Official Baldur's Gate II chat at IGN July 20, 2000 at host17.webmaster.com, room #ignvault Edited log prepared by Silverdawn of Baldur's Gate Chronicles (http://www.bgchronicles.com) In attendance were: BioWare: BenAtBioWare - Ben Smedstad (Producer) NathanAtBioWare - Nathan Plewes (Line Producer) KevinMatBio - Kevin Martens (Co-Lead Designer) Luke_Bioware - Luke Kristjanson (Senior Writer/Designer) BradAtBioWare - Brad Grier (Communication Manager) DeanAtBioware - Dean Andersen (Senior Artist) DerrickAtBioWare - Derrick Collins (Quality Assurance) RayAtBio - Ray Muzyka (Joint CEO) Zarth - Michael Geist (Designer/Scriptor) ScottLatBioware - Scott Langevin (Lead QA) DaveCAtBioWare - Dave Chan (Sound Engineer) MarciaAtBioware - Marcia Tofer (Art Director) JohnGBio - John Gallagher (Director of Conceptual Art) Marc_BioWare - Marc Audy (Tools Progammer) Rob_BioWare - Rob Boyd (Programmer) MarkAtBIO - Mark Darrah (Lead Programmer) PaulAtBioware - Paul Roffel (Programmer) Black Isle: buce - Lisa Bucek (PR Director) BIS_Avery - Doug Avery (Associate Producer) BIS_Darren - Darren Monahan (Associate Producer, Icewind Dale) Valen and Jonric are the moderators from IGN. Dean Andersen, Senior Artist Ben Smedstad, Producer, BioWare Ray, co-exec producer, joint CEO at BioWare Ray<---------------- the big cheese =) Swiss, hopefully :) Swiss Chess that is :) Ray<------ drinks Coke and Orange Juice... *shudder* Cheese I mean. Scott Langevin, QA BGII I think that covers everyone so first question As with previous chats it would be great if a person is going to answer a question, call it. (real question) Once BGII is completed, will any of the BGII team go to work with the NWN team? yup (that was my answer) Heh, that was a quicky :) yes indeed. I already am in a limited measure. Is BGII seperated into Areas, like BG1, and if so, how does their size compare to those of Bg1? Got it QA is on every team sooner or later :) and please say done or ga when you've finished answering Got it Dropped it. :P Yes, like BG, the map is seperated into Master Areas with sub-areas and interiors within. The areas are the same size as those in BG but, in general... have more interiors, dungeons, sub-areas etc. Done how are the graphics going to be inporved? Got It 3D accelation, 800 x 600 resolution The Backgrounds have been improved As have the animations There are new Gui panels. In addition these panels can be dropped to play full screen. And other stuff GA done? He means done. (aka Go Ahead) Go MaeVar, go! <_Inder> Do the artists at BioWare use 3D Studio MAX now exclusively over Lightwave? * Valen_IGN chuckles got it **We interrupt this chat for a channel takeover ** yup What is the point of having the Group Infravision button on the main screen? I have the button is almost always on so why not have it in the options screen ? If you're refering to the new button in the toolbar, it is actually the 'rest' button, it was moved to the main screen to make resting easier. It is in the option screen Ok then The Baldurs Gate II symbol is it the symbol of the Godess Waukeen? Got it. No. The symbolism in the icon will be revealed in playing the game. Done. Has the 16 item inventory limit been removed? Got it You will be restricted by 16 slots and a weight allowance. We have added scroll cases as well as gem bags These two things help alot done Plus bags of holding...if you can find one they're great. Can you tell us some about the music and if there is anywhere besides the German stie to hear samples. Thanks Ben's all sad, he's been banned *grin*...who needs a producer anyways.... haha Hehe HEY!!' He shouldn't be banned, tell him to try again. Yeah Rob, that should be 'Who Needs Producers'... The musician is the same composer as in BG1, and the music is fantastic from the tracks I've heard thus far. nod nathan....or "that producer" Any possibility of a linux bg2 port? lol The musician's name is Michael Hoenig, I think. Ports to other OS'es are possible, but are not being done internally at BioWare. So the answer is ..maybe ..heh, sorry..GA I noticed portrats from origion BG in BG2 screenshots, are these repeat characters or reuse of artwork on diff NPC's? Got it Hey Doug, miss real beer yet? All characters have new portraits. The old portraits will be available as well. Many portraits are still going through final tweaking. AKA, the screenshots had placeholder art (portraits) You'll be able to see more and more new portraits in screennshots that come out in the next couple of months. Screen shots were taken when a majority of the final wern't yet complete. A note, we do have a testing party that is often used for making screenshots. The characters in this party do not always represent actual characters in the game. For which I'm sorry <--- did a good chunck of the screen shots Alora is on a testing party, for example, though she cannot join your party in BGII. Done Are there any plans to add psionics to Bg2 or any future games? if so how would you implement them? Got it. We have a limited amount of psionics in BGII (mindflayers and such). At present, players cannot use them. As for future games, I don't know at this time. Done Will BG 2 be tied into NWN at all? Or is the only similarity going to be they are both set in the Forgotten Realms? I suppose I could answer this one, too.\ afk Storywise, the two are seperate. We're still talking about the transfer of BG characters into NWN. There are some complications such as the complete 3E rules overhaul, etc. More in this as NWN progresses. Done I'm concerned about the mutliplayer code..will it be a big improvement over BG 1? More than a few of my friends want to get together and play the game together from beginning to end as a group, but lag and other issues made the first game not the most multiplayer friendly environment...will this one do much better? Since no one else will, I've got it We're adding anumber of improvements to multiplayer such as stores and minor dialog no longer pausing the game for every player. no come back come back! As to lag and connectivity issues, we've got 2 full-time programmers, 1 designers, and a slew of testers doing nothing but multiplayer tests and tweaks. Rob Boyd (the new one *grin*) We'll do our absolute best to make multiplayer run smooth. We're working hard on it! Done MP is actually coming along quite well now...much more stable in the past week in particular. InBG2 will you be able to talk with NPC in your party? Got it The NPCs have personalities lightyears beyond those of the previous game. They interject in conversations, act on their own values and beliefs... Lightyears is a sci-fi term! its not sci-fi it's science fiction nerdlinger Banter with each other, with you, with NPCs... They have romances and lives outside of your group. They talk to you quite a bit. nyuk:) Kind of like John and Mark. If I might interject, we have just finished going over the voice over for BG2 and it's substantially more than BG1 I'd say more than twice the number of lines Bite Me. Artist boy. they're having a romance?!?...this explains much As I said, kind of like John and Mark...urk <-- Is putting them in as we speak... Did ray just call me a nerdlinger? No, that was JohnG Mark :) On an NPC related note, where appropriate (as in NOT in the mines you're about to flood), you can ask them to stay put outside of your party. Oh. Yes John is my sweetie. And an awesome variety of voice acting to boot shhh You can use this time to check out another prospective party memeber, fight a dangerous battle etc. Done its an internet secret What of initiative? Will initiative be a factor? And if it is, how will it be implemented (3 versions in the PHB: Standard, Individual, and group) . Initiative is vital to any PnP game, but will BG2 incorporate it? Me. Initiative is incorporated and is done individually. Done. * NathanAtBioWare sighs Will kits special abilities such as Blade's weapon display & offensive/defensive spin be implemented? * DaveCAtBio pokes Nathan with a +2 pointy stick Yes. Oh. Gotit Done. so sayeth the man of many words...Mark What do you feel is most important, story, graphics, or sound in a RPG game? Sound ;) so sayeth the sound engineer And I'm not biased at all Story for me. for me I think it's the underlying code base ;) Also are items going to be randomized ala IWD? Got it. Items are randomized to a point (more) \mode +o MARC_BIOWARE All kidding aside I think it's that indefinable blend of all of the above that makes a great RPG, that's what's so cool about working at BioWare is they care about all the aspects of the game Aside from an immersive storyline, servicable art and compelling gameplay, the gamebox has to have a face on it or I won't buy it hahahahaha....mark is a lean mean two-fingered typing machine....go mark!! * DaveCAtBio thinks if his face was on the box it would be a deterent Unique items are carefully placed and balanced. Generic weapons, items, treasure, some scrolls, magic items, are randomly placed. The answer is: yes and no Done ahhhh, finally What Ideas if any were borrowed from Torment or IwD in BG2? For art---none that I can think of offhand Do I have to answer everything? * KevinMatBio sighs got it Forgotten Realms is a different intellectual property than Planescape, hence a different look yes kevin, you are the answering machine We share some spells with IWD, and they shared some with BG2. Same is true of some monsters and creatures. oooh, ray got it :) Done? Or is Kevin still typing Will characters under the infulence of invisiblity/hide in shadows have a portrait icon showing they are under that status? It would make determining whether a thief is hidden or not much easier . . . I was thinking of adding one just today. Done [ka] Guest30870 is now known as Battusai What about the priest Kit dilemma, will they be able to choose a kit at the beginning of the game or sometime during the game? Got it. * DaveCAtBio points at Nathan *sigh* I hate these damn things The kit is chosen at the beginning. The player must still prove him/herself to the local church. Hehehehehe, awww you love it, admit it! Done Will NPC's accually leave your party if your reputation differs too much from thier alignment? Got it Not only will they leave they leave in a huff :) In extreme cases, they will leave and possibly try to kill you. Paladins get especially huffy in certain scenarios. Nathan, you're out of control. More often, they will warn you, plead with you, threaten etc. Give him a little power... You have to really be a jerk (or a saint for the evil NPCs) to have them leave. Done. yeah, i guess this is his revenge for being mauled when he brings the food in Can we return to the city of Baldur's Gate even though the main action is in Amn? No. It's an all new game, with all new stuff :) He doesn't get mauled when he brings in the food, it's when we're waiting for it! There's lots of new places to go. LOTS of new places. There's tons of new... everything! well, that's true, tho sometimes he doesn't get out of the way fast enough LOTS and LOTS of new places You won't miss Baldur's Gate after spending some time in Athkatla! Will there be any weather effects, such as rain and snow? Done More new places than you can shake a stick at! Yes. i don't know, i can shake a stick at alot of things Weather, including rain, snow and lightning Done. Is Amn a larger area than was in BG1 or smaller? Especially at Nathan when we're waiting for food? Got it Roughly the same size Gotta run, been nice chatting folks Thanks for coming Dave Athkatla is far more populated though That said, there is a lot more to do in the average area. There is an immense amount of action, story, drama etc in each area An insane amount actually Ooooh And we have bunnies! definately...I've probably put in about 60+ hours and am still roaming around chapter 2 ane moose And moose! and pheasants and chickens Too many bloody bunnies if you ask me! And squirrel and deer done And moose and squirrel ground hogs Done Will we be able to travel as far north as Nashkell since it is armed by amnish soldiers? If not, how far north can we go? And cow and chicken! gee...can you tell we're in crunch time?.....who needs sleep Yeah that'll get everyone buying the game Sleep? What's that? As with the BG question, it's all new baby! sleep? the hell you talkin bout willis? Done Gary Coleman never said hell note - the artists have really outdone themselves with the backgrounds... just you wait! he did call Willis his ***** tho Hmm, too many replies, none of them nice! Athkatla is roughly the tip of the map Huh? What of diseases? I think I remember hearing that they were going to be in (on the old BG2 boards), but it was pretty shady back then. Any news on this? The tip? Just south of the cloud peaks Got it Only disease I can think of is addiction FOR the game... Not sure what you mean by diseases. Random rampant black plague? No. Plots with the theme? Yes. Disease related spells and what not? Yes is caffine addiction a disease? cause if so, i'm afflicted Done Tell us more about the new Monk Class. It's some sort of Kung fu class? If so, are they not going to lack the benefit of magical weapons? Everybody was kung fu fighting... Monks will be able to use certain weapons..but they also get more powerful with their fists as they go up levels Just answer the question... (poopoo head...) um..not sure...which rob is the rob? there are 3 of us here now... when you're attacked by ninjas... Done? doh...don't know how to reply to provate messages... A monks hands and feet act as magical weapons at higher levels. They have quivering palm and stunnning blow attacks (and so on). They are, indeed, good at battle! Done Since they have a kick animation I can't help but think of them being related to Kung Fu.. Done Will you actions from a imported BG1 savegame relfect in BG2? Like killing certain NPCs that normaly would return in BG2? Mark...? Paul...? uh... me? Got it We do import some specific globals. Thanks! *Jonric* hey how's the new job going? finding it different full time? Sorry, was afk, There are some things that get imported when you import from a saved game, but when importing from a character file, these will be ignored. Done Will BGII use more pre rendered cinematics, and/or in-engine cinematics? Got it Drat! BG2 uses a lot of in game cimematics BUT also has a bunch of pre rendered ones. We have many in-game movies, cutscenes etc Hmm, so the answer is both then. Yessir *Gromnir* has anybody asked a good question yet? you are an astute one aren't ya paul Scott out, See ya folks. Good night Scott. Thanks for coming out. In what ways will be the AI enhanced? Will the enemies learn to attack as a group or can we still clear them one by one? Got it. Gotta go all have a little one on the warpath Later There are a bunch more Actions thanks john Gees, I can't go afk for a SECOND without getting hacked on! In addition group scripting is exactly 1000 times better. No more picking off the straglers. Except with stupid monsters... they're stupid Actually, on my last count, it was more like 1473 times better, but that's a loose figure. How many writers do you have working on this game and how long did it take to write it. Kevin? Got it We have 2 full-time writers and 3 part-time writers. We've been working on it since shortly after BG1 was released. We finished the majority of it at the beginning of this year. Done. Are there multiple paths to beat the game?(not sidequests, different ways to beat game) Got it. With a stick, an inanimate carbon rod, a bigger stick, and a REALLY big stick! are you sure you're alright there paul? Nope Yes. Primarily, it is the difference between good and evil. Many critical path plots (in addition to sidequests) have multiple endings. Not even close! It may happen in the same place but why you're there and what you're trying to do can be drastically different. At one major part on the critical path, you are doing completely different things in completely different areas. Also... There are some areas in the game that you can only see by making a choice at one of the chokepoints. Done. Alright folks, 5 more minutes. does the bg2 story and gameplay focus on a 'main character' as did bg1? Yes. He is an important guy. got it There is are multiple options to choose from at various points in the game Yes, the story is a direct continuation of the BG1 story. It takes place a short time later. The main plot actually has different branches, it goes many different ways..Very cool The babarian class. Can you guys tell us anything about it? That certainly doesn't mean that other players in multiplayer have nothing to do! Oh, will they ever be busy little bees :P The player may choose to know or not know old Npc's etc. done Got it --> the barbarian question Have to go. Thanks all :) Good night Dean. lalalalalalalalalalalalalala kevin types slow... aaah....but does he use more than 3 fingers? And I only use 2 fingers The barbarian is a fighter with a more balanced (and savage!) approach to battle. Define Balanced... Ooooh, we're ALL impressed at Mark's swankin' typin' skills! He/she has a slightly different set of skills, less specialized, more rage :P Thank you thank uyou. [ka] Guest96140 is now known as Bard Kevin, you still talking about barbarians? or Mark? It's close to the barbarian class from the Handbook in second edition. DOne I'll guess we'll close with the token "When can we expect to see BG2 on store shelves" question :) I'm guessing shortly after they put it there. We'll close with the token answer - when it's done ;) Good answer :) Unless you have a visual problem that is... It's in final QA now...should be this fall. Aw, Ray, that's not a token answer The game is awesome, by the way... I play it every night. Thanks to everyone from BioWare and Black Isle, and to all of you great BG fans for attending. Sorry again for the disruption. Am completely addicted. Have spent over 200 hours thus far :) LOL, NP. it comes with the territory. Thanks for having us And everyone have a good night Thanks guys! Thanks for having us! ah ray, our faithful leader