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rodrigo_la · Jun 3, 2002, 01:39 PM

I don't know about you guys but I've been eagerly awaiting Neverwinter. As far as I know it's still coming out for the Mac at the same time as the PC version. And it's coming out on the 15th!

mac freak · Jun 3, 2002, 05:41 PM

As in OF JUNE?!
I didn't know it was nearly that near!
EDIT: Hmm... I've checked all the online stores, and yes, it will be released sometime between 6/14 and 6/18, but nowhere was it listed as a hybrid game (Mac/PC on the same disc).
Will there be a separate Mac version at launch, or later, or will the game available from EB World in two weeks be dual platform?

[ 06-03-2002, 06:48 PM: Message edited by: mac freak ]

Jun 3, 2002, 10:49 PM

Bioware is looking for a Mac publisher. Either Aspyr or Macsoft I think. But the tools that come with the PC version won't be in the Mac. Although I read that Aspyr or Macsoft would probably port them over.

But I don't think it will be a hybrid CD.

By the way, the are also made it for Linux.

macrophyllum · Jun 4, 2002, 10:23 AM

Wow, that is much sooner than I thought. I am excited! I am just about to finish Icewind Dale.

macaddled · Jun 4, 2002, 04:44 PM

Well, the NWN FAQ still says it's gonna be a Win/Lin/Mac hybrid CD. No retailers are saying that though. Confusion reigns supreme at the NWN forum:

<a href="http://nwn.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=30429&forum=7&highlig ht=hybrid" target="_blank">NWN forum</a>

but perhaps by the time you click, someone from Bioware will have swooped down and answered all questions.

warpmoon · Jun 4, 2002, 05:50 PM

There is no release date....

Let me say that again:

There is no release date, there is no release date, there is no release date, none whatsoever.

T h e r e i s n o r e l e a s e d a t e period

What the stores say is their GUESS, nothing more. Even if the publisher gives you a date, it is their best GUESS...

No one, even not Bioware knows for sure, which is the reason why they time and time again state that it will be released when it's done.

The official word is that the *target release date* is sometime this summer.

Read about it yourself at <a href="http://nwn.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=12219&forum=2" target="_blank">this official announcement</a>.

echoes · Jun 5, 2002, 07:40 AM

I hope the tools are ported. It seems like most of the point of the game would be lost if they're not?

warpmoon · Jun 5, 2002, 11:25 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by echoes:
I hope the tools are ported. It seems like most of the point of the game would be lost if they're not?<hr /></blockquote>Yep, no matter how much Bioware wants to make you think that the Tools "is not one of the big things" about this game, it is. Heck, even if you don't DM, you have a great need of the Toolset if you wish to customize your character. (say, craft a special weapon, make you own unique outfit, etc)

The whole Toolset thing is really a bit amusing, since when Bioware first stated that there wouldn't be a mac/linux toolset, they said that just that (ie, that it wasn't such a big deal and the toolset isn't really all that important) yet, whenever they get a chance in various interviews, they brag about the power of the Toolset, and how it can do almost anything you want, (well, kinda) while avoiding to talk about the issue listed above, namely the inability to make even basic changes to your characters items without the Toolset....something PC-users are taking for granted.

rodrigo_la · Jun 5, 2002, 12:28 PM

Hmmm... the toolset is bad news indeed. I totally agree, that as far as this game is concerned, the toolset IS half the game. I mean, in regular pen and paper D&D, half the gaming is home-crafted. On the postitive side, at least we are getting to PLAY on the same day as PC users. That's at least moving us in the right direction. Plus we can join any game and download modules created with the toolset.

One more thing about the release date. OK, there may not be an OFFICIAL date set, but I read a story that came straight from Bioware from E3 about Atari being the distributor and the game set to ship 'next month'.

Go to the link below. Unfortunately, the story has been locked out of non-subscribers, but at least the headline will tell you what I'm talking about. It's the 3rd story from the top:
<a href="http://gamespot.com/gamespot/filters/products/news/0,11101,188666,00.html" target="_blank">http://gamespot.com/gamespot/filters/products/news/0,11101,188666,00.html</a>

macaddled · Jun 5, 2002, 02:41 PM

You should go check the NWN forums again. Bioware has said they're shooting for end of June and all the stores are taking pre-orders for the 18th. What exactly it is remains to be seen...

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by warpmoon:
There is no release date....

Let me say that again:

There is no release date, there is no release date, there is no release date, none whatsoever.

T h e r e i s n o r e l e a s e d a t e period

What the stores say is their GUESS, nothing more. Even if the publisher gives you a date, it is their best GUESS...

No one, even not Bioware knows for sure, which is the reason why they time and time again state that it will be released when it's done.

The official word is that the *target release date* is sometime this summer.

Read about it yourself at <a href="http://nwn.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=12219&forum=2" target="_blank">this official announcement</a>.<hr /></blockquote>

macaddled · Jun 5, 2002, 02:45 PM

Btw, the lack of the toolset on Mac is due, according to Bioware, to a compiler by Borland not being ready/available, not a lack of interest. I think once that issue is solved then the toolset for mac can happen.

Bendejo · Jun 5, 2002, 03:27 PM

okay, I know that Virtual PC is far too slow to run games, but what about the toolset? Theoretically one is not zooming wildly about at 60 fps when crafting a dungeon, so a little clunkiness should be acceptable. Is there some concern regarding hardware accelleration or some such thing that would prevent using VPC to utilize the tools?

macaddled · Jun 5, 2002, 04:44 PM

I could be wrong but my impression is that the toolset requires OpenGL, which is not supported by VPC.

echoes · Jun 5, 2002, 07:26 PM

Yeah I watched last years E3 vids of the tools and I vaguely remember them having a 3D viewport rendering the dungeons you make (like in Morrowind's tools if anyone has seen that).

warpmoon · Jun 6, 2002, 11:19 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by macaddled:
You should go check the NWN forums again. Bioware has said they're shooting for end of June and all the stores are taking pre-orders for the 18th. What exactly it is remains to be seen...

<hr /></blockquote>Sure, they are "shooting" for an end of June release, they think that it'd be great to release it then, but it is far from certain, which is exactly what I wanted to address with my first post. Until they know for certain, there won't be an official statement about it. (the "end of june"-one isn't)

If people who have never been to the NWN forums come here and read about the game, noticing that it is supposedly going to be released on the 15th or whatever, they will be let down when it isn't, same thing about the "end of june"-date, that's only a guess from the dev team and should be treated as such.

And yes, the reason for there not being a Toolset for mac/linux in the first place is due to the lack of the RAD environment, Borland C++, on those platforms. Bioware have stated that they had a contingency planned, but it fell through, so indeed, they wanted to have a Toolset for all platforms, but they don't. And their excuses when they dropped the mac/linux versions were misleading.

But who knows, *maybe* they will manage to come up with a Mac/linux version sometime after the release....maybe.

Also, as mentioned by someone else here, VPC will not work, since it has no support for 3D, something both the Toolset and Modelviewer require.

Edit: fixed the quote

[ 06-06-2002, 12:21 PM: Message edited by: warpmoon ]

voodoo · Jun 7, 2002, 10:35 AM

I think it's *so* great that Infogrames are going to publish NWN under the Atari label. I used to own an ST way back when and it will be nice to see their name and logo agen <sigh>

Atari used to produce incredible games in it's day, Pole position, etc.

I was looking forward to NWN, but now it has become an absolute must to own.

Whheeee!! <giggling incoherently>

rodrigo_la · Jun 10, 2002, 03:24 PM

Well, we don't have a release date yet, but we're getting closer... I think definately in the next week or two. A quick update for you guys:
<a href="http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2870121,00.html" target="_blank">http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2870121,00.html</a>

warpmoon · Jun 11, 2002, 03:31 AM

Personally, I would *estimate* that the game will go gold within a months time.

1-2 weeks is slightly too soon...but who knows. (certainly not Gamespot!)

macaddled · Jun 11, 2002, 05:09 PM

NEVERWINTER NIGHTS AFTER FIVE LONG YEARS HAS FINALLY GONE GOLD!!!

<a href="http://nwn.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=40547&forum=7" target="_blank">NWN forum announcement</a>

edit: Buuuut, the long-promised hybrid CD is apparently not happening. It's very confusing ... the FAQ still says hybrid CD, there have been numerous threads asking about it, but nowhere has Bioware answered.

Now, the press release only mentions the PC version and says that Linux gamers will require a later download. But no mention AT ALL of the Mac.

edit 2:
<a href="http://www.insidemacgames.com/news/story.php?ArticleID=5588" target="_blank">curiouser and curiouser</a>

[ 06-11-2002, 07:06 PM: Message edited by: macaddled ]

mac freak · Jun 11, 2002, 09:57 PM

I may need to shoot myself if this game does not come out this month.
<img border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" title="" src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" title="" src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" title="" src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" />

I'VE WAITED TOO LONG.

macaddled · Jun 12, 2002, 11:29 AM

rodrigo_la · Jun 12, 2002, 11:57 AM

Awwww, CRAP! The official Mac publisher story can also be seen here:
<a href="http://www.bioware.com/bioware_info/press_releases/nwnmac/" target="_blank">http://www.bioware.com/bioware_info/press_releases/nwnmac/</a>

Bad news: No NWN for us until 'fall'
Good news: I guess the Aurora toolset IS being ported
Bad news: NO NWN FOR US UNTIL 'FALL' !!!

macaddled · Jun 12, 2002, 01:12 PM

I just registered to do a little mild complaining. (I've lurked extensively there for a long time.)

<a href="http://nwn.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=40561&forum=7&sp=105" target="_blank">NWN forum: Has the Mac version gone gold too?</a>

mac freak · Jun 12, 2002, 02:10 PM

$%@^$%$(^&%)*(^&(*&^(&^%^&%#%$ #!%#$E*^&%*(&^)(*&(*&^&*^$%!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

macaddled · Jun 12, 2002, 02:58 PM

Gah, I just had to come here to vent. Everyone there refuses to get the point. "Of course they had to do this, they're a business. Macs are an insignificant portion of their sales, are they going to hold up release for you?"

As if anyone who plays Mac games expects equal treatment, and doesn't understand that PC boxes make more money.

But Bioware's ridiculous treatment of Mac and Linux users, making us figure out that there was no simultaneous release by reading between the lines of their triumphant 'gone gold' press release. Jerks, passive-aggressive jerks. I'll still buy the damn thing but for god's sake, why do they have to be such assh0les?

edit: added 'simultaneous', kind of important, don't you think?

[ 06-12-2002, 03:59 PM: Message edited by: macaddled ]

goatnet · Jun 12, 2002, 03:18 PM

Will Jaguar come out before NWN or will NWN get ported before Jaguar?

Any bets?

G Barnett · Jun 12, 2002, 05:31 PM

My take is that the good news --the toolset-- outweighs the bad news by a LONGSHOT. My entire personal hope for this game was "hold off on release until you can give us the toolset at the same time, DAMMIT." While I'm still somewhat bummed that it won't happen simultaneously with the PC version, I am far more elated by the thought of having a full, complete game --toolset included-- when I lay down my 60 bucks in September or so.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Rather than see NWN released for Mac as just a client in the PC box, we've opted to license the Mac rights so that we can bring NWN-in its entirety-to Mac users. We are awaiting receipt of the toolset code so that we can assess the cost of porting the tools. Currently, our intent is to offer the toolset to Mac users. --Al Schilling, MacSoft<hr /></blockquote>This was not Bioware's decision. MacSoft made the choice to hold off the release so that we can have the whole game. If you want to bitch at anyone, they're the ones who are responsible for the delay. Me, I'm applauding them because they recognize that many folks will not accept an incomplete product.

The toolset is not an inconsequential piece of this product. It has been from the outset plugged and promoted as equal to and in some ways more important than the client portions. I was furious when I found out they'd chosen a production environment that didn't support cross-plat development for the toolset. NWN would not be complete without it and should not be shipped without it. MacSoft has recognized that fact.

Take your time and do it RIGHT. That should always be the first priority of any producer. Hell, look what happened with Myth III and it's hideously rushed schedule.

G Barnett

(edit -- added MacSoft quote)

[ 06-12-2002, 06:35 PM: Message edited by: G Barnett ]

Chimpmaster · Jun 12, 2002, 06:13 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by G Barnett:
My take is that the good news --the toolset-- outweighs the bad news by a LONGSHOT. My entire personal hope for this game was "hold off on release until you can give us the toolset at the same time, DAMMIT." While I'm still somewhat bummed that it won't happen simultaneously with the PC version, I am far more elated by the thought of having a full, complete game --toolset included-- when I lay down my 60 bucks in September or so.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Rather than see NWN released for Mac as just a client in the PC box, we've opted to license the Mac rights so that we can bring NWN-in its entirety-to Mac users. We are awaiting receipt of the toolset code so that we can assess the cost of porting the tools. Currently, our intent is to offer the toolset to Mac users. --Al Schilling, MacSoft<hr /></blockquote>This was not Bioware's decision. MacSoft made the choice to hold off the release so that we can have the whole game. If you want to bitch at anyone, they're the ones who are responsible for the delay. Me, I'm applauding them because they recognize that many folks will not accept an incomplete product.

The toolset is not an inconsequential piece of this product. It has been from the outset plugged and promoted as equal to and in some ways more important than the client portions. I was furious when I found out they'd chosen a production environment that didn't support cross-plat development for the toolset. NWN would not be complete without it and should not be shipped without it. MacSoft has recognized that fact.

Take your time and do it RIGHT. That should always be the first priority of any producer. Hell, look what happened with Myth III and it's hideously rushed schedule.

G Barnett

(edit -- added MacSoft quote)<hr /></blockquote>I agree totally. What makes neverwinter so special is the toolset. Without it its just a new adventure in the baldurs gate series, really.

Its going to be so cool playing an infinite number of customised modules (my god remember that term from paper d&d) with others online. Also making your own adventures will be awesome.

One thing though, I hope to hell that the mac release isnt mac only play like bg2, aoe 2, icewind etc etc. That would suck because there are never enough people playing rpgs on gameranger.

macaddled · Jun 12, 2002, 08:01 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by G Barnett:
My take is that the good news --the toolset-- outweighs the bad news by a LONGSHOT. <hr /></blockquote>Ugh, of course you're right. It's just frustrating. I've had time to calm down (and a workout always helps!) ... if only the World Cup lasted another two months, then I'd be set.

SirCastor · Jun 12, 2002, 08:37 PM

The concern I think is ultimately what if MacSoft decides that the toolset is too costly to port, or unreasonable?
Then we wait 2 months for what we could have gotten today..

I would have been much happier to have the game when PC players get it, and wait 2 months to get the toolset (as a download, or a mail CD).

I'm probably going to be spending that long on the single player campaign anyway...

-Aaron

mac freak · Mar 30, 2003, 11:46 PM

What's funny is that it's still not out.

proux · Mar 31, 2003, 12:14 PM

I will not by this game.
No toolset, 6 months late, that is sooo lame.

And BG2: Throne of Bhaal still not ported. Yeah sometimes it sucks being on a Mac.
At least we got JKII and Mohha on a decent schedule.

voodoo · Mar 31, 2003, 05:01 PM

<sigh> I will probably not buy this game either. I would (if it ever comes out) but I don't have the machinepower to run it.

juanvaldes · Mar 31, 2003, 05:33 PM

Originally posted by voodoo:
<sigh> I will probably not buy this game either. I would (if it ever comes out) but I don't have the machinepower to run it.

by the time it comes out you will

voodoo · Mar 31, 2003, 07:18 PM

Originally posted by juanvaldes:
by the time it comes out you will

proux · Apr 1, 2003, 11:21 AM

LOL

bousozoku · Apr 2, 2003, 09:01 PM

I just hope they get it done before the sequel arrives on the PC.