A few tidbits on the new IWD II - Page 2

Durwyn · 03-04-2002, 02:52 PM

Gyruss, I do know its money [img]smile.gif[/img] . And I think I can understand that money could be the main point they are making it. Now I dont care much about the graphics, and I can agree with J'aran, its not about the graphics but the game, storyline etc. Basically what I was saying is I hope they dont make a cheap version of it, otherwise Epona and J'arans words wont come true. If they are planning to make it some quick whack pack storyline and generally, game, then they at least should give us improved graphics.

Larry_OHF · 03-05-2002, 09:30 PM

quote:

Glacial Resilience being Heart of Fury only: No, you can find it in the normal game - but there is a HOF version that is even more powerful.

Farmers Cloak being random drop item only: No, the Farmer's Cloak is a Unique Item and is not in the Random Item Table.

Pretty much anything with a complex back story is considered a Unique Item and will not be a part of the Random Drop Pool. Also, Unique Items generally have fancy names and not generic, "+2 Long Sword of Fortitude," (or whatever) item names.

Being able to afford the powerful/magic items: Since just about every creature in the game will drop some sort of treasure, be it gems or money, you should be able to afford the items you want pretty much when you want to buy them. Of course, you probably won't be able to buy a power level 4 item (roughly the equivalent of a level 10 -12 PC) when you're only level 2 - that would kill the game.

Unique items being in the same place always and size of random drop list: Yes, unique items are in the same places - be it quest items or chests or stores.

As for the size of the table... it's big. Random drop tables consist of weapons, armor, cloaks, belts, potions, etc. So, when one drops, it could be any of these things (appropriate for the power level of the area).

Memnoch · 03-07-2002, 05:43 AM

Just some more basic info about what's available, courtesy of Interplay.

New 3rd Edition Dungeons & Dragons® Classes:

The Barbarian - Play as one of the merciless warriors of the north, calling upon your greater strength, speed, and rage to carve a path through your enemies.

The Monk - If unarmed combat is your style call upon the Monk's weapons: contemplation, action, and a swift one-two bone-crunching throat strike.

The Sorcerer - If you prefer to hurl spells at your opponents without clutching a spell book, play as a sorcerer and draw upon the raw power within yourself to strike down your opponents.

Kit Classes - Icewind Dale II features expanded character creation options, including several new kit classes, such as the Cavalier and Kensai from Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, and many new kits like the Dreadmaster of Bane and the Mercenary.

New Races and Sub-Races: Several new races have been included, allowing you to play as a half-orc, gold dwarf, tiefling (half-demon), assimar (half-angel), or any of a number of Underdark races, including the infamous drow (dark elf), Duergar (dark dwarves), and deep gnomes.

Dual-Wielding: Icewind Dale II characters now have the ability to wield a weapon in each hand. Dual-wielding death is no less than your opponents deserve.

Improved Heart of Fury Mode: There's more rewards for taking the Heart of Fury difficulty challenge in Icewind Dale II - aside from the greater monsters and danger, you'll get greater rewards, including hundreds of new items that can only be found in the Heart of Fury mode - many of which are the most powerful items any AD&D character has ever seen.

Engine Improvements: Optimizations to the Infinity Engine to allow for even larger battles than ever before.

New Monsters, Spells and Items:

Over 100 types of monsters, including snow leopards, worg riders, and vicious bugbears.

Over 300 spells.

Hundreds of new items!

Graphics:
640x480 and 800x600 resolution
3D OpenGL® support

Looking forward to it. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 03-07-2002: Message edited by: Memnoch ]

Epona · 03-07-2002, 06:34 AM

Great, more juicy info!! Keep it coming guys!

Durwyn, I agree with that point - I hope that they aren't doing it 'on the cheap' and will produce a good game with a good storyline and addictive gameplay.

marco · 03-07-2002, 05:52 PM

i think that the improvements made sound fantastic. duel weilding characters ( for those who want to buidl their own Drizzit). All the new item in HOF mode. Personnaly i find nothing wrong with the infinity engine. Like someone earlier said " if it ain't broke why fix it?". The game itself has been very enjoyable and very re-playable (4 times). If they could keep the same engine and apply different campaigns from TSR i think they would have great success. I noticed alot of games now are going poly-type 2nd person view. I personnally think the top-down view is great.

If they create different campaigns with bigger areas -- all the best to them. One campaign i think would be great is to include other plane travel -- would would love to go against a demi-god or lolth herself? pleeeeease sign me up!!!!!

Larry_OHF · 03-07-2002, 11:42 PM

quote:

New interface: We are still working on it guys and gals. As soon as it is ready to be unveiled, believe us, you will know.

Ballpark, a week or two.....This is of course subject to change.

Progress report: As to what parts of the game are finished, the items are pretty much finished besides a few balancing tweaks. We are still working on the other parts of the game, but I can say we have implemented some cool stuff that we haven't yet talked about which we will soon. Sorry for being vague, but that is all the information I can give at this time.

Bucklers: There are three unique bucklers in IWD2 at three different power levels.

Barbarian class or kit: The monk and sorcerer are considered classes, but the barbarian is tricky; it's "half a class". For some weird reason, it's sometimes considered a kit in code, sometimes considered a class. It doesn't have it's own class ID, so at a basic level, it's a kit.

3E Multiclassing: Well, Darren was looking into 3E multiclassing options, but I don't know if that was a fruitful endeavor. I'll try to find out what's going on later today.

Playable Drow being evil only: No, you will not be forced to have your Drow be an evil alignment.

OpenGL improvements: I know that Bernie Weir (our Lead Programmer) has fixed several OpenGL bugs, I don't know if he's fixed "all" the problems. I did see quite a few OpenGL bug fixes early in IWD2's dev cycle. Just so you know, I test the game with OpenGL on all the time and haven't had any issues with it.

================================================== ===================

"In Icewind Dale II, you will be encountering Driders, dark elves that have the body of a spider, and Hook Horrors, which are native predators of the Underdark and Worg-riding (giant wolves) goblins. The goblin can actually separate from the Worg and go flying if you get a good hit on him. It's really cool to see."

Azred · 03-08-2002, 10:31 AM

Originally posted by Larry_OHF:

quote:
"In Icewind Dale II, you will be encountering Driders, dark elves that have the body of a spider, and Hook Horrors, which are native predators of the Underdark and Worg-riding (giant wolves) goblins. The goblin can actually separate from the Worg and go flying if you get a good hit on him. It's really cool to see."

Goblins riding Worgs, eh? And you can knock him off? [img]graemlins/biglaugh.gif[/img] You know, though, that this might allow characters to ride horses (if you can get a horse's avatar to move, that is). Now that would be amazing!

Jorath Calar · 03-09-2002, 05:05 AM

This gamejust keeps getting better and better and Ihave been waiting for them ti let you ride a horse since Totsc was being prepared... I hope it will happen one day... [img]smile.gif[/img]

Larry_OHF · 03-11-2002, 10:38 AM

quote:

Stat increasing potions: Players will have to earn (and I do mean EARN) the permanent stat increasing potions.

Holding bags and cases: Potion bags, gem bags, and scroll cases will be available to be purchased in the first city (one of each).

[ 03-11-2002: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

Lavindathar · 03-11-2002, 07:07 PM

I cant wait!!

IWD did rock, and I think the changes and additions for the 2nd should be amazin...

Think of what you could do RP wise with Drow's or Duergar.

And graphics dont really matter... I mean, FF6 or FF4 (Final Fantasy) on the SNES, a lot of people regard as the best RPG ever. SNES.

03-04-2002, 02:52 PM	#11
Durwyn Elminster Join Date: January 4, 2002 Location: New York Posts: 415	Gyruss, I do know its money [img]smile.gif[/img] . And I think I can understand that money could be the main point they are making it. Now I dont care much about the graphics, and I can agree with J'aran, its not about the graphics but the game, storyline etc. Basically what I was saying is I hope they dont make a cheap version of it, otherwise Epona and J'arans words wont come true. If they are planning to make it some quick whack pack storyline and generally, game, then they at least should give us improved graphics. __________________ <b>-Durwyn Foehammer</b><p><i>\"Don\'t you go a-meddling with old stone or cold wights or prying in their houses, unless you be strong folk with hearts that never faulter.\"</i> - J.R.R. Tolkien

03-05-2002, 09:30 PM	#12
Larry_OHF Ironworks Moderator Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Midlands, South Carolina Age: 48 Posts: 14,759	quote: Glacial Resilience being Heart of Fury only: No, you can find it in the normal game - but there is a HOF version that is even more powerful. Farmers Cloak being random drop item only: No, the Farmer's Cloak is a Unique Item and is not in the Random Item Table. Pretty much anything with a complex back story is considered a Unique Item and will not be a part of the Random Drop Pool. Also, Unique Items generally have fancy names and not generic, "+2 Long Sword of Fortitude," (or whatever) item names. Being able to afford the powerful/magic items: Since just about every creature in the game will drop some sort of treasure, be it gems or money, you should be able to afford the items you want pretty much when you want to buy them. Of course, you probably won't be able to buy a power level 4 item (roughly the equivalent of a level 10 -12 PC) when you're only level 2 - that would kill the game. Unique items being in the same place always and size of random drop list: Yes, unique items are in the same places - be it quest items or chests or stores. As for the size of the table... it's big. Random drop tables consist of weapons, armor, cloaks, belts, potions, etc. So, when one drops, it could be any of these things (appropriate for the power level of the area).

03-07-2002, 05:43 AM	#13
Memnoch Ironworks Moderator Join Date: February 28, 2001 Location: Boston/Sydney Posts: 11,771	Just some more basic info about what's available, courtesy of Interplay. New 3rd Edition Dungeons & Dragons® Classes: The Barbarian - Play as one of the merciless warriors of the north, calling upon your greater strength, speed, and rage to carve a path through your enemies. The Monk - If unarmed combat is your style call upon the Monk's weapons: contemplation, action, and a swift one-two bone-crunching throat strike. The Sorcerer - If you prefer to hurl spells at your opponents without clutching a spell book, play as a sorcerer and draw upon the raw power within yourself to strike down your opponents. Kit Classes - Icewind Dale II features expanded character creation options, including several new kit classes, such as the Cavalier and Kensai from Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, and many new kits like the Dreadmaster of Bane and the Mercenary. New Races and Sub-Races: Several new races have been included, allowing you to play as a half-orc, gold dwarf, tiefling (half-demon), assimar (half-angel), or any of a number of Underdark races, including the infamous drow (dark elf), Duergar (dark dwarves), and deep gnomes. Dual-Wielding: Icewind Dale II characters now have the ability to wield a weapon in each hand. Dual-wielding death is no less than your opponents deserve. Improved Heart of Fury Mode: There's more rewards for taking the Heart of Fury difficulty challenge in Icewind Dale II - aside from the greater monsters and danger, you'll get greater rewards, including hundreds of new items that can only be found in the Heart of Fury mode - many of which are the most powerful items any AD&D character has ever seen. Engine Improvements: Optimizations to the Infinity Engine to allow for even larger battles than ever before. New Monsters, Spells and Items: Over 100 types of monsters, including snow leopards, worg riders, and vicious bugbears. Over 300 spells. Hundreds of new items! Graphics: 640x480 and 800x600 resolution 3D OpenGL® support Looking forward to it. [img]smile.gif[/img] [ 03-07-2002: Message edited by: Memnoch ] __________________

03-07-2002, 06:34 AM	#14
Epona Zartan Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: London, England Age: 53 Posts: 5,164	Great, more juicy info!! Keep it coming guys! Durwyn, I agree with that point - I hope that they aren't doing it 'on the cheap' and will produce a good game with a good storyline and addictive gameplay. __________________ [img]\"http://www.wizardrealm.com/images/epona.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

03-07-2002, 05:52 PM	#15
marco The Magister Join Date: March 5, 2001 Location: mississauga ontario canada Posts: 112	i think that the improvements made sound fantastic. duel weilding characters ( for those who want to buidl their own Drizzit). All the new item in HOF mode. Personnaly i find nothing wrong with the infinity engine. Like someone earlier said " if it ain't broke why fix it?". The game itself has been very enjoyable and very re-playable (4 times). If they could keep the same engine and apply different campaigns from TSR i think they would have great success. I noticed alot of games now are going poly-type 2nd person view. I personnally think the top-down view is great. If they create different campaigns with bigger areas -- all the best to them. One campaign i think would be great is to include other plane travel -- would would love to go against a demi-god or lolth herself? pleeeeease sign me up!!!!! __________________ there are 10 thunders, the 7th thunder is of man!<br /> <img border=\"0\" alt=\"[jamesbond]\" title=\"\" src=\"graemlins/jamesbond.gif\" /> <img border=\"0\" alt=\"[evillaughter2]\" title=\"\" src=\"graemlins/evillaughter2.gif\" />

03-07-2002, 11:42 PM	#16
Larry_OHF Ironworks Moderator Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Midlands, South Carolina Age: 48 Posts: 14,759	quote: New interface: We are still working on it guys and gals. As soon as it is ready to be unveiled, believe us, you will know. Ballpark, a week or two.....This is of course subject to change. Progress report: As to what parts of the game are finished, the items are pretty much finished besides a few balancing tweaks. We are still working on the other parts of the game, but I can say we have implemented some cool stuff that we haven't yet talked about which we will soon. Sorry for being vague, but that is all the information I can give at this time. Bucklers: There are three unique bucklers in IWD2 at three different power levels. Barbarian class or kit: The monk and sorcerer are considered classes, but the barbarian is tricky; it's "half a class". For some weird reason, it's sometimes considered a kit in code, sometimes considered a class. It doesn't have it's own class ID, so at a basic level, it's a kit. 3E Multiclassing: Well, Darren was looking into 3E multiclassing options, but I don't know if that was a fruitful endeavor. I'll try to find out what's going on later today. Playable Drow being evil only: No, you will not be forced to have your Drow be an evil alignment. OpenGL improvements: I know that Bernie Weir (our Lead Programmer) has fixed several OpenGL bugs, I don't know if he's fixed "all" the problems. I did see quite a few OpenGL bug fixes early in IWD2's dev cycle. Just so you know, I test the game with OpenGL on all the time and haven't had any issues with it. ================================================== =================== "In Icewind Dale II, you will be encountering Driders, dark elves that have the body of a spider, and Hook Horrors, which are native predators of the Underdark and Worg-riding (giant wolves) goblins. The goblin can actually separate from the Worg and go flying if you get a good hit on him. It's really cool to see."

03-08-2002, 10:31 AM	#17
Azred Drow Priestess Join Date: March 13, 2001 Location: a hidden sanctorum high above the metroplex Age: 54 Posts: 4,037	Originally posted by Larry_OHF: quote: "In Icewind Dale II, you will be encountering Driders, dark elves that have the body of a spider, and Hook Horrors, which are native predators of the Underdark and Worg-riding (giant wolves) goblins. The goblin can actually separate from the Worg and go flying if you get a good hit on him. It's really cool to see." Goblins riding Worgs, eh? And you can knock him off? [img]graemlins/biglaugh.gif[/img] You know, though, that this might allow characters to ride horses (if you can get a horse's avatar to move, that is). Now that would be amazing! __________________ Everything may be explained by a conspiracy theory. All conspiracy theories are true. No matter how thinly you slice it, it's still bologna.

03-09-2002, 05:05 AM	#18
Jorath Calar Harper Join Date: October 6, 2001 Location: Iceland Posts: 4,706	This gamejust keeps getting better and better and Ihave been waiting for them ti let you ride a horse since Totsc was being prepared... I hope it will happen one day... [img]smile.gif[/img]

03-11-2002, 10:38 AM	#19
Larry_OHF Ironworks Moderator Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Midlands, South Carolina Age: 48 Posts: 14,759	quote: Stat increasing potions: Players will have to earn (and I do mean EARN) the permanent stat increasing potions. Holding bags and cases: Potion bags, gem bags, and scroll cases will be available to be purchased in the first city (one of each). [ 03-11-2002: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

03-11-2002, 07:07 PM	#20
Lavindathar Harper Join Date: March 21, 2001 Location: Lancs, England Age: 39 Posts: 4,729	I cant wait!! IWD did rock, and I think the changes and additions for the 2nd should be amazin... Think of what you could do RP wise with Drow's or Duergar. And graphics dont really matter... I mean, FF6 or FF4 (Final Fantasy) on the SNES, a lot of people regard as the best RPG ever. SNES. __________________ =@

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Useful tidbits..	Nanobyte	Neverwinter Nights 1 & 2 Also SoU & HotU Forum	3	08-29-2001 06:42 AM