You cannot play Diablo 3 offline

**Moo** · 08-01-11, 12:12 PM

Oh snap.

Quote:

Remember when you first heard stuff like how either Steam or StarCraft 2 require you to be online for authentication purposes? That the process to play or utilize either service offline can be a bit circuitous, but at least it's still possible to be offline. But, Diablo 3 differs in that you must be online to play at all -- not just for authentication.

Executive vice president of game design Rob Pardo notes that the wealth of improvements and features Diablo 3 brings to Battle.net necessitate the always-online requirement. Specific additions that he refers to include:

A persistent friends list.
Cross-game chat via the RealID system.
Persistent characters that are stored server-side (no more having to play online once every 90 days, nor item duplication cheats).
Persistent party system.
Player-versus-player and public game matchmaking.
Dynamic drop-in/out for co-op
Larger item stash that gets shared among all of your characters (at the moment, up to 10)
The auction house, outlined here.
The Achievement system and detailed stat-tracking, both of which feed into the final point:
The Banner system, a visual way to display your prowess in the game. Banners start out like emblems, where you can choose from an array of symbols, patterns, and overall shape/design. Then, you can tweak its appearance through Achievements and other accomplishments. Examples Pardo cites include whether the character is in Hardcore mode, how many Achievements have been earned, how many PVP victories, and so forth. Additionally, the Banners also have gameplay features; in-game, rather than use Town Portal, you can click on a player's Banner to instantly teleport over to said player.

While Pardo recognizes that people sometimes want or need to play offline (such as internet outages, or playing on a laptop during an airplane flight), he notes that the increased security, plus benefits like the above, outweigh those other concerns. "I want to play Diablo 3 on my laptop in a plane, but, well, there are other games to play for times like that."

http://www.1up.com/news/diablo-3-req...e-when-playing

**Vardant** · 08-01-11, 12:58 PM

It sucks and the major part is probably an anti-piracy measure, because I can't see a reason, why not to include offline SP, where you wouldn't be able to export your character anywhere.
On the other hand, they already cut LAN from SC2, so it's not that surprising and it's not as bad to have this in a mostly MP game, unlike what Ubisoft is doing again.

Not sure about the crack. Although Chinese guys have managed to crack Starcraft 2 after a year, it is nowhere near at the level to be actually usable as was the Starcraft one. And before somebody starts saying, that it is a good thing, you have to consider the fact, that it greatly improved the way progamers could train with people all over the world with better ping, better ladder system etc.

Bman212121 · 08-01-11, 01:48 PM

The main thing is all of the accounts are stored on a server. I can understand the reasoning for that because it allows them to bind a cd key to an account and make it harder to cheat. It simplies things for Blizzard because you can't crack the game since a significant amount of data isn't actually stored on your pc.

This game is essentially WoW with smaller parties and more realms.

@vardant: I think the main reason for not wanting offline SP is because everyone has to have stats now, so letting people cheat in games isn't allowed anymore since it would mess up the precious stats system. Not going to disagree that anti piracy doesn't play a big role though.

**Moo** · 08-01-11, 01:51 PM

This is why I will be buying Torchlight 2 instead

had tremendous fun with T1, there were some great mods.

**Ninjaman09** · 08-01-11, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bman212121

This game is essentially WoW with smaller parties and more realms.

O_o have you ever played WoW? Because this is a fairly absurd thing to say. Not trying to be fanboyish but not having offline SP enabled is really a non-issue. Especially with the real cash auction house. There is one similarity with WoW - D3 can be a second job only you can make money doing it.

Mr. Hunt · 08-01-11, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninjaman09

O_o have you ever played WoW? Because this is a fairly absurd thing to say. Not trying to be fanboyish but not having offline SP enabled is really a non-issue. Especially with the real cash auction house. There is one similarity with WoW - D3 can be a second job only you can make money doing it.

Which is probably another reason there will be no offline play.

ViN86 · 08-01-11, 03:17 PM

I think this is more because of cheaters rather than pirates.

ElL33t · 08-01-11, 03:19 PM

While this does suck, I will be playing this almost exclusively with my online buddies. I can see how it will affect those with out intertubes or are away from a connection for any period of time.

mojoman0 · 08-01-11, 04:09 PM

who even plays games on computers that arent connected to the internet anymore?

Bah! · 08-01-11, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Diablo III will require a constant internet connection to play (thanks bluesnews)
Player-driven, real money online Auction House
No set launch date for beta or the game
Beta will feature the first section of Act I from story mode (a few hours worth of content)
Set in town of Tristram, stop the zombies, slay a skeleton king
No attribute or skill points in Diablo III, unlock new skills as you level, and attributes increase automatically
Customization using Runestones
Only the Witch Doctor uses mana
Buy and sell items through inventory screen rather than going into town
Loot drops are unique to each player
Ninja-looting is not possible
Skill system has been re-vamped
Battle.net 2.0 will include public games, a PvP matchmaking system, a quick-join system, and co-op option

The two in bold are much worse than having to stay connected while you play.

ElL33t · 08-01-11, 04:45 PM

You don't have to use the auction house. It shouldn't even be a problem for me. My understanding is it has no bearing on your game.

Bman212121 · 08-01-11, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninjaman09

O_o have you ever played WoW? Because this is a fairly absurd thing to say. Not trying to be fanboyish but not having offline SP enabled is really a non-issue. Especially with the real cash auction house. There is one similarity with WoW - D3 can be a second job only you can make money doing it.

Not that absurd... Both are RPG like with leveling, questing, and parties... They have persistant worlds as well. I'm sure there is a lot more you can do in WoW but on the surface they follow the same concept.

08-01-11, 12:58 PM	#2
Vardant Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: EU Posts: 1,041	Re: You cannot play Diablo 3 offline It sucks and the major part is probably an anti-piracy measure, because I can't see a reason, why not to include offline SP, where you wouldn't be able to export your character anywhere. On the other hand, they already cut LAN from SC2, so it's not that surprising and it's not as bad to have this in a mostly MP game, unlike what Ubisoft is doing again. Not sure about the crack. Although Chinese guys have managed to crack Starcraft 2 after a year, it is nowhere near at the level to be actually usable as was the Starcraft one. And before somebody starts saying, that it is a good thing, you have to consider the fact, that it greatly improved the way progamers could train with people all over the world with better ping, better ladder system etc.

08-01-11, 01:48 PM	#3
Bman212121 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,726	Re: You cannot play Diablo 3 offline The main thing is all of the accounts are stored on a server. I can understand the reasoning for that because it allows them to bind a cd key to an account and make it harder to cheat. It simplies things for Blizzard because you can't crack the game since a significant amount of data isn't actually stored on your pc. This game is essentially WoW with smaller parties and more realms. @vardant: I think the main reason for not wanting offline SP is because everyone has to have stats now, so letting people cheat in games isn't allowed anymore since it would mess up the precious stats system. Not going to disagree that anti piracy doesn't play a big role though.

08-01-11, 01:51 PM	#4
Moo BANNNED Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 379	Re: You cannot play Diablo 3 offline This is why I will be buying Torchlight 2 instead had tremendous fun with T1, there were some great mods.

08-01-11, 03:17 PM	#7
ViN86 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 15,486	Re: You cannot play Diablo 3 offline I think this is more because of cheaters rather than pirates.

08-01-11, 03:19 PM	#8
ElL33t Brobama Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 815	Re: You cannot play Diablo 3 offline While this does suck, I will be playing this almost exclusively with my online buddies. I can see how it will affect those with out intertubes or are away from a connection for any period of time.

08-01-11, 04:09 PM	#9
mojoman0 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: California Posts: 3,566	Re: You cannot play Diablo 3 offline who even plays games on computers that arent connected to the internet anymore?

08-01-11, 04:45 PM	#11
ElL33t Brobama Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 815	Re: You cannot play Diablo 3 offline You don't have to use the auction house. It shouldn't even be a problem for me. My understanding is it has no bearing on your game.