Icewind Dale II Forum Update

Remove all ads!

(Originally posted by Tiamat)

Doug Avery, Associate Producer

New interface: I was just playing with it. It works very well, it just hasn't been totally finalized yet. When it is finalized, you will see it. Brian is adding some new icons to it so it has to wait for its public unveiling. You'll see it soon.
Sorry, but I can only go with the information I'm given. On my next title, I won't mention anything until it is in front of my face and final.

Seamless areas with no load screens: What we do is create a 3D area map, then for lack of a better term, flatten it. This allows us to tinker with it by adding search maps, height maps, etc. Then we put that into the engine. There are no "seamless" areas in the IE because the sizes are all predefined by the artwork. It was made for each area to be loaded separately. Each area has its own scripts and creatures (please don't start that scripts thing again). It would be really nice to do a seamless game, but a 3D engine makes it a lot easier to do this. Chalk up one more for 3D.

The contest: It had to be taken down due to some possibly incorrect information. If we get that sorted out and have enough time, we'll put the contest up again.

The second group of icons: Okay, you guys got really close, so here are your answers. Please let me know if you think the icons work for the spells they represent. Great guessing everyone.
1. Minor Globe of Invulnerability
2. Bull's Strength
3. Vampiric Touch
4. See Invisible
5. Acid Storm
6. Freedom
7. Destruction
8. Vipergout
9. Cloudkill
Thanks again. Maybe we should do this again sometime.

Update: Unfortunately, no update today. I will do a "special" one when the interface is done, which should be this week. On that note, I'll wait patiently for the doomsayers to reply. I deserve it so I'll weather the storm.

Day and night: Every IE game has had a clock on the interface. In IWD it was the globe in the corner. If you put your mouse over it and wait for a few seconds, it should tell you the day and the hour. We are including this in the new interface as well so it should be really useful for those that want to avoid the day blindness penalty. I know my Drow Rogue appreciates it.

Scripting: Actually, we have two full-time scriptors on the game and one designer/scriptor who handles the scripts in his areas. Tom French and Chad Nicholas are the two full-time guys and Rob Holloway is the hybrid crazy man. All of them are very experienced in their fields. I am not going to give you specifics on scripts that have been written, but there are a LOT more than in HoW and the original Icewind Dale. The same shopkeeper will be at his store all day and night, but that is a matter of convenience for the player. Almost all town citizens have float text that sets the mood, they also react to deeds you've accomplished. So in summation, Icewind Dale II will not suffer from a lack of scripting. I hope that answers your question and alleviates some of your worry.

Kevin Osburn, Line Producer

640x480 Resolution: 640x480 at this time will still be included with IWD2, it will not be supported though. It's basically a "use at your own risk" type thing, but it *should* work fine. Of course, if you do run into any weird problems with 640x480, stop by the IWD2 troubleshooting boards when it is open and I will help you out.

Listing known spells when purchasing magic from a shop: This is a very good idea, it's something that has been discussed in the past few months. We just aren't sure if we will have the time to implement this. If we do though, I will let you know.

Chad Nicholas, Sciptor

Will IWD2 suffer from a lack of scripting? No. Tom French wrote this cool program (and by cool, I mean totally sweet) that builds the scripts for us. All I have to do is go in and click on some drop down boxes, fill out a spell list, and voila! done script. It automates the process of generating code to do random spell casting and a whole host of other tedious tasks. You're right, without that program, we'd have died a long time ago. Oh, and it's three scriptors actually. Rob Holloway has done some amazing stuff in his areas. Typically, when one wants a job in the game industry, one goes after it and does not await said job to fall in one's proverbial lap. *God, I hate talking like that* Oh, and please don't email me any resumes or anything. I believe all the necessary contact info is on BIS' website.

Damien Foletto, Junior Designer

Working on Sunday: "Day off," what's that? There's such a thing as a "day off?" Holy guppy tails! I gotta look into that! Seriously, there are some of us in today. Some come in on Saturday, some on Sunday, and a couple on both weekend days (the programmers and a few QA guys). As we get closer to shipping, most, if not all of us, will be working every day, until that gold copy goes to press.

J.E. Sawyer, Lead Designer

High level rogues: High level rogues can also get Slippery Mind and Improved Evasion, which is worth waiting around for, IMO.

Scott Everts, Technical Designer

Portraits: Yes, the images are still 24 bit BMP files. Also, someone asked earlier if all the original IWD1 portraits will be included. Yes, they will. Every portrait from the original game and expansion will be included. There will be over 60 portraits total!