Plenty of horror movies use very saturated colour palettes. Just look at something like SUSPIRIA, which uses very vibrant primary colours in conjunction with areas of darkness to create a very specific mood of terror. I don’t understand the notion that, in order to be scary or moody or whatever, you need to have a desaturated palette.

Personally, I think DIABLO III looks superb, although I can appreciate that it won’t be to everyone’s tastes. From the gameplay video, the dungeon scenes have a great, evocative mood, far more so than DIABLO II, which I felt was slightly limp in terms of atmosphere. For those who don’t like the rich colour palette, there’s always the saturation slider in your video card’s control panel. I honestly don’t understand why there’s been such an outcry, and personally I hope Blizzard will have the sense to go with their gut instinct rather than listening to the armchair game designers and petition makers.

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/7594/d3qq9.jpg

Pretty much summed it up.

I can’t believe the moaning and groaning about this. Look at the style of the screenshots not just the colors The colors I’m sure will changes. What really has me jazzed is how the environments have that painted look, as if they were pages right off the concept storyboard.

Very cool Blizz. I cannot wait for this (but sadly will probably have to for a long time)
Please get SC2 out in the meantime to hold us over.

[QUOTE=snotblood;6588055]I can’t believe the moaning and groaning about this.

I can. It’s a franchise with a dedicated fanbase. A whole bunch of people with a bunch of differing opinions, most of whom care about the game.

For me, the lighter stuff outside works, if it’s used *well.* The “shiny happy OWMYARMDONTCHEWTHAT!”  can work. I wouldn’t expect, for instance, DII’s desert areas to be dark and gloomy outside… yet throw in a heavily forested area, a bog, swamp, something like that, it should be dark, heavy feeling, visibility should be limited and the like.

And inside? Well, once you’re past a top level or so - yes, dark, point lighting, hard to see makes sense (and is nicely atmospheric.) It certainly *shouldn’t* look shiny and happy (unless it’s, say, a currently-in-use palace or temple, where someone would be maintaining it, versus an ancient crypt.)

Do what’s right *for the area.* If I see a well thought out mix, I’ll be happy.

Diablo 3’s new art style very much reminds me of the movie Pan’s Labyrinth. I think the washed out water-style colours, along with the use of green/teal/blue hues to create an eerie sense to the images work perfectly.

Diablo 2 looks far more cartoony than anything we’ve seen of Diablo 3, and I have to wonder if you guys have had your heads buried in the sand for too long. Diablo 2 was very flat, very bold and very forgettable in terms of graphics.

Art is always going to be subjective, and there is no way Blizzard can please everyone. But these guys are professional game designers, and artists. I think they’re on the right track, and should they be given the chance to do their job, I think there will be a level of satisfaction with the style taken for everyone.

Eh, I think it’s just way too early too call anything yet. It’s already been said that DIII is still in the middle of alpha testing. Anyone remember what Starcraft looked like in its alpha version compared to the final release?

i’m kinda sad for it, but i don’t really care did you see that freakin’ boss bite off the barbs head, that really made me go “oh snap!”