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The best reason I can think of would be to continue the story as a group of D'NI sent to a group of ages to repair/search them. Probably played as a Guild member. Maybe each with a skill that can only be applied to certain puzzles. Other puzzles (as already mentioned several times) could require working together. Imagine having to hold a button down while someone else cranks a generator.

I couldn't see this played in the same area as the other games. Also the engine that was used for the three Mysts wouldn't work here. They are based on prescripted movies and images. For this to work it would be required to use a 3D engine like Quake, etc. Which will loose a lot of graphics quality on lesser graphics cards. The game could also be set as a D&D style game, like NeverWinter Nights.

It could work, I would put more money on it working then on people being willing to pay for it working.

Just my $0.02

(Neverwinter forum discussion here).

4.01 I've heard that the Aurora Neverwinter Toolset will be Windows only. What's the deal?

Our initial goal was to create a cross platform toolset for the gaming community. However, we have encountered difficulty in obtaining a viable cross platform solution to assist us in porting the Aurora Neverwinter Toolset. While we would not like to rule out the possibility of a port to the various operating systems at some point, this won't be happening for the initial release.

It's hard to describe just how flexible and sophisticated this toolset is.

There's a wonderful thread here which shows what people have built in the first 24 hours after the tool was released.

However, these screenshots don't convey the depth of the scripting language that you can use to customize just about anything in the game world.

Here is some further information on the toolset taken from nwn.bioware.com/downloads/toolset.html

The BETA version of the Neverwinter Aurora Toolset provides most of the functionality of the final toolset that will be included in the retail version of Neverwinter Nights. The final toolset will allow users who purchase Neverwinter Nights to create their own adventures with the fully functional game editor that has been used by BioWare in the creation of the official NWN campaign. Just as a Beta Test provides consumers an early look at a game while the development team continues to test the game and define issues, Infogrames has determined that this toolset can provide that experience to players but is in NO WAY FINAL, and thus technical support will not be available.

There is also an introduction on how to use the toolset at the Bioware website. It will be interesting to see what creations this toolset yeilds because there has been many games with great toolsets but almost no mods to speak of. An example that springs to mind is the underrated Dark Reign 2.

Here is some further information on the toolset taken from nwn.bioware.com/downloads/toolset.html

The BETA version of the Neverwinter Aurora Toolset provides most of the functionality of the final toolset that will be included in the retail version of Neverwinter Nights. The final toolset will allow users who purchase Neverwinter Nights to create their own adventures with the fully functional game editor that has been used by BioWare in the creation of the official NWN campaign. Just as a Beta Test provides consumers an early look at a game while the development team continues to test the game and define issues, Infogrames has determined that this toolset can provide that experience to players but is in NO WAY FINAL, and thus technical support will not be available.

There is also an introduction on how to use the toolset at the Bioware website. It will be interesting to see what creations this toolset yeilds because there has been many games with great toolsets but almost no mods to speak of. An example that springs to mind is the underrated Dark Reign 2.

The BeOS version of Neverwinter Nights will not be completed. However, we are planning a simultaneous PC/Macintosh/Linux release for Neverwinter Nights, with all three versions to be included in a single box. On the PC, Neverwinter Nights will run under Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000 Service Pack 2, and Windows XP."

They also say that there is a server for each supported platform. That would make no sense if by supported platform they mean platforms that run the server. That would be saying "each platform that has a server will have a server".

So we can safely conclude from the Bioware FAQ, and the fact that they haven't tried to correct everyone asking about Linux and Mac clients, and the interviews that say they are going to have one, that there will indeed be a Linux client. You are correct about making maps. The editor for the game is windows only for the moment. The tools that they used to create it were not initially available in Linux, but I have heard they are now, so there is a potential for the toolkit to be later ported to Linux.

I suppose rather than tease you with a mere link, I could include this:

8.04 Will there be a Mac/Linux/BeOs version?

The BeOS version of Neverwinter Nights will not be completed. However, we are planning a simultaneous PC/Macintosh/Linux release for Neverwinter Nights, with all three versions to be included in a single box. On the PC, Neverwinter Nights will run under Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000 Service Pack 2, and Windows XP.

But does Morrowind include all the DM tools that Neverwinter Nights does? You get everything Bioware used to make their in-game content, included in the box. Unfortunately, that software only runs in Windows (unlike the game itself).

Not only that, but the Windows, Linux & Macintosh versions all come in the SAME BOX, so we
dual-boosters can try it out on both systems.

The downside here is that Bioware may have trouble determining the number of users who use Linux vs Windows vs Macintosh. So remember: if you use Linux, remember find the little postcard, check the box next to 'Linux' and send it off.

Otherwise, they'll never know...

Check out all the awards Neverwinter Nights has already won. A pretty high count considering the game hasn't been released yet, huh?

Quoth the FAQ, "the BeOS version of Neverwinter Nights will not be completed."

Bummer.

The FAQ states that they are well aware of the low-ping click-fest that many real-time multiplayer games have turned into. It also states how they're using a "multilayered" approach to combat, where you default to using a basic attack unless you stack up additional moves in your combat queue.

Sounds a lot like how Star Wars: Galaxies is doing theirs. I'm interested to see how it works out.

The NWN site states that the game will run on windows, Mac, and linux out of the box.

Read it here.

we need more games for alternate platforms like macosx, linux, *bsd, etc.

According to the NWN faq, the box will contain media for Windows, Linux, and MacOS.

-l

Yes....

The game has been available for pre-order for some time now (at least from Amazon); however, if you read the interesting posts on the Bioware boards.... Snickering about Slashdot you'll undoubtably just let your pre-order rest (quite possibly past the aformentioned date in June).

The comment you posted is located at http://forums.bioware.com/viewtopic.php?topic=1221 9&forum=2. It was posted Monday, 4 February 2002 19:03. While it is the most recent Official Announcement I've been able to find, I will believe the *relatively* official Amazon, EBGames and GameStop pre-order release dates... at least until I hear otherwise from the NWN team themselves.

Check out the following links for a taste of some of the models, according to the bioware forums they'll be releasing more models for the viewer. As it stands, they have the Flesh Golem and Bugbear, which can be added to the viewers default models...nifty...

Biowares Model Viewer Page

I have been kind of wary of computer gaming to replace good ol' AD&D, IMHO they always fell short, although netHack does a decent job in the realm of adventure story lines and thought process (ie hacking and slashing everything is not the goal). NWN, although unlikely to displace me from an old tech AD&D game might be a cool complement. Now if we could host AD&D games for our (now) geographically dispersed group that would be cool. Of course it would be different than our old sessions, but it might be fun, and change (at times) can be good.

On neverwinternights.com site, it's still listing as only supported under Windows 98/ME/2000sp2/XP, with a mention at the bottom of "Other OS requirements coming later." The link to that info is here.

I'm hoping that it will come out for linux at the same time as it does for Windows, but I really doubt it. More likely that the linux version will come out sometime later. And at the speed of the development of NWN, look for it in 2003 :)

I totally agree that timothy's review was utter nonsense. gphat's was much closer to the truth. There were just a few things that he forgot to mention.

First of all, timothy was completely wrong about the gamespeed being faster (has he even played the game?). One of the first things I noticed about the game was in fact that the game speed is slower. Generally things take longer to build, troops are a little slower, and units have more hit points so they last longer in battle. What all this means is that you have more time to plan your strategies, and you can change your tactics in the middle of battle if you notice your troops aren't doing well. One thing I will say though, is that it generally takes fewer building to advance up the tech tree, so in that sense, the game is a little faster.

More importantly however, is the addition of "creeps" on the map. gphat mentioned their existence, but failed to stress their importance. The primary reason I think they are so important is that the stop people from rushing. They generally stand on critical paths (such as paths between enemy cities) and prevent enemies from rushing and destroying your town. In that sense, you can use the creeps as allies instead of enemies.

This is not to say that I think the game is flawless or even worth buying. Blizzard promised to make the game more of a role-playing game and less of an RTS. (Though if they consider hack-and-slash Diablo an RPG, I'm not sure if that's a good thing.) As production progressed, they slowly cut back on RPG elements, and it morphed back into an RTS game. They still have several good additions (such as the creeps, upkeep, etc.), but at heart Warcraft III is just an upgraded version of Warcraft II. I just wanted to give an accurate portrayal of what exactly this game is like. If you ask me, you should just wait for Neverwinter Nights. It's going to be a much better RPG with more strategy in its battles than the best RTS's, and if you're easily impressed by graphics, well, it beats Warcraft III there too.

I would be really interested in seeing if he's planning on getting this title... and his perspective on the 'computerized' version of the system he started:

NeverwinterNights

I'm really happy about this, although the only software company I know in Alberta is BioWare.

It's about time the Canadians teach Americans (and several other nationalities) how to really run government to support the people.

The guy mentions:

"There are still commercial companies and indie game shops supporting Linux that need your support. A brief, incomplete list is BlackHoleSun, IllWinter, Linux Game Publishing, iD, Epic, BioWare, Philos Laboratories, Mountain King Studios, Introversion, and PomPom."

I went to the BioWare site but couldn't find any Linux games. Anyone know what he's on about?

These web stats might explain why Bioware doesn't necessarily feel the need to put "Released for LINUX!!!" on their front page in large, blinking letters...

eh, maybe the slashdotting this story produced will change their minds :)

After that there doesn't appear to be too much on the horizon, anyone know of any good games coming out for Linux?

The one I'm looking forward to is Neverwinter Nights. It's beautiful, and will be released for Linux simultaneously with Windows. It should appeal to both to RPG fans and a little bit to FPS fans -- maybe the Heretic fans. It's due out in March 2002.

Everyone knows that Bioware is doing a native linux version(and they were talking about the possiblity BeOS port as well) of Neverwinter Nights, but has anyone actually asked their motivation for it?

I'd certainly like to know. Is it that they see a potential in linux gaming, or are they doing it out of good will? I'm unsure but it looks like they've snubbed directx and direct3d completely in favor of OpenGL.

(before anyone asks "when is it coming out?" go here)

Some companies are doing things for linux gamers. Bioware is releasing Neverwinter Nights, which could arguably be the best rpg ever released, is going to be released for linux as well as windows, and most likely it will use opengl(is there another graphics api that does 3d in linux?). Nvidia is giving full OpenGL support in their chipsets. And let's not forget the guys at ID love opengl as well. Even if their numbers are few, there are people who still want to keep OpenGL alive, and they are pretty big names is the gaming industry.

In the MMORPG genre, I'm retty excited about NeverWinterNights (official site here) by BioWare, the ppl who brought you Baldur's Gate. It's RPG style online game, big and 3d, but it will have the possibility to build your own Worlds with an included kit. You can then connect your worlds with others, so the release of the game is really just the first step. They kinda promised to pre-release more tiles (building blocks) to create worlds. Woh...

What I find TOTALLY cool about NWN as a D&D fan is that NWN is based on 3rd Edition D&D and you will be able to let your Game Master create a world (a town, a desert or a whole planet), and only let his players join. This way I can play D&D over the net, just with my friends. If we feel like it, we can portal to other worlds, and, as a team, slay other ppl. My RPG group has been looking for remote playing software forever, since we live pretty far away from each other.

Disclaimer before I get flamed to hell: take all of this with a pinch of salt. The general attitude of BioWare seems to be "maybe we will have this or that, I can nearly guarentee it", so I know, it's not for sure we will see ALL of this functionality.
btw, ETA for NWN is Spring 2002.

-Kraft

Killers can go hostile and attack anyone

Socializers have both a chat context and global in-game chatting

Achievers have titles, including hardcore, levels, and equipment to seek after

Explorers get some because the world is new every time

So, Diablo 2 clever caters to anyone with an interest in RPGs by having something for all player types -- but their system of equipment makes the achiever an absolute addict. There's ALWAYS another piece of equipment waiting to be had better than what you have. And, sadly, unlike a game of skill like, say, Quake 3, there isn't a great deal of real gain to be had from repeat play, other than equipment gathering. Admittedly, if you were a true groundbreaker, you came up with a playing style that was unique (say, the Tweaker Sorceress or the Hammerdin), but after a gentle early learning curve, most people were eq-dependant.

So, is the game actually FUN? I played it a ton, but if fun is enjoyment, then I couldn't say it was. I wanted to enjoy it but I was too frusted with all those things about D2 that have become terrible jokes:

Grotesque amounts of lag (on a T1, I should add)

Utterly stupid PvP (who hits who first?)

Totally imbalanced character classes

Lame Multiplay (95% of people want to solo in 8-player games, and 80% of them want to do it on the River of Flame, all at once, and barbarians can steal kills, etc)

On top of all this, the "realms" were subject utterly to cheating of the first order. Since I myself spent _hours_ showing support people how to 'dupe' with one of the methods (there were at least 4 different 'duping' bugs, if not more, over the course of the game), I can attest to the fact that they don't take it seriously, thus scrapping the d2 "economy", for better or for worse.

For all these reasons, and more, I've steeled myself against buying the expansion. I don't imagine the major gameplay problems have been improved. I'll buy the Throne of Bhaal expansion back for BG2 instead, and bide my time waiting on Neverwinter Nights, which may well end up becoming the most popular online RPG ever, given that PLAYERs will be able to build, run, and link their worlds, and create new content with an incredibly rich toolkit. Back to the four player classes, I can already see most of them very much enjoying it.

Enjoy D2 if that's your bag, I don't begrudge anyone their game. But D2 has gone down in my book as excellent psychology attached to a very poor game, and despite being one of those people who would spend hundreds of dollars on some of my favorite games because I enjoy them so much, I'm not going to reward Blizzard with another $35.

Two words:

Neverwinter Nights

Dungeon Master, Wizardry, and like games, started a tradition of dungeon crawl RPGs that are currenly best explemfified by Diablo II on one end of the spectrum, and Baldur's Gate II on the other. But it looks like Bioware's Neverwinter Nights is about to take the crown.

Will there be a Mac/Linux/BeOs version? We are planning a simultaneous PC / Macintosh / Linux release for Neverwinter, with all three versions to be included in a single box. BeOS users will be happy to know that we are also developing a BeOS version in parallel to our other platforms. It's been going very smoothly so far and, if all goes well, we hope to include it as part of our standard release. On the PC, Neverwinter Nights will run under Win95/98, as well as NT 4 (using service pack 6), which is our favored development OS at present. The game also works quite well on Windows 2000 and we hope to continue support up to release.

If in-game tools existed to program 2D/3D action or RPG elements, you'd have a real winner.

This sounds like Neverwinter Nights. Can't wait for this game to hit the stores.

Baldur's Gate 2, that is pretty much a given.

Rio 500 MP3 player, which you can pick up for cheap at Audible.com, last time I checked.

A subscription to Wired.

VMWare for the geek in all of us.

A new video card, though I don't know specifics.

That would seem to contradict both the official FAQ and a May interview with BioWare's Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka. Can you substantiate your claims?

Thanks!

Depending on how well Neverwinter Nights sells for Linux of course (for those who don't know, BioWare is porting NWN, a highly anticipated multiplayer (not massive) AD&D RPG that's meant to capture the tabletop AD&D gameplay in a modern comp game, to Linux internally). This may be difficult to gauge, as the binaries for all supported platforms (Linux, Mac, and Win) are supposed to be in the box, but if they get a lot of positive feedback, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Star Wars RPG released for Linux as well (granted, it probably won't be available until late 2002/2003, so speculating now is rather moot).

This product is being developed by Bioware: not Lucasarts or Black Isle or Interplay

It will feature a new engine not based on Omen

The game is currently being developed as single player

It is unconfirmed whether or not the game will use D20 or not, D20 is currently being used in the yet to be released Star Wars RPG from WotC

This product is being developed by Bioware: not Lucasarts or Black Isle or Interplay

It will feature a new engine not based on Omen

The game is currently being developed as single player

It is unconfirmed whether or not the game will use D20 or not, D20 is currently being used in the yet to be released Star Wars RPG from WotC

This product is being developed by Bioware: not Lucasarts or Black Isle or Interplay

It will feature a new engine not based on Omen

The game is currently being developed as single player

It is unconfirmed whether or not the game will use D20 or not, D20 is currently being used in the yet to be released Star Wars RPG from WotC

From Interplay and their studio, Black Isle, with an engine from Bioware, comes Icewind Dale, the latest AD&D RPG, a sort of follow up to Baldur's Gate and Tales of the Sword Coast (the expansion pack).

I know this is tangential to the topic at hand, but neither Ultima Online nor Everquest "started" the MMORPG genre. They aren't even the first graphical MMORPGs.

Between 1993 and 1997, subscribers to online giant CIS and a little online system called AOL could play a text based, for profit, fantasy MMORPG called Gemstone III. After going flat-rate, AOL dumped it because far too many users connected for far too long to play Gemstone. Now Gemstone III players get along quite happily connecting directly via the internet. As far as I know, these were the first for-fee MMORPGs employing "gamemasters" to maintain the code, servers, and portray NPCs for the players. But there could have been even earlier ones, considering all the MU*s and MO*s out there... However, it was definitely the first to hit 1,000 simultaneously connected players. I was there. (And I was disgusted... I started playing when 30 players online was a huge crowd.)

Simutronics, the company who ran Gemstone, also offered several other games, all connected via gateways to several major online services. They're all still up and running, and quite fun, if you can harness enough of your imagination to abandon all the pretty graphics.

Then there was AOL's Neverwinter Nights. (Okay, it wasn't AOL's - they just hosted it.) I know little about this game, except it looked very similar to SSI's old Pools of Radiance series of single-player games, and it was multiplayer, and graphical... and offered no client for my platform at the time. (If someone knows more about the old NWN, please chime in.) Of course, if you've been paying attention at all for the past 10 months, you know that NWN will soon be reborn as the first networked virtual tabletop-style roleplaying environment.

Although I'm sure most players of EverQuest and Ultima Online have never heard of Gemstone or DragonRealms, and believe Neverwinter Nights is a brand-new title, the only innovations in these games are the pretty graphics, and perhaps some interesting server-side hacks... but the genre is an old one.

Now where'd I put that 11th level thief...