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Neverwinter Nights Coming in June

Posted by michael on from the we-mean-it-this-time dept.

dextr0us writes "The apocalypse has come. Neverwinter Nights beat Duke Nukem Forever to the release floor. According to Neverwinter Nights Official Site it seems that they are taking pre orders, and the official date for the pre orders is 6/25/02. As a fan of pen-n-paper, without the geekiness, Neverwinter Nights solves my dilemma!" Update: 03/25 12:38 GMT by Hemos :Just a small note: I'm still available for beta-testing. *grin* CT: Hemos is not available for beta-testing. He has work to do first ;)

24 of 193 comments (clear)

  1. Release dates say nothing at all by _Ash_ · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The 25th of June? I'm sorry to say so, but if the gaming industry has proved one thing, it is that they almost never release games in time. No, this isn't a troll, it's just a fact.

    Take for instance the example used in this topic: Duke Nukem Forever. I don't know it exactly but it must be in production for more than FIVE years. And in those five years many release dates (or periods, like the end of 2002) have been set. Although DNF is maybe a bit of an extreme example, I know of almost no games that have been released in time.

    Only when release dates are set within a month or so, you can be reasonably sure the game will be released in time.
    June is (for the gaming industry) still a long time away, my bet is that it will get postponed. I'd be truly suprised (and happy :) ) if that wasn't the case.

  2. Isn't anyone midly offended by the post? by GauteL · · Score: 4, Funny

    "As a fan of pen-n-paper, without the geekiness, Neverwinter Nights solves my dilemma!"

    Aaaarggh... we've been invaded by jocks!! ;)

    1. Re:Isn't anyone midly offended by the post? by Cestus · · Score: 4, Insightful

      What's geekier? D&D? Or D&D over a computer network?

      The first step towards help is realizing you need it. Just say "I am a geek, and I'm not ashamed." 10 times every morning when you wake up and you'll be on the road to recovery.

  3. The answer to our prayers? by El+Jynx · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I've been drooling for NWN to come out for ages now. I think this will blow unsurpassed life into D&D again: - Dicerolling is all done by the poor computer. - Getting people to be able to come over on the same day as well as longer term reliability is much easier. - No more arguments about "I was behind 90% cover, honest!" What fireballs you is what you sweat. - The unique semi-P2P setup of the game will allow for a vast realm to come into existence. Based on the screenshots and the other facts they gave us I think NWN will be one of the greatest games to come out for the coming five years; the sheer scope of the conept (D&D and nead-limitless creativity) allows for immense replay value. Come to think of it, has anyone heard anything BAD about NWN? - Jynx

    --
    A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it well worth the effort.
    1. Re:The answer to our prayers? by Maran · · Score: 3, Insightful

      "Come to think of it, has anyone heard anything BAD about NWN?"

      No, but you didn't hear anything bad about Daikatana...

      Until it got reviewed / laughed at.

      I'm looking forward to NWN as well, but I want to see a review or two first, and play the demo.

      Maran

    2. Re:The answer to our prayers? by Wire+Tap · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Yep, I've heard some bad things.

      1) No swimming.
      2) No climbing.

      I can't get over when an RPG takes out some very basic physical actions in order to make the game just a little easier to code. Simply put, I think those two actions add/take a great deal to/from the game, depending on if they are in the game or not, or if they are implemented well.

      When I'm in a game, I want to be completely surrounded by the fantasy. I don't want to remember that it's just a game, and not being able to do simple actions like swimming and climbing rip me right out of the fantasy, and plop me down in reality.

      They have had ample time for this project; they should have done it right. Don't get me wrong - I'm excited about the game - I'll finally be able to bring my old campaign to life again, but I am slightly disappointed in the engine.

      --

      Man is born free; and everywhere he is in chains.

    3. Re:The answer to our prayers? by khuber · · Score: 5, Funny
      When I'm in a game, I want to be completely surrounded by the fantasy. I don't want to remember that it's just a game, and not being able to do simple actions like swimming and climbing rip me right out of the fantasy, and plop me down in reality.

      Oh, give me a break. None of us computer game players could swim or climb if we wanted to in the real world anyway, so the game is actually very realistic.

      Dammit, I dropped my Doritos. I am screwed! Help!!

      -Kevin

    4. Re:The answer to our prayers? by argStyopa · · Score: 5, Interesting

      While I understand at a gut level that you might be disappointed in the engine, I'd disagree that it's a big deal.
      To implement "swimming" sounds simple, but realize that they have MILLIONS of combinations of body types (you will be able to mix & match to make a new creature out of an orc with long draggy arms f'rinstance). Swimming (like horseback riding also not included) would entail a HUGE investment in new models, motions, AI programming for relatively limited gamevalue return. Remember, every monster would have to constantly make the calculation 'can i get there quicker by cutting across the stream rather than use the footbridge?' along with commensurate risk evaluations.
      Ditto climbing, and in fact probably WORSE.
      So it was a matter of resources. And yes, they've been doing it a long time, but it's a HUGE project.

      To dash a little more cold water on the subject of swimming (ha ha, sorry) IMO swimming is very much one of those categories of events that DM's fudge, and that is going to be an area where NWN is weak - especially for those of us running persistent 24/7 servers ala [shameless plug/]www.alandfaraway.net. [/shameless plug] Look, in a PnP game, you (as the DM) are constantly tweaking and managing NPC and environmental changes in response to all the unexpected crap PC's come up with. While NWN is implementing everything they can to allow DM's to deal with this, the nature of the beast is such that players can play while you're NOT THERE, meaning every dialogue, every event, every potential NPC reaction will have to be scripted or risk 'breaking' your precious scenario. In the case of swimming, I can't for a moment think of a published module in which making a swimming check is indispensable; failing it is simply too save-or-die for most DM's and players. Usually it's more like "the ship sinks in a storm and you get washed ashore - make a swim check to see how much of your stuff you could save" - which obviously could be handled in a variety of other ways.
      Climbing, being more critical to a specific class, is somewhat more missed. But the various forum boards have already pretty much addressed the issue, and AFAIK Bioware IS contemplating adding both of these to an expansion/sequel....but people now just want the darn game in their sweaty paws and would rather omit these than wait longer!

      The critical VALUE to NWN that makes it so much better than BG or IWD is 1) the implementation of D&D 3e rules set, meaning a HUGE player base familiar with the rules and system, 2) a distinct and major effort by Bioware to make the game customizeable and usable by anyone to build anything they want...paralleling the value of RPG's in general, and addressing the main weakness of CRPGs.

      --
      -Styopa
    5. Re:The answer to our prayers? by Dixie_Flatline · · Score: 5, Informative

      NWN is fun, even without the swimming and climbing. Really, I haven't found a game where those things really added any depth. Frankly, in all the games I've played, I've kind of wished that they'd REMOVE the climbing, instead of having the poor imitation that they have (climbing ladders in Deus Ex was a pain. It was way too easy to fall off, and it was too hard to get off at the top. Gimme an elevator any day.)

      I'm not on the Neverwinter team, so I can't say anything about how hard they've worked on the game, except from an outside-in view. These guys have seriously busted tail to make sure that the game is cool and fun and exciting. Trust me. When you get it, it'll be cool and fun and exciting. Building levels and dropping monsters in and watching them fight (they do it on their own! It's so cool!) is so damn much fun, I did it for a couple hours, just to see how the fights would go.

      So, despite my clearly biased opinion, I think that they DID do it right. I'm constantly impressed by the NWN team. In fact, I'm so impressed, and so behind this, I'm willing to sign my name to it.

      Jan Sacharuk
      Programmer
      BioWare Corp.

  4. register by yem · · Score: 5, Informative

    Since the release is expected to run on Windows, Mac and Linux, be sure to tick the Operating Systems selection when you register the game. Stand up and be counted!

    From the FAQ (which seems to have vanished..):

    8.04 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.

    Here's hoping...

    --
    No, I did not read the f***ing article!
    1. Re:register by kdgarris · · Score: 3, Insightful

      In addition, I would recommend ordering from a Linux reseller such as Tux Games in order for the sale to be counted as a Linux sale.


      -Karl

  5. Minsk and Boo by raelitycheckbounced · · Score: 5, Funny

    Go for the eyes Boo, Go For The Eyes!!!

  6. I think we know why it took so long by Anthracks · · Score: 3, Funny

    I mean, pen and paper RPG without the geekiness? That's like french fries without fat, Microsoft software without bugs... *rimshot*. They probably just bit the bullet after all these wasted years and made the geekiest game in history. Which will still sell like mad; they've had an eternity to hype it and take pre-orders, after all.

    --
    Rock over London, Rock on Chicago. Wheaties: Breakfast of Champions.
  7. without the geekiness? by night_flyer · · Score: 3, Insightful

    scuz me? I dont think this hobby (pen and paper rpg) is any more geeky than playing a game on a computer.

    tell my ex marine buddy that he is a geek, and he'll drive his size 11 combat boot up your nose, tell my truck driving friend that he is a geek and he will drive his big rig over you. in fact I havent had a "geek" in our pen and paper gaming group in over 10 years.

    --


    Thanks to file sharing, I purchase more CDs
    Thanks to the RIAA, I buy them used...
  8. Beta Test Request by 1024x768 · · Score: 5, Funny

    To: Mr. Hemos
    From: The Beta Test Department

    We regret to inform you that you have not been selected for our beta test pool *again*. We require beta testers to use spell checkers, as they are freely available.

    Regards,

    The Beta Test Department

  9. I saw this a few days ago.... by Xenopax · · Score: 5, Funny

    And I immediately started putting a group togethor to start in July (to give me enough time to write the campaign). Some people from my pen & paper group want me to tranfer my current campaign to this new system, but I told them that we should continue the pen and paper stuff since nothing beats eating chips and watching pewter figures hump each other while I frantically try to find the AC of an orc.

  10. Try asheronscall by HanzoSan · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Which beats both these games.

    AC has superior online playing features than EQ and BG, The graphics arent as good as EQ but the gameplay is great, it has the most complex spell system, it has a complete class system with monarchism, it has all kinds of enviornments from forrest to mountains covered with snow, weather system with rain effect, snow effects, etc, waterfalls, its just a virtual world.

    The tactics come into play when you have diffrent enviornments.

    The monsters in AC are very smart, they attack with strategies instead of just random hits

    BG had good AI, but it wasnt a multiplayer kinda game, at least not like EQ or AC.

    BG is more compareable to diablo, I'd be fine with NWNs being more in the style of diablo, but i'd prefer something bigger so thousands of players can play with each other or at least hundreds

    --
    If you use Linux, please help development of Autopac
  11. Wasted money at that by HanzoSan · · Score: 3, Interesting

    First they used some 2d engine back in 96, Then they used the Quake Engine, Then on to the Quake2 Engine, The Quake 3 Engine, and Unreal Tournament Engine.

    Because they were too lazy or stupid to develop their own Engine they wasted all this money and time switching throuugh other peoples Engines.

    This game better be surperior to Doom 3 or else this is the END and I mean absolute END of whatever company makes Duke Nukem.

    I dont care if Max Payne makes them money, let Duke fail and no one will believe in their ability to write a decent game after almost 10 years working on it.

    --
    If you use Linux, please help development of Autopac
  12. Bioware Model Viewer by penguin_nipple · · Score: 3, Informative
    Bioware has released a model viewer that shows some of the models to be included in NWN. It's pretty cool, "Walk", "Run", "Attack", panning, zooming , etc.

    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.

  13. 50% Linux support by Tom · · Score: 5, Insightful

    One: I love them for supporting Linux and releasing the game for it at the same time as the windos version.

    Two: Don't forget that the toolkit, i.e. the parts that you need to create your own campaign, are currently windos only.
    Reasons are some missing tool (C++ Builder or something, currently in beta for Linux).

    For me, the toolkit is the only reason to buy NWN. I don't like (A)D&D, but I'd swallow it if it means I can run online campaigns.

    --
    Assorted stuff I do sometimes: Lemuria.org
  14. Release date clarification by StarTux · · Score: 5, Informative

    I believe that the release date was achieved via the game stores, and trust me they don't know as much as they seems to suggest:

    "BioWare's new publishing partner, Infogrames, has just announced in their press release that Neverwinter Nights will be launched worldwide in Summer, 2002. We apologize for the delay in getting back to you during the day today - we want to try to clarify this date announcement since so many people have been posting about it on the message boards.

    Please understand that we are committed to releasing games when they are finished, polished and ready for the world. For a game as complex, epic and multifaceted as Neverwinter Nights, this is especially the case. The massive scope and flexibility intrinsic in the Toolset, the DM Client and the Official Campaign will be unprecedented in the gaming world and, as a result, we must carefully test every aspect of Neverwinter Nights. With a new publisher, there is a new plan for marketing, QA, localization and distribution.

    To that end, BioWare and Infogrames now feel that Summer 2002 (which could mean as early as May or June) is a good conservative estimate of the distribution date - guaranteeing a game worthy of the quality inherent under the titles of Dungeons and Dragons, Infogrames and BioWare. We are still aiming for the same development completion targets that we were aiming for in the past, but Infogrames and BioWare both want to provide a safe target window for the game to be ready in terms of the things that are covered by the publisher working in conjunction with the development team - distribution, localization, marketing and testing.

    Thanks - as always as we get more information we'll update you. Our fans are very important to us.

    Ray Muzyka Greg Zeschuk
    Joint CEO's BioWare Corp. "

    Please clarify your sources as Bioware have always firmly stated that it will shoot for a release when ready, and to them Summer is the best guess.

    MAtt

  15. Stay away from Amazon! by Dr.+Spork · · Score: 3, Insightful

    We're boycotting these guys, remember?

  16. The keys to success by yndrd · · Score: 3, Insightful

    1. A simple adventure design engine. If the DM has to learn some horrific and cumbersome system to run a simple game, he or she is going to go back to pen and paper.

    You've got to get a community going like you have with the FPS games--large numbers of people cranking out maps (some good, many bad) with software that (while not trivial to use) isn't a huge pain in the ass.

    2. Some facility to improvise. Any DM can tell you that the players NEVER follow the plan, and some ability for the DM to make modifications in the game on the fly ("Damn. They're going over there. Better generate some NPCs.") will make a better experience. Anything else locks the players into what seems as static as any ordinary so-called RPG.

  17. Is this a repost? by Zeekamotay · · Score: 3, Funny

    Didn't we just do the "Most Outrageous Vendor Lies Ever Told" story?