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Diablo 2.5 was an internal name made up by Blizzard North to describe their version of Diablo III late in the project's life cycle.
Plot[]
An outline for Diablo III existed as early as 2000.[1] At this point in time, the Diablo Writer's Bible (a guide for authors who worked on tie-in novels) held a two paragraph section titled "The Future," which gave a brief plot summary on "what appeared to be Diablo III" (in the words of Robert B. Marks). It stated that this material should not appear in any novel bar through means of vision or prophecy. The paragraphs outlined the Second Great Conflict between order and chaos, mentioning that powerful heroes would emerge, but not specifying who would win.[2]
According to Chris Hartgraves (a former Blizzard North employee), the game was to take place primarily in Heaven.[3] Comments from an art director on the project corraberate this statement. Hartgraves further claimed that the storyline/gameplay would involve Hell trying to take over Heaven.[4]
Gameplay[]
The game was to be an MMO, with a strong focus on PvP and factions.[5] The game would have used a 3D engine, but stay close to the visual tone of the previous entries.[6] Screenshots released in 2011 showed the presence of an "Angelic Lands" zone within Heaven, and another zone simply referred to as "Keep." The player(s) would encounter archangels in Heaven, including Tyrael (these angels had a very different visual style from their Diablo II versions, with said style being carried on to the current Diablo III game), and fight creatures similar to the Bat Demons. At least one class was available, an individual equipped with a sword and shield in a vein similar to the Paladin of Diablo II. The inventory tab was similar to those of the previous games in the series, with health and mana potions numerically assigned and located on the bottom of the screen.[6]
Comparisons were made to World of Warcraft in terms of the game's size and playability. References to guild halls were also made. Every single item in the game was to have a "light" and "dark" version, but apart from a visual change, their stats remained the same.[4] Similarly, an angel/demon "influence system" was experimented with, where players could pick a narrative alignment.[7]
Development[]
Blizzard North, the developers of the series's previous games, intended to work on a second expansion to Diablo II. The second expansion would have focused more on expanding Diablo II's multiplayer features. However, after a few brainstorming sessions, the team decided not to follow through on the expansion, and instead turn their attention to Diablo III.[8] Work began in 2001,[9] and by 2003, Blizzard North had created some monster models, such as the Flayed Hound and Immolated Warrior.[10] However, in this year, David Brevik and the Schaefer Brothers left Blizzard North. With their resignation, Blizzard South took over (some) control of Blizzard North and gave them a guideline for Diablo III—"make it like Diablo 2." The reason for this was not wanting competition with World of Warcraft, as both games were being developed as MMOs. Thus, their version of Diablo III was scrapped, leaving it to be dubbed internally as "Diablo 2.5."
This new direction had to change again because of changes in circumstances.[11] However, this version of the game was canceled in 2005, and Blizzard North shut down[10] due to various personal and financial reasons.[3] Reportedly, the game was 33% finished at this time.[11]
Matt Uelmen worked on the score of Blizzard North's version of Diablo III. Reportedly, his music for the game was "big and powerful," shifting away from his previous style. His take on the game's music influenced the game's direction under Blizzard North.[12]
Reboot[]
- Jay Wilson on the game's original version(src)
Blizzard Irvine took over development of Diablo III in 2006, effectively rebooting it.[3]
Screenshots[]
References[]
- ↑ 2015-09-19, I'm the author of Garwulf's Corner and Fooling Garwulf - want to ask me a question?. The Escapist, accessed on 2015-09-19
- ↑ 2015-09-20, I'm the author of Garwulf's Corner and Fooling Garwulf - want to ask me a question?. The Escapist, accessed on 2015-09-20
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 2011-02-16, The First Screenshots from Blizzard North’s version of Diablo III. Diablo IncGamers, accessed on 2014-05-20
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 2006-02-03, Rumor: Diablo III On the Way? You Better Believe It!. Gaming Steve, accessed on 2014-05-20
- ↑ 2017-07-30, 20 YEARS OF DIABLO: AN IGN RETROSPECTIVE. IGN, accessed on 2017-08-04
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 2011-02-15, This Is What Diablo III Looked Like A Long Time Ago. Kotaku, accessed on 2014-06-29
- ↑ 2022-05-16, Wyatt Cheng Twitter. Twitter, accessed on 2022-05-24
- ↑ 2012-10-08, Blizzard wanted a Diablo for handhelds. Shack News, accessed on 2013-10-11
- ↑ David L. Craddock, Twitter. Accessed on 2018-11-19
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 2011-01-09, The Earliest Diablo III Monsters, Revealed. Diablo IncGamers, accessed on 2014-05-20
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 2009-11-01, Community Spotlight: The man behind the book of Blizzard. Shack News, accessed on 2018-10-08
- ↑ 2017-07-30, 20 YEARS OF DIABLO: AN IGN RETROSPECTIVE. IGN, accessed on 2017-07-31
Core Series — Diablo • Diablo II • Lord of Destruction • Diablo Immortal • Diablo III • Reaper of Souls • Rise of the Necromancer • Diablo IV • Vessel of Hatred
Licensed Expansions — Hellfire • Unearthed Arsenal
Tabletop RPGs — Dungeons and Dragons: Diablo II Edition (The Bloodstone Tomb, The Awakening, Diablerie, To Hell and Back, The Secret Cow Level) • Diablo: The Roleplaying Game
Board Games — Diablo Chess • Diablo III Mahjong • Diablo: The Board Game
Re-releases — Diablo Battle Chest • Diablo II: Resurrected • Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition • Diablo III: Eternal Collection
Canceled — Salvation • Diablo Junior • Diablo 2.5 • Diablo MMO • The King in the North • Project Hades