Interview MCA and Sawyer combo Q&A at RPG Dot

[Vault Dweller]

Tags: Neverwinter Nights 2; Obsidian Entertainment

<a href=http://www.rpgdot.com>RPG Dot</a> has posted a <a href=http://www.rpgdot.com/index.php?hsaction=10053&ID=1220>NWN 2 interview</a> with Chris Avellone and Josh Sawyer.
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<blockquote><i>The last time we spoke with Obsidian, Ferret Baudoin commented that diplomatic characters would have more moments to strut their stuff, while Darren Monahan explained NWN2 has some complex dialogue. Can you expand this further? How much impact will players have on the gameplay through dialogue rather than combat and how will stats or elements influence the options?</i>
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Chris Avellone: We make extensive use of Diplomacy, Bluff, Intimidate, and deception and lying in general, as well as some more unusual skills for influencing others in dialogue, including Perform and Taunt. Without giving too much away about moments in the plotline, there's plenty of ways to crush your opponents and defeat them with just the right word or turn of phrase. There are even instances where the companions can back you up with certain skills (Neeshka can occasionally help you pull out of a Taunt or Lie-based Failure, for example). Aside from skills, we also use a number of attributes common from the Black Isle games, including Intelligence and Wisdom and various class and race-based responses.
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<i>Speculation is rampant about the strongholds that will be included in the game. What can you tell us about them? Are they class-specific? Can a PC own more than one? How do they work?</i>
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Chris Avellone: The player has a single stronghold, and it is not class-specific, although some of the things you can do in the stronghold may have different effects depending on your class and alignment. Without giving too much away, the Stronghold game mechanic begins with you given a shell, then you have to spend and gather the resources to build and upgrade it however you see fit. Some of these may involve searching the world for recruits, others involve completing certain quests, others involve spending a few dozen bags of gold or so.</blockquote>
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Interest++

 

[Diogo Ribeiro]

Re: MCA and Sawyer combo Q&A at RPG Dot

Without giving too much away about moments in the plotline, there's plenty of ways to crush your opponents and defeat them with just the right word or turn of phrase.

Orc: Raaargh!

PC: Laputin machine.

Orc: How did you--?

PC: Sticks and stones.

Orc: *dies*

There are even instances where the companions can back you up with certain skills (Neeshka can occasionally help you pull out of a Taunt or Lie-based Failure, for example).

Will this make it so PCs can fall back on companions when it comes to bypassing specific situations, basically using them as a handy reroll to achieve success? Or are the companions also prone to failure in circumstances like these?

 

[Balor]

Avellone means must buy. Period.

 

[Andyman Messiah]

Re: MCA and Sawyer combo Q&A at RPG Dot

Chris Avellone: The player has a single stronghold, and it is not class-specific, although some of the things you can do in the stronghold may have different effects depending on your class and alignment. Without giving too much away, the Stronghold game mechanic begins with you given a shell, then you have to spend and gather the resources to build and upgrade it however you see fit. Some of these may involve searching the world for recruits, others involve completing certain quests, others involve spending a few dozen bags of gold or so.

Neverwinter Nights Suikoden? That bit about upgrading "it however you see fit" sounds interesting. More micro management in games, plz!

Edit: BBCode!

Edit2: AAAAADRIAN!!!

 

[obediah]

Is there an most-likely-shit video game escrow service? I guess I can pirate it, but I've been reformed so long.

 

[Atrokkus]

Great news!
I'm now terribly excited.

NWNWNWNWNWNWNWNWNWNWNWNWNWNWNWN

I especially like the stronghold feature. Too bad it's not class-dependent... BG2's concept of strongholds was very sharp and I enjoyed them all very much (had to change my main character several times to enjoy them all in one-two walkthrough, because there was little sense in doing full walkthrus just because of strongholds, since everything else tends to be awfully repetitive). There is nothing more satisfying for me than to have my own estate, a little (or not) cozy abode, ya know just like in real life, but in a whole different, fantasy environment. You see, that's the reason why I cared little about Sims -- they are just reality casts, they are just boring... well, aside from the wonderful room design feature, of coruse. In fantasy/sci-fi games, however, I'm often very inclined to inhabit some place, even if it is not really designed to be inhabit. Like, for instance, in Fallout2 I had my HQ set up in a newly-abandoned BoS base in Frisco.
If I get a chance to have a really living and evolving estate, then i'll be happy to play the game just for that single reason.

 

[Jora]

Not much new information in that review. The game continues to be promising.

Some of the questions are really silly. NWN was used at the University of Minnesota to help students hone their problem-solving skills. Does Obsidian Entertainment plan to release any type of materials for teachers and professors to assist them with implementing NWN 2 in the classroom? I can't imagine NWN being of any use in teaching anything. And did the interviewer actually expect some other answer?

 

[Jora]

Ferret had some cool ideas for the stronghold in Van Buren. Let's hope some of them made it into NWN2. http://www.duckandcover.cx/content.php?id=62

15. Did Van Buren contain the key element of an RPG, having your actions affect the world? If so, list some of the things that you could do in the new engine.

Hell yes. There was "PC Town," a part of the Dam where you could direct the construction of different businesses and residences. You could set up a trade agreement between the Dam and the salvagers of Dog Town, trading medical supplies for valuable resource materials salvaged from the city. You could send the Hangdogs and Blackfoots to Dog Town to capture the wild dogs that have the run of the place (just look out for the CRB-S units!). And the choice of prisoners you decide to drag back to prison affects the areas in which they're hiding out....

20. Tell us more about the PC-town area planned for VB.

That was Ferret's area, and I'll let him talk about it if he wants to. Basically it's a destroyed part of town that you can buy from the locals and build up to suit your own purposes. It could be a slum, middle-class, or really nice depending on who you send there and how much money you put into it.

-- There are special skilled slaves whom you can free and say, "Why don't you head off to 'PC Town'?" and they'll actually show up there and help you build/upkeep/protect PC Town.

Actually, the design docs are filled with great ideas, so start downloading them already!

 

[bryce777]

That actually does sound kind of cool.

 

[Moggs]

Yeah, I had no interest in this - I'd not read anything about it because I was so underwhelmed by the first one. But this has severely piqued my interest. And Avallone rocks!

 

[Llyranor]

Why is the interest 'suddenly' peaked, though? Most of this isn't new at all.

 

[Drakron]

I cannot wait for release so I can say ... "I told you so".

 

[Moggs]

Why is the interest 'suddenly' peaked, though? Most of this isn't new at all.

Like I said in my post (it did span two whole lines, so I can understand if you didn't get chance to read it all), I had no interest in this because of feeling let down by NWN1, and hence had not been following it all all. Thus it's all new to me.

Also, my interest has not "suddenly peaked", it's been "piqued". It means to be provoked or aroused. I shall educate the Codex yet. Or not. Either way.

 

[Volourn]

"I can't imagine NWN being of any use in teaching anything. And did the interviewer actually expect some other answer?"


College and univeristy professors disagree with you, moron.


Anyways, none of this stuff (except for the actual name of an npcs) is even new. This is old stuff. Good stuff; but old stuff.

 

[Vault Dweller]

"I can't imagine NWN being of any use in teaching anything. And did the interviewer actually expect some other answer?"


College and univeristy professors disagree with you, moron.

Clinical tests have proven that prolonged exposure to NWN does affect test subjects' social and communication skills. Just look at Volourn.

 

[HardCode]

College and univeristy professors disagree with you, moron.

They also think the US should disband the military and use the money to buy marijuana for the new generation of useless hippies, and give some to lazy people who won't fend for themselves.

 

[Jon]

College and univeristy professors disagree with you, moron.

College and university professors will do most anything if they can secure funding for it.

 

[Volourn]

"Clinical tests have proven that prolonged exposure to NWN does affect test subjects' social and communication skills. Just look at Volourn."

Nah. I was always a moron. If anything, it's the Codex that's made me even more moronic.

 

[Jora]

College and univeristy professors disagree with you, moron.

That's just because they don't know they disagree.

 

[Vault Dweller]

I beg to differ:

Volourn's post, circa 2003:

Hi there. Just came a cross this forum througha link shared on the BIS side. Most of you probably don't me; but some do (hi Saint Proverbius). *hears all the groans*


Anyways, the reason I'm doing an "official" introduction is because I ahve a funny feeling that some of my opinions on role-playing games will probably clash with some of yours. Just ask SP about that. Heh.

First of all, I have to say I love rpgs. I've been playing pnp rpgs for almost two decades - mostly dnd; but also others at times like Whit Wolf, Palladium, et al. I mostly dm, and my players say I'm good at it; but I never take that joke seriously.

Now, to computer role-playing games. I've played many of them. My favorites include the IE games (mostly the BG series, and PST), the Fallout Series (FO2 being my favorite game of all time), the FF series (though they terchnically aren't real rpgs; more like adventure games), Arcanum, and *looks around* NWN. Yyes, I know, that game isn't popular around; but I will explain my position in a bit. Other games I have played are the GB series, Wizardry, M&M, ES series, and Bard's Tales. I played Diablo 1 a long time ago and di not care for it; and I haven't even bothered trying Diablo 2. Since they are most definitely more action games then anything.

Now, to explain why I like the FO series the most. It's simple. It's the closest crpg series that comes close to giving a real freedom of choice. Not perfect; but more so then even my other top favorite games. Choices are the key for crpgs; along with a decent story.

The BG series, and PST are my next top ones due to the characters involved. Very memorable characters indeed there. Of course, I know that some including SP dislike the BG series thinking the characters are "shallow", or what not; but I just ahve to disagree with that for now.

Now, here comes the big one... NWN. I like this game. *sees the lynch mob preparing to termiante his existence*. Woah there. This doesn't mean that I think it's the best game ever as far as the OC goes. In fact, I would rate it somehwere in the 70's on a scale of 1-100. There are MANY weaknesses I can point out about it (like most games). A few are the overabundace of kewl lewt (gross), the module format, and the step backwards from the IE npcs. The story while not something origianl; still isn't bad compared to most crpgs that I have had the unfortuanate way to play. Aribeth *hears more groans* is one of my fvaorite characters in any crpg. Why, you ask? Simple. I cared about her plight. That doens't happen all the time for me so that really helped the game alot. Now, what really makes the game one of my top faves is that with all the on line play, and module making ability; it is probably the closest to true pnp rping on a computer I have seen yet. Not all will agree of course.

Now, to make it clear, I'm not one of those NWN fans who ignore complaints about the OC with lame exuses like the following:"iNWN was menat as a mp game"; "NWN has 4 parts"; or "the OC is just an after thought". Those are nonsesne. BIo intened for the OC to be as good as possible. In fact; they promised that. We can debeate how good or bad it was/is; but there is no doubt about what was intended by BIO. Now, I have been called a NWN/BIO fanboy by more than few people including SP before; but I think I have been fair (but still just giving my opinion) about the game even if you happen to disagree with me.
...

Volourn's post, circa 2006

And, oh, one more thing:

NWN WAS THE BEST GAME EVAR!!!!!

Case closed

 

[bryce777]

Isn't volourn 25? He's been playing rpgs since he was 2?

 

[Rhombus]

Either that or he don't know what a decade is, or can't count to two..

... ofcourse, there is the possibility he's not 25.

 

[Volourn]

"Isn't volourn 25?"

You are stupid.


"Case closed"

If anything, you prove dmy point. Pre Codex, I liked NWN but it wasn't favorite game. Post Codex, it is.

So, if I'm stupid for thinking NWN is the best, it must be the Codex's fault as I didn't start to love it so much until AFTER I started posting here!

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!


LOLOLOLOLLIPOP

 

[Hazelnut]

"Clinical tests have proven that prolonged exposure to NWN does affect test subjects' social and communication skills. Just look at Volourn."

Nah. I was always a moron. If anything, it's the Codex that's made me even more moronic.

But you've been so intelligable for months and months now since your near mental melt-down, so maybe the Codex has actually helped.

 

[Rhombus]

I have to agree that you've become less sensible over the years.. The Lolipop thing really doesn't.. I have vague memories of you actually making good points and smart sounding posts on the BIS board.. but that could be my memory being screwed.

BIB was good times though...