Requesting introductory PW guide article for newbies

[Legacy_Tchos]

               I would like to post an article on the nexus front page for those like me who have never logged into a NWN PW, and don't know where to begin.  Is there one already out there that someone wouldn't mind being reposted?  Or can someone break it down in segments, like what files you need, where to get them, where to find groups...  Maybe with a few example servers?  (Feel free to tout your own PW if you run one.)

I know a lot of people consider PWs to be the way to play NWN, and it would be good to understand why they feel that way.  Considering I'm mostly attracted to single-player, myself, I'm not the best person to articulate that.  What would bring someone into PWs, who's never tried them?
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Squatting Monk]

               There's a basic starter guide here. In particular, the RP guide linked in it will come in handy on just about any server.

To narrow your search for servers, pick the category of game you're looking for in the GameSpy window. For most people, this is going to be Action, Role Play, PW Story, or PW Action (most of my favorites are in Role Play). Word to the wise: avoid the Social category. It's not what you think. '>

Next, sort the list by the number of players currently online. This will show you the popular servers which, at this point in the game's lifespan are most likely the best. Not only that, you're likely to have lots of other people to hang out and have fun with (which is really what playing on a PW is all about).

When you see one that looks interesting, click on the Server Details button to get more info about it. Often, they'll have a link to their website or tell you what haks they require (and every server is different).

Once you find your server and download any custom content you need, connect and roll up a character. Simple as squashing goblins!

Or... if you wanna get your feet wet without taking time to download content, you could try connecting to Thain, a fairly popular server that doesn't require any custom content at all. To do that, just click the Direct Connect button and enter the server address as 31.25.18.253. Connect and away you go!
               
               

               

                     Modifié par Squatting Monk, 14 septembre 2012 - 07:27 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Tchos]

               That looks like a good guide, and I see it has links to further information.  Is this all up to date?  Like, nothing major has changed over the years that one needs to know?  I ask because one of the links is to a guide that was written in 2003.  

As for the social category, that guide says that a social server is "where players are there mainly to interact with other players, even if it's not adventuring"

About the direct connecting...does that mean that Thain is not listed in the Gamespy list?  If not, how do you find servers like that?

Thanks for this!
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Squatting Monk]

               It's up-to-date, yeah. Things haven't changed much, and where they have, it's usually server-specific.

Tchos wrote...

As for the social category, that guide says that a social server is "where players are there mainly to interact with other players, even if it's not adventuring"

That's what it's supposed to be for, yeah.

Tchos wrote...

About the direct connecting...does that mean that Thain is not listed in the Gamespy list? If not, how do you find servers like that?

Thain is weird. Most servers show up in GameSpy and can be connected to directly, but Thain can only be reached by direct connect. I think that's by choice, but I'm not sure the reason behind it. As far as finding servers like that, it's basically a word of mouth thing. Folks post about worlds they like on the forums or have links in their siggies. Many servers also have PR posts right here.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Tchos]

               Hmm... and none of these, to your knowledge, don't want their servers to be accessed by people who hear about them through the grapevine?

It reminds me of something I heard on the NWN Podcast.  I heard reference to PWs requiring applications and full backstories of characters before they'd allow you to access their servers.  Is that still the way it is for some/many of the PWs?  It was one of the older podcasts.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Thayan]

               In regard to applications there are some that require applications and backstories for characters before joining, but I'd hazard a guess that they are in the very small minority of servers that do at this point.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Squatting Monk]

               I think Thayan's right. The reason for requiring an application was to screen out griefers and people who weren't going to bring anything useful to the world. NWN's population has steadily matured as the game aged. Most of the people still around are dedicated role-players or people who really love NWN. Bratty kids have moved on to CoD where it's less work to troll.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_ffbj]

               Yes, with fewer players as you might suspect there is less emphasis on backstories, and various hoops to jump through to play on a server.  So in this respect things have changed.
Pw's are sort of like a buffet.  Some people like meat, some are vegetarians, others have a sweet tooth.  So different servers, with their different emphasis attract different sorts of players.
So you have the categories Story, Action, etc...
You can go on the vault and read the various descriptions of the game worlds and people's comments.  If the world sounds attractive to you check it out.
Sticking with the food analogy SP is like hamburger, while PW's are like steak.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Tchos]

               Well, I'm glad to know that.  I, for one, prefer to be able to browse quietly to see if I like a place first.