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The Game Archaeologist: The persistent worlds of Neverwinter Nights 1 & 2
At the end of next month, dozens of online worlds will flicker and vanish with the flip of a switch. It's a online apocalypse the likes of which we have not seen in quite some time, although you might be forgiven for not having heard of it before now. When GameSpy Technology goes offline on May 31st, dozens of EA games that relied on the platform for multiplayer functionality will lose their online components by June 30th. Because of this, Neverwinter Nights and Neverwinter Nights 2 will find that their persistent player-made and -run worlds are in danger. For over a decade now, players have poured creative energies and roleplaying enthusiasm into these micro-MMOs. Could an era be about to end? Fortunately, players are already swinging into action to work around the shutdown, keeping their worlds alive and detached from GameSpy's umbilical cord. I see this event as a wake-up call for people like yours truly who are acquainted primarily with BioWare and Obsidian's single-player offerings and are ignorant of the larger Neverwinter Nights community out there. Let's take a look at this engrossing online realm and how it came to be.
50 EA games going offline due to GameSpy shutdown
EA's efforts to transition its GameSpy-based games have been in vain, after the publisher revealed 50 of its titles are going offline once the matchmaking service shuts down. Not only is it a big list of games, but it includes casualties like Battlefield 2142 for PC and Mac, and Star Wars: Battlefront on PC and PS2. Other games on the list include Battlefield 2 (PC), Command and Conquer 3 (PC and Mac), C&C Generals (PC and Mac), Red Alert 3 (PC and Mac), Crysis (PC), Crysis: Wars (PC), Crysis 2 (PC), Medal of Honor: Allied Assault (PC and Mac), Neverwinter Nights (PC, Mac and Linux) Neverwinter Nights 2 (PC and Mac), and Star Wars Battlefront 2 (PC and PS2). EA's service site has the full list of affected games, all of which lose their online services on June 30. "Unfortunately, due to technical challenges and concerns about the player experience, we do not have a solution at this time," EA said on its service page. The company noted some of the games retain sizable audiences, and it's "investigating community-supported options" in a bid to retain online functionality. However: "Significant technical hurdles remain, and at this time we don't have anything to announce." If EA doesn't come through, users may turn to services like GameRanger, which provides server support for some of the games in question. However, for many games it'll likely be so long and thanks for all the online fun soon after GameSpy's services go dark on May 31. [Image: EA]
New on GOG: Neverwinter Nights 2, Strike Suit Zero, Mac games galore
This week on GOG sees the launch of a few good, new games (GNGs) and of course some decent, old games (DOGs) on Mac and PC. Indie darling Strike Suit Zero hits PC today for the sale price of $16, while classics Neverwinter Nights 2: Complete and Conquest: Frontier Wars invade PC for $15 and $6, respectively. That Neverwinter Nights 2 price is 25 percent off.The Mac launch lineup comprises Legend of Grimrock, The Blackwell Bundle, Alpha Centuri, Fallout 2, Sid Meier's Colonization, Postal 2 Complete, Ultima 7: The Complete Edition, Freespace + Expansion, Terminal Velocity and Conquest of the New World.
The Game Archaeologist and the Nights of Old Winter
Here's a question for you: How much do you really, really have to love a game to pay $8.00 an hour to play it? Considering how much we tend to whine about a flat $15/month fee, I'm guessing the answer is, "Only if it loved me long time." And yet, in 1991 this wasn't considered crazy extortionist practices -- it was dubbed "Being a pioneer." While online RPGs were nothing new by then, nobody had tackled the jump from text-based RPGs (MUDs and BBS doors) to graphical games due to the technology (limited modem speeds and access) and funding involved. It took the efforts of a Superfriends-style team to make this happen with Neverwinter Nights: Stormfront Studios developed the game, TSR provided the Dungeons & Dragons license, SSI published it under its Gold Box series, and Aol handled the online operations. Thus, 19 years ago -- six years before Ultima Online and 13 before World of Warcraft -- the first multiplayer graphical RPG went online and helped forge a path that would lead to where we are today. With only 50 to 500 players per server, Neverwinter Nights may not have been "massively," but it deserves a spot of honor as one of the key ancestors to the modern MMO.
Exploring Eberron: Neverwinter nightcaps
Depending on how much stock you put in the rumors or in Cryptic in general, this past week's announcement of a second Dungeons & Dragons MMO -- pardon me, an "OMG" -- either rocked you back on your heels or cooled off your heels. Something to do with heels, at any rate. In a Daily Grind this past May, I asked readers how they would make another D&D MMO. There were a lot of thoughtful responses, a few instances of keyboard gibberish, and a contingent adamant that the D&D license was locked up in DDO and couldn't be handed out elsewhere. I guess the latter argument is a moot point right now -- obviously, Turbine doesn't have a monopoly on an online D&D -- although its existence brings to mind not just a few questions. Is the world big enough for two online D&D titles? What does this announcement mean for our beloved DDO? Is Neverwinter positioning itself to be direct competition, or a different entity altogether? Has the Cryptic crew learned its lessons? In my final Exploring Eberron (Rubi returns next week, so you may start doing your happy dance... now), I'm going to answer all of these queries in such a way that your world will forever be rocked. On its heels.
Direct2Drive's anniversary sale continues with $5 RPGs and MMOs
Digital retailer Direct2Drive continues its seemingly endless parade of values this week with a number of MMOs and RPGs which you can acquire for a single five-dollar bill. These titles include Neverwinter Nights 2, EVE Online, Age of Conan and Assassin's Creed Director's Cut. Well, fine -- that last one isn't exactly an RPG, unless what the director cut from the original version was turn-based random encounters. If you're not a fan of playing roles, you'll be happy to know that D2D has kept a number of the previous weeks' deals alive, adding BioShock, Civilization 4, Assault on Dark Athena and many other titles to the pile of $5 games. If you're looking to expand your PC library on the cheap, it's definitely worth checking out.
Neverwinter Nights 2 expansion in the works
Based off a translation from Spanish site Neverwinteros, IGN reports that a new Neverwinter Nights 2 expansion is in development. Obsidian confirmed that the expansion, called Storm of Zehir, will include full party customization and "free exploration of a non-linear game world via an Overland Map."Players will take control of their party during a post-war economic recovery period, choosing whether to ally with syndicates or obtain items through nefarious means and sell them on the black market. There's currently no announced timetable for a release.[Via Big Download]
Atari loses more money in Q3, reveals new games
Atari may have a new head honcho ready to turn the company's staggering misfortune around, but it ain't gonna happen overnight. Atari stated in its Q3 report that if it wasn't for the $3.7 million restructuring charge it would have posted a net income of $3.4 million this quarter. It's nice that the company "would have" made some income, but the simple fact is Atari has a net loss of $20 million for its first three quarters. But enough about the never-ending joke of Atari's financials, Eurogamer dug up some game information. Ignoring the scheduling mess which is Alone in the Dark, there are currently plans for another Neverwinter Nights 2 expansion, something called Airborne Rangers, and numerous other titles -- although we're sure everyone is super excited for My Horse & Me 2. Atari says it will be announcing more titles in the coming weeks "one by one." Atari's fiscal year ends in March, so expect the devastating financial results a few months later. Read: Atari posts Q3 loss following restructuring charges Read: Atari financials leak 2008/2009 line up
Cinemassively: BloodSpell
Here at Massively, we take movie clips and Machinima very seriously. That's why we're introducing Cinemassively, your daily dose of video goodness. It's fitting that our launch today would be complemented by an equally massive Machinima; BloodSpell.Filmed in Neverwinter Nights, this feature-length epic tale follows the story of a young monk, Jered, who is trained to hunt the Blooded, or people whose blood has been infected with magic. When he realizes he has magic coursing through his veins, he must flee from the Church of the Angels. As he is pursued by his brethren, he is taken on an adventure with plenty of action and even a hot chick or two!The director of this film, Hugh Hancock, must have been created by putting Joss "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Whedon and Peter "Lord of the Rings" Jackson in a blender. Hugh is one of the pioneers of Machinima, and his experience really shows. His script is by turns funny, intense and sometimes moving, the cinematography and direction is excellent. He has created a Machinima feature film that's involving and entertaining compared to other feature films in the cinema, not just Machinima.Check the full movie (you may need a Divx plugin installed) after the jump, or go download it over on the website.
Alone in the Dark releasing this November
ProG says they've got some release dates straight from Atari UK, with the shocker being Alone in the Dark scheduled for release on the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC this November. We haven't heard about that game in ages, other than a mention that the author of Sleepers had come on board, but we'll take this as a good sign. Alone in the Dark, which was announced last year, was previously revealed to contain episodic content and wasn't yet in playable form. If it is releasing in November, there's a good chance we'll learn a great deal more at the upcoming Min-E3. The ProG article also gives the dates for some other games: The Neverwinter Nights 2 expansion, Mask of the Betrayer, will release on October 12, Tamagotchi Party On! for Wii on August 31, Dungeons and Dragons Tactics and The Witcher on September 14, and Godzilla Unleashed in November. [Via Xbox360Fanboy]
Atari reveals Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer
Not quite done casting Magic Missile and attacking the darkness of Neverwinter Nights? Well, good. Atari has announced an expansion pack for Neverwinter Nights 2, ominously entitled Mask of the Betrayer. Slated for release this Fall and developed by Obsidian Entertainment, the game promises more spells, more monsters, more weapons, more levels, more modding possibilities and presumably, more heartless backstabbing. "Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer's engrossing campaign will conclude the storyline that began in the original Neverwinter Nights 2 and focus on combat, exploration and classic D&D dungeon-crawling," says Obsidian CEO and plausible fantasy character, Feargus Urquhart. He also notes that the expansion will see enhancements made to the companion Influence System, as used in the base title and Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords. Of course, it's probably best to just avoid adding any masked strangers to your party during this particular adventure.
Obsidian patches Neverwinter Nights 2
Obsidian Entertainment has wasted little time getting Neverwinter Nights 2 into ship-shape this month. But when you consider the game already shipped at the end of last month, suffered a controversial critique, and was built by a bunch of talented Black Isle veterans, their efforts may not seem so surprising. The new 1.03 beta patch includes several multiplayer and toolset updates, in addition to some much-needed camera adjustments (fans of the first game will appreciate the modified "chase cam" view). In case these fixes aren't reason enough to consider picking up the game, then how about a 50% discount? Through the end of Saturday, Best Buy is selling Neverwinter Nights 2 for $25.[via GameBanshee]
1UP zings Neverwinter Nights 2 (again)
It looks like the final chapter has been written in the ongoing saga of 1UP's Neverwinter Nights 2 review controversy. An updated review is now available at the Ziff Davis-owned gaming portal, and the new score is a 6/10 (upgraded from 5/10). Only this time, the review was written by Games for Windows editor Jeff Green, who just last week explained the decision to pull writer Matt Peckham's original review.Green echoes Peckham's sentiments about D&D-based roleplaying adventures -- "success is largely determined by the understanding of a rule set that only a genius or a 13-year-old could fully comprehend" -- but he takes great care not to bash the genre with the same reckless abandon that tainted Peckham's analysis. Instead, more emphasis is placed on NWN2's performance issues, problematic camera, and faulty A.I. -- all valid criticisms. Still, you have to wonder if this is the score Green would've given Obsidian's RPG before the events of two weeks ago, or if he was somehow influenced by the score Peckham gave the game. Like the editor said last week, "there was no way to 'win' here." See also: Metareview - Neverwinter Nights 2
Editor explains retracted NWN2 review
Games For Windows magazine editor Jeff Green has posted a lengthy explanation on why Matt Peckham's now infamous review of Neverwinter Nights 2 was pulled from 1UP last week. Green's commentary offers some detailed insight into the new editorial process that will unify 1UP.com and GFW product reviews -- a system that seemingly left all parties involved with their backs up against the wall. In this excerpt, Green discusses his gut reaction after reading Peckham's review:"...when I read it, I was unhappy. I felt that right from the start, it read more like a bashing of the genre rather than a review of this specific game. I could see valid criticisms of NWN2 in the text, but I felt that the overall tone made it seem that [Matt] was just so sick of turn-based D&D RPGs that the game never had a chance on its own. I felt, if I was a reader, my first question would be: 'Why the heck did they let him review it then?' I felt that what he was saying in general was perfectly valid -- but just not for this piece."In summary, the GFW editor reaffirms 1UP's commitment to gamers, which is what drove the decision to remove the NWN2 review. Nothing like a little controversy to help kick off a publication relaunch, but in choosing to share the lessons learned by his organization, Green's retelling of these unfortunate events can benefit other trade publications.
1UP pulls Neverwinter Nights 2 review
In a move reserved for only the most high-ranking of screw-ups, 1UP.com has pulled their review of Neverwinter Nights 2. Stating that the review did a "disservice to fans of the RPG genre." We have what is said to be the original review after the break.It's a very difficult decision to pull a story. An editor would normally rather suffer the wrath of an angry readership than go forth with a retraction. Not only does it show a lack of respect to the writer of the piece, but it shows a collapse in the editorial chain of command at a publication. As our metareview showed this morning, 1UP gave NWN2 a 5 out of 10, which was quite the departure from the rest of the reviews. Not that publications can't have different opinions, but seriously, when was the last time you saw a decent game get below a 7?
Metareview - Neverwinter Nights 2 [Update 1]
Obsidian Entertainment and dungeon masters the world over can breathe a collective sigh of relief now that the scores for Neverwinter Nights 2 are in. The single player campaign has been well received by the gaming press, and the revamped toolset is expected to afford NWN2 a shelf life comparable to its predecessor. However, not all is well in the Forgotten Realms. The 1UP reviewer seems to have overlooked the fact that Oblivion and NWN represent different styles of roleplaying. Bethesda emphasizes aesthetic presentation and open-ended adventuring, while BioWare and Obsidian have focused on a tighter combat system (hence the rules) and an extendable architecture befitting of the classic Dungeons & Dragons experience. Keeping this in mind, both franchises excel at what they were designed for. GameDaily (100/100) cites several improvements over the original NWN: "There are plenty of things about NWN2 that are different from its precursor. Better graphics, a much more robust and option-filled character creation process, plus deeper plotlines, with more twists and better villains help add to an already stellar feature list. Neverwinter Nights 2 is truly one of the most epic adventures found on a PC, and it should be purchased without hesitation." GameSpot (86/100) considers NWN2 the most authentic D&D experience to date: "If you're willing to look past a few relatively minor technical issues, you'll have a great time exploring the world of NWN2. The excellent story, characters, and quests will appeal to your sense of adventure without getting overly convoluted. When you factor in the multiplayer and the editing tools, you'll find that NWN2 is a fantastic value and a thoroughly enjoyable game." 1UP (50/100) fired a 3d6 Melf's Acid Arrow right at the heart of the D&D community: "With all the added rule-shuffling, NWN2 seems like it's working twice as hard to accomplish half as much. Worse -- and blame this on games like Oblivion -- NWN2's levels feel pint-sized. As if the pencil and paper 'module' approach were a virtue that computers -- by now demonstrably capable of simulating entire worlds with considerably more depth -- should emulate." Update 1: 1UP has pulled their damning review of NWN2, so I guess there is justice in the world. Here are a few new scores: Yahoo! Games (90/100), IGN (85/100).
One more Neverwinter Nights 2 tease
T-minus seven days until Obsidian's Neverwinter Nights 2 hits the shelves, and Russian web site CRPG has posted over a dozen updated screens that highlight the shiny new interface. GameSpot also has some excellent screen grabs of the enhanced NWN toolset, which at least one enthusiastic developer is already putting to good use. How many of you depleted your Halloween candy budgets to order the limited edition?See also: NWN2 elite races, prestige classes previewed
Planescape Trilogy planned for NWN2
After you finish the core campaign in Obsidian's Neverwinter Nights 2, you won't have long to wait before jumping into the mod community sandbox. A small outift known as Rogue Dao Studios is hard at work on the Planescape Trilogy, a series of modules that promise 45 hours of gameplay in the Dungeons & Dragons Planescape campaign setting (home of that other RPG). The first module, Purgatorio, will be available at the Neverwinter Nights Vault in December, and if you register at Rogue Dao's forums, you can sample some of the music and visuals from the game.[via GameBanshee]
NWN2's baddie nasties revealed
Obsidian's Neverwinter Nights 2 is just around the corner, and this ugly lookin' crew is waiting to meet you when the game ships later this month. The bald dude is a frenzied berserker who is basically impossible to kill during his "deathless frenzy" attack (fortunately, he gets tired). The blue chick in the middle is a sword-wielding mage and top servant to the Lich Queen, but she shows some serious age lines if she ventures too close to the Forgotten Realms. Lastly, we have the manipulative diplomat Torio, a man-hating, angry as f@#%, agenda of rage, bitter...(you know the rest, Banky). Seriously, if you take away those flotation devices, we've got some serious androgyny going on here. Actually, neither of these villainesses represent the prototypical, evil hot babe we've grown accustomed to in the role playing genre, so you shouldn't feel to guilty carving them up.See also: Your new Neverwinter drinking buddies
Your new Neverwinter drinking buddies
Neverwinter Nights 2 has been delayed by a week, but now you have a little extra time to get to know your in-game cohorts. IGN introduces us to three companions found in the game, each of whom you can use to put Obsidian's character influence system (from KoTOR 2) to the test. It looks as though Obsidian may have been slightly influenced by the popularity of the Warforged race from D&D's Eberron setting, judging by their inclusion of Construct the blade golem. Then again, we've seen big friendly brutes in previous Neverwinter campaigns.
