Diablo III Gameplay Trailer... Gloomified

[GameBanshee News]

Diablo III fansite Diii.net is hosting a fan-edited version of the Worldwide Invitational gameplay trailer that's much darker and gloomier than the original, more colorful version. Basically, this edited version is designed to demonstrate what the game might look like if Blizzard went with an art design similar to the first Diablo.

What do you think? Do you prefer the darker version over the original?

[CFM]

Heh. The official version seems too light, and the darker version seems too dark.

I think the official version allows you to see more of the enviornment. The depths of the dungeon, off the sides of the ledges, really adds a visual dimension to the on-screen area.

I think the darker version is more moody. The edges of the on-screen area are hard to make out, adding to the tension: is that water, or harmless insects, or dangerous creeping monsters scurrying in the darkness? But, you lose the depths of the dungeon to gawk at.

Tough call. I'd probably opt for something somewhere inbetween, or better yet, some of both contrasts, as you move from one part of an area to another.

I'm not going to bitch about anything Blizzard does, but at the very least, I will say that the dude who did the dark version has an interesting take on the issue.

[drazac]

Blizzard said, Diablo 2 was actually bright too... creatures like that wrath for example, that burns mana, was bright and gloomy...
Now they're saying, in darker style, its hard to recognize and prioritize creatures cause they are all camouflaged with the environment ... i don't get it, is it hard to make the creatures look brighter while maintaining dark environment...

However i trust Blizzard, if they say they tried several styles and this one is the best, I believe them! Although i do fear how cartoony style will affect the overall atmosphere

[Brother None]

Why would they think this would end the argument? This is the internet, people, arguments never end.

That said, this video sure makes a strong case for Blizzard's side of the story. I can't for the life of me see what's going on in that darker version.

[GawainBS]

Indeed, this version is way to drab. I'm still playing DII, and it's in fact quite a bright game. I don't get the whole issue they're making of it.
I know this is an argument out of authority and doesn't really count, but like mentioned above: it's Blizzard. They know what they're doing.

[drazac]

Custom version looks quite good.. and don't forget that this guy didn't have diablo 3 game rendering engine at his disposal... so his version looks decent enough for gamma and brightness manipulation he did

If a creature looks too dark.. then they can bright it while leaving everything dark... problems solved with creature prioritizing.

Diablo 2 had fog of war... in Blizz version, there is none... you can even see whats on the other side of the wall (on the next room) and there is no object (like opened door or windows or some kind of a space) that will allow you to c whats in the next room... i remember in Diablo 2, when you were opening a door or entering another room, you had to have finger on keyboard to quickly heal yourself in cause you encounter something unexpected, cause you never know whats behind those doors.. there were tons of situations like that, especially in the dungeons, i saw none of these in D3 Blizz version

Custom version, has fog of war... creatures that are positioned at the edge of the screen (which is very black) are hardly visible.. as it should be... if you wanna identify those creatures, then move towards them...

[GawainBS]

Most of the backgroundart seems to get lost, though.

[drazac]

Personally i don't really care about background art... i ain't gonna watch sculptures or fireplaces or spiderwebs... i'll be concentrated on massacring my enemies... but thats just me

However, background art can make an impact on the overall atmosphere (Bioshock anyone )... its just too soon to judge how the game will feel.