Diablo lll

[mqstout]

That's exactly the problem, Emp. You can only play the game when they feel like allowing you to. I play games primarily single player and prefer it that way. When I do play multiplayer, it's with people I know -- usually in the same place (and they cut LAN play out; playing multiple people on Battle.net from one single Internet connection ain't happening). They just take too much control over a product you supposedly "buy" but really it's just a long-term rental.

And the auction house you mention -- that's the primary reason they enforce the online connectivity, to urge people to use it so they get a chunk of change on every transaction. When I play games like that, I *only* use that which I see drop myself. I don't care to participate in any "economy".

John, there's no spending of points in D3 -- all skills are unlocked automatically as you level up; you only have choices in which few to equip to your skill bar at any given time (which you can change at any time -- there's zero attachment or commitment to your character). Runes are also unlocked as you level up, again freely interchangeable whenever you want. Runes are the extent of non-loot customization in the game.