Diablo betaversion

[Alaitos]

Hi,
I'm looking for Diablo I betaversion (if it still exists). Can anyone post a link, where can i download the diablo beta from? Thank you.

[Mystery]

The Diablo beta was never available on the internet. In 1996 10.000 "Battle.net Beta" CDs (Diablo) were sent to chosen beta testers and none of them was allowed to distribute the beta. They even had to destroy the beta CD after the testing phase finished.

So the Beta is almost impossible to get unless you know someone who participated in the Beta 1996 and who still has the CD.

I posted the unaltered EXE of the Beta version a couple of months ago. The file should still be online.

The beta itself isn't as interesting as many people think. It's quite close to the final version, but has only 5 (IIRC) levels. And it was Battle.net only. So you can't do anything with it.


Also in 1996 there was a Diablo pre-release Demo available on several magazine CDs and on the internet.
This one is way more interesting. It features a quite outdated version of the game with a different interface, many spells that didn't make the final version and older item graphics.
The download is ~60MB. I don't know if you can still find this on the internet.
There are two versions of this demo. The first one has a normal MPQ file, the EXE file to run the game and some other files. The second comes in a 60MB EXE file. Unfortunately the 1st one is harder to find than the second one. You can use a patched EXE for the 1st version to gain access to the deeper dungeon levels (1-4 instead of 1-2) and a couple of other things.

Here's a link to the pre-release Demo: ftp://angrenost.org/games/diablo/diablopr.zip
I don't know which version it is.

[Selby]

I have the alpha version with the MPQ. I posted some info a few months back about it seeing if anyone else had it and had worked with it, but didn't get too much interest.

[Mystery]

Are you sure that it's not the pre-release Demo?
I am highly interested in anything concerning old Diablo versions other than the pre-release Demo and Beta.
I have been searching for pre-final related information on Diablo for years and I am always looking for everything related to that.
In the last couple of months I haven't been visiting the forums so I might have missed your post about the alpha.

Or are you referring to this topic? http://www.lurkerlounge.com/forums/index.p...=ST&f=10&t=1703
That's the pre-release Demo. It may have something in common with an alpha version of the game (we'll never know) but it is not an alpha version itself. It was a demo released by Blizzard.
The link to my upload of the patched pre-release EXE and the Beta EXE are somewhere in that topic...just in case someone wants to have a deeper look at the beta (exe) or have some more fun with the cool pre-release demo.

An alpha version would've included the whole (unfinished) game...I'd love to get my hands on this ;)


Edit:
If anybody can find out anything that's stored in the pre-release or beta EXE file or has any information about stuff that didn't make it into the final game...please let me know! I am always looking for "new" information and exchange of diablo pre-release information!

[Selby]

That is the thread I was referring to. I've always called it (and heard it called that years ago) the alpha demo. Because it wasn't yet a beta version as beta implies close to finish and this version was considerably different than the beta\release ones. To me it appears to be some alpha version hacked up to make a playable demo that didn't crash randomly (which it did).

There's quite a bit of text in the .exe for the pre-release demo that didn't make it into the final version. I have all of that stored in my archives somewhere =P

[danifilth]

thx for the link
i was exactly searching for this
i have posted a post with exactly the same name 2 months ago but it was deleted
it was fun to see all the old graphics and the inventory is on the left side the stats on the right( i wasnt able to play with this)
i liked it very much
one question:
I think in the diablo beta were more levels and more characters available? am i right

[Mystery]

The Diablo beta had the first five levels (church 1-4 plus the first cats level) and all character classes playable.

Everything else was quite close to the final version of the game...just some more bugs and less dungeon levels (reduced for the testers).

Oh and it featured the mysterious six-page spellbook you can see in the Diablo manual.

[LemmingofGlory]

i have posted a post with exactly the same name 2 months ago but it was deleted

danifilth
Joined: 19-July 04
Today: 01-September 04
Two months ago: 01-July 04

I think this thread is what you're referring to. I very rarely outright delete posts. If you can't find a particular post, it's probably because your search criteria are weak. (Unless this is a moderator exclusive feature) to find posts any given poster has made, click on their name to view their profile. Beneath their name is "Find all posts by this member."

-Lem

[danifilth]

no its not this post
my post has been deletet when my acount was deleted
have a look to post .. some critic.. for more information
dani filth isnt in the lurker l. for two months but i think my other acount was

[LemmingofGlory]

my post has been deletet when my acount was deleted

Are you sure? We usually don't delete active accounts; we typically ban them instead.

have a look to post .. some critic.. for more information
dani filth isnt in the lurker l. for two months but i think my other acount was

I don't understand this.

-Lemmy

[danifilth]

ists somehow unimportant

but why have you post this
its something i dont understand

danifilth
Joined: 19-July 04
Today: 01-September 04
Two months ago: 01-July 04

[LemmingofGlory]

Joined: 19-July 04
Today: 01-September 04
Two months ago: 01-July 04

You said you posted something two months ago, but your join date is not quite two months ago. I found that amusing.

-Lem

[Mystery]

Just wanted to give everyone who's interested in antique Diablo-stuff a highly interesting link to the Dark forums.

Trimayne and me have been working for quite a while to make complete listfiles of the pre-release and beta MPQ which was originally Trimaynes idea. Now we are almost finished and I did a first test on what can be accomplished by using these lists.

I merged the pre-release demo and the betaversion including the cracked EXE from the pre-release demo. This gives me a (still highly unstable, but playable) Diablo version that resembles a very very old build of the game (~mid 1996), playable with all three character classes and into deeper levels than the beta! In single player of course.

The rogue has her own graphics (sorceror uses warriors) and I'm currently playing the pre-release Demo (ok...this isn't really the demo anymore as it's capabilities have increased significantly) with my rogue. I'm Character Level11 and on Dungeon level7. There are still a lot of bugs and crashes, but it's really amazing to play this old version, that's older than the beta.


Enough talk, here's the link:
http://64pc224.sshunet.nl/forum/forum_post...sp?TID=471&PN=1

You can follow the research of the lists and in my latest post, get quick instructions on how to build this version by yourself.

I discovered and made this only a couple of hours ago, using the listfiles, so I think there's a LOT space for improvements left.

I am looking forward to see if this will catch the interest of enough people and if it does, to see the things that will be discovered playing and improving this alpha.

[Selby]

There's quite a bit of text in the .exe for the pre-release demo that didn't make it into the final version.  I have all of that stored in my archives somewhere =P

I was digging through my server today and came upon one of the files I wrote up years ago. Not sure how accurate everything is. I seem to recall more was present in my files than I have here, maybe it was lost at one time. Ah well. It's been quite a few years since I looked at this, so feel free to correct anything that is wrong.

Code:

Memory Offset: 401800

.exe locations of note:

'|' indicates end of text apparently

Quest Text:

Skeleton King given:

A0EA3: I would like to ask your help. Years ago a corrupt king
A0EDC: destroyed the land with necromancy.  He used his dark powers to kill all before him,
A0F34: then he would raise the dead to join his army of evil.  One of the king's own knights
A0F8C: finally struck him down; now he rests in the catacombs of the cathedral.
A0FD8: With evil upon our land once more, I fear that the Skeleton King is again at work;
A102C: building an undead army.  If you slay the evil king, he can not raise his army of skeleton
A1088: warriors to destroy our land.
A10A8: You will find the king's tomb 3 levels below.|

Skeleton King further:

A10D8:   The Skeleton Kings undead minions still plague this land!
A1118: You must kill the Dark King or the walking dead will destroy every thing!
A1164: His tomb is 3 levels below.|

Skeleton King defeated:

A1184:    You have saved this land from a terrible evil.  With the King
A11C8: again resting in peace, the undead hordes will not return. Thank you.|

Butcher given:

A1210:   Please help....! I barely escaped from ....... the Butcher...!
A1254: He killed .... my wife ... my children! I beg of you ...... in the name of
A12A0: God ......... avenge them.........|

Butcher alive, when checking corpse of man in front of church:

A12C4: <..........> The man's body appears to be twisted in agony!

Butcher dead. when checking corpse of man in front of church:

A1304: <..........> The man appears to be in peace.|

Magic Rock given:

A13304:   I have a story that I think you might be interested in.
A1370: A few weeks ago a star fell from the sky.  A caravan carried a piece of the sky rock to
A13CC: the royal capital for the King's wizards to study.  On the road north of here, they were
A1428: ambushed by evil forces eminating from the cathedral.  I looked among the refuse and
A1480: carnage for the sky rock, but it was no where to be found.  If you can find it, I will
A14D8: try to make something out of it. If it is magical, it might be of some use to you!|

Magic Rock further:

A152C:   I'm still waiting for you to bring me that piece of star
A156C: that fell. If it is magical, I could make something that you could use
A15B4: to fight the evil in our homeland.|

Magic Rock completed:

A15D8:    Hey! It looks like that could be it! Give me some time.....Ah!
A161C: Here you go....I made a ring out of a small piece.  I hope its of some use to you.
A1670: Good Luck!|

Chamber of Bone:

A167C: ....and so the knowledge was too great. With reluctance, the power of
A16C4: the awesome and destructive spell was sealed forever beyond the Chamber of Bone. A
A1718: magical stairway marks the way to the Chamber. Many have tried to recover the power
A1770: sealed within, but all have fallen prey to the Guardians. You have been warned.

Nova Spell? resulting from Chamber of Bone

A17C4:    Here is the nova spell huhh..hhuhhhh. words....|

Warning of Catacombs:

A17F8: Beyond the Hall of Heros awaits the catacombs. Be warned: He who
A183C: would steal from the dead. Traps and more await below to deal with would be thieves.|

Tavern owner's intro speech:

A1894: Thank goodness you've returned! Much has changed since you lived here,
A18DC: my friend. All was peaceful until the dark riders came and destroyed
A1924: our village. Many were cut down where they stood. Those who
A1964: took up arms were slain or dragged away to become slaves - or worse.
A19AC: The church at the edge of town has been desecrated and is being used
A19F4: for dark rituals. The screams that echo in the night are inhuman, but
A1A3C: some of our townsfolk may yet survive. Follow the path that lies
A1A80: between my tavern and the blacksmith shop to find the church and
A1AC4: save who you can.
A1AD8: Perhaps I can tell you more if we speak again. Good luck.|

Pertaining to the witch:

A1B14: There is an old woman who lives across the river to the east.
A1B54: It is said that she knows much about magic. She may be able
A1B94: to help you in your quest.|

A1BB0: Continue on your quest, my friend. Only the destruction
A1BEC: of the evil that binds us can bring us peace.|

A1C1C: Data\MedTextS.CEL
A1C30: Data\TextBox.CEL

Unique Item data:

Similar (almost identical) to release/classic Diablo

88 bytes in length

0-3    : Name pointer - 4 bytes
4    : Item Type (11) - 1 byte
5    : qlvl (1) - 1 byte
6-8    : number of effects (3) - 2 bytes
9-12    : gold value (2x sell value, 08CAh - 2250d) - 4 bytes
13-16    : 4 bytes, unknown (always 00 00 00 00)
17-20    : effect one - 4 bytes
21-24    : effect one min range - 4 bytes
25-28    : effect one max range - 4 bytes

A6688: Butcher's cleaver
A668C: 11 (cleaver)
A668D: 1 qlvl
A668E: 3 effects
A6690: 08CAh - 2250d -> gold value
A6694: 00 00 00 00
A6698: 13 (+str)
A669C: 10d
A66A0: 10d
A66A4: 39 (unusual item damage)
A66A8: 4d
A66AC: 24d
A66B0: 3A (enhanced durability)
A66B4: 25d
A66B8: 25d

A66E0: Rift bow data
A6738: The Needler data
A6790: The Blackoak Bow
A6840: Flamedart
A6898: Fleshstinger
A68F0: Gloomfang
A6948: Windforce
A69A0: Eaglehorn
A69F8: Gonnagal's Dirk
A6A50: The Executioner's Blade
A6AA8: The Bonesaw
A6B00: Shadowhawk
A6B58: Wizardspike
A6BB0: Lightsabre
A6C08: The Falcon's Talon
A6C60: Inferno
A6CB8: Doombringer
A6D10: The Grizzly
A6D68: The Grandfather
A6DC0: The Mangler
A6E18: Stonecleaver
A6E70: Aguinara's Hatchet
A6EC8: Hellslayer
A6F20: The Humongous Edge
A6F78: Crackrust
A6FD0: Baranar's Star
A7028: Gnarled Root
A7080: The Cranium Basher
A70D8: Schaefer's Hammer
A7130: Skull & Chain
A7188: Dreamflange
A71E0: The Dufus Staff
A7238: Gleamsong
A7290: Thundercall
A72E8: The Protector
A7340: Naj's Puzzler
A7398: Mindcry
A7EF0: Rod of Onan
A7448: Thinking Cap
A74A0: Fool's Crest
A74F8: Gotterdamerung
A7550: Royal Circlet
A75A8: The Gladiator's Bane
A7600: The Rainbow Cloak
A7658: Wisdom's Wrap
A76B0: Sparking Mail
A7708: Golem's Hide
A7760: Scavenger Carapace
A77B8: Nightscape
A7810: Naj's Light Plate
A7868: Demonspike Coat
A78C0: Split Skull Shield
A7918: Blackoak Shield
A7970: Defender of Islam
A79C8: Ancient Rune Shield
A7A20: Stormshield

A7A78: Constricting Ring


A7AD0: Ring of Engagement


A7
Base type = 00
qlvl = FF
No remaining data (cannot drop



Unique item names:

A8A64: Butcher's Cleaver
A8A7C: The Rift Bow
A8A8C: The Needler
A8A98: The Blackoak Bow
A8AAC: Flamedart
A8AB8: Fleshstinger
A8AC8: Gloomfang
A8AD4: Windforce
A8AE0: Eaglehorn
A8AEC: Gonnagal's Dirk
A8AFC: The Executioner's Blade
A8B14: The Bonesaw
A8B20: Shadowhawk
A8B2C: Wizardspike
A8B38: Lightsabre
A8B44: The Falcon's Talon
A8B58: Inferno
A8B60: Doombringer
A8B6C: The Grizzly
A8B78: The Grandfather
A8B88: The Mangler
A8B94: Stonecleaver
A8BA4: Aguinara's Hatchet
A8BB8: Hellslayer
A8BC4: The Humongous Edge
A8BD8: Crackrust
A8BE4: Baranar's Star
A8BF4: Gnarled Root
A8C04: The Cranium Basher
A8C18: Schaefer's Hammer
A8C2C: Skull & Chain
A8C3C: Dreamflange
A8C48: The Dufus Staff
A8C58: Gleamsong
A8C64: Thundercall
A8C70: The Protector
A8C80: Naj's Puzzler
A8C90: Mindcry
A8C98: Rod of Onan
A8CA4: Thinking Cap
A8CB4: Fool's Crest
A8CC4: Gotterdamerung
A8CD4: Royal Circlet
A8CE4: The Gladiator's Bane
A8CFC: The Rainbow Cloak
A8D10: Wisdom's Wrap
A8D20: Sparking Mail
A8D30: Golem's Hide
A8D40: Scavenger Carapace
A8D54: Nightscape
A8D60: Naj's Light Plate
A8D74: Demonspike Coat
A8D84: Split Skull Shield
A8D98: Blackoak Shield
A8DA8: Defender of Islam
A8DBC: Ancient Rune Shield
A8DD0: Stormshield
A8DDC: Constricting Ring
A8DF0: Ring of Engagement



B6BA4: Teleport spell pointer




Effects data:

(Hex value: effect)

00: To Hit: +x
01: To Hit: -x
02: Damage: +x
03: Damage: -x
04: Damage: +x To Hit: +y
05: Damage: -x To Hit: -y
06: Armor class +x
07: Armor class -x
08: Resist Fire +x%
09: Resist Lightning +x%
0A: Resist General Magic +x%
0B: Resist All +x%
0C: Spell Cost -x%
0D: Spell Duration +x%
0E: All Spell levels +x levels
0F: Extra Charges
10: Fire Hit (NW)
11: Lightning Hit (NW)
12: Random Spell Every 5 mins (NW)
13: +strength
14: -strength
15: +magic
16: -magic
17: +dexterity
18: -dexterity
19: +vitality
1A: -vitality
1B: All Attributes +x
1C: All Attributes -x
1D: Every Hit You Receive +x
1E: Every Hit You Receive -x
1F: Hit Points +x
20: Hit Points -x
21: Mana +x
22: Mana -x
23: Increase In Durability +x%
24: Decrease In Durability -x%
25: Infinite Durability
26: Increases light radius x%
27: Decreases light radius x%
28: Invisibility (NW)
29: Increase Arrows Per Shot (NW)
2A: Fire Arrows
2B: Lightning Arrows (NW)
2C: Homing Arrows (NW)
2D: You Get Hurt Each Use (NW)
2E: Lose All Mana, No Regen (NW)
2F: You Can't Heal (NW)
30: Scare Monster Away (NW)
31: Attacks Square Twice (NW)
32: Exponential Damage (NW)
33: See Invisible (NW)
34: Half Trap Damage (NW)
35: Knocks Enemies Back (NW)
36: Enemy Stops Healing (NW)
37: +x Damage To Each Hit
38: Fires Random Speed Arrows
39: Unusual Item Damage
3A: Enhanced Durability
Anything 3B and higher: Another Ability (NW)

Memory locations of note:

Spell level values: -128 -> 127

605936 -> Firebolt spell level
605937 -> Healing spell level
605938 -> Lightning spell level
605939 -> Flash spell level
60593A -> Identify spell level
60593B -> Firewall spell level
60593C -> Town Portal spell level
60593D -> Stone Curse spell level
60593E -> Infravision spell level
60593F -> Phasing spell level
605940 -> Mana shield spell level
605941 -> Fireball spell level
605942 -> Guardian spell level
605943 -> Chain lightning spell level
605944 -> Flame Wave level
605945 -> Doom Serpents spell level
605946 -> Blood Ritual spell level
605947 -> Nova spell level
605948 -> Invisibility spell level
605949 -> Sentinel spell level
60594A -> Golem spell level
60594B -> Blood Boil spell level
60594C -> Teleport spell level
60594D -> Apocalypse spell level
60594E -> Etherealize spell level
60594F -> Item Repair spell level
605950 -> Staff recharge spell level
605951 -> Trap Disarm spell level




605958 -> related to spells in book (level 1 spells?)
8 bits, each representing from MSB to LSB
Stone Curse, town portal, firewall, identify, flash, lightning, healing, firebolt
So FF would give all, enabling the spell bit gives the spell in the book

605959 -> related to spells in book (level 2 spells?)
8 bits, each representing from MSB to LSB
doomserpents, flame wave, chain lightning, guardian, fireball, mana shield, phasing, infravision

60595A -> related to spells in book (level 3 spells?)
8 bits, each representing from MSB to LSB
apocalypse, teleport, blood boil, golem, sentinel, invisibility, nova, blood ritual

60595B -> related to spells in book (level 4 "spells")
4 bits, each representing from MSB to LSB
trap disarm, staff recharge, item repair, etherealize

60595C -> level 1 spells as "null" skills
60595D -> level 2 spells as "null" skills
60595E -> level 3 spells as "null" skills
60595F -> level 4 spells as skills, except etherealize as null

605960 -> level 1 spells as scrolls (must have scroll in inventory to work)
605961 -> level 2 spells as scrolls (must have scroll in inventory to work)
605962 -> level 3 spells as scrolls (must have scroll in inventory to work)
605963 -> level 4 spells as scrolls (must have scroll in inventory to work)


6059BF -> Character name begin

605A00 -> Modified strength (from items)
605A04 -> Base strength
605A08 -> Modified magic (from items)
605A0C -> Base magic
605A10 -> Modified dexterity (from items)
605A14 -> Base dexterity
605A18 -> Modified vitality (from items)
605A1C -> Base vitality
605A20 -> Level up points to distribute
605A24 -> base to hit% (minus dexterity modifiers)
605A28 -> base damage (recalculated\modified when equipment modified)
605A2C -> ?
605A58 -> Level
605A5C -> Current experience

Spell data:

Firebolt

level 1, 5 MP

Teleport

level 1, 32 MP
level 5, 20 MP

Oh yeah, here is a link to my copy of the MPQ version in case anyone wants to look at it more who doesn't have it: Link. If my host complains, I'll have to find an alternate means to share it ;-)

[Brogden]

this link doesnt seem to work for me...

[Renoki]

You guys should look at diablo evolution, not sure what to type in but look for it in google should pop right up just type in diablo evolution, has good info on all alphas, items , shrines, and just about everything that diablo was before the final release. :D anyway, u can download alpha 4 and other things off the site too so its a great sight