Walk: 4750 = 74 sojs sold
Test #5.
Start: 4751
Walk: 4876 = 125 sojs sold
Test #6.
Start: 4877
Walk: 4974 = 97 sojs sold
Test #7.
Start: 4975
Walk: 5055 = 80 sojs sold
Test #8.
Start: 5056
Walk: 5172 = 116 sojs sold
Note: These numbers should be considered approximate. We ran into some unexpected problems when keeping track of our soj sales. It seems that:
a.) If sojs are sold very quickly, the counter will not display every sale. Thus, if sojs are sold quickly (say in groups of five every 15 seconds), the counter will skip individual sales and display a tally instead. Example: Current count is 2637. 5 sojs are sold rapidly. Instead of the counter displaying the sale for each soj (2638, 2639, 2640, ect.), it will skip directly ahead and display the total after all 5 are sold (from 2637 straight to 2642). In order to see each individual soj sale, you would have to sell them more slowly; say just 1 every 10 seconds or so.
b.) It seems that the final soj count, the one that causes Super Diablo to walk the earth, is not displayed. Apparantly, the final number is replaced with the "Diablo walks the earth" message. We were not expecting that discovery and thus were poorly prepared to deal with it. I am not 100% satisfied with this finding and will have to perform some more testing to clear it up.
* * *
Part 2: Discoveries
1. Player Soj-selling triggers Diablo to walk the earth.
True. Each soj sale resulted in the counter updating simultaniously in all .152 games that we had running. After a certain number were sold (the final tally was different each time), Super Diablo walked in all hell difficulty .152 games. To verify that this was not simply a coincidence, we walked him 8 straight times. This point is no longer a theory folks, it's fact.
2. The World Event is IP-based.
True. Every game we had running was on .152. Every soj sold caused the counter to update simultaniously in every .152 game. Each counter update also displayed the exact same number in every .152 game (in other words, when the counter updated to 3654 in one .152 game, it updated to 3654 in every other .152 game at the same time). When the magic number was reached, Super Diablo walked simultaniously in all .152 hell games. This point is no longer just a theory either.
3. The World Event affects all game 'types' (SC/HC/L/NL) on the same IP.
True. This was proven by making various types of games during the testing and watching the procession of soj counts and walks. The 'type' of game you play does not matter as long as you are on an IP with active sellers. Super Diablo will walk provided you are in a Hell game.
However, I cannot confirm that this is true for D2C at this time. We were unable to acquire any Classic players to test with us.
4. Selling sojs on NL will cause Super Diablo to spawn on L or vice-versa.
True. Read #3.
5. Super Diablo can walk in all difficulties.
False. Super Diablo only walked in the Hell difficulty games we had running on .152. He did not spawn in any Normal or Nightmare games. However, the soj counts did display in all games in spite of difficulty; but when the magic number was reached, Super Diablo only walked the earth in the Hell games.
6. The World Event can be triggered twice on the same IP in rapid succession.
True. Or you can do it three times in a row, or four -- or as often as you want, provided you have plenty of sojs to sell. In our tests, we spawned Super Diablo 8 times in a row on .152, which we chose arbitrarily. This is a significant discovery for a couple reasons:
a.) It means the World Event is 100% player-driven. There isn't some game-master at Blizzard who presses a button and starts the countdown on whichever server he chooses. This in turn means ...
b.) Players who want to create a World Event do not have to sit around and wait for word that a certain IP is active. Provided they can organize enough sellers and generate enough sojs to trigger Super Diablo into spawning, they can arbitrarily choose to start it on whichever IP they want.
7. Super Diablo can walk twice in the same game.
False. He can walk twice on the same IP, but will not walk twice in one game. Once he has spawned in your game, he cannot make a second appearance there. However, if selling is still going on, the counts will continue to update. Obviously, even when the magic number is reached, he will not appear. A new game on the IP will be necessary if you want to fight him again.
8. There are other methods besides soj-selling that can trigger the World Event.
Unknown at this time. Based on what little Blizzard has revealed about the facts of the World Event, the answer to this would seem to be no. However, Blizzard has a well-established track record for being vague and sometimes even misleading in the information they tease us with, so you never know. Also, Blizzard could always decide to change the perimeters that trigger the World Event in a later patch. Keep your eyes peeled.
* * *
Part 3: Miscellaneous Q&A
Q: Can you back back and resell a soj to increase the counter?
A: No. They disappear forever when they are sold. If they didn't there would be clones running around in every game 24/7.
Q: So ... if I don't have any sojs to sell, I'm screwed right?
A. Of course not. The World Event is IP-based. As long as you can make a Hell game on an IP with active selling going on, you can simply sit in it all by yourself and wait. If enough sojs are sold by players in other games on the IP you share with them, Super Diablo will walk in your game too. Few people will ever have the means to trade and sell sojs and if you cannot, don't feel ashamed or left out. This is a community-based event. A few can sell, everybody can benefit.
Q: What is the expiration date of an Annihilus left lying on the ground?
A: One hour, just like any other unique item.
Q: Will there be any more testing in the future?
A: I may do some more testing (albeit on a smaller scale) to clear up a few lingering questions that I have. It won't be for awhile though.
Q: Can you do your testing over on East/Europe/Asia realm?
A: Ummmmm, sure ... you bring the sojs and I'll do the testing then.
Q: Will there be a Super Diablo guide made available?
A: Yes, I'm busy working on it but it won't be ready for some time yet.
Q: YO! I hear you got like ... a BILLION annihilus'. Can I have one?
A: No, get your own you greedy @#$%*%!
Q: WTF?! What do you do with all of 'em then?
A: Feed them to Durf. POING!
* * *
Whew, I'm so glad I finally got this data posted. Thanks everybody for being patient with me -- I've been pretty busy lately.
If anybody has any questions concerning the data I've presented herein, ask away. I will try to answer as promptly as I can. Please keep any questions relevant to the actual data (ie. don't ask about netstating or killing gear tips here).
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