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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ristamar" data-source="post: 1140930" data-attributes="member: 1207">The hardcore fans hang out in forums and channels devoted to their game.  Hardcore fans also cry and complain the loudest in said mediums.  Hardcore fans are also the ones that keep coming back for more and more, despite their constant bemoaning.  All of the above can be said of nearly any game that has a relatively sizable fanbase.No, it's a critique of their use of resources.  They were obviously on some sort of budget, just like any other game.  It's not as if they couldn't have not hired (or simply removed) a few 3D rendering folk from the project to pay for a few extra programmers.  Personally, I wouldn't sacrifice a prettier game engine that I'll be staring at for 40+ hours in favor of ultra-polished cinematics that I may watch for 10 or 15 minutes, but that's just me.I agree, the good points do outweigh the bad.  However, I think the bad was often grossly overlooked or too easily forgiven.They put themselves in a tough spot.  Yes, the imbalances needed fixing, but there shouldn't have been that many to begin with.  Seriously, did they playtest some of this stuff?  It's not like a lot of the big boosts/nerfs made in the early patches were addressing issues that were coming out of left field.  Hell, the strategy guides which had hit the shelves before the game did were already pointing out what skills to intensely focus on because of the immense, unignorable advantages they gave your character.Regardless, I think the fixes could've been handled better.  No one likes it when spells and rules change that nerf their character mid-campaign while playing D&D, so the DM often lets PC's make a few adjustments should changes occur.  Well, why not allow D2 players to redistribute a few skill points from skills that are being changed when they initially install the patch, then lock the changes in once they redistribute the points?  I'm sure Blizzard could've come up with something, as they are talented folk.They already released one retail expansion pack (which fixed some old problems and created others), and despite the game's continued popularity, I don't think a second would sell a lot of copies.  I think it's great they're still working on getting it right and giving out material.  I don't believe Blizzard is a bad company.  I give them props for their continued support, but in my opinion, their launch and subsequent patchwork tweaking of Diablo 2 was uncharacteristically sloppy.Your challenge is frivolous.  Obviously it's highly unlikely I'll change your existing disposition about a video game you adore, let alone via a messageboard, especially when we're talking in terms of opinions.  I would, however, add Total Annihilation, Sacrifice, and Kohan to your list of contenders.</blockquote>

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