"Darker" Diablo fan petition rejected

By Oli Welsh Published 1 August, 2008

The colours stay, says Blizzard.

Blizzard has stamped on the hopes of the 52,744 Diablo fans who have signed a petition asking it to change the art style of Diablo III.

Lead designer Jay Wilson unequivocally vetoed a change of course. "There's no going back now," he told MTV. "We're very happy with how the art style is.

"The art team's happy. The company's happy. We really like this art style, and we're not changing it."

No room for misinterpretation there. Blizzard unveiled Diablo III's colourful, hand-painted, stylised look at its Worldwide Invitational back in late June: check it, and our preview, out on the game page.

It is some way removed from the "macabre, dark and realistic style" the petitioners expected and wanted from this sequel. We think it's stunning, personally, but each to their own.

Wilson did conceded that it wasn't an easy decision. The game went through two versions with a darker, grittier look before Blizzard decided it just didn't work with the gameplay.

"It's actually the thing we struggled with the most," Wilson said. "When you have 30 creatures on screen - and four or five different types - target prioritization is a factor.

"You need to be able to tell those things apart fast, and you can't do that when your world is grey and your creatures are grey."

Plenty more interesting comments from Wilson on the reasoning behind the decision in the MTV interview, so be sure to read it.

Picture of Oli.

About Oli Welsh

Oli is Eurogamer's acting deputy editor and reviews editor and likes to take things one word at a time. He is among the best dressed people in South London.

Read more articles from Oli by visiting the Oli Welsh archive page.

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Comments (65) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • locus2k1 #1 4 years ago

    I personally like the new look, and cannot wait for when its out :D

    going to be a looonnnnnggg wait though :(
    Edited by 1 at 01/08/08 @ 14:58

  • the_dudefather #2 4 years ago

    just adjust your monitor settings

  • Turambar #3 4 years ago

    Wait... What?

    People campaigning FOR grey and brown?

  • craziii #4 4 years ago

    victory for the sound minded? yay!

  • FunkyRenegade #5 4 years ago

    I understand why people will have done that, the dark, gritty style of Diablo and Diablo II were amazingly atmospheric, and still are, despite the dated graphics. But all things have to progress, and I personally really like the change in the art style. Roll on Diablo III LAN parties :)

  • DFawkes #6 4 years ago

    I'm glad they're actually sticking to their guns. Unlike some, Nintendo.

  • Destrin #7 4 years ago

    Post deleted at 12:47:09 13-12-2011

  • paulf #8 4 years ago

    with other gaming companies maybe tell them how to make their games, but with blizz just leave em be and let em do their stuff

  • Azazel #9 4 years ago

    Basing all your decisions on what hardcore fans want is a good way of ensuring that nothing ever substantually changes ever.

  • kangarootoo #10 4 years ago

    Pah, a bloody good thing too. Some people just fear change. Petition indeed.

  • pbz #11 4 years ago

    ...If i remember - diablo II wasnt really that dark apart from the caves and dungeons, and its not like blizzard are going to do what someone else wants them to do!

    ...must admit though if it went all "WOWish" like a disney cartoon i would have to bone spear a few Blizz employees!

  • paketep #12 4 years ago

    Well done, Blizzard.

    Whoever wants a darker Diablo 3 can go and turn down the screen brightness.

  • booner #13 4 years ago

    I like the way they say the art work team is happy.... I wouldn't be if 50,000+ fans said my art style sucked... I mean that is a large sample!

  • kangarootoo #14 4 years ago

    How many people signed the petition? And how many copies do they expect to sell? And most importantly of all, how many of those that signed will buy the game anyway and enjoy it despite their initial winging?

  • AhSoul #15 4 years ago

    Darker? Already looks pretty dark in places to me! I love the style they've chosen....

  • marilena #16 4 years ago

    Pffffft. Diablo 2 was in no way dark and gritty. It had some of the most ridiculous monster designs I've ever seen, many of them colorful and way too funny for the situation and the setting. Diablo 3 looks much, much more coherent with itself.

  • Ged42 #17 4 years ago

    Good, I'm fed up with grey and brown 'gritty' games.

  • penhalion #18 4 years ago

    I like the new look but, let's face it, if there are still years of development left for Diablo 3 (this is Blizzard after all) then why is it too late to change anything?

  • L42yB #19 4 years ago

    Looks good as it is. Well done for sticking to your guns.

  • Freek #20 4 years ago

    "Darker? Already looks pretty dark in places to me! I love the style they've chosen...."


    Yup, and that's the point. They wanted that contrast of a colorfull over world with the dark dungeons.
    If you just make everything dark and gritty, the effect is lost.

  • scarabium #21 4 years ago

    I know of 52,744 people who need to get out more.

  • sneetch #22 4 years ago

    @booner
    "I like the way they say the art work team is happy.... I wouldn't be if 50,000+ fans said my art style sucked... I mean that is a large sample! "

    Yep it's a large number but when you consider that millions of people have seen D3 and didn't complain then it becomes only 50,000 or so people.

    Also as it was shown at the WWI to flesh and blood fans (rather than disembodied internet fans) they probably would have had a better idea of the percentage of people who like/dislike the new look. I personally love the way it looks.

  • scarabium #23 4 years ago

    "I wanna brown Diablo, Wayne, just like all the other mums on the council estate."

  • Der_tolle_Emil #24 4 years ago

    Uhm, what? This looks nothing like a comic approach or anything like that. Yes, I have seen a bit of blue and dark orange in the screenshots and actually some slightly green trees as well. Is this already too much color to justify petitions to make it look darker? I think it looks fantastic, I can't even picture Diablo looking more like, I don't know, Gears of War or whatever those petitioners were expecting.

  • DFawkes #25 4 years ago

    Why is no-one admitting to being one of those 52,744? Somebody here has to be. I didn't, at the time we found out it'd be a bit colourful I didn't have a gaming PC, and I didn't like Diablo 2 (loved Diablo 1).

  • Rubakai #26 4 years ago

    im not really sure how i feel. To be honest i was dissapointed with how bright and colourful it was. I dont know why everyone deals in extremes. Making it a bit more dark and gritty does not necessarily mean its going to be "dark and grey". There is no getting away from the real reason they have chosen this colour palette (we all know). The real thing that pissed me off was the health system, like from god of war. Diablo 1 and 2 were fine with the pots i dont know why everyone complained that they had to fill up all the time, its called preperation and a good social part of the game. Everything else looks good such as the destructible environment and classes and i will definitely be playing it. They have definitely made it more user frienndly and I hope they will not have lost the ambience and atmosphere that the last games had in bounds!!!

  • hiddenranbir #27 4 years ago

    Just play the game wearing sunglasses.

  • fightman7 #28 4 years ago

    better than that fucking molyneux twat anyway. hate the cunt.

  • TriggerHippie #29 4 years ago

    And the non sequitur of the day award goes to...

  • Mudo #30 4 years ago

    Wait... What?

    People campaigning FOR grey and brown?

  • Stoatboy #31 4 years ago

    http://ww w.somethingawful.com/d/news/dia...

  • tobsen #32 4 years ago

    Sorry guys, but to me the colors in Diablo 3 look far from flashy. I actually think it looks just right!

  • berelain #33 4 years ago

    well, *I* was one of those who signed the petition. Mainly because there are plenty of colourful, chirpy action RPGS out there that have carried the torch while we waited for Diablo 3. Silverfall, Titan Quest, Dungeon Runners... they're all bright. Diablo and Diablo 2 were so unique for their dark fantasy style, the grainy-looking, semi gothic-inspired visuals were a breath of fresh air, and had such character. But it was still fairly colourful, and some of the more comic critters - like the imps - gave a nice edge to the darkness.

    I'll still buy Diablo 3. I'm sure it'll be great. But I will sorely miss the old art style, which I felt really embodied the Diablo world. These new stuff looks nice and hand-painted (rather like the new Prince of Persia, to an extent) but it doesn't feel like Diablo to me.

    So, there.

  • jamespo #34 4 years ago

    emo twats

  • Baronen #35 4 years ago

    Change is good by all means, but the photoshop examples thrown up on the petition site of what the game could possibly look like were actually bloody lovely, and not at all just brown and grey. But yeah, let Blizzard do their thing, I'm sure it'll be good either way.

  • smelly #36 4 years ago

    >I'm glad they're actually sticking to their guns. Unlike some, Nintendo.

    Since when did nintendo announce a grey and brown dark mario fps game?

    (did i miss that announcement?)

  • makeamazing #37 4 years ago

    Ive actually been playing D1 and 2 recently (last week), and I also would like to know where these 50k of people have come from... what is wrong with people, complaining about the fantastic looking D3. I mean D1 and 2 have awful colours.. mostly to do with how old the games are... but its not really something someone can compare and complain about. I would ignore their complaints as well, its llike complaining that your not happy with the 3D graphics when compared to the spectrum version... Muppets ;)

    These people (or was it the person who created the petition who voted 50 thousand times himself) are very sad indeed.

  • berelain #38 4 years ago

    Why is someone 'sad' for expressing an opinion?

    It saddens me more that the developers aren't even willing to entertain the idea...

  • Wyrm #39 4 years ago

    The dungeon sections looked dark and dusty enough to me.

  • Stoatboy #40 4 years ago

    You don't get to say how films or TV shows look, what your favourite band's next album should sound like, or what the ending of your favourite authors book should be.

    So why the fuck should game developers let you decide how to make their game? You get what you're given - take it or leave it.

    If you want to decide how a game looks then make it yourself.
    Edited by 1 at 01/08/08 @ 20:22

  • TriggerHippie #41 4 years ago

    Unbelievable. Blizzard have perhaps the most consistently excellent art departments in the business. Personally I think they know what they're doing. You'd think they'd have earned the benefit of the doubt by now. Whats next? Petitioning a maximum resolution of 800x600?

  • dryden555 #42 4 years ago


    Nope -- Looking at the screen pics again, those outdoor shots are way too soft and glowey and Warner Bros cartoony orange. There had better be blood and gore in the final game that's all I have to say...
    Edited by 1 at 01/08/08 @ 21:30

  • Buran #43 4 years ago

    I don't like a lot the actual art: seems a WoW meets Paper Mario meets Yoshi's Island.

    And the Doc Soc isn't a Diablo character: is a WoW/Warcraft III horde character. I don't known what Blizz is thinkinsg, but old Necro fits x1000 better in Diablo than the grotesque new adition.

    I think that Blizzard fears to render scenes like the torture chambers and jails in Andariel's acts in truly gore 3D, because maybe they expect to sell alot this game to children and ancients, like Nintendo with his products.

    For sure, I will bought this game the day one as long as Paladins exists, but taking in consiferation how actual rt's from Relics crushes his old Starcraft in terms of innovations and gameplay, if I were Blizzard I would make some changes in the art department... fast.

  • the_mtfr #44 4 years ago

    @ Buran

    Took the words from my mouth. I was just gonna write something about how creepy the old Necromancer was, and how the new medicine man looks like.

    It's like Blizzard hired the fuckin' McDonalds clown.

  • wired009 #45 4 years ago

    I was hoping for more from the D3 preview. The dungeon atmosphere seems to be there, but the enemies don't seem very interesting and main characters look goofy. I'll have a serving of Starcraft II and WotLK before I dip into D3.

  • berelain #46 4 years ago

    @ Stoatboy- "You don't get to say how films or TV shows look, what your favourite band's next album should sound like, or what the ending of your favourite authors book should be.

    So why the fuck should game developers let you decide how to make their game? You get what you're given - take it or leave it.

    If you want to decide how a game looks then make it yourself. "

    In a way, you do, actually. Film companies, TV companies, musicians and authors always have to be aware of their core fans likes and dislikes, or they risk alienating consumers and of course losing sales. That might not matter so much for a small show that doesnt cost much to make, or a band that doesnt expect to reap a lot of profit from its record sales, but for the big players, these projects cost money, and you damn well better be aware of what your audience wants before you plough cash and time into making something.

    And the whole "if you want to decide how a game looks then make it yourself" line is old and lame. Just because I don't make my own videogames doesn't mean I don't deserve an opinion on them. Thats the same as idiots who say 'I bet you couldn't do any better'. Chances are I probably couldn't, since I lack any technical programming knowledge. But I do know my art and art styles, and right now Diablo 3 looks, to me, to have about as much character as the overwhelming generic Stronghold Crusader Extreme character graphics currently adorning this site. Not as bad, perhaps, but about as interesting and imaginative.

  • VMerken #47 4 years ago

    Don't worry, leave it to the focus groups.

    With that being said, the indoor environments look pretty gloomy to me, although the light sources have a somewhat larger radius than in the predecessors. I'm sure a mod or two can take care of these light radii if needed. Also, there should be a brightness setting on your monitor, I'm sure. The outdoors looks rather bright and sunny during daylight (possibly due to sunlight) - maybe this will contrast nicely with nighttime scenes?

    I've played a lot of Diablo, yet I don't see the dramatic changes the petitioners complain about. Little things, yes, but not something I'd get internet raged about. Sorry.
    Edited by 1 at 01/08/08 @ 23:06

  • Stoatboy #48 4 years ago

    @berelain: I never said you're not entitled to an opinion. You clearly have one. You've expressed it. Blizzard have wisely exercised their right to ignore it, in exactly the same way I hope they would ignore mine if I suggested it needed more happy pink unicorns in it. There's a difference in having an opinion on how you think a game should look, and having a say in how it WILL look. You're entitled to one and not the other, unless you're working on the game in question.

    This entire story could be better summed up with the phrase "Extraordinarily successful gaming company decides not to trust the future of a multi-million pound project to the whims of 50 000 internet-empowered strangers with their own agendas."

    Never going to happen.



    Edited by 2 at 01/08/08 @ 23:14

  • berelain #49 4 years ago

    @Stoatboy - fair point.

    I think what I'm trying to get at, though, is this: games, unlike most other mediums, are the products of their fans. At least, to the extent that if an original game isn't popular or liked, it won't get a sequel. A company like Blizzard grew huge from the success of people who played the original Diablo and Warcraft games, and whilst they've quite wisely stuck to the same style and setting for Warcraft and Starcraft spinoffs and sequels, they don't appear to be showing the same kind of respect to their second-oldest franchise by changing its style. And the worst part is, everyone -myself included- will buy it, and they'll think its ok to do it, and next thing you know Starcraft will be invaded by those fluffy pink unicorns you mention.

    Ok, so that's never going to happen. But I think you see what I mean. Don;t get me wrong, I'm not too bothered about it, I do actually quite like the new art style in its own way - relative lack of character aside- but it just feels different to me, and I can't help but feel saddened by that just a little. And its not the colour, and not the lighting. Its just... something.

    Meh. words not working. Brain entering involuntary sleep mode. zzzzz.

  • Nikalai88 #50 4 years ago

    I am not sure what people are complaining about, the art in the other two Diablo games is a bit bland and they relied on sound and light radious to maintain atmosphere. From a puirely asthetic standpoint such as the amount of detail the art in D3 looks much much better. It also has more 'atmosphere' than the D2. In particular it reminds me of the barrow downs and I have not played many games or read literature that can capture the feel of Tolkein's world. So grats to Blizzard for succeeding in creating a great looking colorful world but at the same time seems to capture more of the horror atmosphere of the original.

  • Markusdragon #51 4 years ago

    Diablo 3 isn't dark and gritty enough to have a secret cow level.

  • trixter©ú #52 4 years ago

    The original Diablo and Diablo II wasn't everyone's 'cuppa tea' as you brits like to say...you didn't have people that enjoyed it but rather people that absolutely loved it - well that's how it was for me anyway.

    I've seen the gameplay clips, looked at quite a few screenshots and to be honest I'd have to say that I like this bits that I've seen. Also remember that we haven't seen very much of the game yet and that there's likely to be changes in environment as you progress through the game - I'm quite excited that it won't all be dark and gloomy this time!

  • Frosty840 #53 4 years ago

    Plenty of the palette swaps on the D2 sprites were for scarily bright primary/fluorescent colours. Anyone who's complaining otherwise hasn't played a Diablo recently. Simple as that.

  • UncleLou #54 4 years ago

    Let's ask Rembrandt.

  • Capn #55 4 years ago

    I like it @__@
    I'm glad they rejected it =3

    Bring on 2010 for release T__T

  • sirtacos #56 4 years ago

    Sounds like a stupid petition. 'Realism' and 'grittiness' in graphics is a dead end bereft of creativity or vision - so much so that I have come to loathe the two words when used to describe any game... Especially fucking Diablo, which is the furthest thing from realistic and gritty in the first place.

  • Rubakai #57 4 years ago

    I repeat... making a game dark and atmospheric does not mean "grey", please get an imagination. The game is starting to look like all the others

  • TitusCrow #58 4 years ago

    thats right blizz - dont take no shit from nobody! game looks great as it is, get used to it or dont play it.. i wonder what most hardcore diablo players will do "strokes chin" yep thought so.. you will crack like eggs! cave in like a rotten roof under the 1st winter snow fall.. buckle like a dodgy leg!

  • SuperBas #59 4 years ago

    Meh, people will mod it and place a filter in front of the action.

  • thefinn #60 4 years ago

    a) As has been pointed out, Diablo has always been quite colourful, especially some of the palette swaps.

    b) It seems to me that noone noticed that Blizzard already tried a darker, grittier look (pre-announcement, presumably), and decided it didn't work - not aesthetically, but in terms of gameplay. This is the kind of thing that's the reason Blizzard is where it is today: they don't make compromises with the gameplay.

  • HyperShadow #61 4 years ago

    I don't see what the problem is. The game looks awesome as it is, everything is clearly defined and still has the gothic look that Diablo desires.

    Being on the PC, the home of mods, I can't see why some bright spark can't come up with a filter mod to set it to black/brown and white. STALKER had something like that with the Nuclear Winter mod.

    ...besides, I doubt the moaners will not purchase the game anyway.

  • Melan #62 4 years ago

    I like the look.
    Dont we have enough "DARK AND GRITTY" games already. We dont need another one.

  • Xypher #63 4 years ago

    This is the reason why I have started to become a real Fan of Blizz's games....

    Sticking to their decisions and making the game the way they want, when they want. Roll on DIII!

  • 7creature #64 4 years ago

    Truth is 3D is different than 2D and requires different methods to achieve its goals and peple can sometimes forget about it. Monster color variation is quite important in D2.

  • scarabium #65 4 years ago

    Listening to what fans want ends up with products like "Snakes on a Plane"