How One Gameplay Decision Changed Diablo Forever | War Stories | Ars Technica

Today on War Stories, Ars Technica is joined by Diablo lead programmer David Brevik to break down the genesis and development of a PC hack & slash masterpiece. Unbeknownst to some, the original concept for Diablo called for a traditional, turn-based RPG - a genre Brevik came of age with and was heavily influenced by. However, following a fateful vote by show of hands at the Blizzard North offices, Diablo became something new entirely and an initially reluctant David Brevik was on the cusp of creating the first entry in a legendary action role-playing series.

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How One Gameplay Decision Changed Diablo Forever | War Stories | Ars Technica

[kimdk]

"The other companies were business men so blizzard being gamers was a breath of fresh air" Oh how things have changed!

[DanielDangerous]

The mom test is legit.

My grandma loved Diablo, and it was because it was extremely clear how to play and she could play it with just the mouse.

Watching an old lady take down Diablo in the hardest mode and forget to take out a pie she was making was peak

[FirstLast-gmmz]

This brings me back to the days when Blizzard being associated with something meant it was quality.

[Puttagirlon]

I love how David tells us this story where (now) he knows that he was in the wrong but still managed to frame it in such a way that proves his hesitation and disdain were both real and incorrect. It really shows a lot of humility and reality.

[PyroMancerk]

Blizzard then, "Let's make some fun games."
Blizzard now, "Don't you all have phones?"

[OgenB]

My uncle loved Diablo. He wasn't any kind of a gamer and had serious hand eye coordination issues stemming for a car accident which left him in a coma for a few months. He was the closest thing I had to a father and this was one of the very few games which we could play together.

He died a few years ago, but sometimes I boot up Diablo just to remember those times.

[mondskiez]

Whenever I see David Brevek, I stay awhile and listen..

[astro_pl]

My mom is still playing Diablo II, like almost everyday. Even after surviving a stroke about ten years ago. She is 60 :) Thanks man!

[alexparadise]

This man was part of blizzard in their prime. Such a solid dude and passionate developer. Shame what Blizzard has turned into now.

[Gauvi]

Diablo was among the games that taught me English, being voice + text. It made it really easy to understand and memorize the vocabulary.
In middle school we once had an assignment in English class of writing a story and I went with my Diablo character: a warrior that could cast spells, fighting demons in a dungeon. I used spells like chain lightning, fireball and teleportation against The Butcher. The teacher was really impressed : I got the best grade and she read it in front of all the class. She would later ask me "Where did you learn all this stuff ? That's amazing !"

[LanceEhlers]

These mini-documentaries about classic games are great. I hope you continue making them.

[stevenvanderwerf]

"Ah, fresh meat". Still the single scariest moment I've ever experienced in any game, ever.

[skaruts]

_"This is gonna take us a month. We're gonna need another milestone payment. So on friday afternoon I started working on it, and by friday evening I had it done."_
I just can't stop lol... This is just the kinda thing I love about gamedev stories from the 90s.

[michaelsizemore]

I like that he was willing to put major mechanics decisions to a vote even though this was his vision and passion project, and was also willing to yield and trust his developers when they voted against what he initially desired. That's good leadership.

[theusher]

The opening guitar strum when you walk into town for the very first time is forever burned in my mind. That single chord of that song evokes so much of such a fantastic experience.

[rogeriopenna]

That Tristam music is still one of the greatest pieces ever composed for a video game.

[ntsmith]

"Kill monster; get loot." Best gameplay words ever spoken. Diablo is still my "comfort food" video game when I get bored playing everything else.

[Bradilko]

david's excitement while telling the story even after all this time, pure gold. true emperor of gaming.

[gosufana]

This guy is an absolute Legend, mad respect to him and all of the old blizzard team, they made exceptional games which were ahead of their time.

[NuttachaiTipprasert]

I have heard this many times but the fact that he could single-handedly convert the major code path such as combat system from turn base to real-time in one day showing how well structured the codes were. I wouldn't be able to do that with most of my project, TBH. Mad respect to the engineering team.