[Xfire] matteox: Hello and welcome to the Neverwinter Nights 2 Chat! The Obsidian team will now introduce themselves and start taking your questions.
[Obsidian -Ryan]: Hi everyone! My name is Ryan Rucinski, Sr. Producer on NWN2.
[Obsidian-Constant]: Hey guys, my name is Constant Gaw and I am one of the designers that worked on Act III of NWN2.
[Obsidian - Nathaniel]: Hello everyone. My name is Nathaniel Chapman. I am Assistant Producer a.k.a. "Sir-Patch-A-Lot" on NWN2.
[Obsidian - Annie]: Heya - I'm Annie Carlson, junior designer on NWN2. I handled a lot of the items and suchlike.
[Obsidian-ScottE]: Hello, my name is Scott Everts and I was an environmental artist on NWN2
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Hello - I'm Kevin Saunders and a lead designer here at Obsidian. I helped out with finishing up NWN2 at the end.
[Obsidian - Andy]: I'm Andy Woo. I do gameplay progamming on NWN2. I implement D&D rules.
[Obsidian - Matt]: Hi everyone. I'm Matt MacLean - I was one of the designers on NWN2.
[Obsidian - Nathaniel]: Question: mF| snyping_dreamer: What makes NWN2 so different from other RPGs?
Answer: Well, for starters, I think the focus on the community is probably the biggest difference between NWN2 and other games. When most other games are in development, the player is really the customer you have in mind. Everything on those games needs to be geared towards generating the best player experience possible. While player experience is of course critical on NWN2, we also make sure that the game is built in such a way that other people have the opportunity to create their content and tell their stories.
Additionally, NWN2 is unique in its detailed recreation of D&D 3.5
[Obsidian -Ryan]: Question: Steven: Will there be any expansion packs scheduled for development?
Answer: Right now nothing is announced. Typically the Publisher does all the marketing and PR. I can say that we are currently working on making sure that our patches address the playerbase needs. We have plans in place for additional content as well, but nothing official.
[Obsidian-Constant]: Question: BsS<-Scooby: It says that you can place your own buildins,quests and items in the game for you and friends to play, i have never seen this happen before in an RPG, do you think this is a great aspect for the game?
Answer: This is absolutely one of the key elements of our title. Everyting that we have accomplished in our single-player campaign is also possible for the customers that purchased our game. If anything, you can consider our campaign as an example of what is possible, but it really is just a starting point
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: Wolf the Widowmaker: Q: Are there any influences from Oblivion in this NWN2?
Answer: Not really. While we play all RPGs that come out to see how others are innovating, by the time Oblivion came out, we had already made the major decisions about NWN2's design.
[Obsidian - Annie]: Question: [Xfire] Supercop007: Patches: Q: I attend Brown College in Minnesota for video game design and development. Are there any tips you can provide for a future videogame designer.
Answer: I think persistence is key - it's a difficult business to break into, but companies appreciate persistence, and those who have done their homework about the basics of game development. And man, be willing to learn. Every company handles projects differently, and being flexible is key to that.
[Obsidian -Ryan]: Question: Chris: Are you proud to be part of the team that created KOTOR2 and NWN2?
Answer: Very much so. I have known a lot of these folks for over a dozen years but this was actually my first time working with them. There is a lot of talent on the team that deserves recognition but I think there is a character limit on my responses.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: Chommpers: Why did you choose to use 3.5 rules in Neverwinter 2 instead of the same rule set the first Neverwinter had?
Answer: As D&D continues to evolve, we want to as well. Keeping up with the improvements to the D&D game system was something we felt was important for NWN2.
[Obsidian-Constant]: Question: [Xfire] Supercop007: Patches: Q: I attend Brown College in Minnesota for video game design and development. Are there any tips you can provide for a future videogame designer.
Answer: When it comes to breaking into the industry, everyone has a different story. Studying video game development is useful because it adds something that is measureable on your resume. Ultimately, what you would like to do in the industry should dictate where you focus your efforts.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: blagger: Q: Why such a linear game for an RPG? It's one of the few RPG's where i never needed to consult the book or the web for help
Answer: It's a matter of priority and game style. There are major trade-off between linear and non-linear gameplay. To tell the epic story of NWN2 and to emphasize the companions and character interactions, we felt a more linear story was best.
[Obsidian-Constant]: Question: [Xfire] Supercop007: Patches: Q: I attend Brown College in Minnesota for video game design and development. Are there any tips you can provide for a future videogame designer.
Answer: The design aspect of this business is the trickiest area to plan for, given that design requirements change from company to company. My advice there is to work on a discipline that is concrete - place yourself in a position where you can show some work, whether it be writing, modwork, or modeling skills.
[Obsidian-Constant]: Question: [Xfire] Supercop007: Patches: Q: I attend Brown College in Minnesota for video game design and development. Are there any tips you can provide for a future videogame designer.
Answer: Once you have demonstrated something useful to a developer and have been given an opportunity, it's up to you to move in the direction you'd like to go from within the industry. There have been artists and programmers that have eventually ended up in design.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: Chris: Vampire: Bloodlines had a great concept and formula, do you intend to capture that essence to reattempt a similar project?
Answer: Several very talented people from Troika have come on board at Obsidian over the last couple years. Justin Cherry, who created the awesome spell effects and Brock Heins, a critical member of the programming team both brought expertise from Bloodlines. The lead writer from Vampire: Bloodlines, Brian Mitsoda, is our lead writer on one of our other projects (he's also the one who designed the hotel level) and if you liked the quality of work done on Bloodlines, I'm sure you'll like Brian's future work. That's not to say we're planning a Vampire game, however.
[Obsidian - Annie]: Question: [Xfire] Supercop007: Fuyutski: In Neverwinter Nights we had the Prismatic Dragon as the most challenging monster to fight, what will be the most interesting and challenging monster in Neverwinter Nights 2?
Answer: Oh man. Aside from the big baddie? There's a red dragon who will just mess you up like WHOA. There are many memorable fights and enemies, but I know we wanted to make dragons in NWN2 really dangerous foes to contend with, and I think they're absolute beasts to defeat :)
[Obsidian - Annie]: Question: [Xfire] Artaxs: WNxAzuraRutlan: What is each developer's favorite class?
Answer: Base or prestige? Base = rogue, prestige = arcane trickster.
[Obsidian-Constant]: Question: hichvichwoh: What were some things you originally wanted to include but found that you couldn't for one reason or another?
Answer: There were some significant cuts made to meet the deadline, or to respond to changing circumstances. Originally, players were going to be transported to the Astral Plane prior to entering the Vale at the end of the game, for example. The visual design requirements were too demanding, unfortunately.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: Chakaar: Do you have to know the storyline form NWN to emmerse yourself in the game completley?
Answer: No, not at all. You may come across a couple familiar characters and such from NWN1, but the NWN2 story is completely new.
[Obsidian - Andy]: Question: [Xfire] Artaxs: Are any of you fans of the D&D tabletop RPG?
Answer: Yes. I play in a campaign outside work; and there are several other people in both Obsidian and non-Obsidian D&D games.
[Obsidian - Annie]: Ditto Andy. I'm in a few D&D games outside of work too.
[Obsidian - Matt]: Question: [Xfire] Artaxs: Are any of you fans of the D&D tabletop RPG?
Answer: Oh yes. I DMed my first game in 1st grade and if there are transcripts of the stupid stories I told, I will find them and burn them. While I've turned into an old man with no time for rolling dice, I spent my most youthful years avoiding sunlight and playing games. I'm most familiar with first edition D&D but the 3.5 ruleset is far more robust and it's a worthy successor to the name.
[Obsidian-Constant]: Question: KelpyDude: what will be the maximun level one can get to?
Answer: The highest attainable level is 20, which should be achieveable by the time the single-player campaign has ended.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: psylen3r: Do you think of yourself(s) as inovators, because you circle the game around a place rather then a character?
Answer: Every game has innovations and new ideas. We are happy with how the crossroad keep turned out and the great feedback we've gotten on it from the players. But I think it would be inaccurate to say that we're innovating any more than the many other talented RPG developers out there.
[Obsidian-Constant]: Question: TomWolf: On resting; Players of NWN created modifications to the game that made it more balanced. One thing that really changed the game to the better for many was the weakened rest funktion. What are your thoughts on resting being so powerful?
Answer: You raise a good point here. Resting is a difficult feature to balance, and we discussed several alternatives to the current system. We considered systems that required "rest areas" within levels, players standing watch at night + surprise attacks.
[Obsidian - Matt]: Question: Sn4|Merciless: Q:I am a devry student, and I was wondering. What is the most hardest thing abotu designing a video game like Neverwinter nights?
Answer: Wow... hard to think of one answer. Given the game's scope, offering a wide array of player choice is my take on the 'hardest' part. Players will want to do all manner of things and, without spending 30 years making content, we can only provide a finite number of branching dialogues, quests, etc.
[Obsidian-Constant]: Question: TomWolf: On resting; Players of NWN created modifications to the game that made it more balanced. One thing that really changed the game to the better for many was the weakened rest funktion. What are your thoughts on resting being so powerful?
Answer: Ultimately, we decided to go with NWN1's more tradition system, as that wouldn't create any new issues with our campaign. Like any feature that isn't as fleshed out as we'd like, this one was mostly the victim of time and resources.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: † Ữþ£][ñk †: Ive noticed that the First NWN was tied to a little of the Forgoten Realms Series of D&D, has NWN2 implimented it as well?
Answer: Yes, we absolutely included Forgotten Realms in the game. Most of us are HUGE D&D fans -- one of our designers, Travis Stout, was even an author for the Player's Guide to Faerun and other FR books.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: Ava: Can a NWN character file be transferred to NWN2 without any issues? Or will we have to make a completely new character in order to play NWNW2?
Answer: You'll have to make a completely new character. Fortunately, you'll find almost all of the same options and many more new ones for your character.
[Obsidian - Matt]: Question: Scooby22: I currently work for a gaming company modeling characters what would you recommened i do next to carry on my career?
Answer: I suggest you become a doctor and make the big bucks! If you're happy modeling characters - keep at it! Knowing how to model characters is a highly in-demand skill. Knowing how to make realistic, human models is a very very useful skill. Making monsters and aliens are easy because they aren't closely scrutinized. Good life-like modeling skills are in demand.
[Obsidian-Constant]: Question: ^CL^Lich King -=TBO=-: Surprise attacks and players standing watch sounds as a good idea to me, though I wonder, will the person standing watch not be rested, and how will it be during a surprise attack?Any minuses or so for just being awaken?
Answer: All good questions! That's part of the fun involved in designing such systems - weighing the pros and cons and trying your best to anticipate all the possibilities. Personally, I like having a tired companion as a disadvantage to a rested party.
[Obsidian - Annie]: Question: snipufin: Which do you prefer to choose, the ligth side or the dark side?
Answer: wholly depends on how I feel that day, and what I'm playing. Usually I like playing chaotic good characters, but sometimes dang - it's nice to be evil.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: Steven: Have you ever encountered any humorous bugs while developing the game?
Answer: The funniest bug for me was early on when Neeska was classified as an Outsider. When a cleric tried to turn undead, Neeshka would die. :)
[Obsidian - Matt]: Question: [AoHx]Fr0z3n-316-[CSR]DN: How many races are in NWN 2? How many were of those races were in NWN1?
Answer: NWN1 had human, dwarf, elf, gnome, halfling, and half-orc. NWN2 adds 'sub races' to elf, dwarf, gnomes, and halfling - as well as Aasimar and Tiefling. In total, NWN2 has 15 races... unless I'm forgetting something?
[Obsidian-Constant]: Question: Steven: Have you ever encountered any humorous bugs while developing the game?
Answer: For those of you that have seen the Siege of C. Keep, you'll remember that we had a number of siege towers come rolling in over the farms. At one point in development, those siege models were accidentally hooked up to the wrong skeletons and suddenly started "walking" down the field, tilting left and right in exaggerated fashion. That was pretty darn funny.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: hichvichwoh: An extensive community sprang up after NWN1 was released that was devoted entirely to creating custom content. Do you see that happening again for this release?
Answer: It's already been happening! A great community of players helped us to test out various aspects of the toolset before launch and have already created many great plug-ins to improve it. It's amazing how fast the community was able to create stunning content in the game. Just check some of the fan sites.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: Scooby22: Q : I currently use 3ds max 9 for modeling , which programs did you use for the modeling of the static objects?
Answer: We also use 3ds max. =)
[Obsidian - Nathaniel]: Question: Fuyutski: In Neverwinter Nights CEP, players could equip characters with items other then weapons, ie; guitars, flutes, violins etc. Will Neverwinter Nights 2 implement this?
Answer: They already can - we have have flutes and lutes and torches and all kinds of non-weapon equpiment.
[Obsidian - Annie]: Question: Cr33po: Q: Would you recommend NWN2 to people that havent heared of NWN1 of maybe even D&D
Answer: Well, having not played NWN1 is not a big deal when encountering NWN2, but having never played D&D might make things tough - it's a complex system, and can be intimidating. If the person in question loves conquering systems of that nature, and doesn't mind smaller steps into a very wide set of rules, I'd say go for it. I've had friends who've never touched D&D, got introduced to it by a game or a patient friend, and just glommed onto the system and fell in love with it. We've tried to set up systems that help introduce newer players to the D&D ruleset like the Recommend button, so we have more casual players in mind too. Don't want to leave anyone out!
[Obsidian - Matt]: Question: Cr33po: Q: Would you recommend NWN2 to people that havent heared of NWN1 of maybe even D&D
Answer: Annie said it right - NWN2 uses the D&D system which can be complicated to those estranger from the system. For what it's worth, I think the game is A LOT easier less complicated than WoW... and that game has plenty of users... so I'd recommend NWN2 to anyone who enjoys devling into a system that may be intimidating at first.
[Obsidian -Ryan]: Question: snipufin: Which do you prefer to choose, the ligth side or the dark side?
Answer: When I play those games, I want all the endings. I tend to enjoy the carnage of the dark side a bit more but the designer put in some really evil stuff that even I can't 'always' do.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: Gnome Punter: What size of team does it take to create a game like NWN2?
Answer: It's a major undertaking -- over the course of over 2 years, our team varied from just a handful in the beginning to more than 50. And that's just the development staff here at Obsidian. Great people from Atari, Heavy Melody (they did the sound and music), Wizards of the Coast, and Hasbro were all involved in getting NWN2 ready.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: Lucifon: Do you guys play / favour any other platforms???
Answer: I really enjoy the Nintendo DS.
[Obsidian - Nathaniel]: I have a Wii and I love it.
[Obsidian-ScottE]: I'm a big PC fan. I have a PS2 but it hasn't been played in quite awhile. Though I like my PSP for trips!
[Obsidian -Ryan]: Question: Wolf the Widowmaker: Q: Have you put easter eggs in NWN2 about gaming culture, like Mr. O'Reilly (O RLY?) and Yarly in WoW?
Answer: We had some, but took them out (mostly). With the legal actions of certain folks against game, it was better safe than sorry on our part. You guys should have heard Veedle's original voice...
[Obsidian-Constant]: Question: psylen3r: What was and is NWNs main objective in the gaming community? What do you want your game to be remembered as?
Answer: I can't speak for everyone on the team, but it has always been important for us to respect the gameplay experience introduced by NWN1 and the community that it fostered . With that in mind, I hope gamers will see our game as a worthy successor that built upon the foundation of the original while creating new possibilities for gameplay and storytelling.
[Obsidian - Annie]: Question: Sycostick: My wife gets very mad at me for spending so many hours playing nwn1 and 2. Any suggestions on how to get her off my back? :o)
Answer: Encourage her to play through the game with you in multiplayer - I have a friend who introduced his girlfriend to D&D, and now she can't get enough of it. (...oh, and also make sure you let her use the computer sometime, and do stuff she wants to sometimes. Reciprocation, you dig? Heh)
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: Sycostick: My wife gets very mad at me for spending so many hours playing nwn1 and 2. Any suggestions on how to get her off my back? :o)
Answer: Try convincing her to play with you. =) Maybe start small with some more casual game, like a racing game. Slowly introduce her to the world of gaming -- there are surely games out there she'd like.
[Obsidian - Annie]: Question: Lucifon: Do you guys play / favour any other platforms???
Answer: Got a Wii, love it to death. Woot, Zelda. And Rayman is insanely hilarious.
[Obsidian - Matt]: Question: Sycostick: My wife gets very mad at me for spending so many hours playing nwn1 and 2. Any suggestions on how to get her off my back? :o)
Answer: Get her to play with you... the game *is* multiplayer, after all. Have your wife make a character. The character creation process is a chance for you to explain the options the game presents and there's some ego fulfillment in making an alter-ego. There's a good chance that after a guided tour of char creation, she'll be intrigued enough to dive in...
[Obsidian - Nathaniel]: Question: Narlex: Question: Will NWN2 come out on different consoles? Such as the WII, PS3 or XBOX360?
Answer: We don't have any current plans to port the game to any consoles, and it does not seem likely that that will occur in the future.
[Obsidian-Constant]: Question: WNxAzuraRutlan: Have you considered making a RPG hybrid (say RPG/FPS) based on NWN2?
Answer: If we make any more NWN2 titles, it will likely remain in the same style as the original. However, this doesn't mean that Obsidian can't consider RPG hybrids for future titles. Like many gamers, our interests span multiple genres, so it's possible we could turn out an interesting mix down that route.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: Steven: Did any of the development team have any doubts about making a successful game like NWN2 will hope to be at the start of development?
Answer: There are always doubts -- all game projects have many, many challenges. We were fortunate to have a lot of very talented and dedicated people.
[Obsidian - Matt]: Question: [SC]Locutus: Q: I like Games with a lot of action, usually, stuff like fable, and bf2, where there is a lot of shooting, and generally killing things (though I know the difference between video games and real life, Do you think That A person like me would have fun in a game like this?
Answer: NWN2 has action in the way a pausable RTS has action - combat can be VERY exhilierating as magic effects and swords dance around the screen and you hit pause to catch your breath and ponder your next move.
[Obsidian-Tony]: Question: Scooby22: Q : do you think you are in competion with Blizzard because of there very popular World of Warcraft?
Answer: In a way, every game is in competition with World of Warcraft in the sense that many people who play and get addicted to World of Warcraft do not make time to play other games. NWN2 is not in direct competition though. We offer a deep, involving story-driven adventure, and an excellent Toolset for people to make their own adventures.
[Obsidian -Ryan]: Question: nrgu.bluezone: There have been many custom worlds by players of NWN2, that modify various features of the game. Do you play on these custom servers, and do you intend to inplement any of these customised features into the game. In addition to this, how do you plan to stop repetitions of the 'hot coffee mod' from happening, and protecting the ERSB rating on the game?
Answer: I personally don't but I know some folks at Obsidian do. I think Annie plays on a few... We do look at the features and see what we can implement on our end. We can't stop people from modding the game, we just have to make sure we don't supply them with M content if we aren't an M game. Our Succubus was a prime example of "Oh no..."
[Obsidian - Matt]: Question: [SC]Locutus: Q: I like Games with a lot of action, usually, stuff like fable, and bf2, where there is a lot of shooting, and generally killing things (though I know the difference between video games and real life, Do you think That A person like me would have fun in a game like this?
Answer: However, if you love always being in DIRECT control of the action, NWN2 isn't that sort of game. You guide the actions of the characters but you don't determine each sword blow, or the accuracy of each arrow.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: Kromis: Will there be a future update to incorporate psionics?
Answer: We're not able to comment on such future plans at this time. I can say that while a few people have expressed an interest in psionics, the majority of NWN2 players don't seem very interested in that feature, so I'd say it's not very likely.
[Obsidian - Matt]: Question: psylen3r: What's your favorite RPG? Also, What is your favorite game of all time?
Answer: Since certain people aren't here, I'll admit that my all-time fav is Planescape: Torment - it made me drop out of law school and pursue game design. I smile like an idiot when someone talks about Ultima's 'middle years' (4,5,6) and I'm a sucker for Betrayal at Krondor. While I can't stand Final Fantasy games, Final Fantasy Tactics owns my face.
[Obsidian - Annie]: Question: hichvichwoh: If you had had more time and a pot of infinite creativity +1, what would you have named the game, as an alternative to NWN2 or as a subtitle (ie. NWN2: elctric boogaloo)?
Answer: Heh - you get a bit locked into titles when you're a sequel, and usually subtitles are the domain of expansion packs, as far as RPGs seem to go. I'd personally have called it something like "ZOMG SWORDS MAGIC PEW PEW," but that's why they don't let me name anything (kidding, kidding).
[Obsidian-Constant]: Question: psylen3r: What's your favorite RPG? Also, What is your favorite game of all time?
Answer: Not to cheat the answer, but I'll provide several favorite RPGs: Fallout, for providing tremendous freedom and consequence to actions. Planescape: Torment, for crafting a intelligent and resonating story that responded to my actions, and for being a unique work of art. Xenogears, for proving that long-form storytelling in games can be rewarding and compelling. Dues Ex, for giving me choice, choice, choice.
[Obsidian -Ryan]: Question: TomWolf: On developing; What was the favourite intake source of caffeine during development?
Answer: Beer.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: septravarius: Will people be able to take their characters on to bigger goals, IE slaying gods and immortals etc in future games?
Answer: Unfortunately, at this time we can't speculate about what future projects will include.
[Obsidian - Nathaniel]: Question: psylen3r: What's your favorite RPG? Also, What is your favorite game of all time?
Answer: For my favorite RPG, it's a 3 way tie between Fallout, Darklands (an old Microprose RPG), and Planescape: Torment.
Favorite game of all time? Well, take those three and add both Half-Lifes and all three Thief games, Deus Ex, Zelda III, Final Fantasy 6... I can't decide!
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: TomWolf: On developing; What was the favourite intake source of caffeine during development?
Answer: For me it was iced, sugar-free hazelnut lattes from a nearby coffee house. And arnold palmers.
[Obsidian - Annie]: Question: psylen3r: What's your favorite RPG? Also, What is your favorite game of all time?
Answer: Tie between Planescape: Torment and Fallout 2. As far as other titles... the Metroid series, Zelda, Ratchet & Clank, Monkey Island, and aforementioned Black Isle titles. I think in general you'll find a lot of BI nerds here ::chuckle::
[Obsidian-Tony]: Question: Scooby22: Q: Who orginally created the story for NWN2?
Answer: The general plot was originally created by Ferret Baudoin, but the story was fleshed out by each of the designers on NWN2. Chris Avellone wrote most of the companions and edited/improved the story throughout the game.
[Obsidian - Matt]: Nathaniel just said Darklands and now I want to fire up my DOSbox... there goes my Friday evening... good job, Nathaniel...
[Obsidian-Constant]: Question: TomWolf: On developing; What was the favourite intake source of caffeine during development?
Answer: Mountain Dew baby, yeeeeaahhh! Well, only on some days. Otherwise, a regular cup of coffee was just fine.
[Obsidian -Ryan]: I still think Beer.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: Vraven: What was the motivation to box Limited Editions differently for different countries?
Answer: This decision was made by the publisher and we don't have an answer for you. =(
[Obsidian - Annie]: Question: TomWolf: On developing; What was the favourite intake source of caffeine during development?
Answer: Morning: tea. All other times: Dr. Pepper.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: nrgu.bluezone: Any tantrums / tempers flared over the game?
Answer: Yes, it happens. :) We're very passionate about our work and the long hours and little sleep can result in a lot of stress. Sometimes voices are raised and such. But in the end, we all know that we have the same goal -- to make the best game we can. We didn't have any really major fights.
[Obsidian -Ryan]: Question: Sn4|Merciless: Q: Out of the group which is the most hardcore gamer?
Answer: Me. No matter what Annie says.
[Obsidian - Annie]: Pfff, whatever, Ryan. Who brought their DS Lite to PAX and who didn't? Huh huh huh?
[Obsidian -Ryan]: Who showed you how to play those games?
[Obsidian - Annie]: Man, don't make me smacktalk you in dev chat! 'Tis unseemly!
[Obsidian-Tony]: I have been playing games since you were in diapers, little miss.
[Obsidian-Constant]: Question: nrgu.bluezone: Any tantrums / tempers flared over the game?
Answer: Game development can definitely be stressful, but I'm happy to say that most everyone here has been really composed about it all.
[Obsidian - Matt]: Question: Sn4|Merciless: Q: Out of the group which is the most hardcore gamer?
Answer: I'm definitel ythe most hardcore (and most modest) of them all. I once played Xcom for four straight days until my CD-Rom drive died and I had to buy a new one the same day because I was worried I'd kill myself if I didn't destroy the Cydonia base.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: psylen3r: What's your favorite RPG? Also, What is your favorite game of all time?
Answer: My favorite was RPG was Ultima V. I was impressionable at the time. One of my favorite games of all time is Alpha Centauri, which is like Civilization, but somehow it even has a story.
[Obsidian - Nathaniel]: Oh yeah I forgot Alpha Centauri.
[Obsidian - Nathaniel]: That game is amazing.
[Obsidian -Ryan]: Question: wyattt: If you had to be on a treasure island, which NWN or NWN2 character would you like to be with?
Answer: Yes.
[Obsidian-Tony]: Instead of a pacifier, I sucked on an Atari controller!
[Obsidian-Constant]: This is true.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Yeah, Atari controllers were good at sucking.
[Obsidian -Ryan]: Question: wyattt: If you had to be on a treasure island, which NWN or NWN2 character would you like to be with?
Answer: Oh, okay. Neeshka.
[Obsidian-ScottE]: Question: My first RPG was Eamon on the Apple II! Did I beat you guys?
Answer: No, it was all text!
[Obsidian-Kevin]: just because you're an old man, that doesn't mean you're hardcore, ScottE!
[Obsidian - Nathaniel]: Really, did you do the sprites on it ScottE?
[Obsidian - Annie]: Question: wyattt: If you had to be on a treasure island, which NWN or NWN2 character would you like to be with?
Answer: I'd say Neeshka, but she'd swipe all my jink. Maybe Khelgar? That cat can have a good time.
[Obsidian - Matt]: Question: wyattt: If you had to be on a treasure island, which NWN or NWN2 character would you like to be with?
Answer: I'd go with Sand. I'd find his snide, sarcastic heckling would entertain me and then, when it came time to kill and eat him for survival, I'd be so pissed off at his glib demeanor that ending his life would bear no guilt or regret.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: wyattt: If you had to be on a treasure island, which NWN or NWN2 character would you like to be with?
Answer: I'd pick Bishop, so that I could kill him and steal his cool dagger.
[Obsidian-Tony]: I would want to be trapped on an island with whichever character can teleport me off of it... So Aldanon maybe? If he can't figure out how to use Palm leaves and sand to make an interdimensional portal, then at least he will die of old age soon
[Obsidian -Ryan]: Question: Steven: Do you intend to release a 'demo' maybe of the tutorial and a short bit of the first act for free to try?
Answer: We did something like that with our Multiplayer Beta. An official demo at this stage probably not.
[Obsidian -Ryan]: Question: AnThRaX: Did you ever laugh at halflings during development because they are short?
Answer: Question: Yes!
[Obsidian-Constant]: Question: AnThRaX: Did you ever laugh at halflings during development because they are short?
Answer: You may not realized this, but Obsidian is the only all-halfing development house in the US. I find myself offended by your question, sir!
[Obsidian - Annie]: Question: AnThRaX: Did you ever laugh at halflings during development because they are short?
Answer: All the better for them to steal your stuff without you noticing...
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: Steven: Do you intend to release a 'demo' maybe of the tutorial and a short bit of the first act for free to try?
Answer: This would be a decision by the publisher. I don't think there are any plans for a demo at this time.
[Obsidian -Ryan]: Question: † Ữþ£][ñk †: Do You intend to release downloadable content such as new adventures and expansion packs from your website for a resonable price like you did with NWN?
Answer: It is planned but probably not for cost. There is a freaky financial model where Feargus wants us to make a profit or something.
[Obsidian-Tony]: Question: [IronChef]Italian: † Ữþ£][ñk †: Do You intend to release downloadable content such as new adventures and expansion packs from your website for a resonable price like you did with NWN?
Answer: Unfortunately, we can't reveal any details about this yet.
[Obsidian - Annie]: Question: cymbol: So what alignment would you be if you where a nwn2 character and what type would you be?
Answer: Chaotic good. It's the closest alignment I'll ever get to "delightfully snarky."
Some kinda rogue/caster combo. Sneak sneak sneak, pew pew pew, stab stab stab.
[Obsidian -Ryan]: Question: cymbol: So what alignment would you be if you where a nwn2 character and what type would you be?
Answer: Chaotic Evil. I would delightfully burn down towns.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: cymbol: So what alignment would you be if you where a nwn2 character and what type would you be?
Answer: I really like order, so I'd definitely be Lawful. I like to think I'm Good, but my coworkers might debate that. As for type, as someone said earlier, we're halflings. Well, I'm a gnome, but that's pretty much the same thing.
[Obsidian-Kevin]: Question: Mutatio: would you guys ever like to make a neverwinter nights mmo if you had the chance? Or do you think that would ruin the story of the neverwinter universe?
Answer: Sounds cool. :) Story is really important to us and will likely be an emphasis in any game we make.
[Obsidian -Ryan]: It looks like it is that time. Thank you call for making this happen. We appreciate it
[Xfire] matteox: That concludes our Neverwinter Nights 2 chat, thanks again to everyone from Obsidian!
[Obsidian - Annie]: Thanks guys! Been a lot of fun.
[Obsidian - Nathaniel]: Thanks everyone for coming and thanks for playing NWN2. We really do appreciate it and hope you enjoy the game.
[Obsidian-Constant]: Thanks for listening!
[Obsidian-ScottE]: Bye and happy holidays!
[Obsidian-Tony]: Goodnight, and in case I don't see you... um Goodnight tomorrow too!
[Obsidian-Kevin]: thanks guys and happy holidays! great (and fun) questions!
[Obsidian - Matt]: Thanks to everyone for coming by and asking questions - we're really flattered by your interest in our game and its creation. If you have further questions, swing on by the Obsidian forums and drop us a line!
[Xfire] matteox: Now onto the prizes: 10 copies of Neverwinter Nights.
[Xfire] matteox: 10. KelpyDude
[Xfire] matteox: 9. Scooby
[Xfire] matteox: 8. blagger
[Xfire] matteox: 7. Vraven
[Xfire] matteox: 6. WNxAzuraRutlan
[Xfire] matteox: 5. Chommpers
[Xfire] matteox: 4. Lich King
[Xfire] matteox: 3. nrgu.bluezone
[Xfire] matteox: 2. Wolf the Widowmaker
[Xfire] matteox: 1. Hichvichwoh
[Xfire] matteox: 5 Atari T-shirts
[Xfire] matteox: 5. TomWolf:
[Xfire] matteox: 4. cyb.tachyon
[Xfire] matteox: 3. Fuyutski
[Xfire] matteox: 2. Mutatio
[Xfire] matteox: 1. Gnome Punter
[Xfire] matteox: I will PM the winners shortly, so do not sign off just yet.
[Xfire] matteox: Thanks again to Obsidian and to everyone for coming out.