The Diablo Podcast #67: Diablo 3 Bold Predictions

Posted 18 May 2012 by Flux

Flux puts 8 podcast guests and members of the Diablo community on the spot as they make predictions about Diablo III. Most and least popular class? How long to defeat Inferno normal and Hardcore? When cometh D3X and what will be the 6th class? And many more.

Our Diablo III predictions podcast includes short conversations with eight members of the Diablo community, as they predict how the Diablo III experience will unfold. Not every guest was asked exactly the same questions, but most of them got most of the questions, which included the following:

Name the most and least popular classes shortly after launch. Will those change after a month, once players know what they’re doing? Will it differ for hardcore? Will we see a lot of cookie cutterism, or will people invent their own builds, or will numerous builds work equally well? Will Diablo III be generally regarded as too hard, too easy, or Goldilocks? Will there be a major hack or cheat or dupe or other problem requiring a patch fix within the first few months. Will Followers be essential, irrelevant, or something in between in Hell and Inferno? Will there be a secret rainbow happy cloud unicorn level? Will the RMAH take off with players paying up to the $250 max price cap within the first month? What will Diablo III’s average (professional) review score be? How many copies will Diablo III sell in the first 24 hours? How long will players take to beat Inferno softcore and Hardcore? When will PvP be patched in? When will D3X be announced and when released? Make a bold prediction for the 6th class.

The interviews are quick; around 5-6 minutes each, so if you don’t like one you can easily skip forward to the next guest.

Approximate starting times for the various segments:

  • 1:50 — Azzure’s predictions.
  • 8:00 — The Eliminator’s predictions.
  • 14:30 — Xanth’s predictions.
  • 20:45 — MrFrye’s predictions.
  • 24:30 — Exile’s predictions.
  • 32:35 — Grug’s predictions.
  • 38:45 — Neinball’s predictions.
  • 44:00 — Wolfpaq’s predictions.

    • See the article on DiabloWiki.net for more information about the history and production of DiabloWikiThe Diablo PodcastDiabloWiki, as well as a full episode guide.

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    Podcast: Download (Duration: 50:22 — 46.1MB)

    Tagged As: | Categories: Auction House, Azzure, Battle.net, End Game, Exile, Flux, Followers, Grug, Hardcore, MrFrye, Neinball, TDP Episode, The Eliminator, Wolfpaq, Xanth | No Comments

    The Diablo Podcast #66: Beta Reflections and Bashiok Encounters

    Posted 13 May 2012 by Flux

    Azzure and Grug join Flux to look back at the highs and lows of the Diablo III Beta. Also Grug tells his story of meeting Bashiok and extracting new game info from him, and the guys talk about their launch night plans.

    Flux is joined by Grug and Azzure to talk about the highs and lows of the recently-concluded Diablo III beta test. All of the guys were lucky enough to be in the Beta almost from the start, and with the help of numerous fan suggestions in a big beta forum discussion thread, they review the highs and lows of the Diablo 3 Beta.

    Topics include the ever-changing difficulty, the slow pace of invites, technical problems, the glorious “Beyond the Gate” preview, the huge number of rare boss monsters, varied special areas and rare quests, the addition of skill runes, the unpleasant new skill UI and chat UI, and several more.

    Grug then tells the story of his recent encounter with Bashiok at PAX East, and relates more of the new info Bashiok shared with him, before the show wraps up with release night plans and first character choices.

    Approximate starting times for the various segments:

    • 0:30 — Beta retrospective; highs and lows.
    • 27:30 — Grug’s conversation with Bashiok at PAX east and the new info he revealed.
    • 37:30 — Release night plans. First class choices. Closing thoughts.

    • See the article on DiabloWiki.net for more information about the history and production of DiabloWikiThe Diablo PodcastDiabloWiki, as well as a full episode guide.





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    Podcast: Download (Duration: 44:04 — 40.3MB)

    Tagged As: | Categories: Azzure, Diablo 3 Beta, Flux, Grug, TDP Episode | No Comments

    The Diablo Podcast #65: Character Customization and Release Plans

    Posted 5 May 2012 by Flux

    Wolfpaq and Neinball join Flux to discuss the rose-tinted glasses that are keeping some D2 fans from accepting D3. Also D3′s lacking(?) character customization options, and release day plans.

    Flux is joined by Wolfpaq and Neinball to talk about Wolfpaq’s big and controversial forum list of ways D3 is better than D2. Character customization re: a recent Bashiok debate is also discussed; will we miss skill and custom stat points?

    The guys also talk about recent beta play experiences with the test coming to an end, their plans for release day play/spoiler avoidance, and their first class selections.

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    Podcast: Download (Duration: 54:40 — 50.0MB)

    Tagged As: | Categories: Diablo 3 Beta, Flux, Neinball, Skills, Talent, TDP Episode, Wolfpaq | Comments Off

    Diablo Podcast #64: News Attack, April 16, 2012: Reveal and Release Countdown

    Posted 19 April 2012 by Flux

    Flux and Elly team up for a news attack Diablo 3 podcast. Topics include B.net’s D3 beta tech problems, “global play” news, melee monster hit range, the official D3 reveal countdown promotion, and more.

    Flux and Elly return with a Diablo III Podcast News Attack. There’s been a ton of news in recent days, so much that we had to leave off several good topics to concentrate on just the most important recent happenings.

    Issues discussed include Flux’s new computer system and Diablo III Beta install difficulties, the announced Beta end date, Blizzard’s official D3 reveal release countdown site and the 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% features, one two of which were fairly interesting. Diablo III’s new “global play” ToS have not yet been revealed, but Flux thinks they will be ominous. Varquynne created an amazing Diablo III loot tabulation. The Diablo III beta finally hits its stride after 7 months, with 275,000 invites. Melee attacking monsters have time delayed hits. And a new Diablo 3 CM shows his used car salesman skills.

    Download the diablo podcast 64, or watch and listen to the video version in the YouTube movie below.

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    Podcast: Download (Duration: 38:55 — 71.3MB)

    Tagged As: | Categories: Diablo 3 Beta, Elly, Flux | Comments Off

    Diablo Podcast #63: Naked Runs, Hardcore, and Beta Difficulty Swings

    Posted 31 March 2012 by Flux

    XanthHC and The Eliminator join Flux to discuss playing naked and/or Hardcore in the Diablo 3 beta, plus the big difficulty changes made in Patch 15, everyone’s most/least favorite classes, Skeleton King strategy, and more.

    Flux is joined by The Eliminator and our Hardcore columnist Xanth to talk about all sorts of recent Diablo 3 beta news. The Eliminator has been playing “naked,” trying to play through the entire beta with no armor and only the starting weapon, and he answers numerous questions about that experience. Xanth is all about Hardcore, and he brings that One Life to Live attitude to the Beta.

    Other than those specific issues, all three guys have played a great deal with all of the classes, and the conversation ranges over numerous beta issues, including the balance changes in Beta Patch 15, the lack of good single-target attacks for most characters in the early going, a debate about which classes are best and worst vs. the new and improved King Leoric, and everyone’s most/least favorite classes at this point in the beta test.

    Since the podcast time was divided by topic, you can skip right to the ones your most interested in. Be aware that none of these sections stay strictly on the main point, with various digressions due to the conversational nature of the intercourse.

    • 0-21:00 — The Eliminator answers questions about playing naked. Why, how, what’s the biggest difference, which classes are strongest and weakest, what he’s learned from his labors, and more.
    • 21:00 — Xanth talks about his beta Hardcore play and what the Halls of the Dead are like, since he only died to test them out. No, really.
    • 37:30 — Most/least favorite characters in the beta right now. Xanth likes the Barbarian and dislikes the Demon Hunter. The Eliminator likes the Witch Doctor and doesn’t like the Demon Hunter. Meanwhile, Flux likes the current Demon Hunter best of all, and not just to be contrary.
    • 49:30 — Skeleton King strategy issues, since most classes lack a good single-target skill when they reach Leoric.
    • 55:00 — Xanth asks about everyone’s plans for release day. Digital or hard copy? Midnight marathon play session and time off from work? Will the servers hold up?

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    Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:04:31 — 59.1MB)

    Tagged As: | Categories: Diablo 3 Beta, Flux, Hardcore, TDP Episode, The Eliminator, Xanth | Comments Off

    Diablo Podcast #62: News Attack! – Release Date Revealed, PvP Removed, Site’s15th Anniversary and more

    Posted 17 March 2012 by Flux

    Elly and Flux cover all the latest Diablo 3 news. Diablo 3 finally gets a release date but loses PvP. Also Jay Wilson keeps telling us the late game is super hard, and the recently-hacked bonus beta content seems to support his words.

    Elly and Flux discuss all the ramifications of Diablo 3′s just-announced release date, digital game pricing, Blizzard’s decision to not include PvP upon launch, Jay Wilson’s numerous tweets about Inferno and late game fun, how the recently-hacked extra beta content seems to support Jay’s contentions, plus new movies showing off various class skills.

    Comments are closed on this post. Please use the news item on Diablo.IncGamers.com for your questions or feedback.

    Podcast: Download (Duration: 46:07 — 84.4MB)

    Tagged As: | Categories: Diablo 3 Beta, Elly, End Game, Flux, Skill Runes, Skills, TDP Episode | Comments Off

    Diablo Podcast #61: News Attack! – Release Date, Magic Find, Monsters

    Posted 7 March 2012 by Flux

    Elly joins Flux for the return of the Weekly News Attack. This week’s show covers the buzzing release date rumors, Diablo 3s lacking socialization tools, the new skill and rune system, monster hit points doubling, magic find sharing, and more.

    Elly makes her triumphant return to the podcast for another Weekly News Attack. Lots to talk about lately, including release date rumors and fan reactions to them, and the ongoing debate about Battle.net 2.0′s lacking socializing features in Starcraft 2 and now Diablo 3.

    The hosts talk about some new features as well, including balance changes from the new skill/rune system, a promised doubling to monster damage, and Magic Find now sharing throughout the party.


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    Podcast: Download (Duration: 33:48 — 30.9MB)

    Tagged As: , | Categories: Diablo 3 Beta, Elly, Flux, Skill Runes, Skills | Comments Off

    The Diablo Podcast #60: Beta Patch 13 Class Discussion

    Posted 28 February 2012 by Flux

    Flux hosts a roundtable discussion covering all five classes in the Diablo 3 beta. After a week of testing since the big Diablo 3 Beta patch 13, how does our expert panel view things? Which skills and rune effects are the best? Which classes are awesome and which need some more work?

    Flux is joined by Neinball, Exile, The Eliminator, and Wolfpaq to discuss all five character classes in the Diablo III beta. All the classes had big changes made in the DiabloWikiBeta Patch 13, and after a week of running numerous characters through to level 13, the guys are ready to debate the pros and cons of everything, single out their favorite skills and skill runes, talk about itemization and play variety, and much more.

    The podcast is sorted by topic so you can skip to the classes you like, or skip over the ones you don’t care for. Here’s the discussion order, with approximate time stamps:

    • 0-10:30 — Flux, Neinball, and Exile cover a general discussion of the new DiabloWikiskillrune system, the elimination of the DiabloWikideadzone, the new necessity of playing to 60 to try all the runes, and share their general dislike for the new skill UI. Bonus fun from Exile as he describes his total non-gamer girlfriend’s experience with the Diablo III Beta.
    • 10:30: DiabloWikiWizard discussion commences with Flux, Neinball, and Exile. Everyone loves the Wizard.
    • 24:00 — DiabloWikiBarbarian discussion with Flux, Neinball, and Exile. Opinions are mixed on the class.
    • 35:00 — DiabloWikiDemon Hunter discussion, with Wolfpaq replacing Exile. The class is much improved in patch 13.
    • 51:00 — DiabloWikiMonk discussion with The Eliminator taking Wolfpaq’s spot. Opinions differ on the repetitive play nature of the class.
    • 65:00 — DiabloWikiWitch Doctor discussion with Neinball, The Eliminator, and Flux. Everyone agrees the class is very strong.
    • 76:00 — DiabloWikiRelease Date predictions and bovine sound effects..


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    Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:17:12 — 70.7MB)

    Tagged As: | Categories: Diablo 3 Beta, Flux, Neinball, Skill Runes, Skills, TDP Episode, The Eliminator, Wolfpaq | Comments Off

    The Diablo Podcast #59: The Great Beta Patch 13 Debate

    Posted 20 February 2012 by Flux

    Grug and Azzure join Flux to discuss the Diablo 3 Beta patch #13. How does the new skills/runestones system far in theory (pretty well) and in practice (dreadful UI)? Also discussed: chat channels, game play flow, class reports, and much more.

    Flux is joined by aspiring game developer Grug, and D3 econ guru Azzure to talk about the brand new Beta patch 13. All the guys got in some play testing time Saturday night, and by Sunday they were ready to weigh in on the major game system changes. The biggest, of course, is the new skills system, which integrates runestones right into the interface. Azzure accurately predicted this system several weeks back, and after his verbal victory lap, the discussion turns to the nuts and bolts of the new system. How does it work in practice, what’s wrong with the UI, how will this system play out long term and in the end game, what does this do to character customization, is it really casual-friendly, and more.

    Other topics covered on this show include the new Diablo III B.net chat channels, item variety in Diablo 3, general gameplay and monster improvements in this patch, and discussion of some specific class improvements and changes.

    Grug and Azzure are both very into game dev theory and design, so they both make some good and insightful comments and provide nice analysis of the nuts and bolts of the game’s new functions.


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    Podcast: Download (Duration: 57:58 — 53.1MB)

    Tagged As: | Categories: Diablo 3 Beta, Flux, Grug, Skill Runes, Skills, TDP Episode | Comments Off

    The Diablo Podcast #58: Beta, Fatalities, and Delays

    Posted 16 February 2012 by Flux

    The Eliminator and Bladelaw join Flux to discuss recent Diablo beta news and views, plus the removal of player fatalities, the latest release date delay, the issue of Inferno difficulty, and more.

    Flux is joined by regular contributor The Eliminator, plus Bladelaw makes his Diablo Podcast debut, bringing a wide variety of topics and opinions to the debate. The guys talk beta experiences, with Bladelaw giving his first reactions and thoughts on the various classes and the (non) difficulty issue, plus Eliminator shares some of the recent exploits of his naked Barbarian.

    Other topics covered include non-surprise at the latest slipped release date, concerns and hopes for the game ultimately becoming difficult in Inferno, issues with the removal of player fatalities, expectations for the upcoming skill/runestone revision, and more.


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    Podcast: Download (Duration: 50:56 — 46.6MB)

    Tagged As: | Categories: Bladelaw, Diablo 3 Beta, End Game, Flux, TDP Episode, The Eliminator | Comments Off

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