[rvba]

Reverse Design: Diablo II is an interesting book about what makes Diablo 2 so addictive and nice to play. It is a relatively short book (less than 150 pages), where author starts with the way difficulty is set-up (with exaple of Galaxian, where afte4 ewch increase there is a moment of decrease and stability). Then author looks why the game is a "feel good" game - the character becomes better and better. Enemies get better too, but not so fast. There is also a nice chapter about the different types of randomness in the game: used to generate loot. As far as I remmember he also briefly mentions the "5 out of 10" quest system used in Diablo 1. What is really simple but good for replayability.

For those interested in Blizzard/Blizzard North/Diablo 2 history you can also check the 2nd book called Stay awhile and listen: heaven, hell and secret cow levels. Author goes more into what wenr wrong during Diablo 2 development (and obviously what went good). The 1st book is about Diablo 1 and is much weaker: it is mlstly quotes "we made a great game". The second book repeats a lot of info from first and focuses more on why Blizzard North fell.