Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Neverwinter's magic spells are pretty wizard]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/neverwinters-magic-spells-are-pretty-wizard/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/neverwinters-magic-spells-are-pretty-wizard/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/neverwinters-magic-spells-are-pretty-wizard/#comments Cryptic Studios and Atari Perfect World Entertainment have shared both the video above and the gallery below, both designed to show you what the upcoming Neverwinter's Control Wizard class is capable of. As you can see in the video especially, the spells are heavily inspired by pen-and-paper Dungeons and Dragons, and the game will have you casting old favorites like Magic Missile, Ray of Frost, and the destructive Ice Storm.

You can also see a few other 4th Edition D&D mainstays, including Tiefling heroes (they're the ones with the horns) and some NPC zombies and skeletons. The free-to-play MMO is set to be released early next year.

Gallery: Neverwinter (Wizard)

JoystiqNeverwinter's magic spells are pretty wizard originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4th-editioncryptic-studiosdungeons-and-dragonsfree-to-playmagic-missilemmoneverwinterpcpen-and-paperperfect-world-entertainmentray-of-frostspellswizardWed, 07 Nov 2012 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Torchlight, Neverwinter MMOs scheduled to launch late 2012-early 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/torchlight-neverwinter-mmos-scheduled-to-launch-late-2012-early/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/torchlight-neverwinter-mmos-scheduled-to-launch-late-2012-early/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/torchlight-neverwinter-mmos-scheduled-to-launch-late-2012-early/#comments Runic Games is scheduled to launch its Torchlight MMO in late 2012 or early 2013, according to an earnings call with Perfect World's Kelvin Lau. Perfect World, a Chinese MMO developer, owns a majority share of Runic and recently acquired the majority interest of Cryptic Studios, which plans to release Neverwinter in the same timeframe as Torchlight, Lau said.

Runic still hopes to launch Torchlight 2 this year. Depending on its sales, the release schedule of its MMO cousin may move, either pushed back so Runic has more time to pamper its success or shoved forward so Runic can hide its screw-up, CEO Max Schaefer said.

JoystiqTorchlight, Neverwinter MMOs scheduled to launch late 2012-early 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cryptic-studiosneverwinterpcperfect-worldrunic-gamestorchlight-2torchlight-mmoFri, 02 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Perfect World completes Cryptic Studios acquisition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/perfect-world-completes-cryptic-studios-acquisition/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/perfect-world-completes-cryptic-studios-acquisition/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/perfect-world-completes-cryptic-studios-acquisition/#comments Atari announced earlier this year that it was trying to sell off City of Heroes developer Cryptic Studios, and it's now essentially done just that, according to the company. Chinese MMO developer Perfect World recently bought an equity interest in the studio, and Atari has now divested its own interest, meaning that Cryptic is in the hands of the same company that also owns a majority interest in Torchlight developer Runic Games.

Perfect World reportedly paid $49.8 million for the sale, and Atari says it will put $30.7 million of that total right back into its own debt, leaving the rest for investment in other deals and programs. Cryptic was working on Neverwinter, as well as developing content for Star Trek Online and the free-to-play Champions Online, but any other titles the company was working on with Atari are probably done for. We'll have to see just how the fate of these games plays out as Perfect World oversees things going forward.

Perfect World has said the purchase will use Cryptic's experience in the MMO space to "strengthen our well-established R&D capabilities," as well as "add [the aforementioned] attractive game titles to our portfolio."

JoystiqPerfect World completes Cryptic Studios acquisition originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataribusinesscryptic-studiosdealneverwinterpcperfect-worldsaleTue, 09 Aug 2011 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeons and Dragons: Neverwinter preview: The NeverEnding Story]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/dungeons-and-dragons-neverwinter-preview-the-neverending-story/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/dungeons-and-dragons-neverwinter-preview-the-neverending-story/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/dungeons-and-dragons-neverwinter-preview-the-neverending-story/#comments Cryptic and Atari's upcoming relaunch of the Neverwinter Nights franchise is a multiplayer online game with infinite content. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around what this means -- and I think its creators are, too.

The infinite-ness is provided by the Foundry system, a returning (and far more refined) feature which Cryptic implemented in one of its other flagship MMOs, Star Trek Online. Rather than patching in the campaign-crafting tools after launch, however, Cryptic is making the Foundry the keystone of the Neverwinter experience -- an appropriate callback to Nights' UGC-centric success.

Continue reading Dungeons and Dragons: Neverwinter preview: The NeverEnding Story

JoystiqDungeons and Dragons: Neverwinter preview: The NeverEnding Story originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataricrypticmmommorpgneverwinterpcFri, 10 Jun 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Neverwinter revealed in new trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/neverwinter-revealed-in-new-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/neverwinter-revealed-in-new-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/neverwinter-revealed-in-new-trailer/#comments We've got an appointment to see Neverwinter at E3 this week, but to tide all of us over until then, we've got a trailer showing off the new Cryptic-developed RPG. We like how colorful the world is, but doesn't the aesthetic seem a little done to death? Here's hoping there's something we're missing.

Continue reading Neverwinter revealed in new trailer

JoystiqNeverwinter revealed in new trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataricrypticDungeons-and-DragonsneverwinterpcWed, 08 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cryptic not yet sure about pricing plan for new Neverwinter title]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/28/cryptic-not-yet-sure-about-pricing-plan-for-new-neverwinter-titl/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/28/cryptic-not-yet-sure-about-pricing-plan-for-new-neverwinter-titl/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/28/cryptic-not-yet-sure-about-pricing-plan-for-new-neverwinter-titl/#commentsFiled under: , ,

You D&D buffs out there were undoubtedly excited to hear that a new Neverwinter game is coming to life, but just like the real D&D, it might end up laying a critical hit down on your wallet.

In an interview at Gamasutra, Cryptic CEO Jack Emmert admitted that the game doesn't have a business model nailed down yet, and that all options are still on the table, from a "free-to-play with microtransactions" model to a "pay-by-the-minute" one. Emmert makes the point that asking for a subscription is still a viable way to run an MMO -- he fully expects BioWare to charge subscriptions for The Old Republic -- but that requires meeting a very high standard in terms of its content and quality.

Of course, Neverwinter is described more as a "co-op experience" than an MMO, and Emmert says it is indicative of a "new direction for Cryptic." Instead of worrying about MMO standards and traditions, he says, Cryptic wants to "just make great games." Specifically, that means "no more 75 Metacritic scores," he jokes at the end of the interview. "My heart just can't take it anymore."

JoystiqCryptic not yet sure about pricing plan for new Neverwinter title originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataricrypticcryptic-studiosDungeons-and-Dragonsjack-emmertneverwinterpcsubscriptionSat, 28 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari and Cryptic teaming up on new Neverwinter RPG [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/atari-and-cryptic-teaming-up-on-new-neverwinter-rpg/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/atari-and-cryptic-teaming-up-on-new-neverwinter-rpg/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/atari-and-cryptic-teaming-up-on-new-neverwinter-rpg/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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.

JoystiqAtari and Cryptic teaming up on new Neverwinter RPG [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataricryptic-studiosdungeons-and-dragonsneverwinterpcra-salvatoreWizards-of-the-CoastMon, 23 Aug 2010 10:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Single player RPGs are alive and well]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/31/new-screens-from-mage-knight/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/31/new-screens-from-mage-knight/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/31/new-screens-from-mage-knight/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


WorthPlaying has posted 25 new screens from Mage Knight Apocalypse, which is now just five weeks from release. Namco Bandai's take on the WizKids IP joins a solid lineup of 2006 single player RPGs that began earlier this year with Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and Titan Quest, and continues with this week's Dungeon Siege 2: Broken World. The next few months will also see the releases of Gothic 3 and Neverwinter Nights 2, while a sequel to the underappreciated Sacred arrives in 2007.

Although many of these games offer multiplayer components, their development teams have focused on producing deep campaigns that offer significant replay value. In Apocalypse, for instance, each of the five playable races will have unique quests to complement the main missions. How many of these titles do you plan to purchase, and do you think they are better values than MMOs?

JoystiqSingle player RPGs are alive and well originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Jul 2006 21:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>broken worlddungeon siegegothic 3mage knight apocalypsenamco bandaineverwinteroblivionPCsacredtitan questwizkidsMon, 31 Jul 2006 21:40:00 EST<![CDATA[NWN2 new site, ship date]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/14/nwn2-new-site-ship-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/14/nwn2-new-site-ship-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/14/nwn2-new-site-ship-date/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Neverwinter Nights 2 web siteRPG fans will have much to crow about at the end of the summer because there are now two new alternatives to homework. Atari has announced that Neverwinter Nights 2 will ship in September, the same month as JoWood's Gothic 3. Neverwinter developer Obsidian has also launched the game's official site, where you'll find the usual content, in addition to the relocated forums. This should keep you busy until the holidays.

JoystiqNWN2 new site, ship date originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Apr 2006 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atarineverwinterobsidianPCFri, 14 Apr 2006 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ferret Baudoin's (extended) day off: NWN 2 designer leaves]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/21/neverwinter-nights-2-gets-new-lead-designer/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/21/neverwinter-nights-2-gets-new-lead-designer/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/21/neverwinter-nights-2-gets-new-lead-designer/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Obsidian logoMaybe he collapsed under the weight of expectations for designing such an important sequel, or got burned out from all the press interviews a few weeks ago. It could just be the old "creative differences" dilemma (or maybe even an early April fool). Whatever the case, the Neverwinter Nights 2 official forums and Neverwinter Nights 2 News are reporting that Ferret Baudoin has indeed left the building, and Obsidian has a new lead designer in J. E. Sawyer.

Will this delay NWN 2's projected Q3 release? As if Atari didn't have enough to worry about.

[via GameBanshee]

JoystiqFerret Baudoin's (extended) day off: NWN 2 designer leaves originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Mar 2006 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>neverwinterobsidianPCTue, 21 Mar 2006 12:30:00 EST