Campaign update

Post by **Venture** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 10:45 pm

I've been having trouble the past couple of weeks getting into building mode, which typically means that burnout is setting in. This time, it took only 3 months or so, or however long it has been since we resumed play. With the exception of a couple of breaks, I've been building the campaign for about 3 years now, or longer, since I started building Spectaro months before the campaign started.

I have a pretty good idea what I need to finish building for the current campaign arc. I hope to finish that this weekend (but you never know). It will probably take you 1 or 2 sessions to get through it. It looks, though, like I am now probably leaving town Thanksgiving eve (i.e. Wedneday the 23rd, when I had initially scheduled the next session).

I don't want to be rash (and, for example, just completely pull the plug on the campaign), so here is what I'm thinking - we will finish the current plot (and hope all your characters aren't dead by then

), starting on December 7, play however many sessions we need until we get through it, and then take some time off. How long we take off depends on how long it takes me to recharge. It is safe to say it will at least be after the holidays, and could extend through ski season if I don't have enough time to build (since I'm away pretty much every winter weekend).

Then, after the break, we will see who is still around. I'd certainly understand if you've moved on to something else by then. We will then play for a couple or few more months, after which I'm sure I'll need another break, and you may too.

This would take us up to the anticipated release of NWN2. I plan to hit up Bigbluepaw at that time, as he seems to be getting the itch again (no promises though). My concern, of course, is that Lindalas plays on a Mac, and so far I haven't seen that NWN2 is being released on a Mac. So, Lind, start robbing some banks or something to get the loot for a dedicated Windoze NWN PC.

lindalas · Post by **lindalas** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:49 am

You are not the first to suggest I get a dedicated games PC. I'm on the board of Playnet (publisher of the MMOG World War II Online) and I've had one of their techies offer to build me one at cost. Thus, the reason I don't have one is not price but pride. Well, that and the fact that I don't want to admit I like playing games

However, since I have lots of work to get done, taking a break is not a bad thing for me. I'll see you on December 7!

V, just make sure you don't dump us until I've assembled my new bow!

Bedeo · Post by **Bedeo** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 11:14 am

Sounds ok to me.

Lindalas...any chance a windows emulator would run NWN pc version for you, and as such, nwn2?

Tunari · Post by **Tunari** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 2:29 pm

Question: V, regarding the NWN2, would it be possible that you'd remake Naeldor and we'd continue through Epic levels?

Or we could of come up against some Epic Astral Archmage who teleports us all off world to something completely new, that we would have to fight/play our way back to Naeldor. I guess my big hope is to continue our party and our characters. Doesn't matter where, send us all to Hell, that's fine, as long as we are together.

*Asia rubs her eyes, sniff, sniff* "love this group!" *sees Wilks heading over, draws her sword, not you!!! Get away, I am not hugging you!! Go hug that cute little Kobold*

It really is the best. Guess I am just being selfish. Your building and DMing has me spoiled, can't imagine this much fun, great builds and stories anywhere else.

It would certainly be impressive looking. Has everyone been over to the General Forum at NWC, the NWN2 Sneak Peak thread? There are a whole bunch of pictures there that I hadn't seen before, including a couple pictures of the toolset!!!

EDIT: I swear there were 3 posts with links to new pictures there!! Seem to be gone, maybe someone got in trouble again.

Post by **Venture** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 11:15 pm

I haven't thought that far ahead yet. The hard part about epic levels, is that I wouldn't be surprised if NWN2 didn't have them until expansions. If you want your current characters, we can just work something out where you get overwhelmed by some level-draining vampires that suck you right back to level one . . .

I saw those toolset pics. Pretty cool. Makes we want to hook up my second monitor.

lindalas · Post by **lindalas** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 1:53 am

Quite frankly I wouldn't worry about NWN2... well at least I wont because I don't think I'll see it before next 2007. If Naeldor moves to NWN2 it will almost certainly be without me since I don't see a Mac version coming anytime soon.

Epic levels? We can do that in NWN1

Tunari · Post by **Tunari** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 3:21 pm

lindalas wrote: Epic levels? We can do that in NWN1

I was trying to think of something that might get V energized again, hence the new Toolset and killer graphics of NWN2. It appears we'll have some breaks here and there and V will try to find the motivation to go on for another 4-5 months, that puts us what 2-3 levels higher? So, we'd be close to epic levels, that's why I thought if the new NWN2 came out about then, and he really liked the totolset and what he saw, we'd be able to go on with that game with our characters close to and into Epic characters.

Post by **Venture** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 6:04 pm

Tunari wrote:
lindalas wrote: Epic levels? We can do that in NWN1
I was trying to think of something that might get V energized again, hence the new Toolset and killer graphics of NWN2. It appears we'll have some breaks here and there and V will try to find the motivation to go on for another 4-5 months, that puts us what 2-3 levels higher? So, we'd be close to epic levels, that's why I thought if the new NWN2 came out about then, and he really liked the totolset and what he saw, we'd be able to go on with that game with our characters close to and into Epic characters.

That is what I was thinking regarding NWN2. I still come up with ideas (although maybe not as readily as before), but implementing them in the toolset for hours at a time is what can get old after 3 years of using the same toolset. That's part of the reason you see new tilesets from time to time. They have a "fresh" feel to them, and are a bit more fun to build with.

lindalas · Post by **lindalas** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 8:03 pm

Which brings us back to the platform issue... I will buy NWN2 as soon as it comes out... on a Mac. So far they (Atari) aren't even talking about a non-PC version and having the graphics tied to DX9 prevents a straight port (although it may not be too hard IF they are coding with OpenGL in mind).

Even if all the stars align I wont be on NWN2 for at least another year. Thus I think the choices are to break up the party or continue with NWN1.

Tunari · Post by **Tunari** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 8:21 pm

lindalas wrote:Thus I think the choices are to break up the party or continue with NWN1.

Break up the party!! Don't like that idea.

Does anyone have an idea of what PC requirements will be needed for NWN2? Probably will need more or at least a better graphics card then my current 6 year old pc. I'll be replacing by year end, so I can play a lot of new stuff, also tax writeoff now since I use my pc a lot for work. Was going to take this harddrive and stick in the new one, they come with so may open slots for more HDrives.

So I don't think my old pc would work or I'd certainly donate it so Lind could play our game. If he has space for a MAC and PC on his desk. But it would be missing hardrive and have an old old graphics card. Buying those two items are enough that might as well get a new system, they're so cheap now for a basic system, but it would have decent speed and a newer graphics card even on the most basic models these days.

hmmm, will have to come up with a solution by NWN2 Release.

Post by **Venture** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 9:43 pm

Well, we will probably have 7 or 8 months to figure this out, since Obsidian is saying NWN2 will be released in summer (and I'd be surprised if it makes that).

Nitricity · Post by **Nitricity** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 3:45 pm

As always, I'm up for whatever. Give me and date and a time and I'll play.

Bedeo · Post by **Bedeo** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 10:00 pm

So we're still all go for this wednesday? if so I need to leave 10 min early, otherwise I'm fine

Post by **Venture** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 12:48 pm

We should be good for Wednesday, yes. I'm in court the next few days, and if it would spill over past Wednesday, that could affect things, but I think that is unlikely.

Tunari · Post by **Tunari** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 12:28 am

Is everyone still around for tomorrow? Post a yes or no if you look here please. I have a business function I will skip for the game, but want to make sure everyone is back form Holidays etc.. so I don't bail out of it and not get to play.

Tunari