03-07-2001, 02:59 AM | #21 | |
Ironworks Moderator
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Quote:
------------------ Memnoch - Custodian of the Order of the Holy Flame |
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03-07-2001, 06:00 AM | #22 |
Dungeon Master
Join Date: March 4, 2001
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At level 40, I don't think that a demon can be of a problem...
After all, if level 15+ characters can be walking gods, what would level 40 characters be? ------------------ A Drawn Sword; A Trickle Of Blood; The Tempest Is Brewing. Nemesis.... |
03-07-2001, 08:48 AM | #23 | |
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Quote:
[list] You're definitely dancing with the BIG BOYS at that level. ------------------ Memnoch - Custodian of the Order of the Holy Flame |
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03-07-2001, 09:23 AM | #24 |
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Bringing you another update from the BG2: Throne of Bhaal designers. Some interesting info in here!
David Gaider (Senior Designer) NPCs: Sure, we could add the BG1 NPCs into the expansion along with the new NPC...after all, the new NPC is only available in the add-on part of the story (after you defeat Irenicus). Only thing is, we would have to add all that banter and dialogue for how many more NPCs. Part of the volume with banter comes with the fact that you have to account for numerous combinations of NPCs in the party. Calculate for me how many banters you'd have to have for each NPC to only (and I mean only...that's pretty sparse) have 1 piece of banter with every other NPC. That's, what?, 16x15? 240 entries? Now try adding in another 24 NPCs. And, besides, the summoning of the NPCs isn't done like a spell or anything. It's done as part of your abyssal stronghold. And the exact means of doing so is something I'll leave for you to find in the game...it'll make sense, then. Wildmage options: I'm pretty sure that you can't turn a mage into a wild mage upon going into the add-on section...it's just a straight import of your save game. You could, however, create a character for the expansion pack and make him a wild mage...and he would be given experience and equipment appropriate. The point of the kit is for those people who want to use it...they can try it in the expansion pack or play BG2 as a wild mage, if they wish. Adding cloaks and hats to the avatars: I wouldn't mind seeing cloaks, or even hats for that matter, on the avatars. That said, according to the art department, adding cloaks is another layer of animation that has to be applied to the main avatar, and while it could be done it would be quite difficult and take a great deal of time. It's been pointed out before that Drizzt's avatar has a cloak. Yes, that's true. A cloak is easily done if it is modeled as part of the character...no layering necessary. But Drizzt's avatar has no choice about wearing a cloak...you can't take it off. It's the fact that when a cloak is optional you have to include it as an extra layer. (By layering, incidentally, I'm referring to the clipping and such that places an object 'behind' something so it looks realistic...like shields and weapons being hidden by body parts when turned and such). We've gotten a lot of feedback on people wanting more variety in their avatars. No doubt about it. And it's something we're taking to heart. But as far as an expansion goes, it's not going to happen. We're not sacrificing story time or space for a cloak or a hat, plain and simple. For a sequel or something along those lines, though, I think it would be appropriate to have those kind of options right from when design is implemented...personally, if we did a game like this again, I'd like to see more paper doll variety and have those paper dolls reflect directly on the in-game avatars. Facial options, hair lengths and styles, facial hair, different styles of clothing and such. Personality is a fun thing to have. But...all this depends on resources, too. As fun as it'd be, I'd still have to agree that if I was forced to choose between content and extra avatar options, I'd have to go for content. You could have the prettiest, most unique avatar in the world and it wouldn't do you much good in a short game. And besides...the comment someone made about 'taking out quests' to put in avatars would only work if the designers did the animations. More realistically, you'd have to yank out about half the monster animations (if not more) in order to add that kind of complexity to the avatars. I suppose for some that would be worth it, but I don't know, personally. All I can say is that in future projects, hopefully we'll have the resources to allow for more variety and not be forced to sacrifice content. Kevin Martens (Lead Designer) Summoning NPCs: There are several options when playing Throne of Bhaal: 1) Import your party from BGII - if they're below 2mil XP they will be bumped up. If you choose this option, you will not be given any items so you should probably be a fairly well equipped when you do this. We can't give anything because you could be at any level of XP prior to 2 mil and we don't want to create duplicate items. 2) Import a character file - any character file can be imported. they will be given a fine selection of non-unique magical items and be bumped to 2 mil xp if they are lower. 3) Start a new Expansion Pack game - You can choose all of the BGII options plus the Wildmage Kit. You are set to 2 million XP and given a bag of holding with a variety of magical items according to your class. For example - a fighter would get different items than a mage. With this option - you will only have to play alone for a short time (10-15 minutes) before being allowed to summon party members. As to the summoning - the player can summon into his new stronghold, any BG2 NPCs that aren't dead and aren't currently in the party. I'll leave the details on why and how you can do this to the game. You'll find out when you play. The NPCs will all be more powerful than their previous versions and be outfitted accordingly. ------------------ Memnoch - Custodian of the Order of the Holy Flame |
03-07-2001, 09:38 AM | #25 |
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This is a must-read preview of Baldurs Gate II: Throne of Bhaal by Gamespot. Just a warning: it contains spoilers from BG2 but some really interesting stuff here. Best preview I've read yet.
------------------ Memnoch - Custodian of the Order of the Holy Flame |
03-07-2001, 10:11 AM | #26 |
Fzoul Chembryl
Join Date: March 1, 2001
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 1,735
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Just saying Whooohoooo!
Of course I haven't even finished BGII yet ------------------ |
03-07-2001, 12:11 PM | #27 |
Guest
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Damn QUAL I say
------------------ |
03-08-2001, 04:58 AM | #28 |
Ironworks Moderator
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C'mon guys, help me bump this thread for all those who don't know how to move to page 2
------------------ Memnoch - Custodian of the Order of the Holy Flame |
03-08-2001, 05:24 AM | #29 |
Manshoon
Join Date: March 1, 2001
Location: Philippines
Posts: 211
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level 40... you could beat the hell out of that level 30 lich... hes 1 and youre six... no quite a match... including elminster... and I LOVE cheating... hwehwehwehwe.... hhmmmmm
------------------ Tifa has her Cloud, Squall his Rinoa, Sephiroth?? hehe |
03-08-2001, 09:20 AM | #30 |
Dungeon Master
Join Date: March 1, 2001
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Bump
------------------ Nobody tells me what to do, not even me ! |
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