Interview Neverwinter OMG has no need for Pausing or To-Hit Rolls

[ecliptic]

Missing is way too hardcore.

 

[MetalCraze]

Wait...why do they need the D&D license again?

Because otherwise who will play it?

 

[J1M]

Given that this is Cryptic we are talking about and even Obsidian is on record as saying they licensed Aurora because implementing the D&D rules is "hard to do compared to graphics engines" I suspect a large portion of the rules were simply ignored because Cryptic is terrible at making things.

 

[GarfunkeL]

Reality check:

How exactly would you go around implementing TB/RTWP in a fucking MMO

?

While that would be quite an curious MMOG, TB might actually work since this is aimed at smaller groups of players. In any case, DDO managed to do quite well with 3.5 rules and they only inflated hitpoints so that combat at low-level wouldn't be quite as punishing (it's still very possible to get killed, especially if alone) and instead of spell slots went with spell points which turned lvl 1 mage into something that you could actually play alone.

Considering that 4th ed is apparently already very "WoWified" to begin with, it makes no sense that they are now ditching those mechanics and only use D&D as window dressing.

Oh well, doesn't really matter. Some retards will waste their time&money, DDO will remain at is is and maybe 4th edition will sink into the swamp of ignorance.

 

[Azrael the cat]

For once I actually agree with Volourn. As non-D&D as Bioware's rtw/p mass simplification (of fighting classes) was, it still felt unmistakeably like an AD&D system. Just one adjusted for kids with ADHD. (Hey, that kind of works - AD&D 4 ADHD!).

This just sounds like it's got nothing to do with the system and they could have saved money by skipping the licence. It's not like todays legions of FO3/ME fans are attracted by the D&D licence anyway, they aren't PnP players. And those who would be attracted by it would be put off by how little it has to do with the system. Not to mention that when Bioware did theres, there was already a tradition of simplified AD&D in place, so even if they pissed off the PnP players by eliminating all the fighting classes' options, they could still draw in the rpg players of the day who had memories of the gold box games.

 

[J1M]

While that would be quite an curious MMOG, TB might actually work since this is aimed at smaller groups of players. In any case, DDO managed to do quite well with 3.5 rules and they only inflated hitpoints so that combat at low-level wouldn't be quite as punishing (it's still very possible to get killed, especially if alone) and instead of spell slots went with spell points which turned lvl 1 mage into something that you could actually play alone.

Considering that 4th ed is apparently already very "WoWified" to begin with, it makes no sense that they are now ditching those mechanics and only use D&D as window dressing.

Oh well, doesn't really matter. Some retards will waste their time&money, DDO will remain at is is and maybe 4th edition will sink into the swamp of ignorance.

I certainly wouldn't call DDO a good 3.5 implementation. I can see how you came away with that impression though if you only played through levels 1 and 2. By level 10 there are feats with +10 to attack and so forth. The reason this neverwinter game sucking so hard matters is because it makes other 4e games with turn-based combat even less likely to be in development.

 

[Drakron]

The reason this neverwinter game sucking so hard matters is because it makes other 4e games with turn-based combat even less likely to be in development.

Well that is good news as my impressions of 4e are "ruleset designed for MMORPG use" and what they did to Forgotten Realms is unexcused.

 

[Jaesun]

Yet another shit Cryptic game, rushed out by Atari.

Might be worth a look 10 years from now.

 

[AlaCarcuss]

Reality check:

How exactly would you go around implementing TB/RTWP in a fucking MMO

?

Dunno about RTwP but TB has actually been done quite successfully. One of the most popular, free-to-play, Korean MMO's - Atlantica has TB combat. It is implemented a bit like Kings Bounty/HoMM, where once combat is initiated, players are transported to a seperate combat arena where the battle takes place. It actually works pretty well and is a lot more intersting than the usual MMO target/click fest.

http://atlantica.ndoorsgames.com/center/default.asp

 

[Nickless]

I can easily envision a NWN-like persistent world that strictly adheres to 3.5 rules working with only some very minor adjustments. TB combat could work. Similar monsters would share initiative rolls and move simultaneously on their turn, acting either on AI or orders from the DM, except for monsters selected by the DM to be controlled more refinely, this would usually be a spellcaster of some sort. When a player is waiting for others to finish their turns, they can lock in actions to take on their turn, and can change this at any time up to their turn. There'd be a six second delay between player turns, if an action is not taken during that turn, the character either does a programmed action selected by the player beforehand, or total defenses. Combat would take place in an area of effect around engaging parties, the area of effect would emanate from each combatant, and those specifically choosing to withdraw would enter real time once they are out of range from each elected participant. In this way the combat would still be engaging with multiple participants while still being turnbased (You decide actions to take when it's not your turn, and have some time to change those actions if the combat situation changes before your turn is skipped). Due to the small player-base nature of PWs, abuse/griefing of this system can be controlled with server bannings.

 

[latexmonkeys]

Eurogamer: Oh, it's action-based? Are there discernible turns - is it all based on a dice-roll system? Jack Emmert: There are dice rolls going on, but it's not turn-based in the sense that you can pause it.

rtwp = TB

This actually doesn't surprise me at all. When Dragon Age's release was imminent many of the retards on other so-called gaming forums were confused as to whether the combat would be rt or tb, to which they were assured by equally ignorant posters, "Yes, it's turn-based, you know like Neverwinter Nights, and KOTOR." Quite a few of them exclaimed in dismay, "Damn, I was looking forward to this, but turn-based is so boring! What are you thinking releasing a tb game in this day and age Bioware!"

 

[MicoSelva]

Goddammit!

---

On topic: Don't most MMOs have some kind of to-hit rolls?
Oh, sorry, I forgot this is an OMG not a MMO.

 

[GarfunkeL]

I certainly wouldn't call DDO a good 3.5 implementation. I can see how you came away with that impression though if you only played through levels 1 and 2. By level 10 there are feats with +10 to attack and so forth. The reason this neverwinter game sucking so hard matters is because it makes other 4e games with turn-based combat even less likely to be in development.

Ah, my bad - I only played levels 1 and 2 back then. Sounds awful if they eventually mutilate the whole system. Oh well

 

[Silellak]

This game will be shit. Cryptic are the worst MMO developers by far - everything they've released has been utter crap... even by MMO standards (possible exception to CoH which was just ok). They're like the Uwe Boll of game developers...

I've always considered City of Heroes one of my favorite MMOs - the combat system was fun, and the Z-Axis was a nice edition to the genre. I played it longer than I played most MMOs, at least. In fact, when I finally decided to try the trial of WoW, I only played it for a couple of hours before realizing "Oh - it's like City of Heroes, but less fun", and never touched it again.

That said, this looks and sounds fucking awful. I'll pass.

 

[DraQ]

seperate combat arena

Sounds plain awesome.

 

[hoochimama]

Might as well start covering the old republic MMO then, at least its BS department says nicer things such as each class getting its own kotor-esque campaign.

 

[AlaCarcuss]

This game will be shit. Cryptic are the worst MMO developers by far - everything they've released has been utter crap... even by MMO standards (possible exception to CoH which was just ok). They're like the Uwe Boll of game developers...

I've always considered City of Heroes one of my favorite MMOs - the combat system was fun, and the Z-Axis was a nice edition to the genre. I played it longer than I played most MMOs, at least. In fact, when I finally decided to try the trial of WoW, I only played it for a couple of hours before realizing "Oh - it's like City of Heroes, but less fun", and never touched it again.

That said, this looks and sounds fucking awful. I'll pass.

Yeah, that's why I made an exception - CoH wasn't too bad at all, though it's been downhill ever since. They even hired that moron Bill Roper who really fucked them over.... then, when it became obvious he'd done enough damage, he fucked off (no doubt to rape some other well-meaning developer).

 

[AlaCarcuss]

seperate combat arena

Sounds plain awesome.

As I said - think HoMM/KB, combatants just transition to a combat screen, set in the current area - complete with hex grid etc... If that style of TB combat appeals to you then it works quite well in Atlantica.