During the press conference, Blizzard explained that this version 3 would include drop-in/drop-out co-operative play and a mixture of random and static maps for its dungeon-crawling.
Diablo 3 was introduced with a telltale steel guitar riff, played live, and a lush cinematic video. The video showed a world in ruins and armies marching through fields of fire.
Jay Wilson, lead designer, demoed the game, first introducing the barbarian class. The barbarian slew hundreds of demons on water-covered walkways in a dark temple. A minimal interface appeared a streamlined version of Diablo III. Quick skills will now be added to mouse wheel and Tab key as well as the left and right mouse buttons. Wilson promised it would all be "so simple that you can play it with just the mouse".
Elsewhere, a new drop has been added to the game - red globes that allow speedy health recovery. The environment is fully destructible and very beautifully rendered in the familiar isometric perspective. The effects in particular are stunning. The barbarian was also shown jumping over a destroyed bridge and killing more zombies by smashing a destructible wall down on their heads. He killed tens of enemies at once with a new whirlwind skill. |
