D2 gameplay, at its most simplistic level, is "kill the monster, make shiney item drop, and hear the occasional ding for leveling up." Sure, there is the satisfaction of different builds or a slew of other stuff, but for the large majority of players, the game really does come down to that. Kill monsters, make pretty items drop, repeat. The added element of multiplayer means people get that same gameplay with other people online, and to compete or cooperate if they wish. That may be incredibly reductive, but it is the truth for many people after 3 years of the game.
Simply put, if you take away the ability of people to kill monsters and get their shiney objects, even in 8 player hell (an ability they are accustomed to having after 3 years), they are going to be unhappy. Just because people choose to play online doesn't mean it should be 8 times harder than single player, or requiring a party of 8 to get anywhere in the game.
To me, increasing difficulty is about FUN. After 3 years, the gameplay is getting tired and there is nothing new left. But, the core of the game for me is still the intrigue of funky new items and techniques. To that end, I think the patch should have balanced out the core imbalances in the game (the ability for certain classes to kill MOBS of enemies in the time it takes others to kill 2-3 etc) while enhancing other parts of the game. This includes an overall difficultly increase, that much I agree with, but forced partying for 1/3 of the game, thats another thing. Sure, partying is fun, and should be encouraged, but I've never liked the idea of FORCING people to play a certain way. And please, don't say that "if you want to solo you've got single player normal and nightmare!." Even if that is true, it's not a realistic expectation for the game.
Simply put, if you take away the ability of people to kill monsters and get their shiney objects, even in 8 player hell (an ability they are accustomed to having after 3 years), they are going to be unhappy. Just because people choose to play online doesn't mean it should be 8 times harder than single player, or requiring a party of 8 to get anywhere in the game.
Quote:Well-equipped, well-built, and well-played parties could do it together in higher player count games. Characters not meeting requirements of hell difficulty would have to end the game in normal or nightmare... That's what increasing difficulty is about, right? Only the best characters make it to the end, not everyone.
To me, increasing difficulty is about FUN. After 3 years, the gameplay is getting tired and there is nothing new left. But, the core of the game for me is still the intrigue of funky new items and techniques. To that end, I think the patch should have balanced out the core imbalances in the game (the ability for certain classes to kill MOBS of enemies in the time it takes others to kill 2-3 etc) while enhancing other parts of the game. This includes an overall difficultly increase, that much I agree with, but forced partying for 1/3 of the game, thats another thing. Sure, partying is fun, and should be encouraged, but I've never liked the idea of FORCING people to play a certain way. And please, don't say that "if you want to solo you've got single player normal and nightmare!." Even if that is true, it's not a realistic expectation for the game.