This is where I disagree, though I may not have made myself clear. I don't think a classic novel approach works in a game-world - at all. For that kind of narrative, the set format of a novel or a movie is optimal and would make an inferior game by default. (This also applies to PnP scenarios.) Also, the mechanics-only approach of most coding departments ignores the story-telling part of the play. The problem isn't in the talent of the creators, but in that they're biased towards a mode of expression that isn't very practical in creating a really good game.

Let me pull up an analogue that I've talked about before: game soundtracks. Game soundtracks are nearly always made as if they were records to be played, area by area, scene by scene. This is great if you want a soundtrack you can listen to like a CD, but it's a very handicapped and narrow-minded approach to a game. A good approach would be to make a dynamic system with several layers, where different parts of a soundscape come in depending on where you are and what you are doing. Of course, this requires a completely different mindset for the composer, and a deeper involvement with the game itself - which is exactly my point.

With every new medium of expression and communication, the first steps are always rather cautious and reactionary, because noone is really used to what you can actually make of it. This is to be expected - but computer games have been around for a long while now, and various games have shown that is entirely possible to do more than just put a few bits together, if you'll excuse the simplification.

It's not about the technical issues and it's not about the capacities of the game designers - it's about the attitude.

Again, I absolutely agree. The focus should be on the roleplaying. Exploring could be part of that, but that's best done with some GM-ing involved. Also, a PW has all possibilities of step-wise expansion. We'll add new areas when we need them. The logical focus area would be a city or town.

Oh, and I offer to act GM in this world of ours. We need a couple of those to make things interesting and I really don't mind doing it on an irregular basis.

Best of luck, Sandling.

This is undoubtedly my kind of thinking, as well. If we do take that path, I've got... rather a lot of ideas to heap into the project. Magic and mystic knowledge should be obscure and dangerous. The occult is still interesting even after you realise what it's about because of the texture and detail of it. On no account should we let it deteriorate into mundane chatter about how best to use a fireball spell.

From what I can see, we've got some harsh anti-FR stances, which kind of makes FR a bad choice, since we'll want to have as many people along as possible. Alternative History is strong. As it looks now, that's what I'd expect would make the most sense.

Hm. I don't think the actual world creation (intellectually speaking) would be a problem. We've got enough acute and inspired minds to work that out. The issue is with how much customisation we have to do, and for an alternate medieval setting, that's not that horribly much, for example.

Should be fairly easy. I want the name of the character and the illustrated novel series.

Also, for bonus points, name the series from which the main character originated, the creature whose blood he shares, what happens to most of his friends and who he gives the finger by principle each time they meet.

Ahnung.

It's likely. It seems fairly well thought-out, from what I've seen. Very different from NWN1 in that respect.

Yep. The lot from NWN, plus various subraces. Drow, tiefling, aasimar, wild elves - you name it! I'm running an aasimar, myself. Always loved that race. Interesting classes as well. They seem to have gone more or less all-out D&D 3.5 except for some minor changes, this time. Quite nice.

Mine can... almost. I'm running it with fairly high settings, and it occasionally gets choppy, but man... it's nice!

I'm very picky about voice acting, and some of it is kind of wooden, at least in the beginning. Most is very good, though. That Ironfist dwarf is great!

The camera works like in NWN, but the game is kind of different, so you play it differently. I use driving cam, because I like being close to the action. Have a look at the options in your settings and figure out which of the four camera types you like best.

It worked for me, though the patching takes a loooong time.

All in all, I really like the atmosphere and the feel of the game. It seems a lot more adventuresome (not as in adventure game) and intimate than the first game. NWN1 had entirely too much of Dungeon Siege in it for my tastes really, though SoU and HotU were better. Mainly, the custom content was what made that game worth its mettle. NWN2 seems a lot better on its own - so far!

My own gripes are that the controls feel more clunky than in NWN and that I think the game may falter in terms of replayability. Then again, who knows?

Further reports as we delve deeper!

Woo!
Good to hear we have a positive effect on your judgement there, Oluf.
I received my copy today and I'm installing it as we speak. I'm going to try not to get too caught up in it though. Have to keep my wordcount up.

Hope the game doesn't disappoint you... or me.

I noticed there are several new features that would work great in a persistent world; things like enhanced crafting and dynamic housing.

Defiance.

Collar.