Opinion on the update Warlock

I'm very interested in what other players will say.

I'll say right away that I didn't buy the update because I don't have any extra funds right now to spend on games.
I'm in a place where fighting is taking place and the game really helps me calm down and escape from reality. But unfortunately, now the game that I officially bought for money has become practically non-functional.
I won't be able to play with people who transferred their characters to the new version. They have a different interface and, effectively, a separate lobby. And I also won't be able to exchange things with them.

The main problem is that NORMAL games have donation content, but the interface is shared, and absolutely all players participate in the games together, whether it's a premium account or purchased in-game characters or items.

Another problem is that a new update can now arrive every half a year or year. You'll have to buy it every time, otherwise you'll be playing alone.

In my opinion, it's not quite the right way to deprive someone who bought the game of adequate gameplay. After all, they won't be able to fully utilize the gameplay, features, and gameplay, and connect with all players.
As for me, they need to create a common interface and common games, just make additional content a little differently. And now it's clear that an already divided society will split even further.

And again, I'm worried that the game will be turned into a milking cow. Now you're required to buy an update every time, otherwise you'll fall behind and be unable to interact with others.

I want to know what the other guys think about it. Thank you for your answers and opinions.

The points you bring up were also my concern. Im the end I decided to buy the expansion if only to make sure the servers keep running (that is a continuing cost, and you do use the online services as well, as in offline play that would be no issue), as the player base seemed to shrink for me.
I would however absolutely like there to be a mechanism added to keep interacting between the versions. For now I kept my mules on the original version.

TeleTabitha wrote: 3 hours ago

The points you bring up were also my concern. Im the end I decided to buy the expansion if only to make sure the servers keep running (that is a continuing cost, and you do use the online services as well, as in offline play that would be no issue), as the player base seemed to shrink for me.
I would however absolutely like there to be a mechanism added to keep interacting between the versions. For now I kept my mules on the original version.

Honestly, I don’t know a single online multiplayer game where players couldn’t interact with each other.
There may be paid interfaces and paid content, but interaction is always available to everyone.
I don’t understand what they were thinking when they claimed that option was valid.
Again — you bought the game. And now, for it to function properly, you’re supposed to buy something else again? There’s no guarantee this won’t happen again in the future.

The cost is entirely worth it and after i let a few days go to let their servers "calm down", i'm going to buy it as well.

When Diablo 2 was released, those 25$ today equates to just 12$ back then.

Also, D2R doesn't have ANY revenue aside from new games, so they desperately needed something to make sure it can keep running(and be selfsustaining and commercially viable) without issues.

And whyever do you think that this means they will turn EVERY update into a paid addon?
That is extremely unlikely.
I wouldn't be surprised if, if this expansion sells enough, that they aim for another paid expansion update in maybe 5 years or so.

But it absolutely wont be every 6 or 12 months.
Just, NOT gonna happen, because that would instead totally kill off sales unless it's something REALLY massive and truly worth it.

This is exactly what happened when Lord of Destruction was released back in 2001. Most people who already had D2 bought LoD and started playing that instead, abandoning those who remained on vanilla D2. Vanilla D2 realms have been tiny ever since then. The only difference is that LoD was a bigger addition (than RotW), but it also had a higher price tag ($35 in 2001, from what I've been able to tell - I don't actually remember myself).

Same thing happens in online games like WoW when they add expansions.

Could they have done it differently and kept the realms together? Maybe, but I also think they seriously considered the fact that some people people wanted to be able to keep playing D2R as it was, without any further changes. But I think it would have been fair to at least port some of the QoL changes to "legacy" D2R.

In my opinion, Blizzard delivered more than promised. I'm very happy with the update, and honestly, we're talking about a 25-year-old game; it can't be easy, for example, to mix players in the same game with different content packs. We need to remember the technical aspects, and as mentioned, the game needs some form of funding; updates and maintenance aren't free... and I believe this might bring a breath of fresh air to the community with more people engaged in the game.

FULCRUM75 wrote: 2 hours ago

The cost is entirely worth it and after i let a few days go to let their servers "calm down", i'm going to buy it as well.

When Diablo 2 was released, those 25$ today equates to just 12$ back then.

Also, D2R doesn't have ANY revenue aside from new games, so they desperately needed something to make sure it can keep running(and be selfsustaining and commercially viable) without issues.

And whyever do you think that this means they will turn EVERY update into a paid addon?
That is extremely unlikely.
I wouldn't be surprised if, if this expansion sells enough, that they aim for another paid expansion update in maybe 5 years or so.

But it absolutely wont be every 6 or 12 months.
Just, NOT gonna happen, because that would instead totally kill off sales unless it's something REALLY massive and truly worth it.

Nobody knows what they'll decide. If there are a lot of sales, that's what they'll do. Many players will return to the game. This will make them understand that it's a good way to monetize content, and they'll release subsequent updates more frequently than every five years.

My take is that the implementation method isn't very successful or fair. I agree that the price isn't exorbitant. But I also believe there are times when people won't be able or willing to buy the add-on. And ultimately, the product they bought will become invalid without additional add-on purchases.

ShadowHeart wrote: 2 hours ago

But I think it would have been fair to at least port some of the QoL changes to "legacy" D2R.

This was my thought, too. But of course they want to get as many players as possible to buy the expansion and I understand that they need to make money to keep the game going. Therefore, I have mixed feelings too but am overall "OK" with how things turned out. You can still play the game without paying - even with other players (I have not yet converted any Char to the expansion) but I suspect in the end you will have to buy it when you want to get further improvements and a solid player base (e.g. if I remember correctly, Classic did not get "Nights of

Terror" etc.).

oOKIWIOo wrote: 2 hours ago

ShadowHeart wrote: 2 hours ago

But I think it would have been fair to at least port some of the QoL changes to "legacy" D2R.

This was my thought, too. But of course they want to get as many players as possible to buy the expansion and I understand that they need to make money to keep the game going. Therefore, I have mixed feelings too but am overall "OK" with how things turned out. You can still play the game without paying - even with other players (I have not yet converted any Char to the expansion) but I suspect in the end you will have to buy it when you want to get further improvements and a solid player base (e.g. if I remember correctly, Classic did not get "Nights of

Terror" etc.).

Of course, funds are needed to support the game. I completely agree with this.
But on the other hand, are they a small company that only feeds off Diablo? No.
Are servers expensive in the modern world? No.
Do players come and buy the game? Yes. I bought the game two or three months ago. My friend bought the game six months ago. I don't think it's fair to say that Diadlo isn't profitable.Especially if you take into account that they don't make frequent updates and that they don't really need to spend much on supporting games by programmers.

I mean, it's possible to make the transition more adequate. In any case, many people bought the update and the funds for developing 1 character, they definitely beat off

I can't say much after 1 hour of playtesting.

But one thing is clear: The gap between lower and higher tier builds widened due to the increased difficulty of

Terror Zones.

I just did a solo TZ Baalwalk with my Zoo Druid. Two Heralds waited for me in the Throne Room: An ARMY of fire enchanted dolls with Might AND

Concentration and a pack of Burning Souls. I didn't count them, but it was like two dozens of dolls...

Long story short, I got my ass handed to me, they wiped my whole pack in seconds, the merc died three times and I couldn't do much but hide behind a wall recasting summons and trying to not die. This is a level 96 hero with GG gear, by the way, my summons are level 45.

They NEED to get that characters balanced, by god's sake... Any melee hero would have instantly died there without ANY chance of recovering gear.

DasNarf wrote: 2 hours ago

I can't say much after 1 hour of playtesting.

But one thing is clear: The gap between lower and higher tier builds widened.

I just did a solo TZ Baalwalk with my Zoo Druid. Two Heralds waited for me in the Throne Room: An ARMY of dolls with Might AND

Concentration and a pack of Burning Souls. I didn't count them, but it was like two dozens of dolls...

Long story short, I got my ass handed to me, they wiped my whole pack in seconds, the merc died three times and I couldn't do much but hide behind a wall recasting summons and trying to not die. This is a level 96 hero with GG gear, by the way, my summons are level 45.

They NEED to get that characters balanced, by god's sake... Any melee hero would have instantly died there.

I think I first will go in with my Mosaic Assassin...
Btw, the Summons of my Druid are on the same lvl (without BO)...

Still can't forgive them for adding Metamorphosis rw and even more so will not migrate to this expansion. Ever

Diablo 2 LOD has had a major update

I mean I never thought I would see this headline. I’m happy either way, bought the add on & will be trying today. If it means Diablo 2 keeps getting future add ons and not just left in the dust. I say carry on, people can choose what they want to do.

Great news and a great idea, we have advanced in game stuff but still keeping LOD what it essentially is.

Warkotic wrote: 3 hours ago

I'm very interested in what other players will say.

I'll say right away that I didn't buy the update because I don't have any extra funds right now to spend on games.
I'm in a place where fighting is taking place and the game really helps me calm down and escape from reality. But unfortunately, now the game that I officially bought for money has become practically non-functional.
I won't be able to play with people who transferred their characters to the new version. They have a different interface and, effectively, a separate lobby. And I also won't be able to exchange things with them.

The main problem is that NORMAL games have donation content, but the interface is shared, and absolutely all players participate in the games together, whether it's a premium account or purchased in-game characters or items.

Another problem is that a new update can now arrive every half a year or year. You'll have to buy it every time, otherwise you'll be playing alone.

In my opinion, it's not quite the right way to deprive someone who bought the game of adequate gameplay. After all, they won't be able to fully utilize the gameplay, features, and gameplay, and connect with all players.
As for me, they need to create a common interface and common games, just make additional content a little differently. And now it's clear that an already divided society will split even further.

And again, I'm worried that the game will be turned into a milking cow. Now you're required to buy an update every time, otherwise you'll fall behind and be unable to interact with others.

I want to know what the other guys think about it. Thank you for your answers and opinions.

I would like to buy the expansion for you. Can You add me as a friend? I know from my world travels what fighting and Chaos the world outside causes. If you would like I'd be willing to share some worldly love.

Necx666 wrote: 1 hour ago

Warkotic wrote: 3 hours ago

I'm very interested in what other players will say.

I'll say right away that I didn't buy the update because I don't have any extra funds right now to spend on games.
I'm in a place where fighting is taking place and the game really helps me calm down and escape from reality. But unfortunately, now the game that I officially bought for money has become practically non-functional.
I won't be able to play with people who transferred their characters to the new version. They have a different interface and, effectively, a separate lobby. And I also won't be able to exchange things with them.

The main problem is that NORMAL games have donation content, but the interface is shared, and absolutely all players participate in the games together, whether it's a premium account or purchased in-game characters or items.

Another problem is that a new update can now arrive every half a year or year. You'll have to buy it every time, otherwise you'll be playing alone.

In my opinion, it's not quite the right way to deprive someone who bought the game of adequate gameplay. After all, they won't be able to fully utilize the gameplay, features, and gameplay, and connect with all players.
As for me, they need to create a common interface and common games, just make additional content a little differently. And now it's clear that an already divided society will split even further.

And again, I'm worried that the game will be turned into a milking cow. Now you're required to buy an update every time, otherwise you'll fall behind and be unable to interact with others.

I want to know what the other guys think about it. Thank you for your answers and opinions.

I would like to buy the expansion for you. Can You add me as a friend? I know from my world travels what fighting and Chaos the world outside causes. If you would like I'd be willing to share some worldly love.

Dude,
This is an incredibly generous offer,
And I honestly don’t know what to say.
On one hand, I’m happy and surprised that there are people willing to help.
On the other hand, I have no idea how I could thank you, or whether I should even accept such a gift.

Warkotic wrote: 1 hour ago

Necx666 wrote: 1 hour ago

Warkotic wrote: 3 hours ago

I'm very interested in what other players will say.

I'll say right away that I didn't buy the update because I don't have any extra funds right now to spend on games.
I'm in a place where fighting is taking place and the game really helps me calm down and escape from reality. But unfortunately, now the game that I officially bought for money has become practically non-functional.
I won't be able to play with people who transferred their characters to the new version. They have a different interface and, effectively, a separate lobby. And I also won't be able to exchange things with them.

The main problem is that NORMAL games have donation content, but the interface is shared, and absolutely all players participate in the games together, whether it's a premium account or purchased in-game characters or items.

Another problem is that a new update can now arrive every half a year or year. You'll have to buy it every time, otherwise you'll be playing alone.

In my opinion, it's not quite the right way to deprive someone who bought the game of adequate gameplay. After all, they won't be able to fully utilize the gameplay, features, and gameplay, and connect with all players.
As for me, they need to create a common interface and common games, just make additional content a little differently. And now it's clear that an already divided society will split even further.

And again, I'm worried that the game will be turned into a milking cow. Now you're required to buy an update every time, otherwise you'll fall behind and be unable to interact with others.

I want to know what the other guys think about it. Thank you for your answers and opinions.

I would like to buy the expansion for you. Can You add me as a friend? I know from my world travels what fighting and Chaos the world outside causes. If you would like I'd be willing to share some worldly love.

Dude,
This is an incredibly generous offer,
And I honestly don’t know what to say.
On one hand, I’m happy and surprised that there are people willing to help.
On the other hand, I have no idea how I could thank you, or whether I should even accept such a gift.

Happy to help I just came to d2r from years and years of legacy about a month ago. Hope the situation works itself out.

Warkotic wrote: 3 hours ago

Another problem is that a new update can now arrive every half a year or year. You'll have to buy it every time, otherwise you'll be playing alone.

And again, I'm worried that the game will be turned into a milking cow. Now you're required to buy an update every time, otherwise you'll fall behind and be unable to interact with others.

I share these worries with you. If Blizzard gets away with charging for QoL stuff, you can expect they will do even more bad designs on purpose. The old "create a problem to sell the solution" stuff.

A new expansion every one and a half year would be fine if they added new content. I don't think they've added enough content with D2R:RotW to justify that, if you remove the QoL stuff.

Also, the "servers need money to run" argument is based on a false dilemma. It's about time Blizzard should put small, muted ads on Battlenet to get some easy cash flow. Some people will not like it but we already get plenty of bots spamming dubious trading sites anyway.

I will absolutely hate if they did that. I pay my way out of being annoyed by advertisements everywhere I can.