Trying again: It could be arduous to recollect now, however when Diablo III launched in 2012, followers had two main gripes about it — the always-online requirement and the public sale home. Regardless of the numerous loudly voiced complaints, Blizzard saved the options for over two years, and the builders not too long ago defined why — it was the field.
First, let’s keep in mind the problems that had folks outraged at Blizzard. No one wished or requested for an public sale home. Many cried “cash seize” on the developer. Much more annoying was the compelled on-line side of the sport. Having to log in to Blizzard servers to play with mates is one factor, however the single-player marketing campaign additionally required customers to have an web connection. The explanation for this was “safety.”
One of many massive issues with Diablo 2 was merchandise duplication. Hackers would determine exploits to create accounts with uncommon gear or a great deal of gold, then promote them on-line. Blizzard determined one of the best ways to fight counterfeiting was to regulate the reseller market. So it created a market they might monitor for cheats.
At this yr’s Portland Retro Gaming Expo, former Lead Designer Jay Wilson stated the public sale home was by no means about making a living (masthead). They knew it might not generate a lot earnings in comparison with the likes of WoW. As a substitute, they aimed to regulate {the marketplace}, so gamers did not get scammed. After all, this required the sport to be totally on-line.
“And that is the opposite cause we went on-line solely,” Wilson defined. “As a result of while you … do not go browsing solely … the hackers received you.”
Wilson stated the crew was not allowed to say it was for safety as a result of that might solely provoke the hackers into making an attempt to compromise their efforts.
Whereas the builders wished to take away each features instantly, they could not as a result of the public sale home was an marketed characteristic on Diablo 3’s packaging. Legal professionals feared a false promoting declare. So for 2 years, the dev and authorized groups argued in regards to the state of affairs till they lastly determined to take away the issues and hope for no lawsuits.
Since practically the complete group hated these two features of the sport, the gamble was definitely worth the danger. They eliminated {the marketplace} and on-line requirement in 2014, and everybody lived fortunately ever after — that’s, till Diablo Immortal, however that is one other story.