Describing Diablo II as iconic isn't only a random descriptor, it's a seminal release that Diablo Gold not only helped define a genre but laid the groundwork for a future where loot, real time activity, participant advancement, and things like builds and weapons and character classes became as ubiquitous as military shooters that concentrated on gruff soldiers with assault rifles. In reality you could probably trace Call of Duty's multi-player systems back to Diablo. Probably.

At BlizzCon last month, when we got our first glance at Diablo II: Resurrected, the surprise came not from the statement itself but in how the execution apparently exceeded all expectations. Impressive, contemporary 3D visuals that stay true to the look and feel of the first. Visuals that sit on top of those classic 2000-era pixels, introducing a radical visual makeover which averts what makes Diablo II, nicely, D2.

"It is a different kind of challenge," Rob Gallerani, Principal Designer on Diablo II: Resurrected tells us asked about the decision to go 3D whilst maintaining the 2D core. "I will argue it is easier than attempting to rebuild brick-for-brick the entire game. I'd rather take the Sistine Chapel and rotoscope it over afterward be like here is a lot of pictures, go build it over here. It does have unique challenges since we are seeing behind the curtain."

For Diablo II: Resurrected, which contains the game and the Lords of Destruction growth, 1 way to think about it's because rotoscope or tracing sense. Employing the underlying assets and match as a way to push the 3D layer. On top of taking each and every part and recreating it, animating it, including textures, and light also -- the challenge mostly derives from the nature of going 3D.

"When you've got a sprite-based 2D world it's a horizontal thing on a flat thing. And now you've got stairs with elevation, you've got undulating ground a sword has to fall onto. Even simple things like readability become a challenge, like a Paladin's Aura. The way that you're able to Buy Diablo 2 Items view the Aura very definitely lets you know you have that specific Aura.