Diablo 3 will require a persistent Internet connection to play/has always online DRM

[caliblue15]

Remember when you first heard stuff like how either Steam or StarCraft 2 require you to be online for authentication purposes? That the process to play or utilize either service offline can be a bit circuitous, but at least it's still possible to be offline. But, Diablo 3 differs in that you must be online to play at all -- not just for authentication.

Executive vice president of game design Rob Pardo notes that the wealth of improvements and features Diablo 3 brings to Battle.net necessitate the always-online requirement. Specific additions that he refers to include:

A persistent friends list.
Cross-game chat via the RealID system.
Persistent characters that are stored server-side (no more having to play online once every 90 days, nor item duplication cheats).
Persistent party system.
Player-versus-player and public game matchmaking.
Dynamic drop-in/out for co-op
Larger item stash that gets shared among all of your characters (at the moment, up to 10)
The auction house, outlined here.
The Achievement system and detailed stat-tracking, both of which feed into the final point:
The Banner system, a visual way to display your prowess in the game. Banners start out like emblems, where you can choose from an array of symbols, patterns, and overall shape/design. Then, you can tweak its appearance through Achievements and other accomplishments. Examples Pardo cites include whether the character is in Hardcore mode, how many Achievements have been earned, how many PVP victories, and so forth. Additionally, the Banners also have gameplay features; in-game, rather than use Town Portal, you can click on a player's Banner to instantly teleport over to said player.
While Pardo recognizes that people sometimes want or need to play offline (such as internet outages, or playing on a laptop during an airplane flight), he notes that the increased security, plus benefits like the above, outweigh those other concerns. "I want to play Diablo 3 on my laptop in a plane, but, well, there are other games to play for times like that."

Interestingly, before our own play session for preview purposes, we saw what happens when you try to play offline (or get knocked offline): you get stuck at the login screen (a la World of Warcraft). The reason? The beta server wasn't online. How do you feel about this? Are you already online all the time anyways (for Steam or WOW)? Or is this a significant issue? Let us know in the comments below.

Also, if you're curious about some of the new Battle.net features, click on through for some screens (fullsize images also available by clicking on the screen itself) below.

http://www.1up.com/news/diablo-3-req...e-when-playing

[Drew664]

Ha, first I've heard of this.

The auction house for real money is pretty crazy.

I sure hope D3 doesn't suck, lol.

[Taipan]

I don't plan on playing this through battle.net anyway. I played th first two in single player mode, so I'll play this one in spm as well.

[caliblue15]

Originally Posted by Taipan

I don't plan on playing this through battle.net anyway. I played th first two in single player mode, so I'll play this one in spm as well.

except you can't play offline without an online connection.

[Drew664]

So is there a precedent for this type of DRM structure?

Online connection only - no exceptions.

[Elandyll]

Originally Posted by Drew664

So is there a precedent for this type of DRM structure?

Online connection only - no exceptions.

MMOs.

I find this "have to be online to play" kinda hard to swallow, but wife and I are already sold on D3 anyway, so I guess it's a moot point.
Loads of people are probably going to get pissed though.

[Taipan]

Originally Posted by caliblue15

except you can't play offline without an online connection.

Really? Hmmm mm.....

I guess I'll have to think about it....

[jstutman]

i will probably buy a legit copy and wait for the pirates to do there thing so i wont have to be online

[Offender_Mullet]

lol. Lengthy list. That's the best way of masking the "we want people to buy and not pirate it" I've ever seen.

[Darkhawk9587]

I'm not liking much of what I'm reading/seeing about Diablo III. Obviously I'll be in the minority here, but I don't like how it looks and the fact they took out most of the RPG elements (i.e. choosing what attributes to raise). Blizzard will have to work hard to sell this game to me. For now, I'll continue to enjoy my Diablo Chest Set.

[boxterduke]

Originally Posted by Drew664

So is there a precedent for this type of DRM structure?
Online connection only - no exceptions.

I think StarCraft II is the same as well.

[jkwest]

World of Diablo-craft

[glenn-bob]

been waiting a L O N G ass time for this game.

[Drew664]

Originally Posted by boxterduke

I think StarCraft II is the same as well.

It kind of is, but you can play it offline. D3 as of now, you can't.

LOL at World of Diablo.....So true.

I still think the game is going to be great, but it probably won't have the legs D2 has had. They are going too casual, imo with stricter DRM.

[jkwest]

I think it will kick ass..

I've been waiting a long time for this game...

Blizzard has never ever let me down.

[Trogdor2010]

Diablo 3 will not have multimonitor support.

http://widescreengamingforum.com/for...ort-3-monitors

Meaning anyone that is going beyond the 16:9 screens (Doubtful of custom resolution support) is out of luck.

This sucks

[Drew664]

Ha!

A buddy of mine is planning on using 4 monitors, although he just wanted to dedicate 1 to D3.

That news doesn't bother me much, and I'm guessing it won't bother a majority of it's intended fan base. Small things add up though. Change is always the hardest thing to take.

Just think of how the Fallout series changed when Fallout 3 hit. That was a crap storm of angry people used to how the game used to be. The changes we are hearing about now aren't so drastic, but they are there. I'm glad they are being progressive, but some of there changes are a little .

[caliblue15]

Originally Posted by Trogdor2010

Diablo 3 will not have multimonitor support.

http://widescreengamingforum.com/for...ort-3-monitors

Meaning anyone that is going beyond the 16:9 screens (Doubtful of custom resolution support) is out of luck.

This sucks

You can work around this by putting it into a window and then locking that window to a monitor.

[Wraithform]

I recently tried playing D2 again. I had forgotten how much of a toll it takes on your mouse- hand wrist. After about 20 minutes of playing, my wrist was shot.

I am a professional computer geek, so I mouse around all day . . . D2 just killed me. I hope the interface changes or I will have to stick with Starcraft II for now.

Peace

[travelbug]

As great a game as Diablo 3 will be, I'm not buying a game that has ubisofts draconian type drm- ever

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