Magister Lajciak

I distinctly see 'PC' on the cover posted.

I am a conservative!

The guy appologized and did so in a decent manner. I think this calls for a cessation of the high minded rhetoric against him.

I am wondering: How long does a major expansion pack for a game take to develop? How long before release does it usually have to be announced at the latest? Keeping it secret right up to the release would be impossible of course, due to distribution issues and marketing. My ulterior motive, of course, is thinking about a new expansion pack of NWN 2. After MotB, which was superb, I hope there will be more to come and am wondering about development times and so on.

Hmm, I already own both NWN 2 and the Mask of the Betrayer as do most people on these boards (at least I would guess so). I lost all interest in the Mysteries of Westgate the day I learned that it will require online authentication every time you play. I have no problem with requiring online registration to enable play, but I am not going to stand for having to do that every time, so I am not buying that. Instead, I will wait for a proper second expansion pack... which I hope will come eventually.

Don't let any technical problems hamper your enjoyment of this CRPG gem! That said, unlike with the NWN2 OC, I have not encountered major technical issues with the MotB.

As to the information from the new article, I guess it's my turn to be less critical than most. Yes, I too would have liked to see an even smaller dependance on magic items and having all magic items do something more interesting than provide a +X bonus. Nevertheless, they have moved in this direction, so 4E is an improvement on 3.Xe in this regard. Furthermore, I must admit that a +1 longsword is an iconic D&D magic item.

Just out of interest, which of the classification systems do you prefer? Both have their merits. If I have to chose I do prefer the SNG system though. If for nothing else that it's a theoretical model constructed by gamers as an attempt to analyze the games we play, rather than market researchers doing the same. I also prefer the SNG system, because I can actually place myself somewhere in that system, whereas I cannot do so in the other system. I'm like Spider on this one. The WotC version, amongst other things, seems a bit slipshod to me. That wouldn't matter, except that they aren't some small indie company. They're an established voice, perhaps one of the largest, in the gaming industry. I am not sure it is exactly slipshod, but it certainly does not describe my preferences in RPGs, whereas the other version does do so.

Sorry! I am not sure I follow. Is this some kind of relatively credible rumor about KOTOR 3? If so, tell us more!

I have played JKII: Jedi Outcast. It was a good game, but I did not manage to complete it, because I was not good anough at handling the real-time combat system to pass the final missions.

I guess I could get behind playing with my jedi powers even without a good plot, but it sure would be nice to have that too.

Agreed! It is likely to be a Star Wars game, but we cannot be certain.

I remember that some brands deliberately make their RAM incompatible. Compaq comes to mind - I have had some experience with that when trying to upgrade a relative's computer. That was years ago, however, perhaps they have changed their policy since then.

Well, I think another expansion for NWN2 would be nice.

Thanks! As a matter of interest, though, don't you consider a good plot to be integral to a good game?* *Unless it is a game that relies has a focus on non-story elements, such as simulation (e.g. the SimCity series). How are you supposed to answer that question? You already answered it yourself. Think of such games as Tetris, Quake 2 and for instance Pharaoh. Either there's no story or it's not really the reason why people play. We might argue that plotless games aren't "good games", but kinetic combat or for instance intelligent game design can go a long way in terms of keeping people entertained. Yes, I guess I did answer it myself. The point is, however, that from the brief description I read about it, Jedi Academy seemed like a game where the story is integral, rather than being focused on being a shooter, or strategygame or whatever.

Patience is the key!

Thanks! As a matter of interest, though, don't you consider a good plot to be integral to a good game?* *Unless it is a game that relies has a focus on non-story elements, such as simulation (e.g. the SimCity series).

What is the JA? Is it just a misspelled acronym of Jade Empire, or is it some other game entirely?

That is pretty amazing! I must say that I am impressed.

OK, this does explain it. Thanks!

I don't think that D&D has ever been too strong in simulation game play. I mean, we are talking multiple forms of instant healing, over half the classes empowered by some form of magic, and people talking to animals, ghosts, gods, etc. on a fairly regular basis. Sim gaming seems to have better chances with almost any other system, especially GURPS or Shadowrun (Though a lot of house rules would need to go in place for SR). By the way, let me assure you that I would buy a 4E D&D CRPG from Obsidian Entertainment regardless of whether I buy the PnP version of 4E or not. Whatever objections I may have towards the lack of simulationism of 4E in PnP don't really apply to the computer medium.

I agree. Playing MotB was like finding an oasis in a desert.

I guess, but I rather be the guy who watches the Falcon fly off getting shot at Stormtroopers, and while all that is going on take out one trooper by himself from behind, steal his gear, and sell it to jawas. You know as well as I do that any future single player Star Wars CRPG will have greater scope than that.

Just out of interest, which of the classification systems do you prefer? Both have their merits. If I have to chose I do prefer the SNG system though. If for nothing else that it's a theoretical model constructed by gamers as an attempt to analyze the games we play, rather than market researchers doing the same. I also prefer the SNG system, because I can actually place myself somewhere in that system, whereas I cannot do so in the other system.

It does seem that most of the complains I've heard are either A) They are making it too gamey/too easy, or B) they are changing my beloved <X>, where <X> is a monster or setting change. Hmm, in that case it does seem that it is the simulationist gamers among us who tend to dislike many of the changes introduced by the 4th edition. The too 'gamey' complaint is likely a complaint about removal of simulationist elements. I think the 'too easy' complaint is also really just a transfered complaint of one of these two: 1) Too much simplification to the point that it reduces simulationist aspects beyond a point of personal comfort OR 2) Emphasis on instant gratification reducing a sense of long-term gratification for the person presenting the argument