Official EN World NWN2 Server

[Morrus]

When NWN2 comes out, I plan to set up an "EN World" for us all to play in, much like I did with NWN1. Ideally, I'd like this to become a permanent fixture.

I'm not sure how I'm going to go about it, exactly, yet. When we did it with NWN1, the game had been out for ages, and there were plenty of persistent worlds available to download, install and tweak. There won't be any for NWN2. That leaves two options, in my mind:

1) Start small, design an area and then grow it gradually (possibly with the involvement of EN Worlders interested in module design for NWN2).

2) Throw the default campaign up there and tweak it endlessly. Not sure how that'll work out for multiplayer - did anyone do that with NWN1? It's obviously not going to be designed as a persistent-type affair, though, so that might not work too well.

With NWN1, we hired a small server and ran it off that. I'd like to do the same (it came to about $50 per month, IIRC). I wonder if there's any way the cost can be met collaboratively (voluntary, of course)?

 

[Steel_Wind]

At this stage - I would advise waiting Morrus.

NWN2 is a different bird - and creating exterior areas in NWN2 is nothing like NWN1 in terms of art. Proper art creation for an exterior level takes about a week. Scripting is *in addition to* that time expenditure.

Interior tile based areas are pretty much as fast as NWN1 (though there are more lighting options) but exterior is a whole new ball game. To do them properly - you need 3d modeling and texturing skills. You don't have to be a pro at 3dsmax - that's not what I mean. But proper texture blending is not easy stuff. My evidence on this point will shortly follow the release of NWN2 when the most garish areas you ever did see flood NWVault.

There are also issues with module size, wok mesh and other issues in terms of NWN2 PWs that will make it far more challenging on the technical side to do.

Not impossible. I didn't say that - but it WILL be more challenging and difficult.

 

[Mycanid]

Hmm ... now THIS is something to consider. I'd have to think about it - and, of course, see if NWN2 is even worth the effort, eh? ;0

 

[GwydapLlew]

I'm definitely in the 'wait and see' camp. I'd love to see a persistent world set up - it could result in something similar to Living ENWorld, and that would just be neat.

I'd like to wait and see the specifics of the NWN2 system first, though. I have a hard enough time designing with NWN1!

 

[Morrus]

At this stage - I would advise waiting Morrus.

NWN2 is a different bird - and creating exterior areas in NWN2 is nothing like NWN1 in terms of art. Proper art creation for an exterior level takes about a week. Scripting is *in addition to* that time expenditure.

Interior tile based areas are pretty much as fast as NWN1 (though there are more lighting options) but exterior is a whole new ball game. To do them properly - you need 3d modeling and texturing skills. You don't have to be a pro at 3dsmax - that's not what I mean. But proper texture blending is not easy stuff. My evidence on this point will shortly follow the release of NWN2 when the most garish areas you ever did see flood NWVault.

There are also issues with module size, wok mesh and other issues in terms of NWN2 PWs that will make it far more challenging on the technical side to do.

Not impossible. I didn't say that - but it WILL be more challenging and difficult.

Huh? You mean the new toolset is going to be LESS easy to use than the old one? That seems somewhat... counterproductive. So the average gamer isn't going to be able to make modules and stuff? I thought that was half the point of the game.

Obviously, waiting is something I don't have any choice about, seeing as the game hasn't been released yet.

 

[Michael Morris]

At Gencon I played with the tools for about an hour. I was creating sketch exteriors in five minutes. You can inject a LOT MORE DETAIL into NWN 2, but if you don't want to tweak it you don't have to.

 

[Steel_Wind]

At Gencon I played with the tools for about an hour. I was creating sketch exteriors in five minutes. You can inject a LOT MORE DETAIL into NWN 2, but if you don't want to tweak it you don't have to.

Hi again Spoony. I stood over your sholder for part of your messing about time at Gencon (as you will recall).

I stand by what I've said above. It takes art skills and a 3d texture artist's eye to make an exterior area that looks good - and above all - it takes TIME.

Don't shoot the messenger.

 

[Michael Morris]

Seemed simple enough to me (The again, I've worked with computer art programs, 3D renderer programs and the like for about 15 years now).

 

[Mycanid]

NOT FAIR! NOT FAIR! It isn't fair, my precious to make the toolsetses harder and harder!

rofl!

::Wipes away the tears and looks sheepishly around the office::

Oh well ... not like I could even understand the first toolset. And I am a major zilch when it comes to doing any kind of visual art. Oh well. :\