The State of the Neverwinter Night Community

[Legacy_MicRas]

               Hi everyone.

Years ago I was an observing part of the community, and was not really contributing. I played around with some modules. Played them, build a few of them, and were a part of some prestige worlds back in the day.

The reason I write is, that I'm starting to get some ideas to a module I might make.
But I want to know if there is still some life left in the NwN community. I have been looking around a bit on this forum and on nwvault, but it is hard to tell how active it is. Are people still making modules, and are people still playing them? Is the community dying?
I played some events on nwnconnection.com back in the day. Do people still meet and play together with a DM, who is controlling the story?

Do you have some advice to a noob module creator? Anything I should be aware of? Any site I should see?

Just tell me anything you like about the community. Pros and cons? Why are you still here?

I would really appreciate it!!
MR
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_SuperFly_2000]

               Guess some of us are still here.

Far from all on theese forums though.

For some reason most are very PW centered. For some I think its almost like the game NWN doesn't exist but only the PW they are playing at.

I got separated from my favourite PW cause it went down many years ago and the good thing about that was that I looked out so to speak.

Anyway...its a big community. A bit stale as I mentioned. A few server hoppers.

I myself started building a PW module from scratch just now. I've been hosting 2 other but never built from scratch.

I knew that I HAD to find enjoyment in just building cause players can not be guaranteed. Still I hope that some will check out what I made when im done...which might be a long time from now.

About multiplayer I don't know. I think that might be even harder nowdays. The pro with a PW is that its usually on 24/7 so hopefully there is at least someone there.

In a smaller group that kind of requires all or most of the members of that group to be online for which the chance is smaller.

I know that roleplay might be less and more stale on a PW contra MP campaigns but I prefer it anyway. I am not against action. Au countraire...only I like it with a RP-twist so to speak.

One thing I'd like to push a bit is Xfire and the NWN1 community I created there. I hope all interested in finding friends for online play would check there...so...I said it again :-P


Nice you played through all thoose games and then came back to NWN1...says a lot :-)
               
               

               

                     Modifié par SuperFly_2000, 30 septembre 2011 - 10:25 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_HipMaestro]

               Well, it's what now?  11 years and still counting?

Gotta expect active membership to slip significantly in that period, eh?

One thing still seems to remain a tenet... if you build anything, whether it is a module or PW, quality and innovation survives, just not to the frantic degree of NWN in its hayday.  Like Field of Dreams.  "If you build it, they will come."  Works kinda like that. '>

Superfly covered it all pretty well.  If you enjoy the creative activity, just go do it!  Even if just a few players find your work interesting, it's worth it if you derive pleasure building.

I've built a few "specialty" modules for a small, local group of regular players and get a kick out of observing how they fumble through my mini-worlds.  It's not work at all, although my scripting leaves a lot to be desired.  My audience teaches me what works and what sux. '>

There are very few games that allow so much control of the environment like NWN which is probably the No.1 reason it has persisted as long as it has.   Be prepared though, if you haven't done much NWN designing.  It can become addictive.  '> When you see what others have done it can fuel the creative juices to become much more than a casual hobby (as I am sure many builders can surely attest to).
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_MicRas]

               It is good to hear that the community is still going strong. I have been looking through these forums and other sites, and it has really been a nostalgia trip I have been on.

SuperFly_2000 wrote...
For some reason most are very PW centered. For some I think its almost like the game NWN doesn't exist but only the PW they are playing at.

I got separated from my favourite PW cause it went down many years ago and the good thing about that was that I looked out so to speak.

I don't know if I'm really interested in playing PW right now. Do you have any recommendation for at good (newbe) PW I could try?

SuperFly_2000 wrote...
One thing I'd like to push a bit is Xfire and the NWN1 community I created there. I hope all interested in finding friends for online play would check there...so...I said it again :-P

Wow I really didn't think that there would be a community over at xfire. Maybe I will be joining that. (It is also good to see that there are Scandinavian people still playing NwN. I'm Danish myself.

HipMaestro wrote...
One thing still seems to remain a tenet... if you build anything, whether it is a module or PW, quality and innovation survives, just not to the frantic degree of NWN in its hayday. Like Field of Dreams. "If you build it, they will come." Works kinda like that. '>

Superfly covered it all pretty well. If you enjoy the creative activity, just go do it! Even if just a few players find your work interesting, it's worth it if you derive pleasure building.

Well maybe I would just try to make my mod dreams come true. Maybe I will get addicted to it, but so be it.
Are people mostly using NwN or NwN2? And why? Or is it just an even split?

MR
(and wow has it really been 11 years?! I bought NwN at launch. Still one of the best games I have ever played)
               
               

               

                     Modifié par MicRas, 01 octobre 2011 - 07:59 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_The Amethyst Dragon]

               

MicRas wrote...

I don't know if I'm really interested in playing PW right now. Do you have any recommendation for at good (newbe) PW I could try?
...
Well maybe I would just try to make my mod dreams come true. Maybe I will get addicted to it, but so be it.
Are people mostly using NwN or NwN2? And why? Or is it just an even split?

MR

As far as finding a PW to play in, I suggest checking out the "NwN 1 Persistent Worlds & Multiplayer" section of the forum.  There are many that are mentioned.  There is also the in-game lists provided through Gamespy ("Multiplayer > Join Internet Game", look for the "PW " categories on the left).  I'd also suggest making a list of a few that might interest you and spend some time in each of the ones on your list.  There is a lot of variety out there, and you never know if you'll enjoy a gameworld unless you test them out.

As far as using NWN or NWN2...if you are new to module making, I suggest NWN.  The toolset is simpler to get started with.  NWN2 makes for some very attractive exteriors, and the graphics are (of course) more modern, but there is still tons of new stuff coming out of the NWN regions that improve the look of the game.  Plus, NWN module makers around here are pretty much always willing to lend advice and technical help with the toolset and scripting.  Of course, I am biased in my opinion, since I don't use NWN2 myself.

Good luck, whatever you decide upon.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_jmlzemaggo]

               @ The Amethyst Dragon
Just an opportunity to thank you for what you've done for NWN.
Voilà! 
(I see your name every time I launch the game in that window...)
               
               

               

                     Modifié par jmlzemaggo, 01 octobre 2011 - 10:44 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Rolo Kipp]

               <feeling a bit lonely...>

On the single-player/event-mod perspective, I was - from the beginning (alpha) - fanatic about bringing into existence a world that had little to do with the Forgotten Realms. Not just visuals, but the very rulesets need to be warped, er, *adjusted* to my ideals. SP/DM is my primary focus and I am very much committed to creation.  

Whether anyone likes my stuff... <shrugs> Some people have always liked it. I'm not terribly worried about votes or tallying players. As HM says "They will come". I design something *I* want to play or DM in. My stuff is a labor of love and I need no validation.
<pretty pompous, boss>
Hmmm, point.
Let me put it a different way, then. If you are *thinking* about returning to NwN and *creating*, *Do* it and let the rewards be the manifestation of the stuff of your dreams. Don't worry about how it will be received, just do it.

I promise (as I am doing for two people already) I will be willing to play through/use what you create  if you wish - think carefully about it - and I will tell you what I honestly think.

The primary focus *has* shifted to PWs, and, someday, I will host a PW as well (It will compliment and tie in with my SP and DM mods and my novels... ;-)

Until then, I will stay in the minority of people working with SP RP mods.

<...surrounded by friends>
               
               

               

                     Modifié par Rolo Kipp, 01 octobre 2011 - 04:51 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_jmlzemaggo]

               

Rolo Kipp wrote...

<feeling a bit lonely...>

On the single-player/event-mod perspective, I was - from the beginning (alpha) - fanatic about bringing into existence a world that had little to do with the Forgotten Realms. Not just visuals, but the very rulesets need to be warped, er, *adjusted* to my ideals. SP/DM is my primary focus and I am very much committed to creation.  

Whether anyone likes my stuff... <shrugs> Some people have always liked it. I'm not terribly worried about votes or tallying players. As HM says "They will come". I design something *I* want to play or DM in. My stuff is a labor of love and I need no validation.
<pretty pompous, boss>
Hmmm, point.
Let me put it a different way, then. If you are *thinking* about returning to NwN and *creating*, *Do* it and let the rewards be the manifestation of the stuff of your dreams. Don't worry about how it will be received, just do it.

I promise (as I am doing for two people already) I will be willing to play through/use what you create  if you wish - think carefully about it - and I will tell you what I honestly think.

The primary focus *has* shifted to PWs, and, someday, I will host a PW as well (It will compliment and tie in with my SP and DM mods and my novels... ;-)

Until then, I will stay in the minority of people working with SP RP mods.

<...surrounded by friends>

You again?
I like the way you talk, sorry, write. 
I only read what's between those <>. 
Trust me, that's the way to go. 
               
               

               

                     Modifié par jmlzemaggo, 01 octobre 2011 - 06:02 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Queensilverwing]

               As others have said, build something you would enjoy playing in. I think that must be the first rule for any module builder. It is simple logic that if YOU enjoy it, then you will build well and be interesting '>

Once you have the module, advertise it. On these boards, on the Vault, promo ads and community news is a good start on the Vault. Start a topic up in the modules forum which can work as a live journal, that way the community can watch you and your creation grow, maybe even make suggestions and generally comment and offer support.

I wish you the best of luck and hope to one day play your module '>
               
               

               

                     Modifié par Queensilverwing, 01 octobre 2011 - 09:26 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_QlippothVI]

               I've done a few minor things, usually bug fixes for older releases that didn't require scripting (or shuffling of scripts). I tested NWN1 at Infogrames (As it turned into Atari after acquiring the name) and have been hooked ever since (I wish they would have fixed the Armor 2DA so we could have added more armor classes, like real chain shirts seperate from scale, but noone listened to me). I've been creating stuff for my own enjoyment and gameplay prototypes.

I just started a few projects in NWN1 recently and am trying to learn to script. I suspect there are still players out there, but the joy of building outweighs the value I put on the reception of my creations.

- Qlippoth
               
               

               

                     Modifié par QlippothVI, 02 octobre 2011 - 03:53 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_MicRas]

               

Rolo Kipp wrote...
I promise (as I am doing for two people already) I will be willing to play through/use what you create if you wish - think carefully about it - and I will tell you what I honestly think.<...surrounded by friends>

I will keep you in mind when I got something to show '>. Thanks alot.

Queensilverwing wrote...
As others have said, build something you would enjoy playing in. I think that must be the first rule for any module builder. It is simple logic that if YOU enjoy it, then you will build well and be interesting '>

That is a really good rule of thumb. If I wanna play it, there is a great chance that others want too. I will diffently give it a shot. And hopefully you will be playing it when it is done '>

Even if NwN is an old game it, and the community might not be so grand as back in the day, it is easy to see that the community is still great. The replies I have recieved on this topic show that the community is full with love  '>.

MR
               
               

               

                     Modifié par MicRas, 02 octobre 2011 - 09:24 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_HipMaestro]

               * removed reply*

Ackkk... decided it was an inappropriate self-serving comment.  Woe the pains of conscience! 

Back to our regularly scheduled program... '>
               
               

               

                     Modifié par HipMaestro, 02 octobre 2011 - 12:44 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_jmlzemaggo]

               

HipMaestro wrote...

* removed reply*

Ackkk... decided it was an inappropriate self-serving comment.  Woe the pains of conscience! 

Back to our regularly scheduled program... '>

I thought of doing the same many times. 'never did.
As I never pressed the ultimate button. 
How does it test? Oh, okay, I guess I got lucky... 
But even self-serving could be of some use to others. This is where that button comes in. 
When it's not about having something to say, but carrying something which needs to be said. 
Writting doesn't belong to the writer. And being boastful, egotistical, is the only way I know for being humble. 
Doing what you're meant to do. It's not yours anyway.
Unless you keep it for yourself... 
               
               

               

                     Modifié par jmlzemaggo, 02 octobre 2011 - 02:16 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Rolo Kipp]

               <opening his mouth...>

jmlzemaggo wrote...
Writting doesn't belong to the writer. And being boastful, egotistical, is the only way I know for being humble. 
Doing what you're meant to do. It's not yours anyway.

Being able to laugh at yourself before you laugh at others demonstrates an exothermic astral flow =)

Unless you keep it for yourself... 

The only dumb question/comment is the one without a voice.

Word.

(Or whatever the current slang is... ;-)

<...and saying nothing of essence>
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_ffbj]

               I'vve had that a few times, that exothermic astral flow thing, it's rather annoying although it can get you to places you've never been before.  Sort of like NwN.