chevalier
Sun, 15th Jul '07, 2:01pm
Here are today's Neverwinter Nights 2 forum highlights, collected by NWVault (http://nwvault.ign.com). Please take into account that these are only single parts of various threads and should not be taken out of context. Bear in mind also that the posts presented here are copied as-is, and that any bad spelling and grammar does not get corrected on our end.
<font size="3" face="Verdana, Arial" color="#cc6600">Rob McGinnis</font>
Multiplayer priorities (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574099&post=5131644&forum=118&highlight=)
<hr />someone said they manage to compress PWC files to something amazingly small with .rar.
Could OE use some sort of compression like 7zip on the server end and only send the PWC's to the clients on a per area basis as needed (and then cache them on the client)?
Then the client would decompress them once they are received.
As well, and I'm not sure how the PWC file is formatted, could the PWC file be reduced by not having all of it sent? Just the changes or differences from a set, flat floor at 0.0 on the z axis?
thanks<hr />We are looking at a ton of different options still - including the possibility of making a huge overhaul to the way the engine handles PWC files. we will probably be bringing a few extra programmers on for a couple months to iron out some of the PWC and PWC download issues to be timed with when the expansion is released, but not limited to the expansion.
Toolset Tutorials (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574218&post=5132276&forum=113&highlight=)
Here is a list of links to various tutorials made by Obsidian and the community.
Obsidian Tutorial (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2Tutorials.Detail&id=2)
Don't Panic: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the NWN2 Toolset (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2Tutorials.Detail&id=14)
NWN2 Tutorial: Building an exterior area (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2Tutorials.Detail&id=15)
NWN2 Tutorial: Effects Editor (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2Tutorials.Detail&id=21)
NWN2 Tutorial: Building an Interior Area (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2Tutorials.Detail&id=32)
NWN2 Toolset Guide (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2Tutorials.Detail&id=41)
Sunjammer's World Map Guide (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2Tutorials.Detail&id=54)
Create Dynamic Custom Playable Creature Races (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2Tutorials.Detail&id=55)
NWN2 Scripting (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2Tutorials.Detail&id=61)
Cutscene Tutorial - Basic Cutscenes (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2Tutorials.Detail&id=65)
Toolset/Builder Documentation Request (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=571386&post=5132586&forum=113&highlight=)
I have posted some tutorial links in this thread: Click Here (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=574218&forum=113)
That was all pre-existing prior to this thread, but hopefully you will find much of it helpful still.
Take a look and let me know if you think we can add anything to those documents.
Is there a list of Areas from OC by module somewhere? (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574242&post=5132628&forum=111&highlight=)
This probably won't help you:
When you open each module in the toolset, you will see a list of areas.
If you do this, make sure you open a copy of the module. You will probably also want to go to View > Options and turn the autosave to false in the toolset.
More: (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574242&post=5132695&forum=111&highlight=) I think you mean Nolaloth... If not, then this information will be no help whatsoever.
Nolaloth is in the Ancient Valley area, in module 2100_Crossroad_Keep_A2.
The area in the toolset is called 3090_avalley.
Hope that helps.
HOT FIX FOR 1.06 STARTUP CRASH AVAILABLE (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=573981&post=5134827&forum=109&highlight=)
Everyone will need to install this hotfix. You can either do it now, or when the next patch comes out.
But realize, that if you wait, you may not be able to play in a multiplayer game due to version differences.
**WARNING** Small Vent (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574078&post=5134840&forum=109&highlight=)
<hr />This has been bugging me for some time. @ Last 2 posters (there is no such card as a Geforce 6600 FX by the way) :
You're running with Shadows on High, Shadow Texture Resolution at max, Anisotropy set to High, max Antialiasing, Render Grass, Water Reflection/Refraction and actually getting playable frames (consistent 30+) ?
I just do not see how that is possible with anything less than a monster of a system, based on my own testing of the game.<hr />This is what a lot of people have a hard time with.
Everyone gets a different experience. Some people with medium- or low-end systems actually get better performance than someone with a high-end system... but then you will also see the reverse experience from other people with exactly the same basic hardware.
Computers are not simple and there are so many variables. Motherboards may be the same model, but from a different production batch, and thus may have different results.
Throw in all the different software people install and you have an endless opportunity for something to go wrong.
Haven't you wondered why so many people on these forums complain of terrible performance or bugs in the game, while just as many people experience little to no problems at all? Ever wonder why you don't run into the same bug as the next guy?
Save Game Corruption (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574380&post=5134849&forum=109&highlight=)
Tommy Gallows?
Wrong forum, my friend. You might want to check here: http://nwn.bioware.com/forums/
Neverwinter 2 Community Update (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=558935&post=5135033&forum=109&highlight=)
Updated July 12, 2007
Fan Art Contest
Community Creations
MoTB Screen Shot of the Week
Prestige classes and their effect upon the NWN2 world (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574221&post=5132671&forum=109&highlight=)
The problem with this is that it can be taken too far.
We struggled with this in some PnP games I played years ago. While a player could be a half-orc, the real question is should they be a half-orc?
Wouldn't they have trouble in towns and such? Wouldn't people react negatively to them?
What about playing a Blackguard. The description is something like "the embodiment of a mortal fiend." Wouldn't you have a bit of trouble walking into an armor shop and getting polite service?
Red Dragon Disciple? Tiefling? Wouldn't you be hunted down as soon as you started showing signs such as wings and breath weapon or horns and tail?
And then there is the alignment issue. If you are acting in an overtly evil way, you would become known quite quickly and the game would probably be over for you... swarm rules and all.
There is only a certain amount of detail and realism we can put in a game. Too much becomes limiting and makes the game less fun to play. Evil is fun, but evil with full consequences is not.
More: (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574221&post=5133554&forum=109&highlight=)
<hr />Additionally, I always think of it as, the NPC's dont really know that you are a blackguard. All they see is a guy in a some grim armor, that doesnt immediately make you evil.
Actions do, so reputation would come into account of course. Appearances only account for so much.<hr />Yes, but the aura your blackguard gives off would really creep people out.
More: (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574221&post=5135121&forum=109&highlight=) Yes, half-orcs take a penalty, but it really isn't played upon in the OC.
If you play an overtly evil character or a monstrous humanoid or something that is generally shunned, you really don't see the consequences of your choice in most games. PWs struggle with this all the time.
If you are overtly evil, the populace would more than likely act against you. You probably wouldn't live long as the guards/whatever would hunt you down.
If you were monstrous or known to be a troublemaker, shopkeepers would probably lock their doors to you.
If you play a good or "normal" character, you won't mind the restrictions, because it isn't you that is restricted.
However, if you played one of the "anti-races" or overtly evil characters, and there really were consequences to your actions, I honestly do not think it would be fun. You would be hunted and shunned and your ability to reasonably interact with the majority of the game's population would not be possible.
However, if the game was made for the evil actions of a player, and that was the focus, it would be a different story. But, the reactions and strength of the forces against you would be changed so you have a chance of winning.
multiplayer doesn't work (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=573669&post=5132509&forum=116&highlight=)
You might check to make sure your ports aren't blocked by a firewall or something. You might check your event viewer if you have XP Pro.
I will try to dig up the information on the ports, but if anyone else has the info right at hand, please feel free to post it.
More: (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=573669&post=5135157&forum=116&highlight=) You can also get the IP address of the server you are trying to connect to, then do a direct connect.
Building a Server: NWN or NWN2? (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574041&post=5131534&forum=118&highlight=)
I just wanted to say I agree with Rob above.
That Rob guy at Obsidian is really cool.
More: (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574041&post=5132085&forum=118&highlight=) Yeah, it's a typo. I figured someone would have fun with it.
I might be really cool, but I am not a very good typist.
More: (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574041&post=5135170&forum=118&highlight=)
See here: Click Here (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=574218&forum=113)
And here: Click Here (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=571386&forum=113)
More: (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574041&post=5135179&forum=118&highlight=)<hr />
Yes, I am on a team that is putting together the pieces of our NWN2 PnP Style Campaign. It is slow going, horrid, manic work, plagued by non-documentation, non-existent help, and even worse, the amount of time to produce something is agonizing.<hr />I would suggest coming into the NWN Community Rep IRC channel. There's a ton of help available in there.
You need to go to the help, not expect help to come to you.
<font size="3" face="Verdana, Arial" color="#cc6600">J.E. Sawyer, Lead Designer</font>
Raise plot dead (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=571844&post=5134659&forum=111&highlight=)
Availability of resurrection magic is actually one of the subjects of the campaign I'm making. I think it's glossed over in a lot of stories/games/modules, which is a shame. I think it can be a very interesting subject for some of the reasons people have listed here: availability associated with wealth, cultural taboos against it, moral/ethical considerations, and so on.<span
<font size="3" face="Verdana, Arial" color="#cc6600">Rob McGinnis</font>
Multiplayer priorities (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574099&post=5131644&forum=118&highlight=)
<hr />someone said they manage to compress PWC files to something amazingly small with .rar.
Could OE use some sort of compression like 7zip on the server end and only send the PWC's to the clients on a per area basis as needed (and then cache them on the client)?
Then the client would decompress them once they are received.
As well, and I'm not sure how the PWC file is formatted, could the PWC file be reduced by not having all of it sent? Just the changes or differences from a set, flat floor at 0.0 on the z axis?
thanks<hr />We are looking at a ton of different options still - including the possibility of making a huge overhaul to the way the engine handles PWC files. we will probably be bringing a few extra programmers on for a couple months to iron out some of the PWC and PWC download issues to be timed with when the expansion is released, but not limited to the expansion.
Toolset Tutorials (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574218&post=5132276&forum=113&highlight=)
Here is a list of links to various tutorials made by Obsidian and the community.
Obsidian Tutorial (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2Tutorials.Detail&id=2)
Don't Panic: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the NWN2 Toolset (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2Tutorials.Detail&id=14)
NWN2 Tutorial: Building an exterior area (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2Tutorials.Detail&id=15)
NWN2 Tutorial: Effects Editor (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2Tutorials.Detail&id=21)
NWN2 Tutorial: Building an Interior Area (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2Tutorials.Detail&id=32)
NWN2 Toolset Guide (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2Tutorials.Detail&id=41)
Sunjammer's World Map Guide (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2Tutorials.Detail&id=54)
Create Dynamic Custom Playable Creature Races (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2Tutorials.Detail&id=55)
NWN2 Scripting (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2Tutorials.Detail&id=61)
Cutscene Tutorial - Basic Cutscenes (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2Tutorials.Detail&id=65)
Toolset/Builder Documentation Request (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=571386&post=5132586&forum=113&highlight=)
I have posted some tutorial links in this thread: Click Here (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=574218&forum=113)
That was all pre-existing prior to this thread, but hopefully you will find much of it helpful still.
Take a look and let me know if you think we can add anything to those documents.
Is there a list of Areas from OC by module somewhere? (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574242&post=5132628&forum=111&highlight=)
This probably won't help you:
When you open each module in the toolset, you will see a list of areas.
If you do this, make sure you open a copy of the module. You will probably also want to go to View > Options and turn the autosave to false in the toolset.
More: (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574242&post=5132695&forum=111&highlight=) I think you mean Nolaloth... If not, then this information will be no help whatsoever.
Nolaloth is in the Ancient Valley area, in module 2100_Crossroad_Keep_A2.
The area in the toolset is called 3090_avalley.
Hope that helps.
HOT FIX FOR 1.06 STARTUP CRASH AVAILABLE (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=573981&post=5134827&forum=109&highlight=)
Everyone will need to install this hotfix. You can either do it now, or when the next patch comes out.
But realize, that if you wait, you may not be able to play in a multiplayer game due to version differences.
**WARNING** Small Vent (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574078&post=5134840&forum=109&highlight=)
<hr />This has been bugging me for some time. @ Last 2 posters (there is no such card as a Geforce 6600 FX by the way) :
You're running with Shadows on High, Shadow Texture Resolution at max, Anisotropy set to High, max Antialiasing, Render Grass, Water Reflection/Refraction and actually getting playable frames (consistent 30+) ?
I just do not see how that is possible with anything less than a monster of a system, based on my own testing of the game.<hr />This is what a lot of people have a hard time with.
Everyone gets a different experience. Some people with medium- or low-end systems actually get better performance than someone with a high-end system... but then you will also see the reverse experience from other people with exactly the same basic hardware.
Computers are not simple and there are so many variables. Motherboards may be the same model, but from a different production batch, and thus may have different results.
Throw in all the different software people install and you have an endless opportunity for something to go wrong.
Haven't you wondered why so many people on these forums complain of terrible performance or bugs in the game, while just as many people experience little to no problems at all? Ever wonder why you don't run into the same bug as the next guy?
Save Game Corruption (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574380&post=5134849&forum=109&highlight=)
Tommy Gallows?
Wrong forum, my friend. You might want to check here: http://nwn.bioware.com/forums/
Neverwinter 2 Community Update (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=558935&post=5135033&forum=109&highlight=)
Updated July 12, 2007
Fan Art Contest
Community Creations
MoTB Screen Shot of the Week
Prestige classes and their effect upon the NWN2 world (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574221&post=5132671&forum=109&highlight=)
The problem with this is that it can be taken too far.
We struggled with this in some PnP games I played years ago. While a player could be a half-orc, the real question is should they be a half-orc?
Wouldn't they have trouble in towns and such? Wouldn't people react negatively to them?
What about playing a Blackguard. The description is something like "the embodiment of a mortal fiend." Wouldn't you have a bit of trouble walking into an armor shop and getting polite service?
Red Dragon Disciple? Tiefling? Wouldn't you be hunted down as soon as you started showing signs such as wings and breath weapon or horns and tail?
And then there is the alignment issue. If you are acting in an overtly evil way, you would become known quite quickly and the game would probably be over for you... swarm rules and all.
There is only a certain amount of detail and realism we can put in a game. Too much becomes limiting and makes the game less fun to play. Evil is fun, but evil with full consequences is not.
More: (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574221&post=5133554&forum=109&highlight=)
<hr />Additionally, I always think of it as, the NPC's dont really know that you are a blackguard. All they see is a guy in a some grim armor, that doesnt immediately make you evil.
Actions do, so reputation would come into account of course. Appearances only account for so much.<hr />Yes, but the aura your blackguard gives off would really creep people out.
More: (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574221&post=5135121&forum=109&highlight=) Yes, half-orcs take a penalty, but it really isn't played upon in the OC.
If you play an overtly evil character or a monstrous humanoid or something that is generally shunned, you really don't see the consequences of your choice in most games. PWs struggle with this all the time.
If you are overtly evil, the populace would more than likely act against you. You probably wouldn't live long as the guards/whatever would hunt you down.
If you were monstrous or known to be a troublemaker, shopkeepers would probably lock their doors to you.
If you play a good or "normal" character, you won't mind the restrictions, because it isn't you that is restricted.
However, if you played one of the "anti-races" or overtly evil characters, and there really were consequences to your actions, I honestly do not think it would be fun. You would be hunted and shunned and your ability to reasonably interact with the majority of the game's population would not be possible.
However, if the game was made for the evil actions of a player, and that was the focus, it would be a different story. But, the reactions and strength of the forces against you would be changed so you have a chance of winning.
multiplayer doesn't work (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=573669&post=5132509&forum=116&highlight=)
You might check to make sure your ports aren't blocked by a firewall or something. You might check your event viewer if you have XP Pro.
I will try to dig up the information on the ports, but if anyone else has the info right at hand, please feel free to post it.
More: (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=573669&post=5135157&forum=116&highlight=) You can also get the IP address of the server you are trying to connect to, then do a direct connect.
Building a Server: NWN or NWN2? (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574041&post=5131534&forum=118&highlight=)
I just wanted to say I agree with Rob above.
That Rob guy at Obsidian is really cool.
More: (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574041&post=5132085&forum=118&highlight=) Yeah, it's a typo. I figured someone would have fun with it.
I might be really cool, but I am not a very good typist.
More: (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574041&post=5135170&forum=118&highlight=)
See here: Click Here (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=574218&forum=113)
And here: Click Here (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=571386&forum=113)
More: (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=574041&post=5135179&forum=118&highlight=)<hr />
Yes, I am on a team that is putting together the pieces of our NWN2 PnP Style Campaign. It is slow going, horrid, manic work, plagued by non-documentation, non-existent help, and even worse, the amount of time to produce something is agonizing.<hr />I would suggest coming into the NWN Community Rep IRC channel. There's a ton of help available in there.
You need to go to the help, not expect help to come to you.
<font size="3" face="Verdana, Arial" color="#cc6600">J.E. Sawyer, Lead Designer</font>
Raise plot dead (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=571844&post=5134659&forum=111&highlight=)
Availability of resurrection magic is actually one of the subjects of the campaign I'm making. I think it's glossed over in a lot of stories/games/modules, which is a shame. I think it can be a very interesting subject for some of the reasons people have listed here: availability associated with wealth, cultural taboos against it, moral/ethical considerations, and so on.<span