Seldon

1) Yes it did. It actually worked pretty good for simple tasks like auto counter-casting, or healing. There were several scripts available, on each character card, to chose from. 2) We don't know if it's "typical fantasy" (i hope it's not), but to answer your question: it's not really a problem for me, as I've usually played by standard DnD rules with ff on, but I also see no problem turning ff off option for sake of people who simply don't enjoy battles in RPG games.

So they can't beat brain dead AI if friendly fire is on? How does that work exactly? 2 basic cases: 1) AI of your team is so wonderful, that your companion decides that using minigun in narrow corridor is great idea, even if other team members are between him and the target (Fallout 1&2, actually 2 mostly , with Marcus). No, permanent AI turn off is not really good option for many gamers (me included). Telling every single person, every single battle, what to do, even if it's rat-killing, is simply boring and not really helping to stay in the role of single character. I can take control of a party if threat is serious, but not every god damn fight. 2) Bystanders, or opponents AI is so great, that seeing their action I simply don't know if this is easter egg, or AI is so damn stupid. Another Fallout example: there was a fight in a bar. One of the customers, a woman,got hit, fled, I killed one or two fellows and the fight mode turned off. The very same lady walked in ten seconds later, passed next to me, only to enter fight mode and flee using second exit....

Lets take this sentence to the middle of the Sigil, and consider how many "non-combatant" characters would actually flee and how many would decide it's time to teach you some manners. 'Fleeing for everyone' is fine when we're talking about game with overpowered dragon-slaying champion fighting ultimate evil bastard, in the middle of humble village, but I hope we aren't

The problem with the poll is that it uses NWN2 UI as an example, while it was simply inferior to its predecessor in every possible way. BG style was all nice and pretty but when it comes to character customization, spells or skills assigning, or inventory NWN1 wins hands down....but I suppose DA:O kind of thing would be nice as well.

In game tutorial is fine, as long as it's skippable, like the one in NWN2.

I think we shouldn't exclude by design people, who are here mostly for non-combat experience (story, social skills etc.). This is probably the best solution: 'Tell Me a Story', 'Give Me a Challenge' and ' Give me Deus Ex' kind of settings. It is fun, but not when you should feel guilty, because you've missed and killed a kid ... and instead you burst out laughing at half of a village trying to kill your lvl 20 chr with fists and knives. Yes, you should definitely try Fallouts, try GoG.com.

The problem is it should also destroy houses and set the trees on fire. Jokes aside, hurting bystanders is always problematic, because it involves implementing people's reaction to your actions during the battle. Will they flee ? Or if you i.e. hurt their children will they attack you ? What kind of character is powerful enough to cause only fear and not anger ? And what about our opponents ? Friendly fire should be double-edged sword IMO. If it's supposed to be simple friendly fire like BG or Fallout, than I would prefer option to turn it off. You know, I still remember this WTF moment when people went hostile and tried hand-to-hand combat with my character in power-armor. :]

Simply because it makes our character more real "person" and less "puppet in the world of pixels". Why should I care about what happens on the screen if there's no bond between my character and others ? That was one of Fallout's or Arcanum's problems (great games otherwise): one of my team members died in long and tiring battle. Did I load game and tried to save him ? Nah, why should I ? The same situation in BG2 or Torment ? "OMG he's permanently dead, I need to retry this battle." IMO Obsidian games where always about design, writing and characters. They could be buggy and not polished but for many gamers it was story, dialogues and NPC's that made great experience, nonetheless. Romance are just integral part of human interaction. If they are made in tasteful manner (Annah in Torment i.e., romances in BG2) they enrich the experience. Personally I don't mind homo or bi characters as long as they're integral part of the world and not some politically correct add-on.

If there's developer who dares to break this post-tolkien elves&dwarfs madness, it's probably Obsidian. There were simple guns in NWN2 Dark Waters campaign and it was truly refreshing, so I'm in !