Chapter 213: Some Controversy
Overall, the overseas promotion of "Diablo" didn't encounter too many difficulties, and it actually went even smoother than "Warcraft" did.
After all, following the release of "Warcraft," Thunderbolt Interactive had gained some recognition abroad, especially among certain player groups who loved the genre, earning a significant boost in reputation. So, even before its release, "Diablo" had already attracted the attention of many players.
Moreover, Western fantasy themes were quite popular overseas, particularly in the European and American markets. "Diablo" itself was an RPG, which had a broader audience compared to "Warcraft," an RTS game.
Unlike domestic players, overseas players didn't complain much about the third-person perspective. This was because there were many indie games abroad, and a large number of players enjoyed single-player titles.
Among these indie games, many small studios, limited by budget constraints, could only develop third-person perspective RPGs. As a result, overseas players were more accepting of this type of RPG compared to domestic audiences.
After the promotional warm-up, amid the players' anticipation, the overseas version of "Diablo" officially launched!
The overseas version of "Diablo" was priced at $49, much higher than "Warcraft." After all, "Diablo" had a larger investment, more refined production, and being an RPG, it had a wider audience.
...
The overseas version of "Diablo" officially went on sale.
Players who had been following the game rushed to purchase and download it. Many of them were loyal fans of "Warcraft," believing that the game company behind that title would surely produce an equally classic RPG.
Soon, these players were captivated by "Diablo's" unique art style and well-crafted storyline.
Unlike domestic players, overseas players—especially those in Europe and America—had a deeper understanding of this cultural backdrop and resonated more easily with the world "Diablo" created.
At the same time, concepts like angels, demons, and Nephalem felt incredibly familiar to Western players. The story of a Nephalem saving the world perfectly aligned with the individual heroism values of Western culture, and the character Tyrael, to some extent, hit the mark on Western political correctness.
Without exception, these players were full of praise for "Diablo's" storyline.
...
The High Heavens.
"Tyrael, the ancient laws of the High Heavens strictly forbid us from interfering in the affairs of mortals!"
"But you did it anyway, and... blatantly so!"
Imperius stood atop his lofty throne, his golden armor gleaming brightly, his wings of flame fluttering, exuding a majesty that made him seem like the embodiment of a deity.
Tyrael, clad in silver armor, showed no sign of backing down: "Imperius, all my transgressions are in the name of justice! And you, you just hide behind your throne!"
"Silence!!"
Imperius transformed into a streak of light, charging straight at Tyrael and grabbing him by the chest plate.
"Now, you must atone and be punished for this!"
Golden light clashed with silver light in a chaotic battle. In the end, Tyrael seized Imperius's spear and pointed its tip at the Archangel of Courage of the Angiris Council, speaking with righteous indignation: "You have no right to judge me, for I am the embodiment of justice!"
"What we should do is not only fight demons but also protect the innocent!"
"But if our supreme laws leave you idle, then... I will no longer stand with you!"
Tyrael grabbed his angelic pauldrons with both hands, letting out a pained roar. The divine power of the angel began to burst forth uncontrollably, sweeping through the entire hall.
Imperius involuntarily stepped back, furious: "A heinous crime against heaven, willingly falling into depravity!"
Tyrael's wings fell, dissolving into the floor of the High Heavens. Red flames began to scorch his entire body, and tendrils of divine power seized his arms, dragging him down to the mortal realm.
Tyrael transformed into a meteor, plummeting toward the Tristram Cathedral.
...
The storyline of "Diablo" also sparked heated discussions among overseas players.
"Honestly, I was most surprised by Tyrael's part of the story. The world of 'Diablo' seems so hopeless; the protagonist is always fighting alone wherever they go, with no allies in sight. But Tyrael seems like the type who could lend a bit of help."
"I think the writer nailed Tyrael's character perfectly, and the series of events really showcased his personality to the fullest."
"As the Archangel of Justice, he strictly adheres to laws, rules, and order, maintaining fairness and impartiality at all times, because that's the duty of the Angel of Justice."
"But in a critical moment, to save this world, Tyrael chose to side with humanity, personally breaking the laws of the High Heavens and abandoning his identity as an angel. I think this spirit is truly precious!"
"Yes, few foreign games have given me this kind of emotional impact from the story and narrative. 'Diablo' achieved it. Sure enough, Thunderbolt Interactive continues their tradition of meticulous storytelling—this plot is just amazing!"
...
Similar to "Diablo's" domestic release, players had a very high initial impression of the game. Especially after experiencing the full storyline, the overseas version of "Diablo" once reached a rating of around 9 points.
Moreover, because overseas players resonated more easily with this fantasy theme, "Diablo's" overseas performance was even better than Chen Mo had anticipated. First-week sales were estimated at around 600,000 units, and first-month sales were expected to potentially hit 3 million units.
Chen Mo estimated that the combined domestic and overseas sales of "Diablo" could reach around 10 million units. Although this was far from the 30 million units of its predecessor in another world, it was still a very impressive figure.
However, alongside the strong sales of "Diablo's" overseas version, controversies about the game were also growing.
Some came from overseas players.
"I feel like I was tricked by the developer. Sure, the game's story is well done and the quality is great, but the later stages are just so boring! It's unbelievable—this game is way worse than 'Warcraft'!"
"Exactly. Even by single-player game standards, it's a bit too monotonous. It reminds me of some Korean games that look exquisite on the surface but are a total mess underneath!"
"Uh, while I think the two above are being a bit harsh on the game, I agree with them. The game is flawless in terms of story and quality, but its post-game content can't even compare to some indie games that are full of effort. So I can only give it a 7."
"A very boring game. I don't understand why the designer added over a dozen difficulty levels. Did they expect us to grind day after day until we reach the highest difficulty?"