Neverwinter Nights 2 first details revealed.

[Dark Jezter]

IGN has posted the first details of Neverwinter Nights 2. Here are some highlights from the article...

• The game is being developed by Obsidion Software, a new development company whose staff includes veteran RPG creators from Black Isle Studios (the same guys who made Baldur's Gate, Planescape, and Icewind Dale). The game will use the same Aurora Engine that NWN1 did, albeit a greatly-advanced version of it. Bioware will be providing assistance in the development of the game.
• The game will feature lots of multiplayer support and user customizability options just like NWN did.
• Much like how the city of Athkatla played a central role in BG2, Obsidion wants to make the city of Neverwinter a very large and intriguing city for NWN2's single player campaign.
• You will only directly control one character, but Obsidion is looking at adding multiple henchman support (similar to Hordes of the Underdark).
• Obsidion wants to make module creation an easier process through the use of "module wizards", similar to the wizards found in MS Word and Excel.
• Obsidion is considering making it easier to find good modules by having an in-game module browser.

Also, the article links to two NWN2-related interviews:

Obsidion interview at GameSpy
Bioware interview at Neverwinter Vault

 

[Ranger REG]

It will probably an Eclipse "lite" engine.

I heard Bioware is trademarking the next generation engine titled Eclipse.

 

[gravyboat]

IGN has posted the first details of Neverwinter Nights 2. Here are some highlights from the article...

• The game is being developed by Obsidion Software, a new development company whose staff includes veteran RPG creators from Black Isle Studios (the same guys who made Baldur's Gate, Planescape, and Icewind Dale). The game will use the same Aurora Engine that NWN1 did, albeit a greatly-advanced version of it. Bioware will be providing assistance in the development of the game.
• The game will feature lots of multiplayer support and user customizability options just like NWN did.
• Much like how the city of Athkatla played a central role in BG2, Obsidion wants to make the city of Neverwinter a very large and intriguing city for NWN2's single player campaign.
• You will only directly control one character, but Obsidion is looking at adding multiple henchman support (similar to Hordes of the Underdark).
• Obsidion wants to make module creation an easier process through the use of "module wizards", similar to the wizards found in MS Word and Excel.
• Obsidion is considering making it easier to find good modules by having an in-game module browser.

Hmmm, sounds like an add-on for Neverwinter Nights 1. I really hope there are drastic improvements as well as the ability to control multiple party members in single player.

 

[Dark Jezter]

I'm also betting that the game will use the 3.5e ruleset. In fact, I'm 99% positive; I really doubt that WotC would allow Obsidion to make a D&D game using a discontinued ruleset.

 

[KenM]

I think that if someone makes a DnD computer/ video game, they have to use the current DnD rule set. its part of the agreement they have with WOTC.
I hope the henchmen support is like what it is in HotU from the start.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Well...I was worried before, but I don't think I'm too worried about this one now that I know who's handling it. In fact...this could be good.

 

[Steel_Wind]

Hmmm, sounds like an add-on for Neverwinter Nights 1. I really hope there are drastic improvements as well as the ability to control multiple party members in single player.

Feargus has already confirmed there is NO party control in NWN2.

If you want party control, you can find it in Dragon Age. You will not be finding it in NWN2.

As a consequence, my team won't be having anything to do with modding NWN2. We've been down this road once - we won't be doing that again.

 

[LightPhoenix]

I'm also betting that the game will use the 3.5e ruleset. In fact, I'm 99% positive; I really doubt that WotC would allow Obsidion to make a D&D game using a discontinued ruleset.

I believe someone from Obsidian confirmed that on their message boards, but I don't particularly feel like going and finding the link, because I'm tremendously lazy.

It will probably an Eclipse "lite" engine.

I heard Bioware is trademarking the next generation engine titled Eclipse.

The impression that I'm getting is that it's going to be more of an Aurora-advanced engine than an Eclipse-lite one.

 

[wizardneedsfood]

Mmmm, singleplayer controlling one character, yummy.

Sorry, I actually like my gaming that way. Closer to tabletop which is pretty much the concept behind NWN.

 

[andargor]

No party control? Crap. It's the one thing in NWN that I really don't like. Why can't they just do it the Baldur's Gate way??

Andargor