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Post by DEV Jlf2n on May 7, 2008 18:59:51 GMT -5
So tell me, what are some cool things you have always wished a PW had?
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Post by Sojourn on May 8, 2008 8:43:03 GMT -5
- Beautiful, luscious areas (both in-doors and out-doors)
- low - medium magic / loot
- A diverse array of monsters with different levels of power (orc scout, orc soldier, orc berzerker, orc chieftain, orc king)
- Many different areas to explore (forests, plains, mountains, swamps, dungeons, deserts...etc...(this will come in due time of course).
- Since this is the FR, it would be neat if we got to meet FR NPCs - Drizzt, Manshoon, Fzoul, Artemis Entreri, Elminster, Volo, etc.)
- A diverse array of loot, with items and armor/weapons that make sense. For example don't have named magical weapons that don't have magical properties, or highly magical weapons named: "Steel Longsword" etc. Also names should be original and often times reflect properties - like "Frostbrand" - a sword that does cold damage.
- Along with the previous bullet, have items that match the setting and are balanced - not too powerful yet not too weak. Don't have too many flaming/dripping/glowing weapons either - these should be rare but not over-exceedingly rare.
- A fair death system - not too harsh, yet something that should be feared by the PC's.
- Many static quests - these take alot of time to script, but once done, they are extremely fun and keep players coming back for more. You can only stand around town and roleplay and go hunting so much. Sometimes you need an "edge" or a purpose to go out - quests provide that reason.
- A cool crafting system - I have always liked the crafting system of the original campaign - its simple yet detailed and the potential to craft a great variety of items exists. Alot of PW's try and make crafting systems of their own and not only does this take up too much time, but it's unnecessary and often times too buggy. I say stick to the original campaign crafting system - why change a good thing?
- An arena - these are cool places for PvP ands sometimes players and DMs like to run tournaments where the PC's battle it out. This is, a combat oriented game, afterall.
- MUSIC!!! Lots of PWs out there do not make full use of the nwn music. I find many of the nwn music tracts breathtaking, and each and every single area should have music. Music is a powerful tool - it can incite some strong emotions when used correctly. What I hate most is running through a beautiful forest where you don't hear birds chirping, water running, or any music in the background. Might as well run through an empty void.
- 2-D portraits - these can be cool, I've seen a few servers that use these and the players seem to love them. A few advantages are that they are extremely easy to utilize and incorporate into the PW, and also they reduce lag (from what I've heard). Not to mention I have seen some really cool portraits out there that give a PC character depth and personality.
- An easy downloading system - I have found worldgate to be the best program so far. Alot of PWs use custom programs which aren't too complicated to use and aren't that bad, but its just an extra program that you will have to download, not to mention some aren't compatible with certain versions of windows, and it seems downloading from these custom programs take much longer than using worldgate. So if I were to vote, I would definitely say worldgate is the best one.
Hope this helps. ~Sojourn |
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Post by Runis Silverhammer on May 9, 2008 4:52:47 GMT -5
This would be my first time playing one and I've had nwn1+nwn2 since the day they were released! So really all I need is some tender loving care to get me used to being in a PW.
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Post by phaemoor on May 9, 2008 5:21:12 GMT -5
Persistent henchies/companions for those of us who log on from different timezones and there's not always someone to adventure with.
Nice looking areas.. (you guys have totally covered this one!)
Interesting NPCs. Not just one click wonders... *click* "Move along citizen"..
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flann
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by flann on May 9, 2008 14:56:36 GMT -5
My view of a PW comes from a MMO standpoint, namely WoW. I'd like to see some interesting quest lines that can relate or even explain parts of lore. Enchanted items are actually an accomplishment. My personal opinion is that +1, +2, etc items are not just well made weapons, but extraordinary, made by a master of the art or what have you. So basically having magical items actually feel more unique i guess is what im trying to say. And of course some amazing looking areas which you guys have covered so far  Intriguing characters and plot lines. I love the Original NWN and NWN2 Campaigns because they stories were very well told and you felt immersed in the universe. I'd like for events and such to be the same way on a PW. Especially a RP PW. A death system that wont make you feel like logging off. An inconvenience, but not something so harsh you feel like giving up. Because although it is an RP server, this is still a video game, no one wants to have hours of work go down the drain because of a mistake or whatever reason. Being a WoW Lore fanatic, i always loved to see characters and things i knew from novels, the strategy games and so on. So i think there should be both subtle and non-subtle Lore easter eggs. They don't even have to have any importance to the game play itself, it justs adds to the depth of the universe imo. Just my 2 cents.  |
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Post by Erulaan D'Anhoor on May 9, 2008 16:50:18 GMT -5
A PW that doesn't believe that standing around a campfire speaking in the Queens English and waxing poetic is RP.
Seriously. RP must have an adventure to go with it.
Some of the best RP I have witnessed didn't come by a a flourshing tale spun by a Bardic persona who felt that the more they spoke, the better the RP. many times it came with my player having been bested without a word as he lay on his back after PvP, when only a whisper was needed to RP. Point was taken, and later word was spread and revenge sought....THATS RP
Other times it was a group on an adventure who created the tale through their actions as they went along, ending up with a great story to relay to others who had not been there. Entire storylines that have driven all actions on a server have been created this way causing plenty of players to pull all nighters trying to either recreate the event or further it through DM lead action.
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Post by phaemoor on May 9, 2008 21:44:20 GMT -5
A death system that wont make you feel like logging off. An inconvenience, but not something so harsh you feel like giving up. Because although it is an RP server, this is still a video game, no one wants to have hours of work go down the drain because of a mistake or whatever reason. Totally agreed. We come home from a full day of work/school where ever to relax, enjoy and have fun playing on our favourite PW. When it becomes not fun... we don't play anymore and find other things to do (or other PWs to play on). I don't want to sit staring at the you are dead UI for half an hour, or spend the next 4 hours trying to get my lost xp and gold back for one silly mistake. |
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Post by DEV Jlf2n on May 11, 2008 16:35:50 GMT -5
I'd like to see some interesting quest lines that can relate or even explain parts of lore. Intriguing characters and plot lines. I love the Original NWN and NWN2 Campaigns because they stories were very well told and you felt immersed in the universe. I'd like for events and such to be the same way on a PW. Lore is the whole reason I came to NWN2. Ever since I was 15 and a friend let me borrow Greenwoods "Making of a Mage" I have had a fond interest in Forgotten Realms lore. I have read most of the novels and Campaign books, and still have access to quite a few of them. I never really got into NWN. I remember buying the game and even opening the toolkit a few times but that was about it. The story line was so far fetched as to what I thought of when I thought FR that it never appealed to me. I would have probably never bought NWN2 either if not for a friend. I had been churning out mods for Oblivion when it hit me to build a FR city. My first choice was to build a life size version of Waterdeep on the OB toolkit. After mentioning it to a friend he asked why not do it on the NWN2 toolkit. After coming over to take a look around it brought back all my great memories of the Forgotten Realms. Compared to Oblivion the community here was not quite as vibrant so I thought why not do it where the help is needed. But in short I guess I'm saying Forgotten Realms lore brought me here, and I plan on using as much as possible. Since I am no scripter I can't give you an estimate as to how much "possible". But I want to really integrate what’s going on in the world. Be it through NPC gossip conversations all the way up to DMs using Drizzt, Elminster and Gorion, etc. I also want to see the not so famous NPCs like Capt. Deudermont and the Sea Sprite, and Cadderly etc. Cyric would be a good one and really any NPC that was live around 1350 will be used if the situation permits. Sometimes we will stretch NPC ages and events along the timeline for the ""coolness" effect but it will basically follow the events of the FR from 1350 onward towards the Time of Troubles. After that, who knows..... |
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Post by Sojourn on May 11, 2008 18:48:18 GMT -5
I also want to see the not so famous NPCs like Capt. Deudermont and the Sea Sprite, and Cadderly etc. Cyric would be a good one and really any NPC that was live around 1350 will be used if the situation permits. Yeah I absolutely love these two NPC's...I think that they are not famous to "players" but in the FR setting itself they are a bit more famous to the Realms-folk. Deudermont is basically THE man for catching pirates and I think everyone on the sword coast has heard of him and the Sea Sprite. I bet many a good tale has traveled from tavern to tavern whispering about the famous pirate catching crew...who knows maybe if the PCs are in a tavern at one of the docks in Baldur's Gate or so they might just see Deudermont and Robillard sharing a drink at a local tavern while the Sea Sprite is in port.  And Cadderly is not as well known as Drizzt or Elminster because his actions do not affect the Realms as much - they are just as significant, but his war was more of a personal one for Deneir and the Edificant, instead of some Realms-changing or earth-shattering monumental task. There are so many great warriors and wizards out there, but not many great clerics. However, Cadderly is definitely one of them - he is a cleric that is a chosen of his God. Most Chosen we know are mages - like Elminster, Khelben, and the Seven Sisters. However, since Cadderly doesn't leave the Spirit Soaring too much to visit the Sword Coast, perhaps the PCs would more likely meet Ivan or Pikkel rather than Cadderly himself. Either way I am sure something can be done with these NPC's...there are just so many of them the possibilities are endless. Its going to be a real fiasco if you ask me...thats why I absolutely love the Forgotten Realms setting - everyone is so famiiar with it that alot of things can be done. |
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Post by Erulaan D'Anhoor on May 11, 2008 20:06:15 GMT -5
I also want to see the not so famous NPCs like Capt. Deudermont and the Sea Sprite, Erulaan, and Cadderly etc. Cyric would be a good one and really any NPC that was live around 1350 will be used if the situation permits. Sometimes we will stretch NPC ages and events along the timeline for the ""coolness" effect but it will basically follow the events of the FR from 1350 onward towards the Time of Troubles. After that, who knows..... I couldn't agree more! |
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Post by kieron on May 12, 2008 11:21:30 GMT -5
What would I like to see?
A Forgotten Realms world that felt like a Forgotten Realms world. Innately, this game is an FR game. You don't have to change too much to make it feel more like an FR game. I am running my own FR game-campaign right now centering around Baldur's Gate and the Sword Coast.
(wardensoftherealm.blogspot.com)
This is not a PW, and is not intended as a plug. Just giving a platform to which I stand on. Areas should look like FR areas. Creators should have an extensive knowledge of FR lore and have all source material available to help them accomplish this. Personally, I use The Forgotten Realms Atlas, and Infinity Explorer. Infinity Explorer lets you actually view and see all the Baldur's Gate, BG II, and Icewind Dale maps from the game so that you can use those as a good reference.
I agree with a lot of what has been said.
- Death System
Make it harsh. Don't make it take 4 hours to get your items back. I die, I should lose experience. If you want to take gold as well to represent the raising at a temple, I don't mind. Personally, in my campaign, someone dies, they respawn in the Temple of Helm in Baldur's Gate with XP and gold loss; enough to make the PC scared of death, but not too much to where people want to give up. I am also a fan of a semi-perma death. PC's should have essence. Essence should be depleted by excessive use of 8th and 9th level spells, and dying too many times. Once essence reaches 0, you have to recharge by a quest, or by just chilling and role playing. (Essence should replenish over time.) If your essence is 0 and you are foolish enough to go out and spell sling some time stops or something ridiculous like that, or go out and charge an enemy and die - I believe you should be Perma-killed. This can be viewed by some as extreme, but it adds a "realistic" element to death. Also, perma-death can be EASILY avoided if one is careful and not a powergamer to the extreme.
- XP / Gold / Loot
Experience. If goblins give you 3 xp to start, this will deter players. If goblins give 100 xp to start, this is ridiculous. There is a fair balance. You should get XP that is conducive to your level. XP should be progressively harder to get as your level increases, but not let a player feel like they have to continuously grind to gain XP.
Gold. This should be delicately balanced with loot. If gold is somewhat easy to get, then make finding "loot" items such as magical weapons, armor, items, etc., hard to get. If loot is easier to find, make gold a limited resource. Good ways to do this are limiting the amount of gold a shop has. (This will reset after every server restart/crash.) Also, limiting gold drops in general. Personally, I am a fan of lower gold and lower magic items.
Loot. I don't know about you guys, but if I am fighting some Orc and he drops a +1 sword, I wonder about that. If I am fighting some Orc Chieftan and he drops a +1 sword, ok. Make loot drops make sense. Or, at the least, have a low loot drop table. No real roleplayers like a server where everyone is rolling around with glowy weapons and uber gear.
- Guilds
This is the most lacking aspect on any PW I have seen. I wish there was a server where you could speak to an NPC of a certain guild, and if your PC met certain race/class/alignment/whatever criteria, then that NPC could give your PC quests that led to joining that guild. You could keep gaining influence, or keep moving up in these quests to attain higher ranks in the guild. Then cap it so that a DM has to be involved in the PC wants to become a Captain or a high ranking guild official. Perhaps this can lead to the players running the PC side of the guild for higher ranking members.
- Persistent Quests
This is a touchy subject for true roleplaying servers. Some say that in a true RP server, you should not have persistent quests because it takes away the realistic element of RP. C'mon... It's a game. Just script your quests in such ways, and make your conversations as such so that it makes some sort of sense. It is not terribly difficult. PQ's should only be allowed to be completed one time / PC to avoid exploitation. Either that, or once / reset if you just can't script once / PC.
- DM's that don't DM the same PC's every single time.
I played on a great server called Shores of Haldun. There were a ton of DMs. The problem was that those DMs seemed to DM the SAME PCs every time they were on. DMs should run some long running quests, and some short one-shot 1-2 hour adventures with various PCs.
- Good community.
Let's not bitch, whine, and moan about things. Let's have a good time and understand how much time, trouble, effort, and resources it takes to launch and run a PW.
That's about it...
Cheers.
-Kieron
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flann
New Member
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Post by flann on May 12, 2008 16:47:55 GMT -5
However, since Cadderly doesn't leave the Spirit Soaring too much to visit the Sword Coast, perhaps the PCs would more likely meet Ivan or Pikkel rather than Cadderly himself. Ivan and Pikel are my favorite dwarven characters. ever. They're hilarious.  |
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Post by phaemoor on May 12, 2008 20:28:52 GMT -5
- Death System I believe you should be Perma-killed. This can be viewed by some as extreme, but it adds a realistic element to death. Realistic yes. Fun? No. /me dies. /me clicks logoff. |
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Post by DEV Driller on May 13, 2008 10:23:08 GMT -5
We have no current plans to implement perma death that I am aware of.
-driller
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Post by DEV Jlf2n on May 13, 2008 11:58:15 GMT -5
We have no current plans to implement perma death that I am aware of. -driller No, not unless a player requests it. I believe it has been brought up once Driller and I was thinking by you but anywho it was something along the lines of having an option once you get to the fugue Plane to retire a PC if you want. But yeah Perma isn't really for everyone. a few like it for the danger aspect but most detest it. |
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