Neverwinter Nights Forum Update

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(Originally posted by Azirath)

Trent Oster, Producer:

DM Interface: The DM interface was indeed held until late in development so we could use the player client interface as a starting point. We have begun work on the DM client and I've seen a rough version of one of the two major DM components. One component lists all the creatures in the current area, so you can manipulate them. The other component allows you to create creatures in real time from a tree list of creature templates. The other facets of the DM are going in over the next month or two.

It is looking quite powerful so far, Once it is all functional we can start tweaking it for ease of use and quick access.

Mods Without Scripting: Yes, you could use pre-written scripts or just create a simple dungeon hack. Both will not require scripting. We are also looking at providing "adventure templates" where you just replace the text listed and customize the adventure to your desires.

Don Moar, Lead Programmer, Tools:

Encounter System: In the NWToolset, the encounter system works like this (subject to change pending further usability tests):

1. Open Module in NWToolset
2. Open Area in Module
3. Select Desired Encounter from List
4. Draw Activation Region Polygon in Area
5. Place Spawn Points in Area

(Optional)
6. Open Properties Window of this Encounter
7. Modify Creature List
8. Set Encounter Difficulty
9. Close Encounter Properties Window
(Optional)

10. Save and Close Module

When a Player crosses the activation radius in the game, the Encounter System (subject to change pending further usability and 'fun' factor testing):

1. Determines the 'strength' or 'power' of the Players in the encounter zone (not the activation radius).

2. Randomly selects a number of creatures from that encounter's list, appropriate to the 'strength' or 'power' of the Players and the encounter's difficulty.

3. Spawns the creatures in randomly at the points specified in the NWToolset, giving preference to points not in the line of sight of any of the PCs.

This has several implications:

1. It is possible to design encounters that groups of low level Players will not activate (there aren't creatures in the list of low enough level).

2. Simply changing the encounter's difficulty (Easy - Monstrous) can have drastic results on the survivability of the Players.