Why are there no Diablo games on the newer consoles?

[Tatsu]

I've switched through my games yesterday and found Diablo for the PS1. It was my first hack'n'slay RPG and even if I didn't finish it, I spend hours with gaming. Finding this game makes me wonder why are there no Diablo games on newer consoles? As much as I know the both parts on the PC were sucessfull and now consoles have an online feature, too. So why not making a Diablo game for them or port the second Diablo from PC to X-Box or PS2? Anybody knows the reason for not doing it?

[RJ]

IMO there are several/a glut of similar games that do the same thing so much better- not that Diablo isnt a great game- one of my favorites, in fact.

Plus I'd imagine if a new iteration of the series were brought out for newer systems, consumers would just think "more of the same" or "aw, I already played that."

[Tatsu]

Good point! At the moment there are a lot of games around in the likes of Diablo. On the other hand they could have made a Diablo game before all those other hack'n'slay games came out. They could have made it the first online game before Champions Of Norrath was out. But I understand that it's more interesting to launch e new series instead of just making a new Diablo clone. I still would support a new Diablo game!

[devilman]

I think the Diablo games generally suit a mouse & keyboard and I wouldn't relish trying to play Diablo II on any of the current-gen controllers. Obviously you can get a mouse and keyboard extra on some machines but it adds to the expense.

[Tatsu]

I haven't played any of the Diablo PC games, only the one on PS1. And there I've found the controlls to be ok.

[hydr0x]

I haven't played any of the Diablo PC games, only the one on PS1. And there I've found the controlls to be ok.

it's no comparison, it's WAY better on PC, not to speak of the fact that Diablo 2 is much more complex than Diablo, the PS1 conversion was really bad, and the scores actually showed that too. Diablo is not like BG: DA or Champions, it's not meant to have a direct control, it's meant to have an indirect control (you don't move the char, you just point where he has to go) and that's very hard to do on a console and will never be as good as mouse+keyboard

[Daria]

I haven't played any of the Diablo PC games, only the one on PS1. And there I've found the controlls to be ok.

it's no comparison, it's WAY better on PC, not to speak of the fact that Diablo 2 is much more complex than Diablo, the PS1 conversion was really bad, and the scores actually showed that too. Diablo is not like BG: DA or Champions, it's not meant to have a direct control, it's meant to have an indirect control (you don't move the char, you just point where he has to go) and that's very hard to do on a console and will never be as good as mouse+keyboard

But you could pull it off easily with a DS. (:

[Arqueologia_Digital]

I haven't played any of the Diablo PC games, only the one on PS1. And there I've found the controlls to be ok.
What???, play both versions on PC and you´ll discover an excellent game!!!, console versions are very very bad...

Matías

[geelw]

lol. having finished the game twice on the ps one, i find these 'the controls are horrible' posts a bit too whiny. just like a fps on a home console, each version of a game will have its detractors and fans. i remember doom fans going nuts about how 'badly' the ps version was with the d-pad, but that didn't stop the game from flying out of retailers.

as for diablo, sure it ain't a pretty translation, but if you DIDN'T play the pc version, you really had nothing to go on, and in that case, ignorance is bliss, and silence is golden. i'd say people who want a hack and slach want direct control on a home console (and the sales of the dark alliance and norrath games prove it). as for why no diablo 2 on da ps2 (or sexbox)- it could be a number of blizzard-related business reasons why a version wasn't done, and "bad control" surely isn't one of them :hmm:

g.

anyway, if you're looking for a similar chase n' chop with better controls from the pc version, try darkstone for the ps one. it actually does a number of things better than the pc original, the way the plot plays out changes from game to game (the basic quest is the same, but the subquests are doled out at random) and it's very inexpensive last time i checked.

[Cthulhu]

If you have a PS2 and want more Diablo-esque action, give Champions of Norrath a shot. Good fun and a -lot- like Diablo. Even better if you have a friend to join in.

[hydr0x]

If you have a PS2 and want more Diablo-esque action, give Champions of Norrath a shot. Good fun and a -lot- like Diablo. Even better if you have a friend to join in.

it's NOT like the original Diablo at all, NO console game is, see my post about direct/indirect control, it's something completely different

[Overbite]

If you have a PS2 and want more Diablo-esque action, give Champions of Norrath a shot. Good fun and a -lot- like Diablo. Even better if you have a friend to join in.

it's NOT like the original Diablo at all, NO console game is, see my post about direct/indirect control, it's something completely different

Just because the control scheme is different doesn't mean the games are completely different. They are both the same type of deal (run around hacking and slashing and shooting spells in dungeons while picking up loot). Instead of clicking a lot in Diablo, you're pressing the attack button in the console ones.

[hydr0x]

@Overbite

have you played both types of games?? they do NOT play the same, that's like saying Sensible Soccer and PES3 play the same just because they are both Soccer games...

[Overbite]

I was talking about what I quoted


it's NOT like the original Diablo at all, NO console game is

They are the same type of game, so they do have basic simmilarities. The play mechanics are the same too. I think the only differences between Diablo and Champions of Norrath (besides the obvious graphics and theme and all that) is that Diablo is a point and click way of playing and champ has more control. They don't play completely differently just because of the difference in control.

and i own them both so neerrrr :-P

[Tatsu]

If you have a PS2 and want more Diablo-esque action, give Champions of Norrath a shot. Good fun and a -lot- like Diablo. Even better if you have a friend to join in.

I allready have both of the Baldur's Gate and one of the Champions Of Norrath games (and I plan to buy Champions Of Norrath II and Bard's Tale btw). I like the way the controlls are, I didn't know it's such a difference to PC games. I don't know if I could cope with indirect controle, maybe because I've never done it but I'm not really a mouse and keyboard type. I rarely play PC games besides some simulations like Ages Of Empire when I'm at my dad's home. I really don't know if I would like it, I just love pads! :)

But thanks for all the inputs, my question has more than just been answered!

[hydr0x]

They don't play completely differently just because of the difference in control.


THEY DO, sorry, but i will not argue over this, if you really think they do not play different you either haven't played the PC version or you are one of those persons who would even say that Grim Fandango controls are the same as Monkey Island 1

[calthaer]

I have to agree with hydr0x on this one. The two control schemes essentially make these two different games. They may not differ as much as, say, a Final Fantasy game and Metal Gear Solid, but they are different.

Direct control with a gamepad makes many of the challenges in the game a matter of where your character is standing, how to jump here or there, avoiding projectiles, etc. It's also significant to note that, with this system, it's a lot harder to aim with projectiles, because your projectiles go wherever your character is aimed.

Controlling with your mouse means that your projectiles go wherever you click. You can do a lot more at once, and possibly even control two or more characters at once (a la Dungeon Siege or familiars and summoned creatures in Diablo 2 and whatnot). Your character also doesn't run into any traps unless they are invisible, because they always go where you tell them to and it's easier to avoid pitfalls. The only mouse-driven game with jumping puzzles that I've seen, in fact, is the hideous Ultima VIII: Pagan, although there are probably others.

Just because the point of the game is to hack & slay, however, doesn't mean that the games are synonymous at all.

[bargora]

Etymological question: I thought that Diablo and its progeny were referred to as "hack 'n' slash" games. When did "hack 'n' slay" become common? Is it now the preferred term?

[calthaer]

Maybe we're all just using it because it's the term used by the first poster? I don't "usually" use one way or the other.

[RJ]

I like "chase n' chop" myself.


try darkstone for the ps one.
Right on! I've gone through it 3 times (as different chars) & there are still quests I havent seen. Graphics kinda reek but definitely worth $10 or less.


Diablo, the PS1 conversion was really bad, and the scores actually showed that too

console versions are very very bad...
Hmm- I've seen/read only good things about PS Diablo (isnt it the ONLY console version?) IIRC how the control scheme was applied to the PS controller was considered one of the best things about it.

OPM- 4/5
PSM- 4.5/5
GI- 8.25/10

[evildead2099]

The Dreamcast was supposed to been treated to a game called Rune Jade which appeared to be a very Diablo-esque game. As far as I know, the game was never commercially released.

[Fuyukaze]

The biggest reason I can think is profit. With the Diablo series being released on PC, it has always been a big seller. If one looks at the sales figures for the PS release of Diablo, I would guess that it simply did not sell as well. Thats not to say it was a failure, but simply no where near as much of a sucsess as the PC counterpart. The only reasons I can think is the changes that had to be made between the PC release and the console release. Graphics, controls, and such can make or break a game. If people are used to the game being one way, sometimes its hard for them to adjust to a lesser version of it. Look at the Civilization game that was released on the SNES. Compare it to the PC version. While the changes between the PC and PS release of Diablo may not be as drastic, they do exist. Another factor is online play. When it came to the PS1, there was an obvious void felt that did not exist in the PC release. The ability to log onto Battlenet and play against or with other people. While this argument doesnt hold up as well these days as all 3 of the major console systems are able to access the net, it still should be noted as it would require Blizard to revamp Battlenet to not only allow access to all the PC users of a game, but also the console players. Basicly, it I think its simply not profitable enough to be worth their time to release their titles on home console systems. They know PC systems, they are set up with servers for PC users, and have no reason to risk the increased cost and posible loss of investing such funds in it. Besides, with them loosing so many of their best people over the past few years, I doubt they want to worry about expanding into new hardware. This is my opinion though.

[XxMe2NiKxX]

Diablo 2 will never grace a console system because it's literally impossible to play at the pace required without a mouse and a keyboard. None of the Diablo clones will EVER approach that game's greatness. It hasn't been done and ever will be. There's just way too much to it.

I'd call Diablo/II an Action RPG, not a Hack 'N Slash. Hack N' Slash would be more like Gauntlet.

...Diablo 2 on the DS would 0wn. It would 0wn so much that I'd give every Blizzard employee a hug.

[geelw]

Direct control with a gamepad makes many of the challenges in the game a matter of where your character is standing, how to jump here or there, avoiding projectiles, etc. It's also significant to note that, with this system, it's a lot harder to aim with projectiles, because your projectiles go wherever your character is aimed.

interestingly enough, some console c&c'ers take care of this nasty issue by auto-aiming ranged shots as long as you're pointed in the general direction. this may seem like a cheat to purists, but it makes the games more accessible and yes, fast when they need to be. i know i definitely appreciated this feature in dark alliance II and the bard's tale, as it kept me from dealing with some really tough packs of beasties up close and personal.

speaking of speed. the pacing is somewhat relative to the player, i feel. i tend to take my time and drop back to use arrows or spells rather than dive in and try to sweep through monsters with force, but i was never much of a berserker fan anyway, lol.

ftr, i played both versions of diablo, and while i like the pc version a great deal, i ended up being happier with the console version because i had no trouble going through it, especially with an interact barracuda pad (can you say analog control, folks?). also, i was happy to see that even more people were going to have a chance to play the game.

btw, evildead- rune jade was released in japan on the dreamcast, last time i checked...

g.

[Tatsu]

Maybe we're all just using it because it's the term used by the first poster? I don't "usually" use one way or the other.

Well, I don't know if it's called hack'n'slay or hack'n'slash. English is not my native language so I didn't think it makes such a difference. I mean it's only a name and it seems that everybody knows what I'm talking about. :)

[PDorr3]

I still pray for the day that D3 will be releason on ps2 or xbox for online play....I can hope cant I? :embarrassed:

[Tatsu]

Are there even any plans to release a new Diablo game for the PC?

[geelw]

depends on blizzard and a couple of financial things going well, i guess. it'll be interesting if a new game IS announced, if it'll be something for a cross platform deal, purists aside. i'm sure a usb/wireless mouse and keyboard are going to be options for the 360 and ps3. of course, nintendo willbe ass out again if the wumohs about the wevowooshun are twoo, LOL

[devilman]

The Dreamcast was supposed to been treated to a game called Rune Jade which appeared to be a very Diablo-esque game. As far as I know, the game was never commercially released.

Record of Lodoss War is kinda similar too, but with a more direct control method I believe (been a long while since I played it!)