What was the first character class Blizzard built/created for Diablo III?
SparkedSynapseMy general assumption is that it's the Barbarian. My reasoning is that this was the class that Blizzard revealed before any other. Does anyone have any conclusive information on this? I'm writing a big essay on Diablo III right now (already 6000 words) and this is something I would like to know to continue.
FuenteOf the five classes that shipped with the original Diablo III the Barbarian was the first one started that remained largely intact.
Note, however, that this does not mean it was the first character class built or created for Diablo III. There were class concepts developed before the Barbarian that didn't ship, as well as concepts that eventually morphed into parts of other classes. Even the Barbarian itself had other forms before the incarnation that eventually shipped.
I'd be careful trying to extrapolate too much from this. For example, just because it was the first class started, doesn't mean it was the first class finished. Indeed as classes were brought online we continued to iterate on all the classes all the way up to release (and indeed we continue to iterate after ship!).
Furthermore, I'd also avoid extrapolating that that fundamental game systems are balanced around the Barbarian - because that would also be wrong. The game development process isn't linear, it's iterative. No matter which of "the game's fundamental mechanics" you pick, they are all reviewed as they relate to all 5 classes. The skill system was iterated on even after all 5 classes were done. The way mouse and keyboard is handled was iterated on after all 5 classes were done as well. Monster behaviors were iterated on (and continue to be reviewed periodically) well after all 5 classes were done. I can't think of a single major system that was "locked down" that early.
I hope that helps your essay.