The BlizzCon Diablo III open Q&A session was led by Jay Wilson, Game Director, and featured nine additional Diablo III developers on location at BlizzCon this morning.

From the hour-long session, we've learned the following...

On PvP:

• PvP and PvE are completely separate elements in the game, and the focus is on PvE.
• No PvP stats or skills will ever override PvE builds. PvP never affects PvE game balance.
• Some stats may change in the PvP Arena, such as cooldowns.
• The Arena, at this stage, is a flat environment. It's difficult to incorporate different elevations due to the new 3D engine.
• At end-game, it's likely creating a perfect PvP char will be a drawcard for some.
• Blizzard hasn't decided how to handle PvP guilds at this time.
• No PvP-specific gear will be available.
• Ears will not be stored in your inventory, but they will be included in the final game.
• PvP Hardcore - you can die in the arena. If you don't want to die, don't go in the arena.
• Actively trying to discourage the Arena from becoming an E-sport, as it will detract from the point of Diablo, which is to acheive superiority rather than balance.
• Duel-spec probably won't be needed, as PvP won't have enough of an impact on PvE.

 

On balance:

• Still four-player maximum for multiplayer, but this may change
• No plans to allow regions to cross-communicate over Battle.Net at this time.

On the economy:

• Artisans act as a way of extracting money from the game world.
  
• There will be less gold in the world.
  
• Trading system has been completely re-written to prevent duping
  
• Artisans will offer a discount.

 

On lore:

• Deckard Cain has spent the last 20 years finding ways to stop the invasion. Now the worldstone has been destroyed he's been preparing mankind for the invasion.
• Different player characters will react differently to the story.
  
• The destiny of the characters will continue based on previous lore.
  
• All characters have the same background irrespective of gender, with the one exception being the Barbarian. The male Barbarian is from Diablo II, the female is a new character.

 

Bosses, gear, stats and UI:

• End game not finalised yet, will wait until closer to beta.
  
• Resistance is now a rating, like defence, rather than a percentage.
• Triple immunity monsters unlikely to make an appearance.
• Boss fights are "50% Diablo II, 50% Zelda" in design.
• Armour more comprehensive than Diablo II. Rare dyes can be crafted.
• Shared stash will be implemented. Stash is extremely large.
• Characters will never be deleted from Battle.Net.
• UI is minimised, choices are limited and complexity builds over time.
• No WASD movement incorporated because it's "inferior".