Diablo III Art Director Leaves Blizzard – Plus First Look at New Art Direction

Blizzard Entertainment is having a devil of a time with Diablo III.

As Diablo die-hards festoon the fan sites with their own Photoshopped versions of the yet to be released dungeon crawler, art director Brian Morrisroe is hitting the bricks.

In response to a query by Kotaku regarding the position opening, Blizzard responded with the following e-mail:

“Regarding Brian, he recently resigned to form a startup company ‘outside the game industry’, which is why we posted about the open position. That change won’t impact the game…we’re really pleased with the look and feel that Brian helped create for Diablo III, and the new person we bring aboard will work with other artists on the team to maintain the art style moving forward.”

Many Diablo fans have been up in arms over the new look of the game, saying that the brighter and considerably more colorful sequel is a betrayal of the traditionally darker tones of the games aesthetic.

And now, a first look at the new art direction for Blizzard’s Diablo III.

The new Tristram

The new Barbarian in-game model

The Caldeum in all its glory


Via: Kotaku

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  • http://www.ripten.com Wade

    lol image = win.

    I personally prefer something a little lighter. I mean, I like the dark asthetic, but sometimes its just plain hard to see. I was always cranking the brightness way up just to figure out where the heck i was in some levels.

  • Abaddon

    I’ve been through this too many times…
    I signed the petition,and think is pretty obvious the WoW resemblance and the color palette whorification(clear greens,purples everywhere…),It looks generic & dull.

    I’m no pollock,but if I were art director for this…Offspring(sigh)I’d totally hire some fine 2D artists and go much more baroque and gore.

    Also,I’m fed up fighting for this,all kind of response I get is “Tweak your monitor” “You are retarded when you tell talented people how to do their jobs” and the last and more dangerous one “They wont listen anyway”.

    Good,I’m loading the shotgun in advance for each argument:

    1-Not a matter of bright,a matter of color and excessive use of lighting effects.
    2-Keep in mind Blizzard North is gone,they are different people now.
    3-Developers listen to us more often than we think

    Also,I think is merely a matter of opinion,and will try Not to engage in combat with anyone.

    This is my opinion,good day. :D

  • http://www.ripten.com Wade

    “I’d totally hire some fine 2D artists and go much more baroque and gore.”

    Sounds good to me. And I agree it looks way too much like wow. It needs its own identity, but it doesn’t need to be pitch black either.

  • Abaddon

    Also,brilliant joke Mr.Arnold! :D (no pun intended)

  • Justin

    I’d love to take credit, but the hilarity of which you speak is the work of Mr. Chad Lakkis.

    When he showed me the art for the piece I roflcoter’d.

  • Meresin

    “WOW DOZE SCREENZ R SO MUCH BETTAR” – Self-proclaimed Diablo fanboy

    Hilarious. ;)

  • http://www.ripten.com Chad Lakkis

    Thanks. We aim to please. :D