Changes

Blizzard's official Diablo III FAQ, released at BlizzCon, August 2009October 2011.[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/698799] Blizzard has released several different versions of this FAQ, adding information to it each time as they reveal more of the game's characters and other features.

==Diablo III FAQ, August 2009October 2011==

 We’re developing Diablo III to be the definitive action role-playing game, and a true continuation of the Diablo series. Players will adventure through rich and varied settings, unraveling an epic storyline, engaging in combat with hordes of [[monsters ]] and challenging bosses[[boss]]es, growing in [[experience ]] and ability, and acquiring [[items ]] of incredible power. Diablo III will be a fitting sequel to Diablo II, with the easy [[interface]], fast-paced action, and visceral gameplay that Diablo players have come to expect and enjoy. It will also include many new features that will take the Diablo action-RPG experience to the next level.

===What can you say about the announced classes?===Returning Players will create a male or female hero from Diablo II, the dualone of five distinct [[class]]es --wielding [[barbarian]] is one of the stoic guardians of , [[witch doctor]], [[wizard]], [[Mount Arreatmonk]]. Retooled with powerful new abilities and moves, this plateor [[demon hunter]] -wearing savage wields ferocious - each equipped with an array of [[weaponsspells]] to annihilate the demonic forces threatening the world of and abilities. New customization options will provide for an even greater [[Sanctuarylevel]]of character specialization than the previous Diablo games, allowing players to create unique characters brimming with power. ===What can you say about the different classes?===

The fearsome heavily armed barbarian is one of the stoic guardians of [[Mount Arreat]]. Armed with powerful abilities and moves, this plate-wearing savage wields ferocious weapons to annihilate the [[demon]]ic forces threatening the world of [[Sanctuary]].The fearsome witch doctor]] hails from the terrifying [[Tribe of the Five Hills ]] of the legendary [[umbaru]] race. The witch doctor is equipped with spells and alchemical powers; can summon [[mongrelsmongrel]]s, [[locust swarmsswarm]]s, and [[zombie]] armies; and hurls fiery concoctions to annihilate any [[demon]] foolish enough to trifle with the powers of the umbaru.The wizard is a wielder of the elements and a master manipulator of time, who combats the hordes of the [[Burning Hells]] by launching environment-shattering [[lightning]] bolts, channeling explosive [[arcane]] energies, and creating pockets of space outside of the normal flow of time.The monk is a skilled warrior of unparalleled dexterity. Armed with speed, [[holy]] fervor, and a [[quest]] for physical and spiritual perfection, the monk becomes a deadly apparition in the heat of battle, moving faster than the eye can follow to strike down enemies with a barrage of lightning-fast blows.The demon hunter has a sole purpose in life: to track down and destroy every last demonic being that dares to threaten humanity. Lithe and notoriously deadly with a pair of dual [[crossbows]], the demon hunter brings an entire arsenal of gadgets and [[traps]] to the battlefields of Sanctuary.

The [[wizard]] ===What is a wielder of the elements and a master manipulator of time, who combats the hordes of the [[Burning Hells]] by launching environment-shattering lightning bolts, channeling explosive arcane energies, and creating pockets of space outside of the normal flow story of time.Diablo III?===

The [[monk]] is game takes place on Sanctuary, a skilled warrior world of unparalleled dexteritydark fantasy. Armed with speedUnbeknownst to most of its inhabitants, holy fervor, and Sanctuary was saved some twenty years ago from the demonic forces of the underworld by a quest for physical few brave and spiritual perfection, powerful heroes. Most of those warriors who directly faced the monk becomes a deadly apparition in armies of the heat Burning Hells -- and were fortunate enough to survive -- went mad from their experiences. And most of battlethe others have buried their haunted memories and pushed the horrors from their thoughts. In Diablo III, moving faster than the eye can follow players will return to Sanctuary to strike down enemies with a barrage of lightning-fast blowsconfront evil in its many forms once again.

===How did the new monk character class come aboutWill players interact with any familiar faces or places in Diablo III?===We wanted to add another melee character that was still hard-hitting, but lightning fast, to complement the raw strength and brutality of the barbarian. When we set out to design the monk, we wanted him to feel elegant and fluid, like something out of a fighting game. What we came up with is a holy warrior and martial artist who uses a unique arsenal of weaponry, hand-to-hand combat techniques, and a distinctive [[combo]]-based attack system.

===What is the story of Diablo III?===The game takes place on SanctuaryYes, a world of dark fantasydefinitely. Unbeknownst Players will return to most of its inhabitants, Sanctuary was saved some twenty years ago [[Tristram]] and certain other locations from the demonic forces previous games, and they’ll also be exploring new areas of the underworld by Sanctuary. Players will also encounter several new characters as well as a few brave and powerful heroes. Most number of those warriors who directly faced Hell’s armies -- and were fortunate enough to survive -- went mad characters from their experiences. And most of the others have buried their haunted memories and pushed the horrors from their thoughts. In Diablo IIIprevious games, players will return to Sanctuary to confront evil in its many forms once againincluding [[Deckard Cain]].

 Diablo III is powered by a new graphics engine that can display characters and hordes of monsters in lush, fully 3D environments. Powerful special-effects systems and Havok-powered [[physics ]] systems allow for realistic object dynamics and cloth simulation, and enable enabling players to lay waste to the minions of the Burning Hells in spectacular ways.

 Diablo III builds on the [[random ]] environments of the previous Diablo games by adding random scripted [[events ]] and encounters throughout the game, creating a dense and exciting world alive with [[quests]], [[NPCs]], and dynamic encounters.

Diablo III will benefit from [[Battle.net]] upgrades that will provide some exciting new features for players. Cooperative online play remains a primary focus, with multiple enhancements being planned to make connecting with your friends easier and playing together even more fun. ===How Will I need to be connected to the Internet to play Diablo III?=== Yes, players must be online in order to play Diablo III. Diablo III was built from the ground up to take full advantage of the new version of Blizzard's powerful Battle.net platform. Players will have access to several features through Battle.net, including an advanced [[achievement]] system as well as the Diablo III [[banner]] system; a powerful co-op and PvPmatchmaking system; comprehensive [[stat]]-tracking; persistent characters that will not expire and are accessible from any computer that has Diablo III installed;a persistent [[Real ID]] friends list across multiple Blizzard games, along with cross-game chat; a shared [[stash]] accessible by all Diablo III characters on the Battle.net account; and the ability to have friends seamlessly jump in and join you at any time during your quest against the Burning Hells. Together with the security-related benefits that Battle.net provides, these Battle.net-based features are integral to the Diablo III game experience. ===How will PvP be implemented in Diablo III?===With regard While Diablo III is designed primarily for cooperative multiplayer, we are building in support for competitive player-vs.-player gameplay as well. We’re focusing on team-based PvP in an [[arena]] setting, allowing groups of players to battle head to head in beautifully hand-crafted locations. We also plan to the integrate Battle.net’s [[multiplayermatchmaking]] component of system, a progression-based ranking system, and more. ===What matchmaking functionality will the game include?=== With Diablo III, it will be easier than ever to quickly group up with your friends or other players in the emphasis community. When looking for a group, players will be able to simply broadcast an invite to all of their Real ID friends. Anyone who sees this broadcast can accept the offer with one click and automatically be added to their friend’s game.We’ll also be including a robust public game finder for those times when you just want to play with whoever’s available on Battle.net as opposed to Real ID friends specifically. This feature will bring together players based on different factors, such as the part of the game they’re looking to play through.Regardless of whom you group with, the game is designed to offer a seamless, fun experience. Players will be able to easily transition between single-player and cooperative playwith their characters at any point during their Diablo III campaign, and the game will dynamically adjust to accommodate for additional players midstream. This means more-powerful demons to slay, more loot exploding out of corpses, and more fun on the fly. In addition, the game will offer each player their own individual loot drops, [[health globe]]s will be automatically shared among players, and players will be unable to go hostile at will, but we all of which should eliminate unfair ambushes and other types of [[griefing]].For player-vs.-player matchmaking, the game will also include support group players together in the PvP arenas based on level and [[skill]], making for competitive playfun, closely matched PvP action.  ===What form is the banner system?=== Think you're better than all of your friends? Your banner will prove it. The banner system will be a visual representation of the achievements players earn across all of their Diablo III characters on their Battle.net account. A player’s banner will have multiple components that support can be earned through various modes of gameplay. Completing the game at different difficulty levels, defeating bosses, progressing in PvP, playing a [[Hardcore]]-mode character, and earning achievements will take all unlock different ways for players to customize their banner and show off what they’ve accomplished. ===What is the shared stash?=== The shared stash is an [[inventory]]-management feature that allows players to stash items in a collective storage space for all of their characters. Items in the shared stash are accessible to the player regardless of which character is still currently being discussedplayed. ===What difficulty settings will be available in Diablo III?=== Players will have the opportunity to play the Diablo III campaign through four successive difficulty settings: Normal, but we are being careful Nightmare, Hell, and [[Inferno]]. Each [[difficulty]] setting will progressively increase the challenge and will reward players with higher tiers of [[armor]], [[weapons]], [[gems]], [[crafting]] [[recipes]], and [[runestones]]. Players must complete Normal to unlock Nightmare, complete Nightmare to unlock Hell, and complete Hell and reach level 60 to avoid features unlock Inferno. ===Will there be a Hardcore mode?=== Yes, players who seek the thrill of constant peril that comes with the possibility of permanent death for their character will again have that can easily lead option in Diablo III. All four difficulty settings -- Normal, Nightmare, Hell, and Inferno -- will be playable in Hardcore mode. Players choosing to participate in Hardcore mode will only be able to play with other Hardcore characters and will only be able to griefing[[trade]] items in the Hardcore version of the [[gold]]-based [[auction house]]. ===After completing the game on Normal, such as why would I want to continue playing on more difficult settings?=== Diablo III continues the ability series’ tradition of offering advanced levels of challenge once players play through at Normal difficulty. Due to go hostile the game’s randomized elements, including the monsters you’ll face and the layout and content of the areas you’ll explore, you’ll have a different experience with each play-through. In addition, the challenges you’ll face will ramp up significantly at the Nightmare, Hell, and Inferno levels. Playing at these settings before your character is at the appropriate level would provide a less-than-optimal experience. Once your character is ready, though, significantly greater rewards and levels of power await you at willthe Nightmare, Hell, and Inferno difficulty settings.

It’s too early We plan to estimate release Diablo III’s [[release date]]III in early 2012. As with all [[Blizzard Entertainment ]] games, our goal is to create a game that is as fun, balanced, and polished as possible. We intend to take as much time developing Diablo III as is necessary to ensure the game meets our own high expectations and those of our players. We’re aiming to release Diablo III on both Mac and Windows simultaneously in as many regions as possible, and to localize the game in several languages. We’ll have more details to share about countries, languages, and specific dates as we get closer to release.

The Diablo III rating will be determined by the ratings boards in each region. We still have a good amount of work will announce the rating that Diablo III has received in each region as we get closer to do content-wise, so we’re not quite ready to submit launch. ===What are the game system requirements for ratings yet.Diablo III?===

We’ll announce specific [[system requirements]] at a later date. ===Will players interact with any familiar faces or places in Diablo IIIinclude support for bots and/or mods?===YesNo, for a variety of gameplay and security reasons, definitely. Players we will return to Tristram and certain other locations from the previous games not be supporting [[bots]] or [[mods]] in Diablo III, and they’ll also be exploring new areas of Sanctuary. Players will also encounter several new characters as well as a number expressly prohibited by our Terms of characters from the previous games including Deckard CainUse.

===What will questing be like in Will Diablo IIIbe offered digitally as well as at retail stores? Will How much will it be similar to Diablo IIcost?===Our plans for the story and quest mechanics are still under wraps. We’ll go into detail on those elements of the game at a later date. We can say, however, that we expect to have class-based quests in addition to the main story-line quests.

===What are the system requirements for As with our previous games, we do intend to offer Diablo III?===We’ll announce specific [[system requirements]] for purchase digitally as well as at a later dateretail. Specific details regarding pricing and availability for each region will be announced closer to release.