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Diablo 3 Basics

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==Monsters==

[[Image:Goatmen surround a Siegebreaker.jpg|thumb|right|~~125px~~150px|[[Goatmen]] & [[Siegebreaker]].]]Diablo III will have a great array of [[monster]]s, and they will employ more intelligent behaviour, and effects as well. There will be more 'mini-boss' encounters that make for more epic gameplay, an example is the [[Thousand Pounder]], who isn't really a [[boss]], but a unit type. Other 'effects' include skeletons with large shields that can block and protects archers, [[ghoul]]s that climb up from sheer walls to attack you, or [[Grotesque]]s that explode into a hundred [[Lamprey]] monsters. We can expect many unique attack patterns and behaviours from the Diablo III monsters.

* '''The [[Moster|Monsters Article]]''' has much more information on monsters.

==NPCs==

[[Image:Cain-concept1.jpg|thumb|right|~~50px~~75px|[[Cain]]]]There is a small number of [[NPCs]] that are confirmed for Diablo III:

* [[Deckard Cain]] - Back to ask us to listen.

* [[Leah]] - Girl from the [[cinematic]]. Apparently located close to Deckard Cain, likely in [[Tristram]].

==Locations==

[[Image:Sanctuary World Map.jpg|thumb|~~200px~~225px|[[world map|Sanctuary world map]], with locations noted.]]The [[world map]] of [[Sanctuary]] was actually released with the second Diablo game's manual, but a new an improved map has been made by Blizzard, outlining the continents and the major [[settlement]]s. Many of these locations will be re-visited in [[Diablo III]] including [[Tristram]]. Areas close by that were never visited in the previous games will also have a chance, like the [[Leoric Highlands]] and [[Westmarch]].

We have been shown detailed pictures of [[Skovos]] (the land of the [[Amazon]]s), as well as [[Caldeum]] and Tristram. Skovos is confirmed to be excluded from the game, but the level of detail they are putting in to the universe suggests either a big expansion pack, MMOs or a film.

Outdoor areas will be less randomised than dungeons, and the terrain will for the most part be static. Instead a lot of random scripted events will take place, some will even be really advanced. It can vary from an escort [[quest]], to a mouldy tome, or a big bad [[boss]] monster. You will also find interactive environments with dangerous traps and obstacles, and [[destructible]] elements. There will be "numerous" outdoor locations.

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==Story Line==

We know from the [http://www.diii.net/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=600 Diablo III cinematic] that a great comet of some importance is falling down on to the [[Tristram Cathedral]], and that some unlucky soul (if it's [[Leah]] or [[Cain]] isn't sure) is hit by it. [[Hell]]'s armies are amassing, and it isn't safe any more.

==Quests==

Not that much information is yet available in regards to [[quest]]s, but what is known is that the quest system will help players interact more with the '''[[lore]]''' of the game, but still be '''optional''', and not something you need to experience unless you so choose. [[Blizzard]] claim the quest system itself will be '''new'''. There will be the standard story-line quests, as well as optional random quests related to the game you are currently in and [[class]]-quests. The random quests will vary from game to game. The same [[location]] in the game might spawn a caravan needing protection, or a mouldy tome which contains a quest, or perhaps just a big bad [[monster]].

==Single Player and Multiplayer==

[[Image:Battle.net 2.0.jpg|right]]You will be able to play Diablo III both offline on your PC/Mac as well as online with friends. [[Jay Wilson]] have said on numerous occasions that the primary focus will be co-op multiplayer, but not excluding single player game. They want all the fans to meet up together as one community, and will make huge changes to the current setup. The preferred multiplayer system for [[Diablo III]] will be [[Battle.net 2.0]] and there will be '''NO LAN'''.

Besides the ~~coop~~co-op, it will also be possible to fight versus other players.

===Battle.net 2.0===

Blizzard have promised very big changes in [[Battle.net 2.0]], and besides removing the [[LAN]] functionality, the idea is to encourage people to play online with [[Achievement]]s, handy friends/foes lists and community support. You can read more about confirmed Battle.net features here:

* [http://www.diii.net/articles/689867/definite-battlenet-20-features Definite Battle.net 2.0 Features]

===Player Killing===

[[PvP]] will be possible in [[Diablo III]], but not as it works in Diablo II. Players will no longer be victim of "unwanted PvP action".

==Other Changes==

* The old '''Mercenaries'' are now called [[follower]]s, and it's now possible to have more than one with you on your travels.

* Blizzard have not given a final decision if there will be a [[Hardcore]] mode in Diablo III or not, but [[Jay Wilson]] have said that he likes the idea and can't see any reasons why it should not be included.

==Release Information==

As usual, the release date for any Blizzard production is kept under wraps for as long as possible. What is known is that [[Diablo III]] is ''behind'' [[StarCraft II]] in the development cycle. A StarCraft release for 2009 and a Diablo III release in '''2010/2011''' seems probable. The demo shown to players was very well polished, which makes it harder to estimate development time left. Any other dates or rumours are that -- rumours.

=== System Requirements ===

Diablo III is made completely in 3D, using [[Havok]] physics engine, with a custom game engine made by Blizzard. The game will probably use a slightly higher level of system requirements than [[StarCraft II]], which also uses Havok, and is the closest thing we can compare the game to. You can read more on StarCraft II's requirements here:

* [http://www.starcraftwire.net/articles/954/starcraft-2-graphics-requirements-confirmed Graphics Requirements Confirmed] - The most prominent part of the system requirements, the graphics requirements released from Blizzard document.

* [http://www.starcraftwire.net/articles/675/starcraft-2-system-requirements StarCraft II System Requirements] - System requirements analyse from available information.

* [http://www.starcraftwire.net/articles/735/kalos-chronicles Kalos' Chronicles] - Technical articles for StarCraft II.

===Diablo Beta Testing===

As with the release date, a time for beta is '''currently unknown'''.

===Retail Price===

The retail price for Diablo III is unknown and will be stated closer to release. It's likely that the game will be "boxed" (no monthly fees, just a one-off price) and priced similar to other AAA titles.

===Game Age Rating===

The [[rating]] of [[Diablo III]] is estimated to be aimed for gamers above the age of 15, while still trying to avoid USK 18+ in Germany, or other similar ratings that would severely hamper the sales of the game in that country. [[Blizzard]] are more likely to censor the game in affected countries than to avoid releasing it if the censorship is too harsh.

==Who's in Charge?==

Naturally, [[Blizzard]] are the guys making Diablo III, but that isn't a surprise. The important people for this production is the relatively new Blizzard employee Diablo III Lead Designer [[Jay Wilson]], besides the regular team. For fans, you might want to keep a look out for [[Bashiok]], the new Diablo Community Manager and [[Leonard Boyarsky]] who is the Lead World Designer for Diablo III, and head of [[quest]]s & [[lore]] as well as designing the world of [[Sanctuary]].

==Expansions, MMO or Film==

Any future plans after Diablo III is unknown, but it seems apparent that Blizzard are confident [http://www.incgamers.com/Games/1935/features/90/Diablo-III-Inforview] that there WILL be an expansion. they have mentioned that the story line will have a more "final" ending than in Diablo II, which possibly means to make it better for an expansion, or perhaps a future MMO or a Diablo film.

==Further Information==

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