Diablo 3 - The Frustration Loop

[Delilah Rehm]

This is one reason I'm not in a hurry to play Diablo 3 (though I probably will before summer's out).

http://www.alexc.me/a-scientific-exp...-diablo-2/417/

[gornova]

wow, this is interesting!
I'm a fan of Diablo 2, but always online Diablo 3, server problems and so on is keeping me away from trying Diablo 3 for now.. and if there is a frustration loop tooo, bah

[PixelLord]

Very interesting article. The action => reward response is the very way all addictions work. In fact, many things in life are driven by that same response in many different ways. For instance, many work in a mundane job they dislike, but they continue working for the reward of a paycheck. Some help others in need with their reward being the satisfaction of knowing they did something nice for others. Still others show love and attention to their pets knowing they will be loved by their pets in return. The list is endless.

I also agree with the frustration part of the article. A small (and it should be very small) part of a game can be the level of frustration the player reaches before receiving the reward. This can make the reward more satisfying as long as the reward is worth the effort, and the level of "frustration" (some might refer to it as "challenge") isn't excessive. It's a fine line the designer has to walk to make a game challenging without it becoming frustrating. Some players will want a high level of challenge, while others might find that frustrating. I'm glad Shadow has put in all the different options in the set up screen so that the player can choose to play in a way that best suits his/her tastes.

But new players will usually pick the default settings for the game when they start, so it is critical for the designer to try to make the level of challenge appropriate for the maximum number of gamers. Therein lies the challenge. Veteran players will probably need to set up the game to be more challenging than the default settings, but veterans already know this.

[Maledictus]

Is it just me then that reads this in the article: Blizzard takes a cut from the action in the auction house. According to this article the use of the auction house becomes mandatory at some point in the game, because it is designed that way. So the player plays to make sure Blizzard make money on the auction system. I find that rather depressing.
I'm not sure my thoughts are correct though; the stuff on the auction house has initially been found by players as well, so that means that good drops do occur. Or am I missing something here...
I haven't bought D3 yet, and won't in the near future because of all the misery surrounding it, so reading this makes me feel I made the right choice for now.

Edit: noticed that there's no real money involved just yet, but still...

[Raserei]

Old post but I will hop in and say that I have been playing D3 on and off since launch. Its finally headed in the right direction... Lots of customization, lots of ways to play and they added a bunch of new things to do.

If I were to rate the old D3 vs the new D3 it would be:

Old D3: C-

New D3: B


Better, but still room for improvement, but its getting there.

[Castruccio]

I have been playing Path of Exile lately, which if people haven't played it, it's awesome.

[Raserei]

Originally Posted by Castruccio

I have been playing Path of Exile lately, which if people haven't played it, it's awesome.

I usually rotate Path of Exile ladders with Diablo 3 seasons. Works out great. I only ever make a summoner in Path of Exile, super fun. Minion instability is so much fun. D3 season 3 starts tonight at 9PM EST, I'll be making a monk with my brother.

[Madly26]

I love Diablo but I must admit I didn't finish any Diablo games to the end

[Ourection]

What a great memories. I play Diablo 2 when i was a kid. As far as i concern Diablo 3 sales more than 30 million units. (2015 figure)