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D&D Online launches in Japan
Sakura Internet and Turbine Entertainment are launching Dungeons & Dragons Online in Japan this week, and both organizations are banking on localized content to help attract fickle Japanese gamers. Like the popular Chinese version, DDO Japan features Asian-themed armor and weapons, although you would never know this after poking around the game's web site (essentially a clone of its western counterpart). DDO retails for ¥5,040 (US$43).See also: DDO: Litany of the Dead previewed
BioWare announces new NWN module
Even though Atari has officially dropped support for the original Neverwinter Nights, the mod community is still thriving. In fact, the database of fan-created modules is over 4,000 strong, according to NWN's developer, BioWare. And if you thought Infinite Dungeons was the last of the professionally-developed modules, a small Vancouver-based game studio is serving up another 25-30 hr. adventure in the Forgotten Realms. Ossian Studios is comprised of BioWare veterans and RPG enthusiasts, and while they had originally planned Darkness over Daggerford as a premium module release, this lengthy single-player campaign is now available as a free download at the Neverwinter Nights Vault. Check out BioWare's interview with Ossian co-founder Alan Miranda, and let us know what you think of Daggerford.See also: A touch of RTS in Neverwinter Nights 2 NWN2: new interview with Urquhart, more screens NWN mod creator on Atari, Infinite Dungeons
NWN2: new interview with Urquhart, more screens
Here's the situation for Obsidian Entertainment and co-founder Feargus Urquhart as they prepare Neverwinter Nights 2 for launch: you're following up a popular, award winning series started by BioWare (again); Atari's potential implosion could have a major impact on your efforts to support the mod and user communities; and you have the hopes and dreams of millions of D&D fanboys (myself included) riding on your shoulders. What pressure? FiringSquad talked to Urquhart about all this, as well as NWN2's toolset and DM client, why we probably won't see a demo, and Obsidian's deal with Sega to create an original RPG franchise. There are a bunch of new NWN2 screens too. See also: Customization is key in NWN2 Obsidian's Urquhart: happy thoughts on KoTOR 3
Make a D&D short film, win cool stuff
The 1UP Network and Wizards of the Coast are soliciting entries for their Dungeons & Dragons Fan Film Fest -- part of the Worldwide D&D Game Day activities to be held in LA this November. Aspiring wizards and warriors have until September 1 to put together an original five minute movie of D&D-related content, which can include footage of D&D video games (with the exception of DDO). The grand prize winner will receive a new digital video workstation and a trip to the festival, where your masterpiece will be showcased and envied by dungeon masters the world over. Check out the official rules for more information.If you have any archival footage of that early 80s cartoon, now might be a good time to pull it out.
DDO: Shadows of Stormreach online novella
Dungeons & Dragons Online fans who are curious to learn more about the city of Stormreach and its mysterious inhabitants should read Eberron creator Keith Baker's new online novella. Shadows of Stormreach is available at the DDO web site, and tells the tale of a halfling thief and her companions. A good read after the first two chapters. Anyone care to make a Neverwinter Nights module out of this?
NWN2 preview and movies from E3
Forgotten Realms fanboys should circle September 19 on their calendars. This is the day Dungeons & Dragons online gaming returns to its most successful setting, after a year of toiling in the Eberron universe. The Neverwinter Nights 2 E3 trailer is available on GameSpot, along with some updated gameplay footage from the show. IGN also had a chance to preview some of NWN2's new features last week with Feargus Urquhart. Taking a page out of the KOTOR 2 playbook, you will be able to directly control two NPCs who will be influenced by your decisions, good or ill. The Baldur's Gate pause feature has also been added to assist with issuing commands to your party. Stay tuned for more information as the launch date approaches.
Turbine offers free DDO trial
If you're still on the fence about Dungeons & Dragons Online, Turbine is offering a free seven-day trial so you can build a character and experience the world of Eberron. Should you decide to buy the game after this period, you can continue with your trial character. Many MMO enthusiasts have been hesitant to purchase DDO because it isn't single player-friendly, and some initial reviews mentioned the difficulty in forming parties and keeping them together. However, the game has been out for over a month now, and if you're looking for an alternative to your current MMO, it might be worthwhile to give DDO a free spin.See also: Metareview - Dungeons & Dragons Online[via Eurogamer]
The pen is mightier than the sword; Ian Livingstone on games
Pen-and-paper legend Ian Livingstone OBE sat down with MMORPGDot to talk about his move into PC gaming. It's an interesting sideways shift; the interview examines the differences between pen and paper media and computer games.Ian concludes with the titillating information that he wants to produce the "definitive" fantasy game, and that "multiplayer on console is definitely the way to go"; with over ten years' worth of notes, if anyone can pull it off, it's Ian.
Fear of Girls
This short film by Ryan Wood, Fear of Girls, is a delightful portrait of two elite tabletop D&D players and their attitudes to the outside world. MMO players as well as D&D gamers may find echoes of themselves in the protagonists.Interestingly, the discussion about this film on Slashdot instantly takes a sharp turn towards MMOs, and World of Warcraft in particular. The stereotype that all female avatars are instantly showered with gifts and propositions is still perpetuated, despite many players with female characters anecdotally refuting it. It seems to happen on occasion, but not to the extent that hearsay would have you believe.
Dungeons & Dragons Online comes to Europe
Atari and Codemasters have launched a dedicated European website for Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormreach (aka DDO), the massively-multiplayer incarnation of D&D. However, as usual European gamers seem to be losing out--the "online portal" currently consists of a link to their forums and a link to the beta test signup. Smashing. Fortunately, the forums do contain a few nuggets of European-specific information about the game, which is heavily anticipated amongst MMO players and D&D purists: European and American servers will be separate Language-preferred servers are likely to be offered Transferring characters from realm to realm won't be offered There are no publicised dates for the start of European beta, or the game's launch--but all should happen in Q1 2006 A simultaneous European and American launch is planned There are no plans for Mac or Linux versions of DDO Simultaneous launch? Not quite what GameSpot said--but here's hoping.
