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The Diablo 3 Podcast #91: Diablo 3 Year One, Beta and Launch Memories

Flux, Neinball, and Wolfpaq discuss the highs and lows of development, beta test, and early days of Diablo 3. The game was very different, and very difficult, upon release, and this podcast focuses the highs and lows of those early days. Part two of this podcast will be posted tomorrow. In it the guys talk … Read more

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Author: Rush

Flux, Neinball, and Wolfpaq discuss the highs and lows of development, beta test, and early days of Diablo 3. The game was very different, and very difficult, upon release, and this podcast focuses the highs and lows of those early days.

Part two of this podcast will be posted tomorrow. In it the guys talk about D3’s community and remember the days of Bashiok, Jay Wilson, and other PR emergencies. Two more podcasts focusing on other aspects of Diablo 3: Year One will be posted later this anniversary week.

Approximate segment starting times:

  • 0:30 — Show intro, D3 freespecs, and D2 rose-tinted glasses.
  • 11:30 — Removed features during development make quite a lengthy list. Some are missed but most are unlamented.
  • 15:30 — PvP regrets. Dueling was the best Diablo III feature in Blizzcon demos. All 3 guests still dream of a proper timed team deathmatch system.
  • 23:00 — May 14th, 2012. Preparing for the big day and then launch! And then Error 37.
  • 27:40 — Early days of “gear wall” difficulty. Inferno was infernal.
  • 36:50 — Early days of “straitjacketed” by your build. Players trained by D2 and the easy Diablo III beta had a painful adjustment to Inferno requiring 4 or 5 defensive skills and buffs.
  • 41: 20 — Early days issues with itemization. No one found legendaries and when they did the items were junk. Plus hopes and dreams for future legendary item improvements.
  • 49:30 — Two-handed weapons. Useless in D2, useless in D3, for the exact same reasons.

    • The Diablo 3 Podcast Episode Guide in DiabloWiki.net provides links to every show, plus quick summaries.


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