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Blizzard Issues Update For 16-Year-Old Diablo II

Blizzard this week issued an update for the popular Diablo II game. The update, dubbed v1.14a, comes roughly five years after Diablo II was last updated, and four years since the release of Diablo III. Blizzard says the update aims to resolve glitches introduced by modern operating systems. While Blizzard's commitment towards its 16-year old game is unquestionably commendable, it appears the new update is causing issues for some.

8 of 54 comments (clear)

  1. Full fresh install is recommended.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    It seems that updating an existing install (with all the patches and workarounds required to keep it going on a Intel-based Mac) is problematic.
    Backup your game-characters and delete the game. Then download and re-install from scratch. That works fine.

    The download doesn't show for some reason in the normal clients-download under "My Account" on Battle.net (only the Windows version).

    If you go to the generic downloads section https://battle.net/account/clients it is there.
    Please note: For LoD you need to download/install DII first then LoD.
    You don't need the original game CD's, but you will need both the game-keys.
    You can easily find those in your account settings on battle.net if you previously registered.

    Just got LoD going on a iMac 5K. Pixels are really big :-) because the 800x600 display gets stretched (thankfully with correct with aspect-ratio) to full-screen. Leaves a big black border on left and rights sides, but that doesn't really bother me.
    Mouse-handling seems quite imprecise (hard to pickup stuff from the ground), but I'm using a MagicMouse. Must see if USB works better.

  2. Re:They could just release the code. by jellomizer · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Not always so easy.
    For one they may be using third party libraries that have no source for and agreements not to distribute those libraries as part of a source code.
    Secondly they have interest in the Intellectual property of the game where they may port it to other devices. This update shows that it isn't abandoned.
    Just releasing the source can cause a bunch of support problems. With unauthorized patches.
    Finally knowing how blizzard codes may mean the ability to hack into their battle net servers

    --
    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  3. Yesterday to today by batwingTM · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yesterday I was trying to install D2 and LOD from my account into a Windows 7 install and it just would not work.
    So, I put in the good old Blizzard support ticket highlighting all the issues I had.

    Today it's been fixed and works perfectly.

    Not saying that I caused this, but you are all welcome anyway ;-p

    --
    Leg Godt!
  4. Diablo HyType II by jabberw0k · · Score: 3, Funny

    It sure is tough to keep one running. Finding ribbons is tough but have you tried locating daisywheels lately?

  5. Re:16yo? by Mashiki · · Score: 2

    That moment when you realize today's kids don't even know what a BBS, or have a memorized Hayes command set, and don't know that Kermit was both a puppet and a transfer protocol.

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    Om, nomnomnom...
  6. Warcraft 3 as well by HalAtWork · · Score: 2

    Blizzard is planning to update Warcraft 3 this week as well, bringing player communication improvements as well as some surprises with the new 1.27 update.

  7. Re:16yo? by St.Creed · · Score: 2

    When I studied CompSci we had some real fun when a professor once tried to demonstrate a modem connection. He had loads of arcane option screens that all had to be set in the same settings as the guy on the other end had. The guy in the building next door, I might add. After 30 minutes he gave up :)

    Things certainly have improved a lot.

    Also fun to watch: Teens react to Windows 95.

    --
    Therefore, by the (faulty) logic you're using, you're just a cow with a keyboard - osu-neko (2604)
  8. Re:but no Linux? by Dutch+Gun · · Score: 4, Informative

    Microsoft is taking Linux seriously as a server platform, in which it has a significant presence and market share. Game developers target client machines, in which Linux has a very tiny market share (under 1% according to Steam). It's the same reason fewer developers bother making apps for Windows Phone, yet Microsoft itself is targeting iOS and Android with its own apps. Developers go where the market is.

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    Irony: Agile development has too much intertia to be abandoned now.