Slashdot Mirror
Bioware Releases Neverwinter Nights Linux Client Beta
valedaemon writes "Well, I thought that the world would end before this day dawned, but Bioware has finally made good on its promise of a Linux client for Neverwinter Nights. You still need a Windows installation in order to copy the game data, but the good news is that the downloadable is only 4.4 MB. I could write more, but why? Go play!"
Server browsing and chat are disabled in this beta.
if you dont want to login to their site. download direct from here
if u dont have a windows install, u can extract the data from ur cds with these toolz: http://icculus.org/~ravage/nwn/nwn_linux_installer .run
http://members.cox.net/monteslu/nwn_data_installer .run
their may be issues since the stuff extracted from the cds arent patched up to 1.29, but i cant say for sure. reply with info and/or tips if u have any
> "I allege that SCO is full of it" -Linus
They mention why on their website, there is no practical way to get the data out of the Windows InstallShield cabinet files under linux.
Step 1. Install the windoze version on a windoze box.
/path/to/mounted/nwn/directory
step 2. Update the windoze version to 1.29. 18meg download - and it's ssssllllloooowwwww.
step 3. Copy a pile of files over to your linux box. It would have been nice for them to include a script to do this for me.
e.g. 'getnwn
I'll write my own. Hmm, maybe I can just install the Linux client into the mounted windows directory and save me the trouble.
step 4. Install SDL if you don't already have it.
step 5. Install the NWN Linux client.
step 6. Profit!
Started this message when the update to 1.29 was at 8%. Finished this message at 58%. Damn slow.
-- Will program for bandwidth
Seems to work for me. I just followed the instructions and copied the files from my NTFS partition, extracted the tarball, ran the "fixnwn" script, and the dang thing works! Loaded my save game and everything.
Neverwinter Nights works with:
[X] Debian Woody 3.0
Clickety Click
Baldur's Gate etc was not that great for modding. Hey if you just got NwN for the "smallish stock module" then you are missing out. There are thousands of new modules made by aspiring Dungeon Masters out there now, and this is just the start. Not happy with the stock, well make your own! I agree that BG I / ToTSC / II / ToB are really great, but NwN is a rather ambitious undertaking in that you can make your own adventures, and even DM them if you want. Even still, I like the stock module. I like zooming in and watching my warrior hack those monsters to bits in full OpenGL splendor, and be sure to enable "Special Violence Mode" for extra fun!
Clickety Click
I made one a few days ago in preparation for this: http://members.cox.net/monteslu/nwn_data_installer .html
ravage also made one :
http://icculus.org/~ravage/nwn
"If they have both, tell them we use Linux. And if they have that, tell them the computers are down." -Dave Chapelle
Try telling that to the scores of Mac users that have since cancelled preorders of the retail box.
Bioware said specifically up until less than a month before the launch that the Win, Mac and Linux clients would be in the same box, when development of the Mac and Linux-side clients had ceased months before in order to rush the Win version out the door.
That's not inexperience. That's a flat-out lie. Here we are, almost a year later, and there's still no Mac client, although it's reportedly in beta. Without the DM toolset. And I'm assuming that it's going to be priced as a "premium" game ($60ish).
I have to say, I've got multiple PCs capable of running NWN under either Win or Linux, and I haven't bought the game out of general principle. When there's a forthcoming Mac version, I hold out in order to support the porters. It's that simple. I put my money where my mouth is.
My mouth is saying that NWN without the toolset isn't worth the "premium" pricepoint, a year late. And I doubt that I'm alone.
FWIW, that $60ish is probably going into Shadowbane instead of NWN now, as it really is going to ship hybrid at launch -- I can play with both my Mac-owning friends, *and* those unfortunate enough to be on a Wintel box.
Played NWN and Baldurs Gate...And I am not sure why someone chose to mod up this opinion. NWN is nothing like D2, sure Chapter 1 kinda sucks, but then it really takes off.
:). Although thats as far as I got with my Pally.
:). But it wasn't as close to pen and paper D&D...Nor was it 3rd edition as far as I recall.
Although with these types of games save/load tends to help a lot in single player. Did like the Green Griffon challenge quite a bit though
Where this is likely to shine the most is with Multiplayer, the above poster obviously has not found a good DM to be with. NWN actually allows too for hack'n slash, but depending on DM and module it does allow for the closest RPG experience there is.
Baldurs Gate; Great Single player games, no doubting that
StarTux