Building in NWN1: A Resurgence for Patch 1.69?

[Andarian]

Since we always like to encourage discussion about NWN modding on our forums, I thought I'd contribute a little to that myself by mentioning an announcement that I just posted to my blog about my plans for developing Sanctum of the Archmage 3.

Sanctum 3 Will Be in NWN1

I also saw from Savant's site that he's working on Aielund 2.0, and on Hugie's Blog that he's actually gone back to building in NWN1 for his current project. Then there are all the other projects that I mentioned in my blog post.

So what do you think? Are we starting to see at least a partial resurgence of building in NWN1, and if so, how extensive will it be and how long will it last?

[BenWH]

Well, I must admit I am also considering a last 'blaze of glory' especially since most of the content I have been building with (including some script functions) is included in the 1.69 patch, plus I am eyeing up WoRm's final Seasonal Forest release for a bit of nostalgia...

[Tybae]

I've been building in NWN1 for a while now.  Playing with the toolset, testing mods trying to figure it all out.  I'm now attempting a serious build with some of WoRm's tilesets as well.  I haven't actually started the build yet.  I'm still in the writing and planning process, which may take a while.  I only have so many hours to build with how much I work. 

I'm really excited to see that you're building Sanctum 3 in NWN1, Andarian and was also excited to see Hugie is doing his next project in NWN1.  I've heard rumors that other well known authors may be building in NWN1 again with 1.69 content.  It's an exciting time again for NWN1.  WooHoo! 

[Starlight]

Since we always like to encourage discussion about NWN modding on our forums, I thought I'd contribute a little to that myself by mentioning an announcement that I just posted to my blog about my plans for developing Sanctum of the Archmage 3.

Sanctum 3 Will Be in NWN1

I also saw from Savant's site that he's working on Aielund 2.0, and on Hugie's Blog that he's actually gone back to building in NWN1 for his current project. Then there are all the other projects that I mentioned in my blog post.

So what do you think? Are we starting to see at least a partial resurgence of building in NWN1, and if so, how extensive will it be and how long will it last?

With the new custom contents released or planned for release and the development of new module projects in NWN1, I think it can last for at least two years...

Woo...there will have so many new modules waiting for release, it is indeed a great news for our players. NWN1 rocks! 

[Starlight]

I've been building in NWN1 for a while now.  Playing with the toolset, testing mods trying to figure it all out.  I'm now attempting a serious build with some of WoRm's tilesets as well.  I haven't actually started the build yet.  I'm still in the writing and planning process, which may take a while.  I only have so many hours to build with how much I work. 

Oh, really? What is it about? If you need any module idea, you could ask me. I'm more than willing to provide any ideas (It is easier said than done  )

[Tybae]

I've been building in NWN1 for a while now.  Playing with the toolset, testing mods trying to figure it all out.  I'm now attempting a serious build with some of WoRm's tilesets as well.  I haven't actually started the build yet.  I'm still in the writing and planning process, which may take a while.  I only have so many hours to build with how much I work. 

Oh, really? What is it about?

If I told you, I'd have to shoot you. 

If you need any module idea, you could ask me. I'm more than willing to provide any ideas (It is easier said than done  )

I'll keep that in mind, Starlight.  Thanks for the offer!

[Starlight]

If I told you, I'd have to shoot you. 

*Starlight casts epic warding

Come on in 

[Tybae]

I just read a thread on the Bio Boards.  Dallo and team will be reworking Caereena: Krakona Rising for 1.69 and adding several side quests, reworking the leveling system, adding loads of custom content and adding the rumored sequel in it too.  I'm really excited for this one.  Details can be found on the second page of This Thread.  It's an honor to be able to be a playtester for this. 

[Fester Pot]

A good choice!

NWN1 has started to provide that BG feeling. Not so much for the custom artwork but for how it plays and what is offered in custom content that a builder can use to really customize their vision and story.

Those builders and members of the NWN1 community remain strong and continue to realize the potential that NWN offers over NWN2. With thegeorge creating placeables for NWN1 from NWN2, there's a certain flash and upgrade to NWN1 that was not there before.

New tilesets or those that are flashy, such as Worms, bring a sense of true fanstasy to the game that NWN2 has yet to grasp.

I'd love to see Worms create a city tileset. I still think a good jolt to the NWN1 community would come from a co-operative project

FP!

[sixesthrice]

Mmm... Me working on a module now that NWN 1.69 is out. Not so much a NWN module as a un-NWN-like game that just happens to be a NWN module. Or maybe that's delusions of granduer.

(Six personally is happy with his own city tileset )

[Starlight]

Mmm... Me working on a module now that NWN 1.69 is out. Not so much a NWN module as a un-NWN-like game that just happens to be a NWN module. Or maybe that's delusions of granduer.

(Six personally is happy with his own city tileset )

Oh...what is it about?

[sixesthrice]

Mmm... Me working on a module now that NWN 1.69 is out. Not so much a NWN module as a un-NWN-like game that just happens to be a NWN module. Or maybe that's delusions of granduer.

Oh...what is it about?

I'd tell you, but I might just have to kill you 

[Invisig0th]

I definitely hope there is a resurgence of modules and content released by those of us who are sticking with NWN1 for the forseeable future now that the "final patch" has been released.

Many people, including many past Hall of Fame authors, tend more towards the "early adopter" approach, trying to do the coolest things they can with a technology as soon as possible. Personally, I tend towards the other end of a technology's life cycle -- an "exhauster" if you will. In the case of NWN there are some really big benefits to building now: a much more stable engine, much better documentation, lots more scripting functions, and lots and lots of custom content available. "Exhausters" will in this case also get the benefit of creating modules designed for up-to-date hardware (which is probably closer to what the devs were using during initial development anyway). They will be the ones who will end up pushing the NWN engine as far as it can go. As the hardware to play the game gets cheaper, more people will find NWN to be a great platform for their own imaginative efforts, whether it be modules or total conversions or other things.  Perhaps unexpected "total conversions" will take things in new directions -- it has happened with other platforms.

I also suspect a lot of people internationally will be falling into the "exhauster" category as well, due the the lower expense of both hardware and software, as well as faster internet access speeds.

My Expedition to the Barrier Peaks module will be NWN 1.69, of course. I think it's a good example of an "exhasuter" project.  It wouldn't have been possible for me as a single developer (with a bit of help) to pull this together earlier in the product's life cycle.  I'll be ruthlessly digging through all available custom content tio scrounge up what is required, adapting and reworking a great deal of it for this module. Hardware requirements will also be well above minimum requirements for the game. Some of the recent game additions, like instant feats, turned out to be absolutely critical to pulling this off. So hopefully, this project and many other similarly ambitions projects from others will help to fuel this "resurgence". I hope so.

[BenWH]

I think you're right about the 'exhausters'. I must admit I'm tempted to return now everything is 'finished'.