Interview The Codex NWN2 interview

[Vault Dweller]

Tags: Neverwinter Nights 2; Obsidian Entertainment

We asked Josh Sawyer a <a href=http://www.rpgcodex.com/content.php?id=147>few questions</a> about <a href=http://www.atari.com/nwn2/>Neverwinter Nights 2</a>:
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<blockquote><b>2. If you had a chance to lead the development from the beginning, what would you have done differently? An inquiring mind wants to know.</b>
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Beware those who come bearing high-minded ideals of what they would do in retrospect. But, since you asked...
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In terms of designing the OC, I would have gone for something a lot more open-ended, more about exploration and optional content/companions than critical path game length. I also think I would have asked for engineering to focus on revising game logic roadblocks that prevent modders from extending the ruleset. For example, revising the custom spell list data. Revisions to the resource system and the addition of a manager also would have helped a lot.
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And though I know it would have resulted in a lot of resistance and probably less attention from the media, I would have pushed back as much as possible against replacing the renderer. I just don't think we had the time to do it completely and well. It also really screwed up all of our GUI code and changed all of the art asset pipelines throughout production.
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But again, this is all in retrospect.</blockquote>Looking forward to Josh's next project.
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[MountainWest]

Looking forward to Josh's next project.

Indeed. And by "indeed" I mean The Black Hound. I'm not delusional enough to believe that the Alien RPG he's tied up with (lead designer?) will be anything more than yet another kill'em all.

 

[Zomg]

I was annoyed at how the multiple gimmick layer design of the final fight was clearly inspired by Everquest-type "raid" boss fights, and I'm disappointed that JS is responsible. I dunno, though - the combat design was such a mess that a less gimmicky boss fight could have been worse. Maybe it was just a jerry rig.

 

[Diogo Ribeiro]

Awesomesauce.

 

[POOPERSCOOPER]

It's interesting how honest he is but I get the sense that some of it is just to please us. Never trust tricky dicky Sawyer.

 

[Drakron]

Nay, that is just how Sawyer is ...

 

[Volourn]

Nah. It's a mix of Sawyer and the Codex. I doubt he'd be so frank in a more typical media intevriew while he was trying to hype the game. L0LLERZ!

 

[POOPERSCOOPER]

Ever wonder how he got into Obsidian and suddenly became director of one of their top games? He sucked Uncle Furgies cock after admitting that he should of never went to work on that Guantlet game where he sucked that other guys cock.

 

[Volourn]

Um. Because, they knew each other from awhile back. Afterall, it was Mr. U who put Mr. S in charge of IWD2.

But, your theory *is* a possibility too.

 

[POOPERSCOOPER]

He also put Mr. S in charge of Mr. Fo3 when he promised before to put MCA in charge of it before hand.

I smell conspiracy of the cock.

 

[elander_]

Very nice interview. I tend to agree with what this guy says.

"Beware those who come bearing high-minded ideals of what they would do in retrospect."

Great ideals often meen not having a clue or being too lazy to look into the classics and realize that what you are doing today and calling innovative was already done before and it was done with more quality.

 

[OSK]

Wow. I really didn't expect him to be so open and blunt about NWN2's flaws.

Let's hope this isn't just talk and he puts some of these ideas in use next time.

 

[Shoelip]

Holy crapplesauce! This has got to be the weirdest thread ever! Is it a full moon tonight or something?

 

[dojoteef]

Damn. I wish Obsidian would have contacted me earlier. I would have solved all their programming woes... well probably not, but still. I just got a programming test from them (which was actually fairly easy), but they were too late. I accepted a job over a month ago. For shame.

 

[Greatatlantic]

Damn. I wish Obsidian would have contacted me earlier. I would have solved all their programming woes... well probably not, but still. I just got a programming test from them (which was actually fairly easy), but they were too late. I accepted a job over a month ago. For shame.

Any chance that job is for Sega? Just a thought.

 

[Inziladun]

Good interview. Maybe there is yet still a little hope in the Big leagues.

 

[merry andrew]

Someday he's gonna work on a game from start to finish and it's actually going to be released.

 

[Solaris]

What Mr Sawyer says in that interview pretty much sums up my thoughts on Obsidian as a whole. Their technical aptitude and vision is somewhat lacking.....along with the D&D thing being more of a hinderance than a benefit overall.....a pity.

I don't think I've ever enjoyed and hated a game all at the same time as much as I have with NWN2