Atari and Cryptic teaming up on new Neverwinter RPG [update]
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Hey, die-hard fans of fantasy fiction, right about now would be a good time for you to make a saving throw against having your head explode. Atari and Cryptic, whose former unions resulted in Star Trek Online and Champions Online, have announced their next joint effort: A new online RPG set in the frequently game-adapted Dungeons and Dragons universe, Neverwinter.
The PC game allows up to five players (or one player with AI companions) to select between five classes from the pen-and-paper RPG's roster, and play through an all new campaign, the story for which was developed in collaboration with Wizards of the Coast and author R.A. Salvatore. Also, much like previous games in the Neverwinter franchise, this one will include a tool, tentatively named "Forge," that allows players to create their own campaigns. The game's currently set for Q4 2011, but a Salvatore-penned prequel book, titled Gauntlgrym, will hit store shelves on October 5 of this year.
Update: Gamespot recently sat down with Cryptic CEO Jack Emmert to divine a few details about the game, including its five classes (Fighter, Wizard, Rogue, Ranger and Cleric), what the Forge tools will be capable of, and how Neverwinter will adapt the tabletop game's 4th Edition gameplay mechanics. If any of that means anything to you, give the interview a look.
The PC game allows up to five players (or one player with AI companions) to select between five classes from the pen-and-paper RPG's roster, and play through an all new campaign, the story for which was developed in collaboration with Wizards of the Coast and author R.A. Salvatore. Also, much like previous games in the Neverwinter franchise, this one will include a tool, tentatively named "Forge," that allows players to create their own campaigns. The game's currently set for Q4 2011, but a Salvatore-penned prequel book, titled Gauntlgrym, will hit store shelves on October 5 of this year.
Update: Gamespot recently sat down with Cryptic CEO Jack Emmert to divine a few details about the game, including its five classes (Fighter, Wizard, Rogue, Ranger and Cleric), what the Forge tools will be capable of, and how Neverwinter will adapt the tabletop game's 4th Edition gameplay mechanics. If any of that means anything to you, give the interview a look.
Reader Comments (39)
Posted: Aug 23rd 2010 1:30PM 2late2die said
Just to clarify to the folks that didn't read the interview - it's not an MMO as such. It's an Online RPG (i.e. not Massively Multiplayer). That is to say, one of its core mechanics is allowing you and a bunch of friends to take on the adventure together, i.e. like coop play but with more people and as one of the main parts of the game, not something tacked on later.
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Posted: Aug 23rd 2010 11:13AM Seanasaurus said
@Faenix I lost interest when i only saw 5 silhouettes. Lack of customization = lack of interest.
Reply
Posted: Aug 23rd 2010 12:03PM Arturis said
@Seanasaurus
You cant judge a book by it's cover. Or in this case, a video game by it's promotional teaser image.
Hell, at this point I would accept the original AOL Neverwinter Nights with updated graphics, though my assumption is that this will probably be more action oriented, following in the footsteps of either a non-pausable version of the Dragon Age games, or the dungeon crawling hack-and-slash play of the Baldur's Gate console games. We wont know until more information comes along.
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You cant judge a book by it's cover. Or in this case, a video game by it's promotional teaser image.
Hell, at this point I would accept the original AOL Neverwinter Nights with updated graphics, though my assumption is that this will probably be more action oriented, following in the footsteps of either a non-pausable version of the Dragon Age games, or the dungeon crawling hack-and-slash play of the Baldur's Gate console games. We wont know until more information comes along.
Posted: Aug 23rd 2010 3:39PM Daverator said
@cgoodno
4e I think is more of a mix bag, Some of it good and some bad. I especially think that since hybrid rules were established it regained some of its credibility (the base multiclass is horrid)
The class thing is a similar boat, if they just initially release a handful and they are cool and interesting and different. Then ok, if they release a dozen and you can't even tell 1/3 of them apart, then how does that help?
Unfortunately, with my cryptic experience, I predict both counts will be implemented the poorest realistic way imaginable. I have been wrong before but this one for me is being filed under "Prove to me you don't suck"
Reply
4e I think is more of a mix bag, Some of it good and some bad. I especially think that since hybrid rules were established it regained some of its credibility (the base multiclass is horrid)
The class thing is a similar boat, if they just initially release a handful and they are cool and interesting and different. Then ok, if they release a dozen and you can't even tell 1/3 of them apart, then how does that help?
Unfortunately, with my cryptic experience, I predict both counts will be implemented the poorest realistic way imaginable. I have been wrong before but this one for me is being filed under "Prove to me you don't suck"
Posted: Aug 23rd 2010 6:45PM Chareth Cutestory said
@Seanasaurus
Seriously?
Because Cryptic is known for anything beyond character creators?
Reply
Seriously?
Because Cryptic is known for anything beyond character creators?
Posted: Aug 23rd 2010 11:08AM LaughingTarget said
I've own the old gold box Neverwinter Nights on 5.25" floppy disk, sunk a few.thousand hours into the AOL MMO (KORT, for the good of the realms), have the two newer ones and all the expansions, and all the Forgotten Realms D&D books.
But, with Cryptic at the helm, this may be the first time I will avoid a NWN property.
Reply
But, with Cryptic at the helm, this may be the first time I will avoid a NWN property.
Posted: Aug 23rd 2010 1:17PM ticklefist said
@SirUrza
Fine.
Cryptic = The Uwe Boll of interactive digital entertainment.
Reply
Fine.
Cryptic = The Uwe Boll of interactive digital entertainment.
Posted: Aug 23rd 2010 11:59AM Uniquitous said
MMO = Do Not Want. Sad to see NWN going down this road.
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Posted: Aug 23rd 2010 12:00PM wcarnation said
SO a 3rd MMO when their first two are nowhere near finished?
When there's already D&D Online and Neverwinter Nights occupying the territory they're embarking on?
Outlook not so good.
Reply
When there's already D&D Online and Neverwinter Nights occupying the territory they're embarking on?
Outlook not so good.
Posted: Aug 23rd 2010 12:59PM Dungeoncrawl said
Okay. I'm pumped. Lots of negativity being posted but I'm just thankful it's not an mmo. Ready to give it a chance.
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Posted: Aug 23rd 2010 1:38PM LiqwidZero said
Meh.
I'll stick with my BIOWARE developed Neverwinter Nights and expansions. You know, the NWN that's actually good.
Reply
I'll stick with my BIOWARE developed Neverwinter Nights and expansions. You know, the NWN that's actually good.
Posted: Aug 23rd 2010 6:48PM Chareth Cutestory said
@EvoHelix
Even though its been said a dozen times, already... Its not an MMO.
Do people even know what the first "M" in MMO stands for, anymore?
Reply
Even though its been said a dozen times, already... Its not an MMO.
Do people even know what the first "M" in MMO stands for, anymore?
Posted: Aug 23rd 2010 10:01PM EvoHelix said
@MrAlex its an online RPG. And pay to play online RPGs aren't unheard of. I know there was a rumor going around that Diablo 3 was going to have a subscription. Also hellgate London existed, that was hardly classified as an mmo either and had a pay model. If I meant mmo I would have said it.
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Posted: Aug 28th 2010 9:27PM EvoHelix said
@MrAlex http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/28/cryptic-not-yet-sure-about-pricing-plan-for-new-neverwinter-titl/ shut the hell up.
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