Blizzard Invitational 08: Diablo III Lore and Art Panel

  • By BrianEk, GameSpot
  • Posted Jun 29, 2008 11:03 am GMT

PARIS--Unsurprisingly, there's lots to do here at the 2008 Blizzard Invitational. When attendees aren't checking out playable builds of Starcraft II or World of WarCraft: Wrath of the Lich King, they're busy dressing up, participating in dance contests, checking out the tournaments, or spending...

PARIS--Unsurprisingly, there's lots to do here at the 2008 Blizzard Invitational. When attendees aren't checking out playable builds of Starcraft II or World of WarCraft: Wrath of the Lich King, they're busy dressing up, participating in dance contests, checking out the tournaments, or spending money in the Blizzard Shop. If, after all that, you're still craving more Blizzard saturation, you can always attend a session or two dedicated to specific Blizzard games. All weekend, we've seen seminars on Starcraft II, Lich King, and, of course, the just-announced Diablo III. Yesterday, Blizzard held a gameplay panel, details of which can be found in our latest first-look preview of the game.

This morning, I attended a panel dedicated to the story and art style of Diablo III. The session, hosted by Blizzard's Leonard Boyarsky and Brian Morrisoe, was an interesting look at the world building that has gone into the Diablo III version of the world of Sanctuary. While Boyarsky and Morrisoe were still tight-lipped about much of the game's story, there was still plenty to take away from the session.

Boyarsky started off the session with a discussion of the backstory in Diablo III, specifically with reference to some of the worlds that make up Sanctuary. Some of them, like the trade city of Caldeum, you'll see and explore in the game. Others, like Skovos (home to the Rogues from the first Diablo and the Amazons from the sequel) will only appear in the game as a method of enriching the game world. As Boyarsky put it, real civilizations don't just spring up overnight but are, rather, built over many centuries; the goal with Diablo III is to build that kind of deep sense of history into all of the cultures you encounter in the world, no matter how brief the contact.

In terms of story, Boyarsky said that Diablo III will pick up 20 years after the end of the events in the Diablo II expansion, Lord of Destruction. Deckard Cain, the storyteller and quest giver in the previous games, returns in Diablo III and, at the beginning of the game, is convinced that the forces of Hell are intent on invading Sanctuary. Cain is desperate to find a way to stop this invasion and, it seems, will work with your character to that end as the game begins. Worse yet, the general population of the various cities of Sanctuary--traumatized by the events of the previous games--has begun to put those evil events behind it; many believe that the demons that previously appeared in its cities were just myth.

Beyond that, we don't know much about the story in Diablo III. Morrisoe threw out a few more nuggets of info, just to tease attendees with where the game might be heading. For example, he mentioned Tyrael, the archangel you meet in Diablo II. Tyrael helps mankind (again the will of Heaven) during the events of the previous game, eventually destroying the Worldstone to allegedly prevent an invasion from Hell's minions. So, for Diablo III, the question becomes: What has happened to Tyrael? Has he been punished for his actions? What is his role in the events of this game?

Speaking about the game's art style, Morrisoe said that, despite Diablo III's new 3D engine, the decision to keep the game's camera in a fixed isometric position was a deliberate one; one that he feels will help make Diablo III a better more authentic experience. He also went into lots of detail about the bold silhouettes that make up the architecture and character design in the series and help give the game its epic feel. The goal, it seems, is to create heroic characters with making them appear cartoony, behaving in a world that acts realistically (thanks to the addition of destructible environments to the gameplay) while maintaining a fantasy feel.

Perhaps one of the most obvious questions to ask about the story in Diablo III is one that was asked by an audience member just as the Q&A portion of the panel began: How does Blizzard justify another Diablo game when, by the end of the previous game, the player had killed Diablo, Mephisto, and Baal? Boyarsky referred to it as a "very complex chain of events" but wouldn't divulge much more than that--except that it will be "very entertaining". Later, when asked about specific new enemies that the character would encounter, Boyarsky dropped the tantalizing hint that there are seven lords of Hell in the Diablo universe... Assuming the player has killed three already in the previous game, could we meet the final four in Diablo III? Time will tell...

221 Comments

  • -bluemonkey-

    Posted Jul 16, 2009 11:56 pm GMT

    sunrie, people dont want the same look as world of warcraft or they might as well play that, which I find understandable that they dont want that or a bright shiny game. But to be honest, as long as there is ugly monsters for me to bash the hell out of somewhere, I am completely fine with a brighter world, and this is probably what the world is like before the monsters get around to turning it into a dark gloomy place.

  • usvstheworld

    Posted Sep 14, 2008 2:24 pm GMT

    Sunrie, consider this comment the equivalent of me giving you an air-high-five. People just need to chill the **** out, and Diablo III will, indeed, "melt my face off".

  • Vasot

    Posted Sep 11, 2008 7:55 am GMT

    I do not like the art...

    Reminds me WoW and not Diablo

  • gega2526

    Posted Jul 18, 2008 4:01 am GMT

    OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

    WHAT AN AWESOME GAME THIS IS GONNA BE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I CANT WAIT TO KICK THE BUTT OFF THE FORCES OF EVIL ESPECIALLY THE ONES LIKE THAT BIG HUGE MAGNIFICENT BEAST AT THE END OF THE TRAILER.

    WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW

  • Spyder25000

    Posted Jul 9, 2008 5:54 pm GMT

    Yes WoW looks like diablo, mabey cause Diablo(s) was before wow!?

  • Sunrie

    Posted Jul 9, 2008 11:03 am GMT

    Diablo III will rock people's face off. I'm sick of hearing people whine about it looks like World of Warcraft. Guess what? It doesn't. It looks more like a cleaned up Warcraft III, which is just awesome. When Diablo II came out and we never heard of a sequel, people begged. Now that we have it, people won't shut the hell up about their complaints.

    Bright and shiny? How about clear and colorful. Yeah, it's a real shame the game doesn't only use 256 colors like the other Diablo games. Look, get over it. So there's more colors on the over world. What's more is the fact we've only been shown the first level of the game! Who says things won't get darker and more dingy? The world is in 3D and the player no longer has to use imagination to fill in some of the blanks.

    The health orbs are a GREAT idea instead of the health bottles. When did glowing red orbs giving your character health become less acceptable than drinking a slimy bottle which fell out of a monster's stomach? Now the players can finally focus on cutting through the enemies and making their way through the game instead of hording potions. Who's to say there won't even be health potions? Again, we've been shown a very small taste of the game.

    We've been shown TWO CLASSSES! SHUT UP ABOUT THEM! Nothing is official nor finished! If your favorite old class doesn't come back, deal with it and learn to use another. I want an archer style character, but such a character has yet to be released. Does this mean there won't be one? If so, I'll learn to play another character type.

    In the end, Diablo III will melt your face off with how awesome it is, as long as Blizzard doesn't listen to all the whining people. Wait and watch for the updates. Play the game, and then make your whining comments if you're still not happy.

  • chandlerr_360

    Posted Jul 9, 2008 9:11 am GMT

    Wrath of the Lich King, Starcraft 2, AND Diablo 3? Blizz is going to be making some serious cash next year...

  • Skruigners

    Posted Jul 9, 2008 4:08 am GMT

    guild wars 2, starcraft 2, spore and now diablo 3 wtf?? i will die if dont relased sone this game...arggg cant wait

  • Oom_Gert

    Posted Jul 9, 2008 1:47 am GMT

    GetsugaTenshou that's where you are wrong most games take 2 - 3 years to complete. anything less than 2 years then you have an horrible half assed game. But true Blizzard takea ages to make a game and I like it. Atleast you know it's going to be good then.

  • NickK47

    Posted Jul 9, 2008 1:36 am GMT

    E R E C T I O N

  • wjbrown3

    Posted Jul 8, 2008 4:49 pm GMT

    Wonder if we can expect to complete most of the story only to have to buy another expansion to complete the story (a la Diablo II and Lord of Destruction). Dont get me wrong i am still pumped though

  • GetsugaTenshou

    Posted Jul 8, 2008 11:39 am GMT

    dont be too happy this game wont be release until a year or 2 ..... i can easily say 3, blizzard are one of the slowest producer. A game take 1 1/2 years to make some 2 exceptionnal product 3 years..... but blizzard lolll

  • shafrox

    Posted Jul 7, 2008 5:24 am GMT

    I really hope we can save the game anytime we want in D3. I hated searching for my corpse every time i died and searching for portals in the previous title. Other than that it was perfect for me

  • Nezriq

    Posted Jul 6, 2008 8:12 pm GMT

    Diablo III is finally here!!! True Diablo fans would never complain bout the over colored graphic, the cartoonish plot or whatever. A true fan will be crazy, love and play the game no matter what!!! I've been waiting 4 diz game since Tyreal destroyed the corrupted Worldstone and always anticipated that it will have its consequences. Be it Azmodan or Belial, I don care!!! But i do care if Diablo doesn't make an appearance. Hopefully, some mysteries and questions will be answered such as the disappearance of Adria the witch. The graphics to me are top-notch!!! And i'm very happy dat they maintain d original gameplay and d isometric camera. Blizzard really stay true 2 their fans. RPG games nowadays are too complex for gamers such as myself. Diablo III is an excellent game no matter what!!! And to the whiners out ther, just be thankful dat its finally here.

    HELL!!!! ITS ABOUT TIME!!!!

  • prototype24red

    Posted Jul 6, 2008 1:42 pm GMT

    Hope it lives up to the to the expectations actually never played 1 or 2

  • thatmy

    Posted Jul 6, 2008 10:31 am GMT

    I can't wait any longer! U are oredi in my buying list.

  • eiadrtr

    Posted Jul 6, 2008 8:10 am GMT

    im not the diablo fan played the first 2 liked them but not love it if u know what i mein them but maybe this will be even better then the first 2

  • mirgamer

    Posted Jul 5, 2008 11:34 pm GMT

    Firstly, I'm liking the new art and all that. I find it quite amazing what the engine can do. But you can help but notice this " The goal, it seems, is to create heroic characters with making them appear cartoony..." and you will inevitably start thinking.."WORLD OF WARCRAFT ANY1?!?!? LoLz".

    It seems like it. sigh

    Yet it seems that they made a pretty good transition though coz I was just ovrblown when i first saw the gameplay video. Its going to be an amazing game. But you can't help but feel a bit disappointed that they are not sticking to the original dark, creepy and foreboding feel that was Diablo1 and 2. The game by itself would be anotehr stellar hit but if they keep it to the original gothic lok, it will twice much better.

  • ThePielord

    Posted Jul 5, 2008 12:41 pm GMT

    I agree to the people who say that the plot is too cartonish and that ruins the mood! I really hope that they will do something about it. I actually think that starcraft II has the same problem and that might totaly ruin the game...

  • thedarklinglord

    Posted Jul 5, 2008 3:56 am GMT

    If books, movies, and video games have taught us anything, it's that evil ALWAYS finds a way to come back. Especially if there's a sweet paycheck involved in it. Heh.

    Seriously, though, I don't care if Diablo is in the game or not. Something about the character...I don't know. I always felt like he was more brute than mastermind. Certainly no high lord of Hell. Maybe it's just the D&D geek in me, but I've always thought of Asmodeus as the true ruler of Hell. So, that's who I'd love to see as the final boss, either in Diablo III or it's almost certain expansion.

    Likewise, I'd really love for this, or the expansion, to give us a proper, Dante's Inferno-style tour of Hell. Take us through the nine layers of Hell. Give us that ghastly, horrific tableaux of pain and suffering, that sort of atmosphere where we actually shiver from the sights and sounds and the uncertainty of what's just before our field of view. I think Diablo always wanted to be sort of a fantasy horror game (from the beginning of the first Diablo with the Butcher and the dead child to the rampant undead and torture chambers in Act I of Diablo II) but they've never really pushed that aspect of the game. Not to the extent they could. And given what they've shown in the demo, vast mobs of monsters and creatures bursting out of nowhere, I think they could finally accomplish that.

    But, yeah, I think some of that color has to be toned down. Some of the colors just seem a little too vibrant, too cheery, too...Nintendo. Don't get me wrong, I think there's definitely room for bright colors, but they should be reflect the environment, the mood. They should really dirty it up some, make it look more grim and desolate and forsaken.

    Come on, Blizzard! Recent games like GTA IV and Gears of War and dozens of others have shown that you can make and market adult-oriented, mature-themed games that are still huge successes.

    Hopefully the color scheme and some of the graphic styling will be part of the violence filter, something that can be switched off and on. That way it's colorful and WOW-ish and without all the blood and gore for the younger crowd or the people who are offended by that stuff (though, why those people would buy a game about demons and Hell is beyond me), but the rest of us can enjoy the more gritty, dirty look and feel we prefer.

  • wallaz

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 4:39 am GMT

    this game will be better than gta 4

  • BlackPhoenixBG

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 3:03 am GMT

    i am ready to be flaimed by all the fanatical blizzard fanboys out there by saying that the colors of the new "Diablo" are way too colorful and inappropriate , the overall feel is way to wow-ed and cartonish.... not dark and dirty, no more light radius to make the atmosphere dark.., instead of a dark dungeon there is green (?!?) light coming from god knows where.. and so on - i just hope that the petition will have some effect..

  • juggleJUGGLER

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 9:10 am GMT

    i lost my social life over this game. can't wait to do it again.

  • 16tony16

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 8:36 am GMT

    I cant wait for this game, it looks just as awsome as the first two!! when do you think it'll come out though?

  • germanrex

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 1:58 am GMT

    well from what i saw from the images posted it looks pretty much like a mix of the witcher and baldurs gate II. those are not bad graphics but its nothing new, also i hope the storyline get to be involving and not just click click bam diablo is gone

  • hywel69

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 12:37 am GMT

    OVerall game looks nice, but, cartoony look and "Orc Shoulder", as well as genetic mmo weapons from centrail casting look like crap.

    In the dem when he picks of "gothic" armor, you cant even tell he's wearing plate let alone gothic armor. Also it would have been cooler to show what the Witch Doctor would look like with Plate on. One of the cooler things of Diablo was that items were not so Class restricted, meaning more variety.

  • hywel69

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 12:37 am GMT

    OVerall game looks nice, but, cartoony look and "Orc Shoulder", as well as genetic mmo weapons from centrail casting look like crap.

    In the dem when he picks of "gothic" armor, you cant even tell he's wearing plate let alone gothic armor. Also it would have been cooler to show what the Witch Doctor would look like with Plate on. One of the cooler things of Diablo was that items were not so Class restricted, meaning more variety.

  • CND_IRONMAN

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 9:25 pm GMT

    The game looks awe some! I still play the old one! I was hooked on it from day one. I need to know when will they release this bad boy! I hope it comes out soon! Sign me up!

  • CND_IRONMAN

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 9:21 pm GMT

    I have only one question to ask . . . which is, how soon will it be released! I want that puppy NOW!

  • ChaosWolf01

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 2:46 pm GMT

    I love the fact that they brought back random missions feature from Diablo 1. This feature really makes the game more "replay" friendly. Excellent.

  • PrimeLazarus

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 12:55 pm GMT

    I think Diablo might come back during the course of Diablo 3 based on your character's actions. Much like MGS1 when the player had to use the card key 3 different ways to disarm a bomb that actually turned out to not be armed; thus arming it and through your actions screwing yourself unknowingly. I think that'll be how Diablo comes back.

    Deckard Cain in his old age gets all in a fuss thinking it's the end of the world so he sets your character out to do something that actually does bring Diablo back accidentally. BAM. Diablo 3.

    I expect a seriously drawn out Hell portion of this game. I also expect nothing less than to KILL DIABLO for all of you who say that the name of the game is saved for continuity and he may not make an appearance. I tell you he WILL be in the game, and my god it's going to be marvelous.

    Diablo can consider himself pwned once again.

    I want to see these classes at least: Rogue (like from the first Diablo), Sorceror, Warrior (or Barbarian I guess if that is the new equivalent), Necromancer, Druid and Paladin. The Amazon and the Assassin were both fun classes and I would love to see them in the game, but if I have to give up any of the classes it would be those since they are spin-offs or hybrids of other basic classes with some variation thrown into the mix in terms of spells. Amazon = Rogue, Assassin ~ Barbarian. Although really I just wish they would put them all in. Trap Assassin for the win.

  • mephistopheles9 posted Jul 2, 2008 11:38 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    mephistopheles9

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 11:38 am GMT (hide)

    THEY'RE WRONG! BE AFRAID OF COLOR!! This looks too much like WoW!

  • Jevulen

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 10:29 am GMT

    You killed Diablo in Diablo 1 and it didnt stop him from returning in Diablo 2 so dont see how they couldnt make Diablo 3..

  • rockutd posted Jul 2, 2008 9:44 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    rockutd

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 9:44 am GMT (hide)

    Wow.Just hope they can port the game over to the consoles.

  • naju890_963

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 3:11 am GMT

    dialbo 3 hit the spot

  • suntonyGameSpot staff member posted Jul 2, 2008 1:45 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    suntony GameSpot staff member

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 1:45 am GMT (hide)

    test the page

  • suntonyGameSpot staff member posted Jul 2, 2008 1:45 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    suntony GameSpot staff member

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 1:45 am GMT (hide)

    test the page

  • suntonyGameSpot staff member posted Jul 2, 2008 1:45 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    suntony GameSpot staff member

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 1:45 am GMT (hide)

    test the page

  • suntonyGameSpot staff member posted Jul 2, 2008 1:45 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    suntony GameSpot staff member

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 1:45 am GMT (hide)

    test the page

  • User- posted Jul 2, 2008 1:26 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    User-

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 1:26 am GMT (hide)

    were i can download demo

  • User- posted Jul 2, 2008 1:25 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    User-

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 1:25 am GMT (hide)

    this is game ?

  • BlackSaxLV

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 6:16 pm GMT

    I would like to build on what GreenNinjaN and others have pointed out. These are only the things I have noticed. Please feel free to add to the list, and to leave me feedback. Thank you much. -B.L.

    1) The "Lords of Hell", as described in the Diablo (original) Manual were the 3 "Prime Evils" (Diablo, Mephisto, Baal), and the 4 "Lesser Evils" (Andariel, Duriel, Belial, and Azmodon).

    2) If the Diablo novels are cannon (which, according to the cities on the Diablo III map, they are), the novel "The Dark Road" states that "A demon can only be truly destroyed within the Burning Hells. Defeating one of them here only sends it back to the Hells." Mephisto and Baal were NOT destroyed in Hell, they were defeated at the Zakarum Temple and Areat Summit respectively. Nor was Baal's soulstone destroyed, unlike Diablo and Mephisto's. Also, Andariel was defeated in the Monestary, and Duriel was defeated underneath Tal Rasha's Tomb, in Lut Golein. IF the novels are cannon, then Andariel, Duriel, Mephisto, and Baal were returned to Hell upon defeat, not truly destroyed. 3) IF the Diablo novels are being considered cannon, then the demon Kabraxis (Banisher of Light, Lord of Lies) may make an appearance. *SPOILER* In the novel, the main character is cursed by Kabraxis, and becomes his vessel, akin to the "Dark Wanderer" from Diablo II. This could be either a major "boss"/ plot character; or a simple "elite" enemy. 3) The novel "Kingdom of Shadow" is projected to occurred AFTER the events of Diablo II. *SPOILER* At the end of the novel, after the failed attempt to send the city to Hell, a vision of Diablo appears and roars at the main character. If Diablo were destroyed, this would not be possible.

    4) The Soulstones were designed to contain the essence of the prime evils, ideally forever. However, it is stated that a demon can only be truly destroyed in the Burning Hells. Since that knowledge would be available to Tyreal (the angel who created the soulstones); why would he/it have left them on the surface of Sanctuary, instead of going to the Burning Hells (as he/it does in ACT IV of Diablo II), releasing the trapped "essence of demon", and killing it/them for good?

  • GreenNinjaN

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 5:04 pm GMT

    There are Two more Evils left to fight. Belial and Azmodon. They were overthrown by the three Prime Evils (Diablo, Baal, and Mephisto) Now that the Prime evils are dead they can come back and take over. As for Diablo my guess is that the Two Brothers (Belial and Azmodon) will resurect Diablo to be their "Angel of Death" so-to-speak. As for Tyreal I think he destroyed the Worldstone because he thought he had to. In the end of Lord of Destruction he says that since the Worldstone is corrupted it would allow the denizens of hell to overtake our world. By destroying the Worldstone he belated their arrival. Now that the lasting prime evils have gathered enough power they can now break into our world that is no longer defended by the stone. I have a feeling that Tyreal is going to turn to evil like Izual did in the first Diablo. I don't know if he will be punished for breaking the stone of if he will be driven mad by guilt for destroying it, I don't know. There's not enough info right now to really tell.

  • santiagoboari

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 4:10 pm GMT

    Just quoting a little something I believe to be the only thing I can really say about Diablo 3 coming out: "Hell, It's about time!"
    The trailer (both cinematic and gameplay) really blew my head off...
    Can't wait!

  • Wouwie

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 3:56 pm GMT

    To the people complaining that they're just throwing in some new demon lords to continue the franchise: There have always been 7 Demon Lords, ever since Diablo I.

    Diablo
    Bhaal
    Mephisto
    Azmodan
    Belial
    Duriel
    Andariel

  • vedomedo

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 1:15 pm GMT

    @ Siorindel "7 lords of hell (diablo uni)
    1. diablo
    2. mephisto
    3. baal
    4. andariel
    5. duriel
    6.??
    7.??"

    dude... where did u get info on their names?? xD plz share with me (pm)

  • Jedi_Namor

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 12:28 pm GMT

    I know what you mean about WoW. When I first heard rumors about Diablo 3 and that it would be a World of Diablo I was bit put off. But, this looks awesome. Totally made my day yesterday when I logged on here. I want it now!!!!

  • hamnut

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 12:06 pm GMT

    Thank god it's not World Of Diablo. I hate WoW so much.

  • andru183

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 10:09 am GMT

    theyve realy gone all out for this one, i love it and the last 2 games and expansions have been great and if they keep along the lines of what they were at THIS WILL NOT FAIL

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