To be honest, and to give my feedback to the author to help make them a better writer (and not necessarily to be a jerk)...
The questions asked of the NWN2 staff were less than interesting. A basic reading of any of the materials already released would have answered over half of these questions.
Granted NWN2 and the NWN series in general never really generates the same type of controversy that MMORPG interviewers are used to working within. Having no obvious questions about heated controversy; boring easily answered questions were asked instead.
I was going to say that the responses given by the NWN2 staff were well done and very complete, however I then realized that this whole interview seems pre-arranged, to make NWN2 look good (what we usually call an advertisement). Anyone who plays NWN2 (and pays attention) knows that the game doesn't need it. It's a great game and it stands on it's own.
I love www.mmorpg.com and am a long term reader (note my join date), but I think someone should speak a few short, kind, well placed words to the journalism staff regarding what makes for a good interview and what is just sucking up to development staff. I'm not saying that journalists have to be confrontational and make enemies... I'm just saying that for the sake of making an interesting read... and for the sake of getting some new information (what they call "news") they should perhaps try to ask more complex and interesting questions... specifically ones that are not easily answered by reading a games FAQ.
Warmest regards, and good gaming to you and yours.
Originally posted by Celestian Originally posted by Rattrap Obsidian took the game and literally butchered it!
It is bugzorama barely working on even advanced PC's. AI is absymal and you need to constantly adjust the camera just to see where are you going. It will take 6 months of patching just to make it playable.
The game is unfinished , recycled and generally in beta stage - the beta stage you have to pay to play.
But this is not the worst part
Obsidian literally butchered the multiplayer in NWN2. They didnt improve nothing at all. Instead whatever functionality of nwn1 they didnt took away, they scaled down.
But you think that would be enough bad news.
You are wrong.
For every server you want to play on - you now must go ofline and download hefty file (around 100 mb). And this you must do again , every time the PW server changes anything.
Forget about PW's in nwn2 , most of PW admins and coders are going back to NWN1
This is a decent to average single player game , at its best
As a PW world builder for NWN1 and now NWN2 and a player I have to disagree with you.
I have no intention of going back to NWN1 to continue building at all. The immersion value of NWN2 is far higher than NWN1. You can build REAL mountains, forests and other such things.
Bugs? NWN1 had a HUGE amount of bugs on release, nothing new. Can I remind you of the login bug they had for MONTHS! Your server would suddenly start refusing connections from anyone.
AI? The AI in NWN2 performs the same as NWN1 as far as I can tell. Infact the casters are much faster than even NWN1 was (until I hacked in my own AI) so please explain your issues with AI.
Unfinished, recycled? Huh? Yeah there are issues that need to be resolved like OnDeath module events and PlayAnimations but please, how is it unfinished and "recycled" unless you're just trying to through out buzz words.
Scaled down multiplayer from NWN1? Um, here you are seriously making things up. Infact I can support MORE people ONLINE in NWN2 than in NWN1. Butchered multiplayer? How?
Yes, you need the PCW files, yes it's annoying but it's no more annoying than HAK files. And you do NOT have to download a new PCW file everytime they change ANYTHING. It's a walkmesh which only changes should they alter the terrain or where you can walk.
I didn't mean to rip your post apart when I started but seriously, I dunno what your issues are with NWN2 but most of what you cited is blatently wrong or your just misinformed.
I agree the camera controls are wonky, but they were in NWN1. I had assumed we'd be able to have a first person mode but why we don't who knows. The WASD control is horrible too, I dunno why they dont make it work like FPS/EQ2/WOW/etc games.
Would you mind explaining to us how are you going to build that wonderful server, with MORE players than NWN1 ? Why ? Because if you're builder then you already know you wont be getting away with more than a 20 to 30 areas if you have large outdoor ones. You cant load a module bigger than 2GB and 10-15 large outdoor areas are what fill 3/4 of this, so you can have a few dungeons as well. So you're either going with cross servers ( and you're rich, grats ) or you're stuck with trying to make outdoor areas using modified interior tilesets ( check nwn2forums.bioware.com for more info ). So umm all that talk from Obsidian about them waiting to see how creative the community can be and what it can produce....well it's damn sure the community WILL have to be very creative to produce some good sized PW's. I like the single player, and the game is running well on a 1.6 Celeron ( @ 2.1 currently ) with 512 ram and ATI 9550 gamers edition ( asus ftw ! :P ), but i doubt we will see MANY and BIG enough PW's anytime soon ( try reaching nordock 1.5's 600 areas...gl ).
Originally posted by sh1ny Would you mind explaining to us how are you going to build that wonderful server, with MORE players than NWN1 ? Why ? Because if you're builder then you already know you wont be getting away with more than a 20 to 30 areas if you have large outdoor ones. You cant load a module bigger than 2GB and 10-15 large outdoor areas are what fill 3/4 of this, so you can have a few dungeons as well. So you're either going with cross servers ( and you're rich, grats ) or you're stuck with trying to make outdoor areas using modified interior tilesets ( check nwn2forums.bioware.com for more info ). So umm all that talk from Obsidian about them waiting to see how creative the community can be and what it can produce....well it's damn sure the community WILL have to be very creative to produce some good sized PW's. I like the single player, and the game is running well on a 1.6 Celeron ( @ 2.1 currently ) with 512 ram and ATI 9550 gamers edition ( asus ftw ! :P ), but i doubt we will see MANY and BIG enough PW's anytime soon ( try reaching nordock 1.5's 600 areas...gl ).
24x24 areas are about 40meg a pop add about 5-15 for grass/trees and other placeables ... just as an FYI.
24x24 areas are very large.
That being said with the new "world" map features a inspired creator can make many areas of interest without using a ton of huge areas. Add in random encounters with small maps to deal with the encounter and you can give the feel of a sprawling world.
That being said I dunno what my end game plans will be. I am currently building my code for respawning tricks and persistant object code to manage quests. Adding in streamlined scripts to make adding quests much easier for specific types of quests.
The community is also already working on database support outside of the built in features so that you can have a sql database. That opens up tons of options for folks that are willing to have multiple regions of their world served off a database. Basically allow people to have countries and/or regions on different servers.
I myself could do 2 servers probably but we'll see how it turns out. My biggest complaint with NWN2 is the camera controls, can't createobject type trap or doors and scripting animations on mobs.
Originally posted by mindspat I believe most of those who are complaining could possibily be clueless as to how to adjust graphical settings on a gaming client.
Haha, insulting MOST peoples who have issues with lag will certainly help "your cause".
See, here are the many reason why the lag is awful in NWN2:
1- There is no auto-adjustment or suggestion, the basic value it gave you, the basic setting, is abysmal to say the least. So the game HAS to be adjusted after installation, which is a clear flaw to start with. Most games I don't ever adjust anything, my computer is "powerful" enought to run it nicely, smoothly and lagless...
2- The lag is worser in dungeons than in the game world and VARY A LOT with every zone. Thereby, you have set it, it work fine, then suddenly, it doesn't in the next zone. The game has no consistancy, it is like if it was the work of 10 independant companies rather than a finish product. I expect to see such differences in an unfinished product, not in a release title.
Attacking the users who complain about lag is certainly not the way to settle the issue. Obsidian are noobs, the game has no auto-adjust (and this is something IMPORTANT), so someone who already waste the time necessary to install the game, can play it, rather than fine tune it.
I personnally adjust my game options 5 times while I was playing the game. 1 should do it, 2 at worst...5 is abysmal. And still, depending on the area, on the zone where I fight, I may have no lag at all, or lag like hell. Most games that I play, I just run it right away. In other games I adjust it ONCE at worst, not 5 times.
PS: Since you praise yourself as a beta tester, I am not one myself and I am not good at finding bugs. However I found 6 bugs in the game, which is indeed quite bad, I shouldn't find bugs. 1- Bracers of AC stack with armors...this is a "new feature" with NWN2 that isn't the case in D&D and hopefully wasn't the case in NWN, breaking 40 AC is easy and it wasn't designed to be easy. 2- Black Garius at the Keep gate, he wait idle with a speak box, but can't click him. Must reload to clear the bug. 3- Final fight, clicking the portal to get the King of Shadows is bugged, the detection zone need to be 4 or 5 times bigger if not more. 4- Natural armor, if someone has 2 point of natural armor from an amulet and receive a spell that boost it to 6, he should get 6, not 8...yet again, AC is completely screwed...also, for some strange reason, tortoise shell doesn't improve with levels, while it should...guess a lazy programmer just put a static value...yet, it was designed to change, not to be static... 5- Spamming the player, I understand it the first time that 2 bonuses doesn't stack, you don't have to spam me over and over again, if you are afraid that I miss the info, you should't spam me, you should warn me once and then leave it somewhere to be readable at all the time...but you have items that give MANY bonuses, even if one of the bonuses it give doesn't interest me, I might want it for another, yet you don't need to repeat that the minor bonus doesn't stack all that time...but this is called...Game Design (ring and cloack both giving deflection). 6- Deflection AC doesn't stack in D&D, but weird combos that should give nothing might still give 1 point of extra AC (deflection 3 + 2 = deflection 3, not 4)...
- "If I understand you well, you are telling me until next time. " - Ren
NWN2 is one of those games I almost buy a new computer over, because the one I have now wont run it, and I wont buy a new computer for another year. NWN1 was just amazing though. The funny thing is, I picked up NWN1 really really late, but I still loved it. I joined this online server and there were some people there I played with for a while, and I would go on every night and the same people were on. We would do quests and stuff it was really fun!
I'm glad MMORPG.com posted this! Its nice to see that they are willing to do some prodding outside the absolute MMO genre. NWN really is the sort of game a MMORPG fan would enjoy, especially those who are looking for a game like D&D. NWN is perfect for that, because unlike games like D&D Online, the DM is an actual person who is interested in adding more content to the game world.
Originally posted by mindspat I believe most of those who are complaining could possibily be clueless as to how to adjust graphical settings on a gaming client.
Haha, insulting MOST peoples who have issues with lag will certainly help "your cause".
See, here are the many reason why the lag is awful in NWN2:
1- There is no auto-adjustment or suggestion, the basic value it gave you, the basic setting, is abysmal to say the least.
2- The lag is worser in dungeons than in the game world and VARY A LOT with every zone. Thereby, you have set it, it work fine, then suddenly, it doesn't in the next zone. The game has no consistancy...
Attacking the users who complain about lag is certainly not the way to settle the issue. Obsidian are noobs, the game has no auto-adjust (and this is something IMPORTANT)
I personnally adjust my game options 5 times while I was playing the game. 1 should do it, 2 at worst...5 is abysmal. And still, depending on the area, on the zone where I fight, I may have no lag at all, or lag like hell. Most games that I play, I just run it right away.
PS: Since you praise yourself as a beta tester,
However I found 6 bugs in the game, which is indeed quite bad
What is my "your cause"? While some could percieve not knowing how to adjust their game client as rude it is the truth regardless.
I agree, I was also surprised that my default settings made the game a little hard to play since shadows create tremendous lag. Turning off all the shadows helps a lot although it inadvertantly reduces the high level of imerssion.
Every game I've ever played I have adjusted its settings numerous times. I like to get the best quality with the best possible performance. This is not easy to do in a single gaming session and even if the client supports an "automatic" setting I *never* leave it untouched. Star Wars Galaxies had some great graphics and I would adjust it depending on the location and what I was doing, oftenly being adjusted 5-10 times per session.
And for the record, I've never attacked anyone as you claim nor have I ever stated I am a "beta tester". The later means absolutely nothing. Claiming to be a beta tester is what elementary school kids do on play grounds during recess. It's a bragging right for "kids". Those who know anything about development know "beta testing" provides no stature.
I'm having a blast with this game and it's one of the best RPG's I've played to date!
NWN2 is a really excellent game. Many of the issues are getting fixed in 1.03 patch. I've had some really fun multiplayer. I run my own campaign server with up to bout 6 party members always got good FPS. however, it is possible to join a server and get lag. However, common sense should dictate that maybe u should get on a diff server. NWN2 isn't an MMO. Anyone can run a MMO-lite server so not all have good bandwidth. other day I joined a tavern that had like 20 folks in it ran great
I'm running this game on a 3ghz 1 gb ram 128 mb geforce 6800. I get 35-50 fps (I run FRAPS so I know my fps numbers for sure). All you gotta do is create a custom profile and turn off vsync and triple buffering. however, the new patch should resolve this issue so the less computer savvy folks can get their game running smooth
Their release could've been a lot smoother if Atari would've given Obsidian at least another month (however I have no doubt Atari stressed out OBsidian to release in time for christmas). there is some truth in what some folks have posted but that doesnt prevent the game from being fun for many of us. just checkout the NWN2 forums its filled to the brim with activity
Originally posted by Lepidus
We chat with the developers behind Neverwinter Nights 2 to find out what's in this game for the average MMO gamer. Will it follow in the footsteps of NWN1 and become a mini-MMO? The whole article is here.
Excellent article btw thank you for taking the time to shed light on this game. Its a very nice option for MMO gamers waiting on the next gen MMORPGs
Originally posted by transitbus This makes the assumption that NWN2 is actually playable like an MMO which it is not. This is mmorpg.com not hackedtogethersequalswithbadcameramovementandnosupport.com
These guys have the worst support ever for a game.
The camera issue will be resolved in patch 1.03 which is due like Wed (personally I like the camera myself). They already released like 2 patches on a 3rd one is on the way Wed. So, this post is a blatant lie in that regard. Trying to say they dont support a game that just barely got released and will have 3 patches and saying its not supported is outright false
Now, if you would've mentioned you had doubts they would release all the wonderful expansions like bioware did then I couldnt argue because they haven't announced any expansions yet.
The game runs fine for me on whatever was installed as setup with what would be considered an "average" gaming computer, maybe even a little out dated. I haven't had the time to really dig into it yet, but what i've seen so far, I have really enjoyed. I figure this game is as much an MMO as some of the other games out there. If you look at the mechanic's at work, you'll realize that this game is pretty much what DDO should be, an online free venue for players of pen and paper games to get together and play, quest, share modules, etc. It just moves the medium from paper and books to the computer screen. I had a tough time getting into NWN1 because I just couldn't peel myself away from EQ. Now that the market is flooded with MMO's that pretty much don't have anything truely unique or fun to offer (in my opinion), I'm hoping that this game will provide a good alternative. Besides, it seems to me that MMORPG's should slash the RPG from their titles since no one really does that in MMO's anymore. Perhaps I'll find a little more enjoyable role play here as well once I delve into the online side of it.
Well been a long time reader, but never created an account because never really had anything to say, but this NWN2 article really made me speak up.
As others have said, why is Obsidian getting praise? Everything that is in NWN2 (game wise) was in NWN1, furthermore, as another poster said, they totally butchered this game.
I bought this game hoping with the long wait for a new and better NWN, but what I found is the exact same thing, with just a new rule set. More than that, it's worse than the original in terms of on-line play. It's like the devs never even tested the multi-player aspect of the game! If they did, have the QA people fired, because how can you miss the retarded element of when one player zones in a party the WHOLE party zones, this is in any world created game.
If playing in the single campaign in mmo-style, well the whole game pauses as someone talks to an npc. How annoying is that? The lag issue is still around and worse, the mobility of character movement hasn't improved, nothing has. It's just been added with newer graphics and a new campaign.
There are too many bugs in this game as well...I want my money back. And I am really choked about all the great reviews about this game. It shows me the people writing the articles really don't "test" the game, nor have they played the first one much, to give NWN2 the praise that it is getting (I played nwn1 for over 2 years).
All in all, I have this game a 2/10. Honestly, a waste of money. The single player mode is good though, but that isn't worth the $60 you will be paying for this game. The question really is being asked, what did Obsidian do? Nothing, just a new face...with the same old problems (well with a lot more problems, as it is almost unplayable in multipler).
Originally posted by sionide Well been a long time reader, but never created an account because never really had anything to say, but this NWN2 article really made me speak up.
As others have said, why is Obsidian getting praise? Everything that is in NWN2 (game wise) was in NWN1, furthermore, as another poster said, they totally butchered this game.
I bought this game hoping with the long wait for a new and better NWN, but what I found is the exact same thing, with just a new rule set. More than that, it's worse than the original in terms of on-line play. It's like the devs never even tested the multi-player aspect of the game! If they did, have the QA people fired, because how can you miss the retarded element of when one player zones in a party the WHOLE party zones, this is in any world created game.
If playing in the single campaign in mmo-style, well the whole game pauses as someone talks to an npc. How annoying is that? The lag issue is still around and worse, the mobility of character movement hasn't improved, nothing has. It's just been added with newer graphics and a new campaign.
There are too many bugs in this game as well...I want my money back. And I am really choked about all the great reviews about this game. It shows me the people writing the articles really don't "test" the game, nor have they played the first one much, to give NWN2 the praise that it is getting (I played nwn1 for over 2 years).
All in all, I have this game a 2/10. Honestly, a waste of money. The single player mode is good though, but that isn't worth the $60 you will be paying for this game. The question really is being asked, what did Obsidian do? Nothing, just a new face...with the same old problems (well with a lot more problems, as it is almost unplayable in multipler).
I bought the game the day it hit shelves, loaded it up, played a couple hours, and have not run it again. I can overlook bugs and graphics problems, its the camera angle I cannot deal with. It spins wildly out of control constantly, and I spend 80% of my playing time readjusting the camera so that I can see what the heck I'm fighting. Interior shots are even worse as for some reason walls block my view to rooms that I'm standing in, and the camera keeps trying to slip down to the outside of the room. If this Patch 1.03 that has been mentioned resolves these issues and introduces some kind of camera-lock option (like for example, directly overhead) then I will be much relieved, and no longer feel I wasted yet another 50 bucks (Sims and Master of Orion 3, I'm look at you).
As for the article, it definitely reads less like an "Interview With Developers" and more like "Free Advertisement For Public Relations Mouthpeices". I'd really like to see "robust toolset" parroted again, please, because I missed it the first few times. . .
I usually do not post about games or flame them. But this game is an atrocity for 50 dollars. My computer runs it fine. But the animations, graphics, camera control.. are all crap. Baldur's Gate published years ago is twice as good as this game.
What is clear is that these guys ran outa money making this game and published it early. The storyline is short, and its clear they rushed it. The game starts out with decent cut scenes and such. Then you will notice by act III that the cut scenes are now still pictures with sound. The ending is something you would expect from a 1995 game or something. Poorly constructed still graphics with a commentating voice that sounds like they took one of their developers with the dorkiest voice and told them to quickly read a few lines. The trailer for this game took more time to do than the ending. This isnt an exxageration, and this is another indication they ran outa time and money and through the game out there "as is".
Lets not mention the game is linear. Don't let them lie to you. To progress through the story you HAVE to do certain things. Also... alot of the conversations they give you tons of options to make diff responses, but 99% of them you get the same outcome no matter what you say. They only real choice of paths yhou get is in the city where you decide to help the good guys or the bad guys.
One thing that really bothers me is that you cant sheath your weapon. This is supposed to be a RP game... what dumbass warrior carries his 2 hand sword in 1 hand all day long. This game is poorly done bottom line.
No amount of patches, fixes, etc will make this game a quality game. IMO these guys just through the NWN sage into the dirt and then ran over multiple times.
Whoever is reading thread, do not let the fanbois lie to you and try to keep the obvious hidden. This game is crap and most of you will regret spending 50 bucks on it.
NWN 2 is ridden with game breaking bugs -crashes on launch, crashes when loading, black screens, freezes, etc.-. Not everyone seems to encouter all of these critical issues, but most people deal with at least one. These fatal errors have not been addressed in the patches, although Obsidian claims they have been. All they have offered so far are some half baked solutions and workarounds. Even if you do get the game running, there are other serious flaws present, such as saved games being corrupted or just disappearing.
Say you are lucky and don't have any problems, then there is still the matter of the cripple interface, the sub-standard graphics, the cookiecutter story... Most of all though, there is the horrible AI and indeed the impossible camera angels, which cause such a hinderance that it interferes with even the simplest aspects of gameplay.
Interactions with NPC's are extremely linear and every response almost always leads to the same result. Interaction with the gameworld is a sad joke... most doors can't open, there are only narrow paths you can actually walk on, ...
The toolset is bugged as well and lacking in some important areas. Overall not really much of an improvement to the NWN I toolset. Some would even say it is a lot worse.
Taking all of these factors into considerations... this is, without a doubt, one of the most rubbish games I have played in recent years.
AC (retired); EQ (retired); DAoC (retired); Horizons (retired); EQII (retired); CoH (retired); AC II (tested); Lineage II (beta); Neocron (tested); Saga of Ryzom (beta); SWG (retired)...
Strange that a non MMOG is being reviewed here. Where is the Oblivion review?
60 people per server does not make a MMOG.
"We feel gold selling and websites that promote it damage games like Vanguard and will do everything possible to combat it." Brad McQuaid Chairman & CEO, Sigil Games Online, Inc. Executive Producer, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes www.vanguardsoh
NWN2 is really good however I'm still in Act 2. patch 1.03 resolves camera angle and many other issues. There are a LOT of good looking mods coming out so if u hate the story just be patient. They improved FPS drastically in 1.03 and camera. you can also download mods/haks to fix camera.
The persistent worlds are deep role playing experiences. has some good pvp very promising
It's not an MMO but nor is Guild Wars. However it is MMO lite especially when you consider some of these vacant MMOs you'll be lucky to see over 7 ppl in a zone. thats the sad truth.
some of the posts here have some truth but most were resolved in beta patch 1.03. this game diod release a little early for christmas like many other titles. However, they took 2 yrs to get this thing right which is a long time considering they already had a mature toolset and engine. edit- excellent support, already 3 patches and obsidian posts on nwn2.bioware forum almost daily. I have never crashed, fps is 30-45 (I use FRAPS so I know). had some pathfinding issues that will hopefully get fixed in next patch
Comments
To be honest, and to give my feedback to the author to help make them a better writer (and not necessarily to be a jerk)...
The questions asked of the NWN2 staff were less than interesting. A basic reading of any of the materials already released would have answered over half of these questions.
Granted NWN2 and the NWN series in general never really generates the same type of controversy that MMORPG interviewers are used to working within. Having no obvious questions about heated controversy; boring easily answered questions were asked instead.
I was going to say that the responses given by the NWN2 staff were well done and very complete, however I then realized that this whole interview seems pre-arranged, to make NWN2 look good (what we usually call an advertisement). Anyone who plays NWN2 (and pays attention) knows that the game doesn't need it. It's a great game and it stands on it's own.
I love www.mmorpg.com and am a long term reader (note my join date), but I think someone should speak a few short, kind, well placed words to the journalism staff regarding what makes for a good interview and what is just sucking up to development staff. I'm not saying that journalists have to be confrontational and make enemies... I'm just saying that for the sake of making an interesting read... and for the sake of getting some new information (what they call "news") they should perhaps try to ask more complex and interesting questions... specifically ones that are not easily answered by reading a games FAQ.
Warmest regards, and good gaming to you and yours.
FINBAR
-------------------------------------------
And thank you Celestian.
I still fulling intend to buy this... but I think I will pick up a Wii this week and sometime in Dec pick this up.
To the MMORPG.com staff. This was a GREAT spot light and it has
every reason to be here thank you for brining this to us.
---
Bartle Test Breakdown: Achiever 20.00%, Explorer 86.67%, Killer 26.67%, Socializer 66.67%
As a PW world builder for NWN1 and now NWN2 and a player I have to disagree with you.
I have no intention of going back to NWN1 to continue building at all. The immersion value of NWN2 is far higher than NWN1. You can build REAL mountains, forests and other such things.
Bugs? NWN1 had a HUGE amount of bugs on release, nothing new. Can I remind you of the login bug they had for MONTHS! Your server would suddenly start refusing connections from anyone.
AI? The AI in NWN2 performs the same as NWN1 as far as I can tell. Infact the casters are much faster than even NWN1 was (until I hacked in my own AI) so please explain your issues with AI.
Unfinished, recycled? Huh? Yeah there are issues that need to be resolved like OnDeath module events and PlayAnimations but please, how is it unfinished and "recycled" unless you're just trying to through out buzz words.
Scaled down multiplayer from NWN1? Um, here you are seriously making things up. Infact I can support MORE people ONLINE in NWN2 than in NWN1. Butchered multiplayer? How?
Yes, you need the PCW files, yes it's annoying but it's no more annoying than HAK files. And you do NOT have to download a new PCW file everytime they change ANYTHING. It's a walkmesh which only changes should they alter the terrain or where you can walk.
I didn't mean to rip your post apart when I started but seriously, I dunno what your issues are with NWN2 but most of what you cited is blatently wrong or your just misinformed.
I agree the camera controls are wonky, but they were in NWN1. I had assumed we'd be able to have a first person mode but why we don't who knows. The WASD control is horrible too, I dunno why they dont make it work like FPS/EQ2/WOW/etc games.
Would you mind explaining to us how are you going to build that wonderful server, with MORE players than NWN1 ? Why ? Because if you're builder then you already know you wont be getting away with more than a 20 to 30 areas if you have large outdoor ones. You cant load a module bigger than 2GB and 10-15 large outdoor areas are what fill 3/4 of this, so you can have a few dungeons as well. So you're either going with cross servers ( and you're rich, grats
24x24 areas are about 40meg a pop add about 5-15 for grass/trees and other placeables ... just as an FYI.
24x24 areas are very large.
That being said with the new "world" map features a inspired creator can make many areas of interest without using a ton of huge areas. Add in random encounters with small maps to deal with the encounter and you can give the feel of a sprawling world.
That being said I dunno what my end game plans will be. I am currently building my code for respawning tricks and persistant object code to manage quests. Adding in streamlined scripts to make adding quests much easier for specific types of quests.
The community is also already working on database support outside of the built in features so that you can have a sql database. That opens up tons of options for folks that are willing to have multiple regions of their world served off a database. Basically allow people to have countries and/or regions on different servers.
I myself could do 2 servers probably but we'll see how it turns out. My biggest complaint with NWN2 is the camera controls, can't createobject type trap or doors and scripting animations on mobs.
http://www.greycouncil.org/
Haha, insulting MOST peoples who have issues with lag will certainly help "your cause".
See, here are the many reason why the lag is awful in NWN2:
1- There is no auto-adjustment or suggestion, the basic value it gave you, the basic setting, is abysmal to say the least. So the game HAS to be adjusted after installation, which is a clear flaw to start with. Most games I don't ever adjust anything, my computer is "powerful" enought to run it nicely, smoothly and lagless...
2- The lag is worser in dungeons than in the game world and VARY A LOT with every zone. Thereby, you have set it, it work fine, then suddenly, it doesn't in the next zone. The game has no consistancy, it is like if it was the work of 10 independant companies rather than a finish product. I expect to see such differences in an unfinished product, not in a release title.
Attacking the users who complain about lag is certainly not the way to settle the issue. Obsidian are noobs, the game has no auto-adjust (and this is something IMPORTANT), so someone who already waste the time necessary to install the game, can play it, rather than fine tune it.
I personnally adjust my game options 5 times while I was playing the game. 1 should do it, 2 at worst...5 is abysmal. And still, depending on the area, on the zone where I fight, I may have no lag at all, or lag like hell. Most games that I play, I just run it right away. In other games I adjust it ONCE at worst, not 5 times.
PS: Since you praise yourself as a beta tester, I am not one myself and I am not good at finding bugs. However I found 6 bugs in the game, which is indeed quite bad, I shouldn't find bugs. 1- Bracers of AC stack with armors...this is a "new feature" with NWN2 that isn't the case in D&D and hopefully wasn't the case in NWN, breaking 40 AC is easy and it wasn't designed to be easy. 2- Black Garius at the Keep gate, he wait idle with a speak box, but can't click him. Must reload to clear the bug. 3- Final fight, clicking the portal to get the King of Shadows is bugged, the detection zone need to be 4 or 5 times bigger if not more. 4- Natural armor, if someone has 2 point of natural armor from an amulet and receive a spell that boost it to 6, he should get 6, not 8...yet again, AC is completely screwed...also, for some strange reason, tortoise shell doesn't improve with levels, while it should...guess a lazy programmer just put a static value...yet, it was designed to change, not to be static... 5- Spamming the player, I understand it the first time that 2 bonuses doesn't stack, you don't have to spam me over and over again, if you are afraid that I miss the info, you should't spam me, you should warn me once and then leave it somewhere to be readable at all the time...but you have items that give MANY bonuses, even if one of the bonuses it give doesn't interest me, I might want it for another, yet you don't need to repeat that the minor bonus doesn't stack all that time...but this is called...Game Design (ring and cloack both giving deflection). 6- Deflection AC doesn't stack in D&D, but weird combos that should give nothing might still give 1 point of extra AC (deflection 3 + 2 = deflection 3, not 4)...
- "If I understand you well, you are telling me until next time. " - Ren
NWN2 is one of those games I almost buy a new computer over, because the one I have now wont run it, and I wont buy a new computer for another year. NWN1 was just amazing though. The funny thing is, I picked up NWN1 really really late, but I still loved it. I joined this online server and there were some people there I played with for a while, and I would go on every night and the same people were on. We would do quests and stuff it was really fun!
I'm glad MMORPG.com posted this! Its nice to see that they are willing to do some prodding outside the absolute MMO genre. NWN really is the sort of game a MMORPG fan would enjoy, especially those who are looking for a game like D&D. NWN is perfect for that, because unlike games like D&D Online, the DM is an actual person who is interested in adding more content to the game world.
Play as your fav retro characters: cnd-online.net. My site: www.lysle.net. Blog: creatingaworld.blogspot.com.
Haha, insulting MOST peoples who have issues with lag will certainly help "your cause".
See, here are the many reason why the lag is awful in NWN2:
1- There is no auto-adjustment or suggestion, the basic value it gave you, the basic setting, is abysmal to say the least.
2- The lag is worser in dungeons than in the game world and VARY A LOT with every zone. Thereby, you have set it, it work fine, then suddenly, it doesn't in the next zone. The game has no consistancy...
Attacking the users who complain about lag is certainly not the way to settle the issue. Obsidian are noobs, the game has no auto-adjust (and this is something IMPORTANT)
I personnally adjust my game options 5 times while I was playing the game. 1 should do it, 2 at worst...5 is abysmal. And still, depending on the area, on the zone where I fight, I may have no lag at all, or lag like hell. Most games that I play, I just run it right away.
PS: Since you praise yourself as a beta tester,
However I found 6 bugs in the game, which is indeed quite bad
What is my "your cause"? While some could percieve not knowing how to adjust their game client as rude it is the truth regardless.
I agree, I was also surprised that my default settings made the game a little hard to play since shadows create tremendous lag. Turning off all the shadows helps a lot although it inadvertantly reduces the high level of imerssion.
Every game I've ever played I have adjusted its settings numerous times. I like to get the best quality with the best possible performance. This is not easy to do in a single gaming session and even if the client supports an "automatic" setting I *never* leave it untouched. Star Wars Galaxies had some great graphics and I would adjust it depending on the location and what I was doing, oftenly being adjusted 5-10 times per session.
And for the record, I've never attacked anyone as you claim nor have I ever stated I am a "beta tester". The later means absolutely nothing. Claiming to be a beta tester is what elementary school kids do on play grounds during recess. It's a bragging right for "kids". Those who know anything about development know "beta testing" provides no stature.
I'm having a blast with this game and it's one of the best RPG's I've played to date!
NWN2 is a really excellent game. Many of the issues are getting fixed in 1.03 patch. I've had some really fun multiplayer. I run my own campaign server with up to bout 6 party members always got good FPS. however, it is possible to join a server and get lag. However, common sense should dictate that maybe u should get on a diff server. NWN2 isn't an MMO. Anyone can run a MMO-lite server so not all have good bandwidth. other day I joined a tavern that had like 20 folks in it ran great
I'm running this game on a 3ghz 1 gb ram 128 mb geforce 6800. I get 35-50 fps (I run FRAPS so I know my fps numbers for sure). All you gotta do is create a custom profile and turn off vsync and triple buffering. however, the new patch should resolve this issue so the less computer savvy folks can get their game running smooth
Their release could've been a lot smoother if Atari would've given Obsidian at least another month (however I have no doubt Atari stressed out OBsidian to release in time for christmas). there is some truth in what some folks have posted but that doesnt prevent the game from being fun for many of us. just checkout the NWN2 forums its filled to the brim with activity
Excellent article btw thank you for taking the time to shed light on this game. Its a very nice option for MMO gamers waiting on the next gen MMORPGs
The camera issue will be resolved in patch 1.03 which is due like Wed (personally I like the camera myself). They already released like 2 patches on a 3rd one is on the way Wed. So, this post is a blatant lie in that regard. Trying to say they dont support a game that just barely got released and will have 3 patches and saying its not supported is outright false
http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=522998&forum=109
Now, if you would've mentioned you had doubts they would release all the wonderful expansions like bioware did then I couldnt argue because they haven't announced any expansions yet.
"The monster created isn't by the company that makes the game, it's by the fans that make it something it never was"
never really had anything to say, but this NWN2 article really made me
speak up.
As others have said, why is Obsidian getting praise? Everything that is
in NWN2 (game wise) was in NWN1, furthermore, as another poster said,
they totally butchered this game.
I bought this game hoping with the long wait for a new and better NWN,
but what I found is the exact same thing, with just a new rule set.
More than that, it's worse than the original in terms of on-line play.
It's like the devs never even tested the multi-player aspect of the
game! If they did, have the QA people fired, because how can you miss
the retarded element of when one player zones in a party the WHOLE
party zones, this is in any world created game.
If playing in the single campaign in mmo-style, well the whole game
pauses as someone talks to an npc. How annoying is that? The lag issue
is still around and worse, the mobility of character movement hasn't
improved, nothing has. It's just been added with newer graphics and a
new campaign.
There are too many bugs in this game as well...I want my money back.
And I am really choked about all the great reviews about this game. It
shows me the people writing the articles really don't "test" the game,
nor have they played the first one much, to give NWN2 the praise that
it is getting (I played nwn1 for over 2 years).
All in all, I have this game a 2/10. Honestly, a waste of money. The
single player mode is good though, but that isn't worth the $60 you
will be paying for this game. The question really is being asked, what
did Obsidian do? Nothing, just a new face...with the same old problems
(well with a lot more problems, as it is almost unplayable in
multipler).
Play as your fav retro characters: cnd-online.net. My site: www.lysle.net. Blog: creatingaworld.blogspot.com.
I bought the game the day it hit shelves, loaded it up, played a couple hours, and have not run it again. I can overlook bugs and graphics problems, its the camera angle I cannot deal with. It spins wildly out of control constantly, and I spend 80% of my playing time readjusting the camera so that I can see what the heck I'm fighting. Interior shots are even worse as for some reason walls block my view to rooms that I'm standing in, and the camera keeps trying to slip down to the outside of the room. If this Patch 1.03 that has been mentioned resolves these issues and introduces some kind of camera-lock option (like for example, directly overhead) then I will be much relieved, and no longer feel I wasted yet another 50 bucks (Sims and Master of Orion 3, I'm look at you).
As for the article, it definitely reads less like an "Interview With Developers" and more like "Free Advertisement For Public Relations Mouthpeices". I'd really like to see "robust toolset" parroted again, please, because I missed it the first few times. . .
I usually do not post about games or flame them. But this game is an atrocity for 50 dollars. My computer runs it fine. But the animations, graphics, camera control.. are all crap. Baldur's Gate published years ago is twice as good as this game.
What is clear is that these guys ran outa money making this game and published it early. The storyline is short, and its clear they rushed it. The game starts out with decent cut scenes and such. Then you will notice by act III that the cut scenes are now still pictures with sound. The ending is something you would expect from a 1995 game or something. Poorly constructed still graphics with a commentating voice that sounds like they took one of their developers with the dorkiest voice and told them to quickly read a few lines. The trailer for this game took more time to do than the ending. This isnt an exxageration, and this is another indication they ran outa time and money and through the game out there "as is".
Lets not mention the game is linear. Don't let them lie to you. To progress through the story you HAVE to do certain things. Also... alot of the conversations they give you tons of options to make diff responses, but 99% of them you get the same outcome no matter what you say. They only real choice of paths yhou get is in the city where you decide to help the good guys or the bad guys.
One thing that really bothers me is that you cant sheath your weapon. This is supposed to be a RP game... what dumbass warrior carries his 2 hand sword in 1 hand all day long. This game is poorly done bottom line.
No amount of patches, fixes, etc will make this game a quality game. IMO these guys just through the NWN sage into the dirt and then ran over multiple times.
Whoever is reading thread, do not let the fanbois lie to you and try to keep the obvious hidden. This game is crap and most of you will regret spending 50 bucks on it.
when loading, black screens, freezes, etc.-. Not everyone seems to
encouter all of these critical issues, but most people deal with at
least one. These fatal errors have not been addressed in the patches,
although Obsidian claims they have been. All they have offered so far
are some half baked solutions and workarounds. Even if you do get the
game running, there are other serious flaws present, such as saved
games being corrupted or just disappearing.
Say you are lucky and don't have any problems, then there is still the
matter of the cripple interface, the sub-standard graphics, the
cookiecutter story... Most of all though, there is the horrible AI and
indeed the impossible camera angels, which cause such a hinderance that
it interferes with even the simplest aspects of gameplay.
Interactions with NPC's are extremely linear and every response almost
always leads to the same result. Interaction with the gameworld is a
sad joke... most doors can't open, there are only narrow paths you can
actually walk on, ...
The toolset is bugged as well and
lacking in some important areas. Overall not really much of an
improvement to the NWN I toolset. Some would even say it is a lot
worse.
Taking all of these factors into considerations...
this is, without a doubt, one of the most rubbish games I have played
in recent years.
AC (retired); EQ (retired); DAoC (retired); Horizons (retired); EQII (retired); CoH (retired); AC II (tested); Lineage II (beta); Neocron (tested); Saga of Ryzom (beta); SWG (retired)...
Strange that a non MMOG is being reviewed here. Where is the Oblivion review?
60 people per server does not make a MMOG.
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Brad McQuaid
Chairman & CEO, Sigil Games Online, Inc.
Executive Producer, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes
www.vanguardsoh
I sleep with a pillow under my gun.
I sleep with a pillow under my gun.
Sorry if I sound harsh earlier, but the game has many, unpolished aspects, this is all! 75% + 10% is still the ranking I would give the game.
It is not "one of the best" for me, but still, a blast is a blast.
Good enough for me. 
- "If I understand you well, you are telling me until next time. " - Ren
NWN2 is really good however I'm still in Act 2. patch 1.03 resolves camera angle and many other issues. There are a LOT of good looking mods coming out so if u hate the story just be patient. They improved FPS drastically in 1.03 and camera. you can also download mods/haks to fix camera.
The persistent worlds are deep role playing experiences. has some good pvp very promising
It's not an MMO but nor is Guild Wars. However it is MMO lite especially when you consider some of these vacant MMOs you'll be lucky to see over 7 ppl in a zone. thats the sad truth.
some of the posts here have some truth but most were resolved in beta patch 1.03. this game diod release a little early for christmas like many other titles. However, they took 2 yrs to get this thing right which is a long time considering they already had a mature toolset and engine. edit- excellent support, already 3 patches and obsidian posts on nwn2.bioware forum almost daily. I have never crashed, fps is 30-45 (I use FRAPS so I know). had some pathfinding issues that will hopefully get fixed in next patch