I just tested it with Barb, players 8, and I was shocked, especially about gold and item drop rate compared to previous patch (001)...at players 8.
But I like it that way, makes the game more interesting, at least for me.
Or sth went wrong on my side.
Anyway, after cleaning den of evil and whole map outside on players 8 this is what was in my inventory, I usually pick yellow gear only plus rings/amu/jews of course, and look an amount of gold after I sold few things on sec pic, of course, you can see that there are no gems at all:
► Show Spoiler
EDIT:
With Sorc was better, almost 12k of gold after 1st quest.
► Show Spoiler
Anyway, is it just me or am I the only one that doesn't see the difference between players 1 and 8.
I'm sure that there was some difference before, but now:
The only difference is that I get 1 amulet with P1, where with P8 I will get more amulets, even some ring and jew.
Everything else seems to be the same.
Someone, please enlighten me a little.