Diablo 3 'feels even better' with controller

Diablo 3 game director Jay Wilson has dropped yet another hint that the game may come to consoles, suggesting that it "feels even better" played with a game pad.

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Blizzard hasn't exactly been what we'd call "subtle" with hints at Diablo III on consoles. At this point we'd be more surprised if the anticipated dungeon-crawler stays PC-exclusive. Now you can carve another notch in the Incredibly Blatant Teasing scoreboard, as game director Jay Wilson says that internal tests have shown the game feels better when played with an Xbox 360-style analog pad.

"One of the reasons why we're exploring the idea of a console version of Diablo 3 because we feel that the controls and the style of the game lend itself to a console," Wilson told PC Gamer. "With some of our early experiments in putting a direct control scheme into the game via a 360-like analogue controller, I've been, 'Oh this feels even better, with direct control.'"

"We don't see ourselves as a PC developer - we see ourselves as a game developer. It's just the games that we wanted to make suit the PC platform." He cites Starcraft as an example of an RTS that couldn't meet their standards on a console, saying it wouldn't be "Blizzard great." But Diablo seems to lend itself to traditional console controls, especially if the team is already testing it.

You may recall this is similar to the reaction from critics and fans when the Diablo-inspired Torchlight made the trek to the Xbox 360. It's also proving a source of consternation among 360 owners who probably won't be getting Torchlight 2.

Still, the PC version is likely to come first, with controller support subsequently patched in when and if the unannounced console versions are finished. "I can pretty much guarantee that if we decide to do a console version that we will look to support a pad on PC," he said. "But initially with release I don't think we'll be ready."

It's unclear how the console versions would deal with certain PC decisions, like the real-money auction house and always-on internet requirement. But Blizzard has been fairly open about its interest in a console version, dropping multiple hints over the last year.

If you want to try out the game with good old-fashioned mouse-and-keyboard controls, beta invites began going out yesterday. If you didn't get in, you can always get a small taste with the skill calculator.

Editor-In-Chief
From The Chatty
  • reply
    September 21, 2011 9:30 AM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Diablo 3 'feels even better' with controller.

    Diablo 3 game director Jay Wilson has dropped yet another hint that the game may come to consoles, suggesting that it "feels even better" played with a game pad.

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 9:30 AM

      lol

      • reply
        September 21, 2011 9:33 AM

        "Oh, hey! Look at that. The game just happens to control better with a 360 controller! Would you have thought?"

        *Looks around at other devs, they all shrug their shoulders and nod.*

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          September 21, 2011 10:26 AM

          They just plugged it in and it worked, it was pretty sweet.

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          September 21, 2011 11:16 AM

          Number of buttons on a controller and inability to perform accurate locational targeting (as opposed to directional) are harsh, harsh limits

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          September 21, 2011 1:26 PM

          Controllers are horrible for most every genre unless a game is specifically geared towards using them.

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            September 21, 2011 1:33 PM

            This is so dumb. Sports games have always been better with analog controls. Most 3rd person action games as well at this point (basically anything with a roll mechanic). The entire fighting game genre. It's ok to like multiple platforms and acknowledge their relative strengths I swear.

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              September 21, 2011 3:32 PM

              A mouse is just as analog as a controller is....

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                September 21, 2011 3:56 PM

                precision, dude. precision.

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                September 21, 2011 4:01 PM

                But you only have 1 mouse vs 2 analog sticks and analog triggers. That's why people do things like complain about the driving controls in GTA on PC. The mouse makes aiming to shoot more pleasant, but then driving with WASD is not as precise as using an analog stick. Likewise for sports games. How are you going to do analog movement of a player in Madden with a mouse/kb? Then how do you do analog moves as well (ex jukes are not an on or off state, you can side step a little or a lot). Analog triggers for driving games are also excellent. In a 3rd person action game with a roll mechanic an analog stick is easier for diagonals than WASD, and that's assuming you're limited to 8 way movement or else the stick is even more advantageous.

              • reply
                September 21, 2011 5:14 PM

                But a keyboard is not and keyboards generally control movement, not mouses.

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                  September 21, 2011 5:26 PM

                  mouses!!

                  • reply
                    September 22, 2011 12:06 AM

                    For whatever reason the plural of computer mouse is "mouses" to me but the plural of the animal is still "mice".

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                  September 21, 2011 5:28 PM

                  have you played diablo i or ii, because in diablo you use the mouse to move by clicking where you want to go. the keyboard becomes all of your shortcut keys for your different skills.

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                    September 22, 2011 12:07 AM

                    I am aware of this but the conversation is broader than diablo.

            • reply
              September 21, 2011 6:08 PM

              >>Fighting games
              >>Controller is best to play with
              >>Not an arcade-stick

              Buddy, that's just Mag-farking-neato

      • reply
        September 21, 2011 11:31 AM

        Pretty much.

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        September 21, 2011 12:23 PM

        I don't think there is much else to say.

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        September 21, 2011 3:43 PM

        [deleted]

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 9:33 AM

      i'd be game for this but the only limitation i can think of is the reduction in hotbar items.

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        September 21, 2011 9:38 AM

        The reduction has already been done on the PC version.

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        September 21, 2011 10:09 AM

        With the new skill system hotbars are already pointless.

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          September 21, 2011 10:23 AM

          that's pretty sweet then. direct control would be pretty awesome

      • reply
        September 21, 2011 11:23 AM

        [deleted]

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      September 21, 2011 9:35 AM

      Just come out with it and admit that MS is paying you to port it. There is no need to treat us like we are stupid.

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 9:40 AM

      click click clickity click click click click

    • DM7 legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
      reply
      September 21, 2011 9:41 AM

      Nope.

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      September 21, 2011 9:42 AM

      I'm excited about that because I really like playing PC games on my 52" TV with a wireless 360 controller. If Diablo III truly does play well with a controller I'll do that, but I have my doubts that it's actually true.

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        September 21, 2011 9:44 AM

        It wouldn't take a whole lot to make it work. I've preferred isometric ARPGs from a controller since the previous generation.

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          September 21, 2011 10:25 AM

          Inventory management sucks with a controller though. :\

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            September 21, 2011 10:26 AM

            i hate how the controller has a light on it

          • reply
            September 21, 2011 10:38 AM

            True, that'll probably be the biggest hurdle, but it can get done.

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        September 21, 2011 9:46 AM

        [deleted]

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        September 21, 2011 9:54 AM

        Yeah I'd be all over it too if it's true. TV gaming is more comfortable.

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        September 21, 2011 10:10 AM

        100% this I am in the same boat, its just I am not sure how it will play, my only really concern is the mapping of the spells the rest you can emulate fine on a controller. The loot would have to be like Sacred 2 a AOE loot pick up or just walk into to it for a auto pickup, which are both fine I guess.

        Still playing so much D2 I will miss the clicky clicky of the loot and mobs etc, almost seems wrong to not play it with anything but a KB&M but like you said if it works well why the hell not.

        We will see, I have both so what ever, just make it good.

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        September 21, 2011 10:23 AM

        do you like to sit on your couch too? RAAAAAWWWRRRR

      • reply
        September 21, 2011 12:04 PM

        I use the wireless Mamba for my mouse and a Bluetooth keyboard. The only I have plugged in is my G13.

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 9:48 AM

      I'm sure I'll play both versions. Torchlight played extremely well on 360, and believe me, I had doubts.

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        September 21, 2011 9:55 AM

        I haven't had doubts since playing Diablo on the PS1. I much prefer direct control to indirect control.

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          September 21, 2011 10:01 AM

          [deleted]

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            September 21, 2011 10:16 AM

            No, direct control means your button presses map directly to low-level actions of the avatar. Press stick left, avatar moves left. Click attack button, avatar attacks. With indirect control, you are feeding the avatar complex instructions (go here, attack this dude) and the game translates those into the low-level actions the avatar will take. In the case of Diablo, you are essentially controlling a cursor that provides context to the avatar's actions.

            I've probably done a horrible job of explaining this, but I could not find a good explanation with my limited google-fu.

      • reply
        September 21, 2011 10:26 AM

        How did Ember Phase work in Torchlight for the 360?

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 9:50 AM

      Blizz be trollin'

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      September 21, 2011 10:11 AM

      Hear that? That's the sound of the original Blizzard lost forever...

      If it feels more natural with a game pad they designed it to be that way. It means the game isn't very challenging or complicated where you need to remain attentive and alert... it means that people are going to slip into bouts of lethargy simply from playing the title... it means you don't even need to see or make out what is on your screen or it will be so big as to be overpoweringly retarded...

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        September 21, 2011 10:40 AM

        It means that a mental midget will use ellipses inappropriately to express a poorly-formed opinion.

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          September 21, 2011 11:24 AM

          Correct my inappropriate use of ellipses then.

          Fucking git.

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        September 21, 2011 10:57 AM

        incorrect on many counts. it's the sound of blizzard adapting to customer demands. the game is also supposed to be REALLY EASY until you get to inferno mode. it's supposed to be a lethargic simple button mash fest where everyone wins and no one loses. everyone is DPS.

        that is how it's supposed to be. you are inferring they are deviating from some path you have imagined.

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          September 21, 2011 11:11 AM

          Inferno being the 4th difficulty? If it's anything like Diablo 2, it'll be reasonably hard well before the 3rd play through.

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          September 21, 2011 11:26 AM

          Blizzard NEVER adapted to customer demands in the past. They didn't make their games for the masses, they made something amazing and the masses loved it because it was so. There is a huge difference between pandering shit to the masses because thats what you think they want and making something so amazing people acknowledge it for what it really is.

          This is a step far below what they once were and nothing to do with innovation and pushing the industry forward. This is what every other game company does with the exception of a very few (Arenanet being one of them).

          • reply
            September 21, 2011 11:36 AM

            [deleted]

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              September 21, 2011 12:20 PM

              They do now. That isn't the way Blizzard operated in the past, it's part of the reason why I made my initial comment in the first place. Blizzard isn't what they used to be. They aren't the company that we knew from the 90s and early 00s. They've changed, they're no longer innovative or try to push the envelope as they used to talk about.

              If you believe otherwise, offer an example to this. All they've done in the last six years is copy other MMOs almost verbatim and introduce their features into their gameworld. Even SC2 is just a carbon copy of SC with a facelift and added way to easily sell merchandise online.

              If you build something great not everyone will like it. That is what is required to make something that strives to be something more. You CAN'T please everyone. Attempting to do so ends up with a shitty product that is stuck between different peoples preferences. You'll always piss off someone, the better something is for one group of people, the more it will rub another group wrong. Somethings reach completely beyond these means though and everyone acknowledges as simply being amazing... striving for something like that involves never making it for other people.

              The atrocity of Tribes: Vengeance is just such a case.

              • reply
                September 21, 2011 2:00 PM

                "Even SC2 is just a carbon copy of SC"

                You officially have no idea WTF

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                  September 21, 2011 3:23 PM

                  That's what every SC fanboi says. Just like CS:S is nothing like CS.

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                    September 21, 2011 3:38 PM

                    Way to provide examples as to why SC2 is a carbon copy of SC1.

                    The only things they 100% have in common are three races. Otherwise they have completely different macro mechanics, totally different unit pathing (which leads to totally different micro mechanics and much shorter engagements), MBS, unlimited control groups, more focus on aggression, even totally different balance as to which races are statistically the strongest, these are all completely different.

                    Again, you don't know WTF

                    • reply
                      September 21, 2011 3:45 PM

                      Oh shit, you're the guy who was saying that SC2 isn't based on macro on the Tech Report forums.

                      Hahahaha, ok, never mind, now I 1000% you don't know WTF. Troll someplace else that doesn't have standards

          • Zek legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
            reply
            September 21, 2011 11:49 AM

            Diablo has always been a perfect fit for console controls in theory and you're a blind fanboy if you can't realize that. They didn't have to compromise anything to make it happen, that's just how it is. As a business they would be foolish not to release a console version - the only possible reason not to is if they can't work Battle.Net into it.

            • reply
              September 21, 2011 3:26 PM

              Fanboi for what? Nothing I'm saying here has anything to do with liking Blizzard or their games. In order to be a Fanboi there has to be blind bias support.

              On the other hand if you blindly listen to their choices without putting them into perspective or think about them for yourself and believe they're always the right choices merely because you like their company, that would make you a fanboi.

              • reply
                September 21, 2011 11:45 PM

                What if blindly assume that the game must not be challenging or complicated at all without having played said game? Does that make me an anti-fanboi? A hateboi, if you will?

      • reply
        September 21, 2011 11:10 AM

        they started out making console ports

        • reply
          September 21, 2011 11:27 AM

          So if someone starts out as a waiter they're required to stick to those roots?

          • reply
            September 21, 2011 11:57 AM

            it really makes you think ...

          • reply
            September 21, 2011 12:24 PM

            if doing a waiting job suddenly nets you millions of dollars more than what you usually make, I don't think it's a poor career choice?

            • reply
              September 21, 2011 3:22 PM

              It didn't... their games net them their millions.

              WC1/2/3 weren't console ports.

              • reply
                September 21, 2011 5:57 PM

                I don't think you got my point.

          • reply
            September 21, 2011 1:28 PM

            Not at all, but if you want to claim 'original Blizzard', console ports are part of original Blizzard.

            • reply
              September 21, 2011 3:23 PM

              Console ports had nothing to do with what made them big. That was my point.

              • reply
                September 21, 2011 5:56 PM

                You're right, the games did, regardless of *what* platform they were on.

      • reply
        September 21, 2011 5:55 PM

        pssst! The original Diablo came out on the playstation in 98

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 10:17 AM

      That's cool but I still wouldn't trade my KB/M for anything unless it was a fighting game or racing game

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 10:22 AM

      [deleted]

      • reply
        September 21, 2011 11:08 AM

        [deleted]

        • reply
          September 21, 2011 11:28 AM

          [deleted]

          • reply
            September 21, 2011 11:30 AM

            [deleted]

            • reply
              September 21, 2011 11:49 AM

              [deleted]

            • Zek legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
              reply
              September 21, 2011 11:50 AM

              Yeah, they've nerfed all the easy outs. No more chugging rejuv potions, no more instant TPs, no more instant quit. Now if you mess up, you're dead.

              • reply
                September 21, 2011 11:56 AM

                [deleted]

                • Zek legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
                  reply
                  September 21, 2011 12:18 PM

                  Yeah it is a little long, but then again you really never need it, you can sell everything on the field and dungeons have exit teleports. I agree though it should be a few seconds faster - if you can stay safe for five seconds you're not really in danger, you could have just run away instead of TPing.

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 10:26 AM

      Diablo came out on Playstation, worked fine.

      • reply
        September 21, 2011 12:02 PM

        ha, no it didn't. That port was fucking horrible.

        • reply
          September 21, 2011 1:48 PM

          I played it a TON with my bro and don't remember having any problems, but it was before I played the PC version so that may be why I don't recall any flaws. On the plus side it let your character run, that has to count for something!

          • reply
            September 21, 2011 2:22 PM

            I also remember playing it on PS1, being a huge fan of the PC version, and i have to admit, the PS1 version wasn't bad. I'm guessing the port they will make for consoles will be much better now a days.

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 10:28 AM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 10:32 AM

      [deleted]

      • reply
        September 21, 2011 10:45 AM

        Seriously, do you not play with KB/M? I would take kb/m any day over analog sticks for a 3rd person game. Any ANY kind of game that requires aiming is way better with a mouse, same goes for any isometric view games.

        • reply
          September 21, 2011 10:46 AM

          *isometric strategy games

        • reply
          September 21, 2011 10:47 AM

          Spiral Knights plays fine with a gamepad. It plays even better really.

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            September 21, 2011 10:55 AM

            Well I'm not saying they don't play well with a controller but me being both a console and PC gamer I will always choose a kb/m over a gamepad givin the choice. Aiming and looking around being one of the big factors but also being able to customize your buttons any way you want instead of useless "A B or C" gamepad configurations

            • reply
              September 21, 2011 11:00 AM

              I agree for the most part. I am both as well and I think the control scheme is definitely determined by what game you are playing. Some games are just better or more comfortable on a gamepad. I played Batman AA with a 360 gamepad, I could never picture playing that game with a mouse/kb. FPS always gets m/kb though. Diablo 3 will most definitely be m/kb for me but I think these games can work properly. Given the amount of time Blizzard takes, I am sure they will nail the control scheme when they launch on consoles.

              • reply
                September 21, 2011 11:14 AM

                I played Batman AA with the kb/m, I will admit it was a learning curve to get used the combos which I never truly mastered but every other aspect of the game for me was cake with the KB/M

          • reply
            September 21, 2011 2:29 PM

            spiral knights does not play like diablo, it only shares a similiar perspective.

      • reply
        September 21, 2011 1:39 PM

        The sorceress teleport spell wouldn't be good. I don't see how it would be as easy to switch between 8 different quick keys either.

      • reply
        September 21, 2011 3:49 PM

        Enjoy your barb jumping with a controller...not to mention loads of other spells that won't work without clicking. Not to mention navigating the UI, equipping items, managing inventory. LOL CONTROLLER.

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 10:49 AM

      Just to note: Dungeon Siege III controlled really nicely with a controller.

      The menus were annoying, though.

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 10:59 AM

      Here's a thought. Coordinate with Valve and get this on Steam for the Big Picture update to Steam.

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 10:59 AM

      Here's a thought. Coordinate with Valve and get this on Steam for the Big Picture update to Steam.

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 11:00 AM

      I am pretty open to this. It could play well, IMO. Still skeptical about inventory management with a gamepad but we'll see.

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 11:04 AM

      I tried Diablo 1 in Swedish on PS1. It was hilarious, but not as good.

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 11:04 AM

      I hope it comes to console. Would much rather play it that way. Torchlight was awesome.

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 11:12 AM

      If this allows your character to strafe, I completely believe it's better. If not, bullshit.

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 11:14 AM

      Holy shit you can play D3 with a gamepad? This game just keeps getting more awesome.

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 11:14 AM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 11:23 AM

      [deleted]

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      September 21, 2011 11:26 AM

      I'll get it for PC, but I've always known it would come out for consoles. Money.

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 12:17 PM

      I am looking forward to console port. I am glad they are at least out in the open with bringing the game eventually to consoles. I would rather play the game on the console at this point in my life.

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 1:11 PM

      Don't know if I can resist getting this for the PC but it would be awesome to play this on my 360 with large HDTV!

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 1:42 PM

      No offense, but it would be SHIT on a console.

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 1:43 PM

      Umm, you can already plug an xController into the computer or buy the wireless reciever. Pretty much making the xController the default controller of the pc.

      Some games already have built in controller support, like Quake, Valve games, etc. If a game doesn't have support, they have those third party programs that turn your controller into a mouse and keyboard.

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 2:00 PM

      So much butthurt here. I've been playing the beta for two weeks and I can see it totally working on a gamepad. I like playing PC games in my living room sometimes and I can totally see playing this on the couch with a gamepad.

      • reply
        September 21, 2011 2:01 PM

        fuuuuuuu i want to play :(

      • reply
        September 21, 2011 2:03 PM

        Does it feature the same runspeed and lack of inertia as D2? Cause I can't imagine flailing an analog stick around to run and turn where I want as fast as with a mouse.

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        September 21, 2011 2:12 PM

        [deleted]

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        September 21, 2011 2:28 PM

        I think you need to get your butthurt monitor calibrated.

      • reply
        September 21, 2011 2:31 PM

        [deleted]

        • reply
          September 21, 2011 2:31 PM

          [deleted]

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          September 21, 2011 2:36 PM

          Choice isn't a bad thing. SC2 would never in a million years work on a gamepad. Diablo 3 is a totally different story. You control one unit and it has more than enough buttons to map skills and items to. I totally don't see a problem.

      • reply
        September 21, 2011 2:46 PM

        Can't imagine playing hardcore with a controller. Maybe for casual softcore gamers it would work

        • reply
          September 21, 2011 2:47 PM

          [deleted]

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            September 21, 2011 2:48 PM

            AKA dumbing down for consoles.

          • reply
            September 21, 2011 2:48 PM

            And so it begins...

            Nah, it might be ok. Do you mean auto-targeting as in target selection/highlighting?

            • reply
              September 21, 2011 2:55 PM

              [deleted]

              • reply
                September 21, 2011 2:57 PM

                Okay but it's not some proximity highlight thing where it snaps the cursor or melee char's aim to a nearby monster? Cause the spell targeting won't make much difference for PC gamers.

          • reply
            September 21, 2011 2:58 PM

            [deleted]

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              September 21, 2011 3:51 PM

              Spells are cast wherever your mouse cursor is. If they made it work with a gamepad then they'd map that to the direction you're pressing. If it is something like Grasp of the Dead which is AOE and cast in a particular point on the screen, I guess you'd see and control an icon where to place the spell while you're holding the button, then it would cast when you release.

          • reply
            September 21, 2011 2:59 PM

            I don't feel any autotargeting. Not like its necessary though, pretty easy just to aim with the right thumbstick. My question now would be how it would handle spells like Grasp Of The Dead where you can place it anywhere on the screen. Curious to see how they make that happen on a gamepad.

        • reply
          September 21, 2011 2:58 PM

          I agree with this

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        September 21, 2011 3:01 PM

        I'm sure you totally can, but I don't want to. And I really don't want Diablo 4 to look like Dungeon Siege 3 because "lol plasma + 5.1 sound"

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        September 21, 2011 3:02 PM

        [deleted]

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          September 21, 2011 3:04 PM

          I'll play it on my PC either way. I have it hooked into my home theater so if I want to relax on my couch and play with friends on my headset, that's just a cool option to have.

      • reply
        September 21, 2011 3:02 PM

        "I've been playing the beta for two weeks and..."

        O_O

    • reply
      September 21, 2011 2:02 PM

      Diablo 3 feels even better not being played. Plenty of clones about to be released who respect you as a gamer.

      • Zek legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
        reply
        September 21, 2011 2:08 PM

        :?

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        September 21, 2011 3:00 PM

        wtf does this mean

        • reply
          September 21, 2011 3:28 PM

          He feels better without playing the game then he will more then likely in the future after it's released and there are plenty of hack/slash clones that have already been released in its stead that are contoured more to PC gamers.

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            September 21, 2011 3:29 PM

            I think Blizzard's commitment to keep balancing the game will do a lot for its longevity.

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      September 21, 2011 2:10 PM

      ...except when managing your inventory and skills and other UI related tasks that are simple and painless with a mouse.

      Still, if the PC version supports gamepads, I would check it out and see for myself. I doubt that will happen because the current UI isn't designed around it.

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        September 21, 2011 2:14 PM

        Inventory and skill UI is the big thing I'm concerned about. We'll see how they handle it.

        Actual gameplay, not so much.

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        September 21, 2011 2:28 PM

        [deleted]

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          September 21, 2011 5:14 PM

          That sounds awful, in some ways better? You are crazy if you think using a thumbstick for any kind of inventory management is an improvement.

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      September 21, 2011 2:25 PM

      Hah hah I fucking doubt that.

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      September 21, 2011 2:32 PM

      im munching popcorn like crazy

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      September 21, 2011 2:45 PM

      I dont like this. Im not going to veil it like some folks: It pisses me off that Blizzard would say something like this. I own consoles and play them plenty, but Blizzard is a PC developer, and diablo is a PC game. I have been worried about this for awhile, and this kind of comment gives me great concern. I know diablo 3 has been streamlined and im all for that, but now I am sincerely worried that it has in fact been "dumbed down" from day one to fit on a console, for a console audience. I was able to accept a possible console "version" of diablo 3, assuming it would be modified and retooled a bit for the platform, but with this kind of comment im not so sure. I also cannot comprehend how someone can think a gamepad is a superior control scheme for fucking Diablo.

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        September 21, 2011 3:03 PM

        I think it depends on the game. Nothing else they have would really work with a gamepad, especially RTS. It isn't like a situation where they seriously retooled something like Starcraft to work on a gamepad, that would be ridiculous.

        D3 just so happens to work on a gamepad. Torchlight aside, the game that made me realize that D3 could work is Lara Croft and The Guardian Of Light. It isn't a full on ARPG, but it is close enough in terms of the view and using multiple skills on a gamepad.

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      September 21, 2011 3:45 PM

      All you whiners / haters need to read this: http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2011/09/gaming-everything-is-amazing-and-no-one-is-happy.ars

      Diablo 3 is a videogame that will probably be fun. Stop acting like Blizzard Entertainment raped your family and burned your house down.

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        September 21, 2011 3:45 PM

        [deleted]

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        September 21, 2011 3:47 PM

        Gaming is incredible and more convenient than its ever been and people cry more than ever. It is insane.

      • DM7 legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
        reply
        September 21, 2011 4:06 PM

        When games stop being "consolized" is the day we stop talking about it. Come on man, you know there are games like that out there that suffer this affliction.

        I give Blizzard the benefit of the doubt though, I'll play it on the PC and love it. :)

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      September 21, 2011 3:45 PM

      [deleted]

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        September 21, 2011 3:47 PM

        tap tap tap tap tap tap ...

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      September 21, 2011 3:47 PM

      [deleted]

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      September 21, 2011 3:53 PM

      [deleted]

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        September 21, 2011 3:55 PM

        Will Diablo 3 come to consoles?
        She is coming to my house.

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      September 21, 2011 4:02 PM

      Got you all beat. I am gonna be playing this game with a jury rigged Kinect setup.

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      September 21, 2011 4:05 PM

      blah blah blah

      pooped myself with rage

      yada yada yada

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      September 21, 2011 4:18 PM

      [deleted]

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        September 21, 2011 4:42 PM

        Torchlight, Dark Alliance, Too Human, Gauntlet

        They've been doing these types of games on controllers for years. People who honestly believe it cannot be done just aren't paying attention.

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          September 21, 2011 5:54 PM

          Not to mention the first Diablo came out on the Playstation

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      September 21, 2011 4:27 PM

      Its funny some games really do play better with a controller. I used to be the biggest mouse/keyboard bigot but the last couple years Iv really changed my tune with controller support getting much much better in pc titles.
      The latest examples are Space Marine and Dead Island, a shooter and a first person game. Space Marine handled much better with a mouse and keyboard. But I found that Dead Island was better with the controller which is contrary to all my previous thoughts of first person games always being better with the a mouse and keyboard.
      Iv watched enough videos on Diablo3 to see that it would be pretty decent with a controller. If the day ever comes with controller support I will probably hook my pc up to the big screen in the living room for some of my late night sessions.

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        September 21, 2011 4:30 PM

        Yeah, the thing about the controller is that it's actually designed from the ground up for playing games. It *SHOULD* be superior for controlling most games. The keyboard and mouse controls are essentially developers adapting controls to fit a peripheral that already existed and is designed not for games at all.

        Granted, there are genres where we have yet to find a way to make a controller as precise, like FPS and RTS, but for most action and RPG games, not to mention puzzles, adventure, and sports, I think the controller really is superior most of the time.

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          September 21, 2011 4:37 PM

          My PC game controller from almost 20 years ago: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Gravis_pc_gamepad.jpg/250px-Gravis_pc_gamepad.jpg

          As you said, mouse and keyboard is indisputably better for RTS and FPS. Many other games work better with a gamepad though, and there's obviously the point where enough people accept a gamepad for FPS control where it doesn't even matter.

          RTS and MOBA are the genres that are 100% mouse and keyboard IMHO, everything else is about degrees of compromise. I think that something playing something like Diablo 3 on a gamepad is a much much smaller compromise than doing the same with an FPS.

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            September 21, 2011 4:39 PM

            Something like Diablo on a controller would definitely be interesting, especially if they made it control like Geometry Wars and the like. Move with left stick, aim with right, and then use abilities with triggers.

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              September 21, 2011 4:47 PM

              Play Lara Croft and the Guardian Of Light, it is a pretty good basic template for what they can do with D3 on a gamepad. It is easy to see how you could map skills and items to triggers and face buttons. The main difference would be the UI for managing inventory, but I think it could be done.

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                September 21, 2011 7:49 PM

                Did they ever update the PC version of torchlight with the controller support they added for the consoles?

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            September 21, 2011 4:50 PM

            HAHA I remember that, I used to have one then upgraded to the gravis controller that was a copy of the PS1 controller

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            September 21, 2011 4:58 PM

            I had that goddamn controller too.

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              September 21, 2011 5:14 PM

              I'm pretty sure all the old-timers did

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                September 21, 2011 5:17 PM

                I remember getting one with Mortal Kombat on floppy disks.

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                September 21, 2011 5:21 PM

                The reaction every time you'd pick it up would always be the same. OH this is just like a SNES control....err no this sucks ass.

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                  September 21, 2011 5:25 PM

                  The little screw in joystick thing made it even worse.

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                    September 21, 2011 5:56 PM

                    Well you could screw in this really tall narrow stick that would make it control...worse. FAKE ANALOG

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                      September 22, 2011 5:34 AM

                      And I used it sometimes, made me feel special, what an idiot.

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                September 21, 2011 9:19 PM

                old timers :(

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            September 21, 2011 9:12 PM

            I still have that thing laying around somewhere.

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            September 21, 2011 10:32 PM

            my PC game controller from i don't know how many years ago :

            http://lh6.ggpht.com/nubie07/R-KUsH7bH_I/AAAAAAAAAts/AeZwskeG9Zc/s288/DSCF1076.JPG

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              September 22, 2011 12:23 AM

              Those were the things they wanted people to control Descent with, right? Crazy how controller design was in such flux back then

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        September 21, 2011 10:50 PM

        [deleted]

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      September 21, 2011 4:40 PM

      I wonder if Blizzard would want something like b.net 2.0 on XBL or PSN.

      PSN might allow something like it, but Microsoft sure-as-fuck won't.

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      September 21, 2011 5:39 PM

      urrmm, PCs have had controllers since forever and they just think of this...

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        September 21, 2011 5:53 PM

        I dont think they are just thinking of this. Diablo came out for the original Playstation (just a reminder) I think they are deliberately hinting at it.

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      September 21, 2011 7:46 PM

      Pretty sure Microsoft upper management is air humping at the thought of being able to take a cut of those real money auction house transactions. Too bad they'd never allow Battle.net on their system.

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      September 22, 2011 6:33 AM

      I believe this is Activision side of things pulling some strings.

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        September 22, 2011 6:44 AM

        It does reek of Kotick. They could increase their profits immensely by expanding into the console market. I think it's great if Blizzard can be even more successful and allow the console crowd to have a chance at playing their awesome games, but at the same time I worry that Blizzard will start consolizing their games for the sake of making consoles their primary focus.

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      September 22, 2011 2:09 PM

      Disagree unless you are playing casually, comfort is the only thing subjectively better. The only games that are better without mouse&kb are fighting games like street fighter or racing games and if they aren't they weren't programmed or ported properly. If you want to duel or in anyway need speed with precision, the controller goes out the window.

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      September 23, 2011 6:32 AM

      What kind of stupid asshole says something like this?
      I assume the PR douche has never even played Diablo 2.

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      September 25, 2011 10:18 AM

      [deleted]

Hello, Meet Lola