The forum thread where Blizzard's Jay Wilson announced his departure from the Diablo 3 team spawned a vitriolic discussion about the game and saw pointed attacks launched at Wilson himself. In response, Blizzard's Chief Creative Officer Rob Pardo stepped into the fray.

This thread saddens me greatly. I know that the Battle.net forums have earned a reputation for rough justice, but I do not believe justice is being served by how people are speaking about Jay’s departure from Diablo III.

I am very proud of the Diablo franchise and what the team was able to accomplish with Diablo III. As a gamer I have enjoyed the game and played for many, many nights with friends and family. I’m not, however, going to use that as an excuse. The Diablo community deserves an even better game from Blizzard and we are committed to improving it. We have a talented team in place and have no intention of stopping work on Diablo III until it is the best game in the franchise.

I’m the only person in this thread who has actually worked with Jay. I hired Jay to head up the Diablo project and had the pleasure of getting to work with him, both in building the team and designing the game. He has great design instincts and has added so much to the franchise with his feel for visceral combat, boss battles, and an unparalleled knack for making it fun to smash bad guys. I’ve worked with many, many designers at Blizzard and Jay is one of the best. He has a great career at Blizzard ahead of him and I guarantee that you will enjoy Jay’s game designs in future Blizzard games. 

If you love Diablo as much as we do, then please continue to let us know how you feel we can improve the game. If you still feel the need to dish out blame, then I would prefer you direct it at me. I was the executive producer on the project; I hired Jay and I gave him advice and direction throughout the development process. I was ultimately responsible for the game we released and take full responsibility for the quality of the result.

Check out the full thread on the Diablo 3 forums.

Diablo 1-2 was ahead of its time. Diablo 3 is so behind its time that it's not even funny.

Diablo 3 is nothing more than a cash-grab via Real Money Auction House.

I play the game to be competitive. Since PvP was said to be soon after launch, my goal was to obtain the best gear before such an addition and to be ready.

I spent hours and hours of grinding, trading, and obtaining gear. However, the economy had gotten so bad due to the constant botters that someone with basic pocket-change could just buy the equivolent of my hard-earned gear via RMAH.

It was a major turn-off.

Long time Diablo 1 & 2 player who was looking forward to this game.  Never have been so disappointed in a game before.  Worst itemization I have seen.  Drops were horrid, the only way to equip your character was off the auction house.  Sorry, rather find my equipment.  Hence I gave the game to my son, who soon ditched it too.

The pvp never materialized and the patches do little to fix the game.  Heck I would have accepted a graphically updated Diablo II over this any day in the week.

So yeah, Jay Wilson basically blew it.  Anyone attempting to say nice things about the job he did, did not play the game much.

For the longest time Blizzard said "It'll launch when it's ready."

Then with Diablo 3: "We've cut PVP to make our launch date."

There is another game with far more innovation, PVP that's interesting and exciting, and doesn't charge 60 dollars and attempt to make more with a ruined economy.  Path of Exile.

With Diablo 3 they took the fun end game of hunting items and removed it, putting their cash grab auctions in its place.  They thought opening ones wallet would be better than opening a chest in a dungeon.  Shameful, though I can't believe it'd be just one person who caused this massive departure from good design.  It was probably a group effort that caused the game to pale in comparison to not only the 10 year earlier Diablo 2, but also to fall short of today's less greedy offerings.

Originally posted by kadepsyson

For the longest time Blizzard said "It'll launch when it's ready."

Then with Diablo 3: "We've cut PVP to make our launch date."

 

There is another game with far more innovation, PVP that's interesting and exciting, and doesn't charge 60 dollars and attempt to make more with a ruined economy.  Path of Exile.

With Diablo 3 they took the fun end game of hunting items and removed it, putting their cash grab auctions in its place.  They thought opening ones wallet would be better than opening a chest in a dungeon.  Shameful, though I can't believe it'd be just one person who caused this massive departure from good design.  It was probably a group effort that caused the game to pale in comparison to not only the 10 year earlier Diablo 2, but also to fall short of today's less greedy offerings.

Path of Exile completely surprised me. The depth and complexity of that game is superb. There are literally countless character builds, optional full-loot PvP, and a more "adult" style graphical theme.

The game launches this Wed. Check it out! I'm playing it now via beta.

If anyone is interested in playing the game via voice, hop on our Path of Exile Mumble Server.

fish.mumbleboxes.com

port: 36101

Originally posted by Psychow
Diablo 3 is...oh screw it. Enjoy your hatred forum people. It's what you enjoy most isn't it?

Pretty much this.

Originally posted by Ozmodan

Long time Diablo 1 & 2 player who was looking forward to this game.  Never have been so disappointed in a game before.  Worst itemization I have seen.  Drops were horrid, the only way to equip your character was off the auction house.  Sorry, rather find my equipment.  Hence I gave the game to my son, who soon ditched it too.

The pvp never materialized and the patches do little to fix the game.  Heck I would have accepted a graphically updated Diablo II over this any day in the week.

So yeah, Jay Wilson basically blew it.  Anyone attempting to say nice things about the job he did, did not play the game much.

You do realise the items on the AH were found by REAL players, make up your mind - you say the only good items are on the AH (all of which are found in game) yet you prefer to find the items yourself, then play the damn game and find the items, put the time and effort in.  Talk about a Contradiction.

I think it too took guts for blizzard to do what they did with the PvP, they were not happy to release something they thought was subpar, yes blizzard has dragged their feet but what you you prefer?

Originally posted by kadepsyson

For the longest time Blizzard said "It'll launch when it's ready."

Then with Diablo 3: "We've cut PVP to make our launch date."

 

There is another game with far more innovation, PVP that's interesting and exciting, and doesn't charge 60 dollars and attempt to make more with a ruined economy.  Path of Exile.

With Diablo 3 they took the fun end game of hunting items and removed it, putting their cash grab auctions in its place.  They thought opening ones wallet would be better than opening a chest in a dungeon.  Shameful, though I can't believe it'd be just one person who caused this massive departure from good design.  It was probably a group effort that caused the game to pale in comparison to not only the 10 year earlier Diablo 2, but also to fall short of today's less greedy offerings.

You dont need to use the RMHA if you dont want to, all items on the RMAH are items found by players playing the game - you can ignore the RMAH and play the game and hunt the items till the cows come home.  I say again RMAH is OPTIONAL, all items on RMAH are found by players and posted by players, nothing on the RMAH cannot be found in game by playing the game. OPTIONAL! NOT MADATORY, NOT P2P!1!1!! hate the game for it gameplay or story or cus they used colours other brown, but hating the game for the RMAH is laughable and just goes to show most don't even understand what it is. Shameful to be part of this gaming generation sometimes, take me back to the 8bit days any time.

Originally posted by Myria

Originally posted by Psychow
Diablo 3 is...oh screw it. Enjoy your hatred forum people. It's what you enjoy most isn't it?

Pretty much this.

Know what, I agree. I could spend hours of my life and pages of text pointing out the misconceptions, double standards, and outright lies the hate train spouts about D3, but I'm done.

What's important is that many people still enjoy the game, love where it's going, and will continue to play for a long time. Others have their little niche game (which isn't bad BTW) and I have mine.

Originally posted by expresso

Originally posted by kadepsyson

For the longest time Blizzard said "It'll launch when it's ready."

Then with Diablo 3: "We've cut PVP to make our launch date."

 

There is another game with far more innovation, PVP that's interesting and exciting, and doesn't charge 60 dollars and attempt to make more with a ruined economy.  Path of Exile.

With Diablo 3 they took the fun end game of hunting items and removed it, putting their cash grab auctions in its place.  They thought opening ones wallet would be better than opening a chest in a dungeon.  Shameful, though I can't believe it'd be just one person who caused this massive departure from good design.  It was probably a group effort that caused the game to pale in comparison to not only the 10 year earlier Diablo 2, but also to fall short of today's less greedy offerings.

You dont need to use the RMHA if you dont want to, all items on the RMAH are items found by players playing the game - you can ignore the RMAH and play the game and hunt the items till the cows come home.  I say again RMAH is OPTIONAL, all items on RMAH are found by players and posted by players, nothing on the RMAH cannot be found in game by playing the game. OPTIONAL! NOT MADATORY, NOT P2P!1!1!! hate the game for it gameplay or story or cus they used colours other brown, but hating the game for the RMAH is laughable and just goes to show most don't even understand what it is. Shameful to be part of this gaming generation sometimes, take me back to the 8bit days any time.

I disagree

The RMAH definatley played into the design of the game, loot tables etc. etc. IMHO any game beside's gambling will be much richer when you leave real money out of it.

I would also bet that one of the biggest reason's why the PVP  has not been implemented yet, is because of the RMAH and all the dirty laundry that goes along with it like P2W.

Originally posted by expresso

Originally posted by kadepsyson

For the longest time Blizzard said "It'll launch when it's ready."

Then with Diablo 3: "We've cut PVP to make our launch date."

 

There is another game with far more innovation, PVP that's interesting and exciting, and doesn't charge 60 dollars and attempt to make more with a ruined economy.  Path of Exile.

With Diablo 3 they took the fun end game of hunting items and removed it, putting their cash grab auctions in its place.  They thought opening ones wallet would be better than opening a chest in a dungeon.  Shameful, though I can't believe it'd be just one person who caused this massive departure from good design.  It was probably a group effort that caused the game to pale in comparison to not only the 10 year earlier Diablo 2, but also to fall short of today's less greedy offerings.

You dont need to use the RMHA if you dont want to, all items on the RMAH are items found by players playing the game - you can ignore the RMAH and play the game and hunt the items till the cows come home.  I say again RMAH is OPTIONAL, all items on RMAH are found by players and posted by players, nothing on the RMAH cannot be found in game by playing the game. OPTIONAL! NOT MADATORY, NOT P2P!1!1!! hate the game for it gameplay or story or cus they used colours other brown, but hating the game for the RMAH is laughable and just goes to show most don't even understand what it is. Shameful to be part of this gaming generation sometimes, take me back to the 8bit days any time.

Completely DISAGREE.

Items on the RMAH are found by players. Yes. But when you have countless people running 24-7 bots, the RMAH becomes completely packed. The prices drive down to nothing.

So let's take Player A who spends 700 hours earning the best gear. He enters into the PvP Arena and get's 1-shot by 30 hour Player B (who got a $50 bnet gift card for Christmas).

RMAH isn't needed for some story fanboy. But most players who play play to be competitive. RMAH doesn't belong in a competitive game.

Diablo 3 is simply bad and the publicity is proof.

Originally posted by mmoDAD

Originally posted by expresso

Originally posted by kadepsyson

For the longest time Blizzard said "It'll launch when it's ready."

Then with Diablo 3: "We've cut PVP to make our launch date."

 

There is another game with far more innovation, PVP that's interesting and exciting, and doesn't charge 60 dollars and attempt to make more with a ruined economy.  Path of Exile.

With Diablo 3 they took the fun end game of hunting items and removed it, putting their cash grab auctions in its place.  They thought opening ones wallet would be better than opening a chest in a dungeon.  Shameful, though I can't believe it'd be just one person who caused this massive departure from good design.  It was probably a group effort that caused the game to pale in comparison to not only the 10 year earlier Diablo 2, but also to fall short of today's less greedy offerings.

You dont need to use the RMHA if you dont want to, all items on the RMAH are items found by players playing the game - you can ignore the RMAH and play the game and hunt the items till the cows come home.  I say again RMAH is OPTIONAL, all items on RMAH are found by players and posted by players, nothing on the RMAH cannot be found in game by playing the game. OPTIONAL! NOT MADATORY, NOT P2P!1!1!! hate the game for it gameplay or story or cus they used colours other brown, but hating the game for the RMAH is laughable and just goes to show most don't even understand what it is. Shameful to be part of this gaming generation sometimes, take me back to the 8bit days any time.

Completely DISAGREE.

Items on the RMAH are found by players. Yes. But when you have countless people running 24-7 bots, the RMAH becomes completely packed. The prices drive down to nothing.

So let's take Player A who spends 700 hours earning the best gear. He enters into the PvP Arena and get's 1-shot by 30 hour Player B (who got a $50 bnet gift card for Christmas).

 

RMAH isn't needed for some story fanboy. But most players who play play to be competitive. RMAH doesn't belong in a competitive game.

 

Diablo 3 is simply bad and the publicity is proof.

Matching making & RMAH is not a cash shop with an endless supply for uber armour.

Originally posted by Psychow
I never had any intention of PvPing on D3. I guess I'm a story fanboy and thus D3 is an amazingly good game...to me.

Exactly how I feel. Thanks for stating it so succinctly. :)

lol @ Titan(ic)

My name is BizkitNL and I play Diablo 3.

*Room applauds*

Originally posted by jimdandy26
RMAH existed for D2. It existed for Uo, and Eq, and Daoc. It even existed in one form or another for Wow and virtually every other game that has had something that someone else wants. Blizzard did a smart thing and not only monetized it for themselves, but actually took it into account. Of all the bad things that D3 did, the RMAH is not one of them.

Yeah.  Great.

They decided to cash in on real money trading instead of banning people for doing it.

There still are people who use third party sites for RMT in Diablo 3.  Still bots that advertise it.

All Blizzard did was cash in on RMT.