Never Winter Nights Questions ?

[Leo Dragonheart]

Hi my name is Leo. I have Ubuntu 8.10 installed on my computer. My computer has a Pentium 4 2.4 GHz procesor, 512 mb RAM, nVidia G Force FX 5200 graphics card, and a 80 GB HD. I have been looking for a great game to play and have noticed that Never Winter Nights might be the game for me. I have a few questions though because I don't know much about these on-line games.

What I would like to know is can I only play this game as a single player like playing a game on my playstation? Do I have to have network cards installed or can I just play online like other MMOs? Do I have to have my own group of friends in my network to play or can I just join in with other players online? What will I get if I go purchase the box set at the store? Do I have to continue to buy modules to continue to play the game. How much does the game cost?

I am just looking for any more info about the game I can get. I have been to this site: http://nwn.bioware.com/ and read pretty much all of it so any more info about the game itself would be greatly appreciated. I know this is allot of questions for one post but I need to know before I buy Thanx for any info in advance and maybe I will see you soon in Never Winter Nights.


Leo


P.S. I don't know allot of abbreviations in the gaming world, just the more popular ones. So please if you can spell it out for me and leave the abreviation also so I can learn them I would be grateful.

[Wisp558]

Neverwinter Nights... is not an MMO, if I recall correctly. NWN is a DnD-based game which can be played by yourself, or with a group of friends. I DONT RECALL ever seeing a NWN-mmo style scenario, so don't expect a major MMO. It is an RPG, which supports grouping with friends (and I BELIEVE (don't know THAT much about NWN)) you can play with a group on the internet. Think of it like an older DnD based RPG game (with multiplayer and the ability to make/import new campagins/modules, and the ability to DM), and you'll get the picture. =)

[donkyhotay]

NWN is basically DnD (3.5 rules if I remember right) on a computer. So if you don't like DnD then you probably won't like (or even understand) it. There is a single-player campaign thats pretty fun, but you can also play online with friends. Although it not *officially* an MMO some people do use it as such. Some people have created permanent online NWN servers where you can essentially log in and play the game like an MMO. I've never really done that myself so I don't know quality but I would guess it's completely dependent on how well the person who created the world was at it. Given the quality of the tools available and how good some people are at world building I'd guess there are some pretty good ones out there. It probably won't cure a WoW addiction but I enjoyed back when I used to play.

[oldrocker99]

OK, here's the skinny: Neverwinter Nights (hereafter called NWN) is based on the Dungeons and Dragons 3.0 rules (the 3.5 rules hadn't come out in 2002, when NWN was released). It is a solo and multiplayer game. Several players can play together on a LAN or one person can run a server where their friends can log on to. It is possible to run the game as a Dungeon Master, who can adjust the game's difficulty if needed, boot or ban obnoxious players, etc. Of course, you can play the game solo, and the game allows henchmen to join the player to help him or her out, sometimes for free. sometimes not.

The real fun, in my humble opinion, is in the hundreds of VERY GOOD free modules you can download from neverwintervault.com. Some very creative designers have used the game's toolkit to make modules, some small, some huge, and each one is a separate adventure that you (usually) can take your favorite character into. The Vault has a Hall of Fame section of the highest-rated modules; you can start there.

There are also persistent world servers, in which you upload your character to the server and log on when you wish.

All this makes NWN themost game in a box. Bioware, the developer, went to significant lengths to support Linux in this game, and Linux users interested should support Bioware by spending a mere $20 for the Diamond edition. The Linux client is already on the DVD, and a flawless installation method can be found here:

http://nwn.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=656261&forum=72

Follow the instructions to the letter (and install in your home folder) and you'll have an installation with working movies; scroll down that page for a working link for the movies library.

I may sound partisan, but this is the best computer game (with the possible exception of Oblivion) I've ever played. Endless hours of adventure and hack 'n' slash, or devious puzzles and traps. The new 1.69 patch even adds horses.

In other words, get this game. OK?


:guitar:

[PandaGoat]

If you play online, there is a good server called Amia with a good amount of other players, that I happen to be one of. Here is their website: http://amiaworld.net/. They're under the Role Playing section.

[Naegling23]

Ill basically just add to what everyone else here has stated.

Neverwinter nights is one of the pest pc games ever. However, there are a few caviots. First, its a pretty strict dungeons and dragons based game. If you are not a fan of DandD, you wont like this game. If you have never played DandD, you may still find a lot to like, however, its going to be a steep learning curve, and your going to go down a lot of dead ends character wise. Neverwinter nights assumes that you know whats going on, it doesnt hold your hand like a lot of other games do. However, if you make the effort, the closer detail you pay toward the game, will give you some nice rewards. Also, since its a DandD based game, the combat and fighting can be a little slow. It moves at a reasonable pace, but its not a diablo type click fest by any means. Oh, and there is a lot of reading involved...a lot of dialog.

Another thing to think of are the graphics of the game. It came out in 2002, so, by 5 year old standards, the game looks great. I has an isometric view (like the sims, or diablo), so that makes the game look a little better since your not zoomed in on things all the time. But, if your looking for oblivion, or WoW type graphics...well, its not there, the reason to play is gameplay for this game.

The game itself. The diamond edition is $20USD and includes the game, 2 expansions and a few modules thrown in too. You have hundreds of hours of gameplay right in the box. With a great, engaging story. If you need more, you can download user created modules and play some of those too. As for online, the persistant worlds are a lot like MMO's, but the worlds are run by individuals, so they vary in quality. Still there are some very good ones. I would call them very MMO like.

If your a linux gamer and you like rpg's, this is THE game to have.

[Rumbl3]

i gotta throw my 2 cents in on this game. I'm no DnD guy at all. I absolutely loved this game only reason i don't play anymore is cause my son broke my disk and i haven't gotten around to getting a new set.

Online there is a server (least like year ago when i played) for anyone's play style. I played on "hack n slash" type servers. And i've played on servers u have to get accepted on because there hardcore rpg take forever to level servers, with multiple servers that act as different areas.

I mean heck i used to play on a diablo 2 clone server but nwn style. Imo one of the greatest rpgs i ever played online. Some servers have i think upwards of 64 to 128 players in one server game world.

Hmmm now i'm on linux these days didnt know nwn worked on it. I just might have to buy the platinum pack or whatever it is and come back to this game.

Also whats nice is u get bored of one server's "world" that's been created. You just find another one completely different world story players etc. So keeps the game fresh even if u get bored of a server u normally play on.

Plus i also loved this game because there's so many classes alignments etc. You can become whatever you want.

[Leo Dragonheart]

Very Very Cool. I want to thank you all for your info. This answers all my questions and I am greatfull. I believe I will go and get the box and play the game.

In response to some of your statements, I just want to say I am 44 yrs old and there will never EVER be a better Game ever or in the future than DnD!
I grew up on that game. The problem is it is very hard to find any pen and paper players any more but to play a DnD style game on-line sounds like the game for me.

Everyone was very descriptive in their information that they gave and again I want to say Thanx. You will see me in NWN soon...

[Rumbl3]

no thx you lol Because of all the threads on these forums and talk of nwn. I'm going to pick it up again. Since i moved to linux been looking for a rpg fix. That game was awesome still happy to see it's alive and well.

Also i used to search around the web u can find sites that list all the private servers and stuff. There's some you have to apply to get on to them. Plus u can find some kool ones because they advertise.

Also i was a wow player on windows gave that up 15 bucks a month EH plus all these new windows coming out vista been out for a while and now 7 on its way xp seems to be on its way out. So i decided to go linux for my first time. Hehe probably never going back even tho i'm a hardcore gamer, i'll deal with the fact linux seems to get shafted on the gaming side cause there's always plenty to play still. Also i tend to stick to older games because anything that's the new hotness say on windows is usually filled with idiots. Older games tend to have a smaller but more stable community with less idiots. least thats what i find.

[Naegling23]

if your a DandD fan, this game is for you...enjoy.

And some people still play pen and paper DandD ;-)

If you cant find anyone locally, check out openRPG. Its sort of a web portal for playing the pen and paper DandD online with friends around the world. Im sure there are some forums or groups that would let you join....although, Im pretty sure NWN will give you your fix.