Development Info Obsidian to develop NWN 2

[Whipporowill]

Tags: Neverwinter Nights 2; Obsidian Entertainment

According to <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/08/04/news_6104090.html" target=_blank>this piece</a> over at <a href="http://www.gamespot.com" target=_blank>Gamespot</a>, Obsidian Entertainment are the ones developing the sequel to Bioware's Neverwinter Nights. Here's some nibblets from Feargus "Particle Effects" Urquheart amongst others:
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<blockquote>In a statement, Obsidian CEO Feargus Urquhart expressed his gratitude at taking over the venerated franchise. “BioWare and Atari created an immense community of players attracted by both the immersion of an interactive gaming experience and the ability to create their own pen-and-paper styled modules. Neverwinter Nights changed the very nature of role-playing games,” he said. Atari executive producer John Hight was also excited, saying, “Feargus and his team at Obsidian Entertainment are the best people on the planet to take up where BioWare left off and bring this great game to new level."</blockquote>
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On a related note - the Obsidian message boards were recently down for maintenance. Hardly a coincidence I'd say, considering the certain influx of about half the Biowarian fanboys. Enjoy!
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Thanks to <b>butsomuch</b> for pointing it out in our forums.

 

[errorcode]

wow, talk about striking oil for Obsidian. Their first 2 titles will be pretty much be instant best sellers just based off of the franchise name. This should garner Obsidian plenty of revenue to start work on there own projects.

 

[Diogo Ribeiro]

OH NOES!

 

[Walks with the Snails]

Wow, they're keeping the Aurora engine? That thing was dated when it came out.

I dunno, doesn't really seem like a terrible thing to me. I always pretty much expected Feargus would be more into Bioware-style games. So congrats on your latest "slam dunk".

 

[suibhne]

wow, talk about striking oil for Obsidian. Their first 2 titles will be pretty much be instant best sellers just based off of the franchise name. This should garner Obsidian plenty of revenue to start work on there own projects.

I think they would have done better with the BG3 franchise - which now goes to ... whom?

But yes, this is almost certain to be a hit on some level, so they could have done a whole hell of a lot worse.

My mind still boggles at the mere idea of a NWN2. What is its purpose? If it involves developing a more robust, more extensible, more accessible toolset, then it's a major project, as in "several years of development time" major. If it merely ends up being a story-driven campaign, then what's to differentiate it from, say, BG3 now that the Child of Bhaal narrative is over?

 

[Shevek]

Does this mean Troika has BG3?

 

[Whipporowill]

If they add stuff like physics, mounts, swimming and climbing - I can see a reason for upgrading it. Otherwise it'll just be a new graphical overhaul - as well as a port to consoles, I'm sure.

 

[Whipporowill]

Does this mean Troika has BG3?

No, it means nothing. Although - it certainly seems more likely now. I had CDProject penned for NWN2 (as a dark horse considering the graphics they've managed with Aurora) and Obsidian for BG3. But now... who else could even produce a real rpg? Any dev house we might have forgotten here? Heh.

 

[DamnElfGirl]

I wouldn't say they're necessarily keeping the Aurora Engine... all the article said was that Bioware would contribute the Aurora Toolset to the project. Doesn't mean it's going to be used as more than reference material, as part of the "creative consluting".

If they do use the Aurora Engine, I'll be that much less interested in playing.

 

[Diogo Ribeiro]

But now... who else could even produce a real rpg? Any dev house we might have forgotten here? Heh.

Following the acquisition of the reknowned Fallout franchise, Bethesda, after negotiations with Bioware and their janitors, is planning on developing the sequel to acclaimed, commercial success, angsty elf extravaganza, D&D munchkinization, revitalizer of all that is a PC title, Baldur's Gate.

But fear not, it won't be 'Morrowind with elves'! .... oh, wait..

 

[taks]

isn't the KotOR engine an offshoot of the aurora anyway? hopefully it will at least be updated... massively.

taks

 

[Transcendent One]

I bet by 2006 Dragon Age will be out, and they'll do a sequel for that too

 

[Volourn]

If Obsidian is smart they'll keep what worked with NWN and its expansions and fix what didn't. Heck, even BIO managed to fix the more obvious foolishness found in the OC.

And, oh, Elf, I think it's safe to assume that it's the Aurora Engine that will be used. That's pretty much a no brainer espciially with the release date scheduled for 2006.

I cna't wait. I just hope that even with a possible graphics update that it remains compatible with NWN1. I mean, if so, imagine all the feats, skills, spells, and wepaons one will be able to choose. Impresisve indeed.

Plus, the story should be better than the OC and SOU. I'm hoping for HOTU quality but longer of course.

 

[Whipporowill]

Obsidian's new byline - "Sequels R us". And I'm actually pretty sure they'll do both games better than the original. I'd be more MEH if Bio was responsible for the games - at least the Obsidian gang has some kind of edgieness.

 

[Volourn]

BIo should just buy out Obsidian and make them their sequel division. That's pretty much what theya re. LOL

 

[Transcendent One]

I actually wouldn't mind it as much if Bio was doing NWN2. They released one crapfest, they can release another. It wouldn't be a surprise or a disappointment. Obsidian on the other hand, that's a company that has talent. It's just a shame to see them waste it on producing sequels to overhyped crapfests.

 

[Diogo Ribeiro]

Good point. I wonder if the folks at Bioware already tasted Feargie's coffee? That should be more of a reason to hire the whole lot into their offices. Mebbe Feargus will lose some extra weight by running around serving coffees to both companies.

 

[taks]

Does this mean Troika has BG3?

at least, does this mean we might get a BG3 announcement... TODAY?

i don't have a problem with obsidian doing a couple sequels out of the box. as noted, it will help their bottom line since they have some automatic sales immediately. nothing wrong with that from a startup company.

taks

 

[Nightjed]

oh god ... "venerated franchise", "changed the very nature of role-playing games", "Feargus and his team at Obsidian Entertainment are the best people on the planet..."

is it just me or do those lines make anyone else want to go postal ?

edit: they will probably buff up the old aurora engine a bit and raise the level cap to 9999

 

[Barghest]

oh god ... "venerated franchise", "changed the very nature of role-playing games", "Feargus and his team at Obsidian Entertainment are the best people on the planet..."

is it just me or do those lines make anyone else want to go postal ?

No. More like puke my guts up.

 

[Volourn]

Crybabies whining as per usual.

 

[suibhne]

Crybabies whining as per usual.

Volourn whining about crybabies whining as per usual.

 

[Jed]

And Volurn whining about whining, lies, & TEH RUMOURZ! as usual...

EDIT: Look at those post times!

 

[Diogo Ribeiro]

Double post omg u teh winnar!

 

[Volourn]

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