Leonard Boyarsky, lead world artist on Blizzard's just-annouced Diablo III, is a veteran RPG developer.
He was one of the original leads on Black Isle Studios' Fallout, and contributed to Fallout II. Before that title's release, he co-founded Troika Games with fellow Fallout creators Tim Cain and Jason Anderson; the trio designed Arcanum: Of Steamworks & Magick Obscura and Boyarsky led Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines.
In 2005, Troika closed its doors, and Boyarsky landed at Blizzard. He sat down for a chat with Gamasutra to discuss why some ideas that look great on paper won't work in a game - and vice versa - and why he doesn't think Blizzard will focus heavily on a single-player experience any time soon.
Who says a dud game can't have a video game comeback?
Cyberpunk and No Man's Sky have to be up there. We're lucky and cursed, equally, to have games that can be updated now. For folks old enough to remember the Sega/SNES into PS1 and even 2 eras, if a game came out that was half baked (*cough*Angel of Darkness*cough*) that was it, no redemption. At the same time, having the option for updates shouldn't be an excuse for half assing games.
I remember when the Nintendo Seal of Approval meant something.
All those games had to release without bugs.
Diablo III still works on modern PlayStation and Xbox consoles, and remains hugely playable a decade after initial release.
Diablo III: Season 28 brings with it the Altar of Rites, an altar full of unlockable bonuses and potions that will require the gathering of tons of resources. One of things needed is the Staff of Herding, which also unlocks the famous Cow Level known as Whimsyshire. Here's how to craft that staff, for those that either have forgotten, or have never completed it.
