Baldur's Gate 2 Official Chat
Edited log prepared by Silverdawn (silverdawn@bgchronicles.com)

Held at irc.vaultnetwork.net #vault on April 18, 2000.

In attendence were:

BenAtBioware - Ben Smedstad (Producer)
MikeAtBio - Mike Geist (Designer/Scriptor)
MarciaAtBio - Marcia Tofer (Art Director)
Nathan_Bio - Nathan Plewes (Line Producer)
Bio_Brad_g - Brad Grier (Communications Manager)
KevinMAtBio - Kevin Martens (Co-Lead Designer)
JamesAtBio - James Ohlen (Director of Writing and Design, and Co-Lead Designer)
Dave-at-Bio - David Gaider (Designer)
LukeAtBio - Luke Kristjanson (Lead Writer)
MarkAtBio - Mark Darrah (Lead Programmer)
MaeVarBondari - John Winski (Scriptor)
ScottLAtBio - Scott Langevin (Designer)

BIS_Parker - Chris Parker (Producer, BIS)
buce - Lisa Bucek (PR, BIS)
Doug-BlackIsle - Doug Avery (Assistant Producer, BIS)

*** Ilibard sets mode: +m
<Ilibard> Once again, we'd like to welcome the great folks at Bioware back to our chat room!
<Ilibard> Before we begin the Q&A period, maybe the dev team could take a minute to introduce themselves and give us a little update on how Baldur's Gate 2 is coming along?
<Ilibard> So I'll turn it over to Bioware now for a minute.  :)
<BenAtBioWare> I am Ben Smedstad, the producer on BG2.  The game is coming along great (it's minimized in the background actually =) ).
<Zarth> Michael Geist, Designer/Scriptor on BG2.  
<buce> Hi, I am the pr manager at Black Isle.  Things are going well, getting ready for E3 - the Electronic Entertainment Expo to be held in L.A.
<BenAtBioWare> As with the last chat, I would like the BioWare people to "call" a question when it comes up if they want to answer
<Nathan_Bio> lol... I'm Nathan Plewes, the line producer on BG2.
<Bio_Brad_g> I'm Brad Grier, Communications Manager for BioWare :-) 
<KevinMatBio> Kevin Martens, Co-Lead Designer on BG2
<JamesAtBio> James Ohlen, Director of Writing and Design for Bioware
<BenAtBioWare> There will be a few other Bio people showing up shortly (maybe even a programmer or 2 )
<MikeAtBio> When they finish eating...
<buce> along with Black Isle people
<buce> we don't let them eat
<Ilibard> OK...we'll start the Q&A session now.  Please post questions in #bg2.  Questions sent to Bioware staff or myself will be ignored.
<BenAtBioWare> As with the last chat, I would like the BioWare people to "call" a question when it comes up if they want to answer
<Ilibard> While people are coming up with questions, let's start off by hearing what sort of plans you have for BG2 at E3!
<BenAtBioWare> Buce?
<BenAtBioWare> ok, I guess I'll spout out what I know
<buce> We will have two meeting rooms demoing BG II and Never Winter Nights.  These rooms are invitation only and you should contact Brad@bioware.com or lbucek@blackisle.com if you are a press member that would like to set up an appointment
<BenAtBioWare> NM
<Ilibard> Thanks...be sure to stay tuned to IGN.com and the RPG Vault for lots of coverage of BG2 and Neverwinter from the show floor!  :)
<Ilibard> Now...on with the questions.
<Ilibard> <SmokieZ> Whats the advantage of having an evil alignment char over lawfull good ? I mean everything costs more if your evil and some NPC will nto even talk to you ? It was a useless option in BG.. will it be inproved in BG2 so that a player may actualy have some kind of an advantage being evil over alignments ?
<Dave-at-Bio> I can answer this one.  One sec...
<BenAtBioWare> dave likes to type lots =)
<Dave-at-Bio> Baldur's Gate is meant to be a role-playing game.  The idea is that we intend to provide you the option of playing evil if that is what you would like to do (and many people would).  There are always consequences for being evil, and you will have to deal with them.  In BG2, at least, we have provided many more ways for players to be evil and still play the game fairly.  All quests have an 'evil' path, and you will have many more options when you pla
<Dave-at-Bio> Ben's just bitter over Neb.  :p
<KevinMatBio> That said, being bad aint always easy
<JamesAtBio> Who's Neb?
<KevinMatBio> Ben? You should field this one...
<LukeAtBio> And it shouldn't be, although it's often more "direct"
<Dave-at-Bio> I;'m done.  Everyone else go ahead.
<Ilibard> <Mithrandir> how big will BG2 be compared to BG?
<JamesAtBio> I'll get this one
<JamesAtBio> BG2  will be about the same size in the amount of areas you can explore.  However, the content within those areas will be much greater.
<JamesAtBio> There will be no dead space as there was in BG1.
<JamesAtBio> Done
<Ilibard> <Xerophyte> Question: Among the great slew of cRPGs coming in the near future, which ones are you Biowarians looking forward to the most? NWN and BG2 excluded.
* NathanAtBio gives James a lil golf clap
<BenAtBioWare> LOL, anything Blizzard
<LukeAtBio> Aww... those were my top two :)
<JamesAtBio> Diablo2
<Dave-at-Bio> If you're talking about how many CD's BG2 is supposed to be, I believe we are aiming at something similar to BG1.
<MikeAtBio> Diablo 2 and Vampire
<NathanAtBio> doh.. no NWN?
<BenAtBioWare> DII looks great
<BenAtBioWare> Grandia 2 as well
<Ilibard> <Mithrandir> Question: how will the ranger dual wield work? Will other classes be able to dual wield too?
<JamesAtBio> I'll get this one
<JamesAtBio> Other classes will be able to dual wield.  However, the ranger will have free proficiency with this skill.
<JamesAtBio> Done
<Ilibard> <UnholyAvenger> Question: Will there be neat little extra things in BG2 that stray from the strict AD&D rules.. (Such as in Planescape Torment with Morte's "Litany of Curses" and Nameless One's "Raise Dead" ability)?
<markAtBio> So I suck
<LukeAtBio> I'll take a stab at this one...
<BenAtBioWare> afk, need a rootbeer brb
<markAtBio> 1 day and we're already out!
<LukeAtBio> We endeavor to stay as close to the rules as possible, in so much as they can be applied to a CRPG.  We may modify if we have to, but effort is always made to stay true to the spirit of the rules.  There's plenty of room for neat little extras within the system, we don't need to go far afield :).
<NathanAtBio> and no I'm not going for a squishy run again :Þ
<LukeAtBio> done
<Ilibard> <Cruciform_bloodshot> Question: We see in the competition coming out around the same time (Stormfronts PoR2) some really huge creatures. On what scale will some of the larger monsters be in relation to the character?
<JamesAtBio> I'll get this one
<LukeAtBio> Whoooo hooo.... they be bigguns  :)
* Dave-at-Bio thinks James is a big greedy-guts.  :)
<NathanAtBio> lol
<BenAtBioWare> back
<JamesAtBio> It is difficult to view the entire body of our largest creature.  You have to scroll the screen up to see its head.    
<Dave-at-Bio> (sorta like James)
<BenAtBioWare> heh, and we'll leave it at that
<BenAtBioWare> ROTFL
* KevinMatBio likes dem apples!
<JamesAtBio> Done, you bastard Dave.
<Ilibard> <Darsh> Question: Can you give more details on the assassin kit?  What types of poisons will he be able to use and what bonuses will he get in combat (if any)?
<KevinMatBio> James will get this one too
<MikeAtBio> lol
<Dave-at-Bio> (The rest of us have electrical tape over our mouths, you see...)
* NathanAtBio does his best Vanna White pose "Take it away James"
<JamesAtBio> The assassin's poisons will become more powerful as he goes up in levels.  His poisons currently only apply damage, though we are looking at adding different kinds.
<JamesAtBio> IF people want, they can make suggestions on the message boards as to what sort of poisons they would like to see.
<JamesAtBio> The assassin receives minor bonuses in combat (+1)
<JamesAtBio> Done
<Ilibard> <Default> Question : Since BG2 plays with much higher level characters, can we expect to see spells that kill instantly, with no saving throw, or for the sake of gameplay certain spell effects have been changed?
<Dave-at-Bio> I got it!
<NathanAtBio> haha... gettin slow James
<JamesAtBio> Damn
* BenAtBioWare wishes there were more magical Katanas in the game
* MikeAtBio too
<Dave-at-Bio> For the higher-level spells, we've tried to keep as close to the rules as possible.  PC's are going to have access to some very high-level (and, yes, instant-kill type) spells.  That said, we've tried to modify the AI of the enemy spellcasters so that they don't always pick the instant kill spells off the bat.  Disabling spells first, and if you haven't been able to take them out, then they will move on to the big guns.  To give you a chance, more o
<Dave-at-Bio> Done
* KevinMatBio giant carp slaps ben into next week
* KevinMatBio follows it up with a sturgeon to the groin
<MikeAtBio> Hey, wait.. I have access to the editors. =P
<Dave-at-Bio> (ahhh, I've been cut off.  Rats!  'to give you a chance, more of less' is how that ended.)
<Ilibard> <MageDragon> question: When will the final patch for the BG1's Directx 7 bug be released ?
<BenAtBioWare> I got it
<JamesAtBio> Ben is such a power gamer
<NathanAtBio> hehe.. what was your wisdom..3?
* KevinMatBio applauds James' brutal but necessary honesty
<BenAtBioWare> We have had a few problems with the pathc (obviously) and we are trying to get it sorted out ASAP.  The problem lies that it is not in our code (well, not all of it).  we will be trying to get it out ASAP, ans I DO apologise for the delay.
<BenAtBioWare> done
<Ilibard> <Aderianus> Question: Does the town of Nooberia as out lined on the council of Six message board have any chance at making it into the game? :)
<KevinMatBio> got it
* KevinMatBio shakes head in sadness
<Dave-at-Bio> Shadowspawn must be around...
<NathanAtBio> lol
<KevinMatBio> Yes, they're on the critical path
<MikeAtBio> lol
<LukeAtBio> woooo lordy, that would be a bloodbath.
<Dave-at-Bio> lol
<KevinMatBio> But seriously, noober is not in but he has family...
<KevinMatBio> Done :P
* NathanAtBio chuckles evily
<Ilibard> <Cruciform_bloodshot> Question: In BG1 multiplayer parties were limited to exploring within the same zone. Will in be possible in BG2 for one player to run back to town with the loot while the rest continue as a raiding party?
<KevinMatBio> got it
<Dave-at-Bio> Kevin hunts and pecks.  Give him a minute.
<KevinMatBio> This hasn't been changed for the sheer amount of problems that would arise source-wise however... cont'd
<MaeVar> I think the shopkeepers should come to you.
* LukeAtBio steps back from the line being drawn :)
* KevinMatBio gives quick flounder backhand to Dave
* Dave-at-Bio ducks and sticks out his tongue.  Nyah nyah!
<KevinMatBio> we had edited multiplayer in a number of ways. For example, no essential dialogue no longer pauses the game. People can shop independant of each other
<Dave-at-Bio> (nice double negatives, there, Kevin...)
<KevinMatBio> Etc., etc., multiplayer is lots and lots of fun
<KevinMatBio> Done
<LukeAtBio> non-essential, not no essential.
<Dave-at-Bio> And he's a writer, eh?
<KevinMatBio> Sorry ;(
<Ilibard> <Mithrandir> Question: Will the unit pathing be better?
* MaeVar juggles the witty comments
<KevinMatBio> mY nom isckt kEvIn. hookt on phinix workt for me
<NastyDave-at-Bio> got it!
<NastyDave-at-Bio> The pathing has been helped a lot by the fact that people in your way are 'bumped' aside, and then they move back to where they were.  Neither PC's nor NPC's will block you, now.  As for the character finding its way to where its going without taking the Latveria route, I think that's still being worked on.  It's all good.
<NastyDave-at-Bio> done
<Ilibard> <Mithrandir> Question: Have you changed much of the game because of player feedback?
<JamesAtBio> Got it!!!!!!!!!!
* MaeVar pushes James out of the way
<NastyDave-at-Bio> (...and James dives in, sliding into third...)
* NathanAtBio gives James a quick boot
* MikeAtBio waves at Marc
<JamesAtBio> All of the designers visit the board regularly to see what people want in the game.  If I don't see something, Dave G will always bring people's requests to my attention.  
<NastyDave-at-Bio> (with a bullet)
<MaeVar> Then I have to change something
<KevinMatBio> Dave's official position is message board flunky
<NathanAtBio> hehe...right between the eyes.. oop.. quiet thought
<MikeAtBio> Like more Katanas...
<JamesAtBio> We've haven't done any major changes due to board requests, but we have made many tweaks.
* KevinMatBio gets mike with a quick jab with a two-handed guppie +2
<NastyDave-at-Bio> Ack!  Outrage!
<JamesAtBio> We also based many of the features of BG2 off of what people had requested during the development of BG1.
* KevinMatBio waves a angel fish dangerously close to Dave's typing fingers
* NathanAtBio runs screaming from the room "AARRRRrrggg... make the CD burning stop!!!"
<JamesAtBio> That didn't make it into BG1 that is.
<JamesAtBio> Done
<ScottLatBio> Dave, send the office ninga after him he deserves it.
<Ilibard> <Kaiosh> Will bards have more thieving skills than pickpocketing or any new bard skills?
<MaeVar> That's what I want...
* NastyDave-at-Bio wonders where one gets ahold of a ninga...
<NathanCDs> ninja.. J not G :P
<LukeAtBio> Got it...
<ScottLatBio> That's not what his name tag says. 
* NastyDave-at-Bio sets Kevin's foot on fire with a blowtorch.
* KevinMatBio sprays fishy water on fit, bringing relief at last
* KevinMatBio says that he meant to type foot, not fit
<LukeAtBio> gak... one sec
* NastyDave-at-Bio thinks Kevin has fingers similar to Jan's...
* NastyDave-at-Bio clarifies: short, stubby and unable to type at anything past a snail's pace...
<LukeAtBio> Bards will have their songs become significantly more powerful, as well as haveing access to teh myriad of mage spells we have added.  They also have several kits that expand on their abilities, but no, they won't be getting expanded thieving skills.
<MaeVar> :(
<LukeAtBio> done
<Ilibard> <Mithrandir> Question: How many joinable NPC's will there be? And will most of them use kits?
<KevinMatBio> Luke is a writer too but the typos.. the typos!
<NastyDave-at-Bio> got it!
<NastyDave-at-Bio> There are sixteen total joinable NPC's, with five of them coming from BG1.  Some of them have kits, sure, as well as their own unique items and abilities.  We aren't saying what, though... it's to be a surprise.  :)
<NastyDave-at-Bio> done
<Ilibard> <Mithrandir> Question: How will the difficulty be? Will it continiue where BG left off, or will it be easier to allow new players to get into the game?
<Doug-BlackIsle> Mine
<NastyDave-at-Bio> nick Xena-at-Bioware
<NastyDave-at-Bio> thpppffT
* KevinMatBio sees Dave's plan and laughs
<NastyDave-at-Bio> I suck
<NastyDave-at-Bio> :)
<Doug-BlackIsle> We will be including a tutorial that will allow novice players to acclimate themselves with the AD&D system and how BG2 uses it.  This should help out the novice player.  We have also included the option to create a brand new character so that said novices can begin the game fresh.  Returning players will be able to import their characters from BG1 and even be able to fit them into the various kits we have included in BG2.
<Doug-BlackIsle> Done
<JamesAtBio> We've kept the critical path at a reasonable difficulty level.  For those who want really tough encounters, there are many 'optional' encounters scattered about the game that will give them a run for their money.
<Ilibard> <Mithrandir> Question: Will the game be released later in Europe than in the US?
<LukeAtBio> ben?
<KevinMatBio> Chris?
<MaeVarBondari> Mom?
<Doug-BlackIsle> I'll take it.
* NastyDave-at-Bio wonders at all the echoes...
<JamesAtBio> Dad?
<LukeAtBio> Mclousd!
<LukeAtBio> whoop
<BenAtBioWare> Sorry, installing the new build to my laptop =)]
<Doug-BlackIsle> We are trying for a simultaneous release for all of the various language versions of BG2.
<Doug-BlackIsle> Done
<BenAtBioWare> And yes, more than likely a DVD as well
<KevinMatBio> And commodore 64 port
<KevinMatBio> (Atari could be as much as a year later)
<NastyDave-at-Bio> Oo! Sprites!
<Ilibard> <morte> Question : 1)Will the player be penalized for playing on the path of evil? 2) Is there a distinctive storyline for evil parties?
<KevinMatBio> Sorry, sprites were cut for atari port
<NastyDave-at-Bio> got it (again)
<NastyDave-at-Bio> There are consequences to evil actions, especially psychotic ones.  Expect to be punished should you go too far.  That said, there is far more leeway in BG2 for players to have evil motivations.  While there is not a whole seperate story for an evil path, there are far more options for players to take an evil route.
<NastyDave-at-Bio> Every quest will allow for an evil and good (and sometimes other types) path, to give the player as many options as possible.  There is still a critical path, however, and still an overall story that we are involving the player in.
<NastyDave-at-Bio> done
<Ilibard> <RadRaceR> Is BG coming out for the PlayStation in June?  I heard a rumour that it was cancelled a few weeks ago, but I haven't heard anything since, and all the major online vendors are still taking orders for the game (Amazon, Gamestop, etc.).  Can you clear it up?  :)
<MikeAtBio> Ben?
<ScottLatBio> Ben??
<BIS_Parker> I got this...I think.
<BenAtBioWare> go ahead Parker
<BIS_Parker> The last I heard they were still working on this, and as far as I know this hasn't changed.
<buce> I have more on that
<BIS_Parker> There were a number of technology issues they were still working out last I heard, but its not dead.  
<BIS_Parker> Done
<BIS_Parker> I wish I had more info, but that's about all I got...sorry.
<buce> Parker is typing more on this
<BIS_Parker> No, that actually was the entire wealth of information that I know about it.
<Ilibard> <FlatLine1> question: is anything being done to make the experience of replayability better? for example would playing the game as good and then as evil have a very different experience?
<BIS_Parker> ;)
<JamesAtBio> Got it
* Dave-at-Bio is suddenly overwhelmed by deja vu...
<JamesAtBio> The game will have much more replayability that the original BG.  Not only will the gmae be different depending uponwhich alignment youplay, but there will be quests only available to certain classes (such as the stronghold quests)
<KevinMatBio> let me add to that
<JamesAtBio> The game is so large, with so much to explore, that you'll probably see less than half of it on your first time through.
<ScottLatBio> THe game has amazing replayability.  I've been playing the game for five months,(Taking all alingment paths available) and am excited about playing every day.
<KevinMatBio> Also, NPCs that join your party each have unique quests that expand their characters. You can only see these by playing with each of the characters
* BenAtBioWare thinks that ScottL is drunk form all the times he plays BG2
<KevinMatBio> As well as each class, kit, alignment etc.
<KevinMatBio> Done
<Ilibard> ...and that will do it for this week's chat with the Baldur's Gate 2 team.  I'd like to extend a huge thanks to all the folks from Bioware and Black Isle for taking time out of their day to drop by and chat with us.
<Doug-BlackIsle> Take care.
<BenAtBioWare> Not a problem, Many thanks for having us
<BIS_Parker> Thanks folks.
<Ilibard> Thanks again, and stay tuned to rpgvault.ign.com for more info on Baldur's Gate 2 and many other upcoming RPGs!
<Dave-at-Bio> See you on the boards!
<buce> Look forward to another chat in May 
* BenAtBioWare braces for the onslaught of windows about to pop up
<Ilibard> The channel will now be unmoderated.  Thanks for dropping by, and hopefully we'll see you next month!
*** Ilibard sets mode: -m