Neverwinter Nights Online. (Cryptic Studios)

[UnSub]

There's a $60 and $20 version too... but even so, my earlier rant about Founder's Packs stand. I'm not about to pay you to beta test your game, nor pay full price for a game that hasn't even been finished yet.

[Lantyssa]

They had to dump Atari with that company going under.  The rest of it's valid criticism, though it would have been faster and easier to say LOL-Cryptic.

[koro]

Cryptic didn't dump Atari. Atari dumped them  to the tune of $50 million.

[Mrbloodworth]

There are videos and in game artwork.

[UnSub]

Atari sold Cryptic to Perfect World for US$50m after Cryptic wasn't a revenue generation machine (although arguably they were still Atari's biggest single revenue generator). Neverwinter went from being originally announced as something like a module-based multiplayer title under Atari (who wanted a quick release title to make more money off box sales using the D&D license they had from Hasbro that was under a law suit) to a fuller featured MMO under Perfect World.

[Riggswolfe]

Say what you want about Cryptic but they've really turned STO around. Maybe they'll pull something out of their hat with Neverwinter. Launching with the Foundry is a good thing. The version in STO is pretty cool already and can make some awesome missions. I heard the version in Neverwinter is even better. That said, the "spend $200 and get to play Drizzt" stuff irriates me.

[Ginaz]

If anyone is interested, I have a code from PC Gamer for a free mount for when this goes into beta (don't know if it carries over into live, though I don't see why it wouldn't).  PM me if you're interested.  First come, first serve.

[Merusk]

I'm interested enough that I want to check this out, but not interested enough to drop money on it after MWO.

Damn you marketing gurus, knowing how to tickle a man's fancy.

[UnSub]

It's going to be F2P. You can have your fancy tickled for no money down.

[Ginaz]

So...who wants to be my friend?   I have 2 beta keys.  PM if you're interested.

And yes, I spend far too much on video games.  No kids or significant bills makes it all possible.

[Merusk]

It's going to be F2P. You can have your fancy tickled for no money down.

True.  Really the only issue is knowing how much they'll expect me to drop for the Drow so the wife will play.

[Father mike]

True.  Really the only issue is knowing how much they'll expect me to drop for the Drow so the wife will play.

$200 for the lifetime membership.  Only Founders get to be Menzoberranzan.  At least until they need to boost quarterly earnings, then it'll be in the C-store for $20, they'll call it something slightly different, and the forums will overflow with Founder-butthurt.

http://nw.perfectworld.com/founderspack/hero

[JWIV]

True.  Really the only issue is knowing how much they'll expect me to drop for the Drow so the wife will play.

$200 for the lifetime membership.  Only Founders get to be Menzoberranzan.  At least until they need to boost quarterly earnings, then it'll be in the C-store for $20, they'll call it something slightly different, and the forums will overflow with Founder-butthurt.

http://nw.perfectworld.com/founderspack/hero

I think that's only for the Renegade - drow are listed as playable int the Race FAQ   http://nw.perfectworld.com/about/races

[UnSub]

Yes - I believe Drow are a playable race, but Super Drow require that $200 down payment.

[Father mike]

$200 for the lifetime membership.  Only Founders get to be Menzoberranzan.  At least until they need to boost quarterly earnings, then it'll be in the C-store for $20, they'll call it something slightly different, and the forums will overflow with Founder-butthurt.

http://nw.perfectworld.com/founderspack/hero

I think that's only for the Renegade - drow are listed as playable int the Race FAQ   http://nw.perfectworld.com/about/races

My bad.  I'm rather tired of high fantasy titles, so I hadn't read the FAQ -- I just saw the Founder's splash page.

[Lantyssa]

http://nw.perfectworld.com/founderspack/hero

I was laughing until I got to the Robe of Useless Items.  Now I kinda want it.

[Merusk]

Yes - I believe Drow are a playable race, but Super Drow require that $200 down payment.

Yeah that's what I was figuring.  They word it very sneakily to make you THINK it's only SuperFounders who get to be Drow, though.

Renegades are boring, however. Everyone wants to be a non-conformist breaking from society and dry-humping humans 1/3rd their age.   

[Zetor]

They should add a naming filter that bans all names starting with D and having the 'r', 'i', 'z' and 't' characters in them -- unless you get the $200 founder's pack. 

Anyway, prepurchasing at this point seems kinda rash. I'm really interested in the game (mostly due to the Foundry), but I'm not going to shell out $60 or even $20 for some dubious cosmetic rewards, paying2beta, and some minor cash shop offerings. If the game was b2p instead of f2p, maybe...

[Ginaz]

So...who wants to be my friend?   I have 2 beta keys.  PM if you're interested.

And yes, I spend far too much on video games.  No kids or significant bills makes it all possible.

Both keys spoken for.

[Ginaz]

They should add a naming filter that bans all names starting with D and having the 'r', 'i', 'z' and 't' characters in them -- unless you get the $200 founder's pack. 

Anyway, prepurchasing at this point seems kinda rash. I'm really interested in the game (mostly due to the Foundry), but I'm not going to shell out $60 or even $20 for some dubious cosmetic rewards, paying2beta, and some minor cash shop offerings. If the game was b2p instead of f2p, maybe...

I justify spending money on video games by saying to myself that I don't drink, don't smoke, don't do drugs, don't gamble and don't waste my money in many other ways.  It might not make me a very fun guy to be around but it lets me afford to buy the things I want without worrying too much about my finances.

[Stormwaltz]

I was laughing until I got to the Robe of Useless Items.  Now I kinda want it.

You get that with the $60 pack as well. Plus a cooler (IMO) mount and pet.

http://nw.perfectworld.com/founderspack/guardian

[Zetor]

They should add a naming filter that bans all names starting with D and having the 'r', 'i', 'z' and 't' characters in them -- unless you get the $200 founder's pack. 

Anyway, prepurchasing at this point seems kinda rash. I'm really interested in the game (mostly due to the Foundry), but I'm not going to shell out $60 or even $20 for some dubious cosmetic rewards, paying2beta, and some minor cash shop offerings. If the game was b2p instead of f2p, maybe...

I justify spending money on video games by saying to myself that I don't drink, don't smoke, don't do drugs, don't gamble and don't waste my money in many other ways.  It might not make me a very fun guy to be around but it lets me afford to buy the things I want without worrying too much about my finances.

I can understand that -- my finances are kinda tight (yay Hungary!), but I don't mind prepurchasing a game I know I will REALLY like for $60. I did it with GW2 after all (digital deluxe even  ) It's just that for Neverwinter I don't know enough about the game to make that kinda decision yet. Maybe if it turns out really awesome after a few beta weekends, I may pull the trigger on the $60 pack...

[Lantyssa]

You get that with the $60 pack as well. Plus a cooler (IMO) mount and pet.

Thanks for the heads up.  I'm not sure I'll be playing this at even the f2p level though, so I'm going to hold off.

[koro]

I don't think it's been linked, but TotalBiscuit's got an hour long look at the beta:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0E6Yw-M1YY

[Ingmar]

I'll take a beta key for this if someone has one, because I cannot help myself, I have to see what horrors are being unleashed on the D&D brand this time.

From the video, game does not appear to actually be D&D in any kind of way other than "hey look 6 stats" and class names, so off to a real good start there.

[Ginaz]

I'll take a beta key for this if someone has one, because I cannot help myself, I have to see what horrors are being unleashed on the D&D brand this time.

From the video, game does not appear to actually be D&D in any kind of way other than "hey look 6 stats" and class names, so off to a real good start there.

I was never really into D&D, so I'm curious as to what fans are looking for.

[Trippy]

I don't think it's been linked, but TotalBiscuit's got an hour long look at the beta:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0E6Yw-M1YY

Whoever decided that those accelerate/decelerate movement animations look good needs to be taken out and shot.

[Tannhauser]

I don't think it's been linked, but TotalBiscuit's got an hour long look at the beta:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0E6Yw-M1YY

Watched it.  Looks pretty actiony, very much inspired by GW2.  Yeah, the animations are a bit clunky, but it's beta (I hope).

[Ingmar]

I'll take a beta key for this if someone has one, because I cannot help myself, I have to see what horrors are being unleashed on the D&D brand this time.

From the video, game does not appear to actually be D&D in any kind of way other than "hey look 6 stats" and class names, so off to a real good start there.

I was never really into D&D, so I'm curious as to what fans are looking for.

More than lip service to the core mechanic is one thing. It isn't really D&D unless a d20 is involved; DDO at least has that. This appears to be more an ARPG in a D&D costume than D&D. That's not to say anything about its merits or level of fun or whatever, but I question how much value having that license is going to add if they're that far away from it.

[Tannhauser]

I hear you, but they do have a 'd20' die right in the middle of the screen.  When you fill it up you can cast your 'daily' power. 

[Merusk]

I figured it was going to be more like the Dungeons & Dragons of "Bauldur's Gate, Dark Alliance"  which is fine with me. That game was fun.

It's D&D in setting only, which is good.  DDO never really caught my attention.

[Ingmar]

I figured it was going to be more like the Dungeons & Dragons of "Bauldur's Gate, Dark Alliance"  which is fine with me. That game was fun.

It's D&D in setting only, which is good.  DDO never really caught my attention.

Remember how (some/many) D&D fans bitched about DDO using Eberron because blah blah Eberron isn't iconic enough etc.? Wait until you hear the bitching about using the post-4e-WotC-ruined-the-setting-with-a-cataclysm-omg-BETRAYAL Forgotten Realms.  

[Riggswolfe]

I'll take a beta key for this if someone has one, because I cannot help myself, I have to see what horrors are being unleashed on the D&D brand this time.

From the video, game does not appear to actually be D&D in any kind of way other than "hey look 6 stats" and class names, so off to a real good start there.

Actually it IS D&D. It's just not 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Ed. Watching the videos I instantly recognized 4th Ed mechanics. People bitched when 4th Ed came out that it was a tabletop MMO and lo and behold, those mechanics have been ported to an MMO.

I do wish it was original Forgotten Realms but we all know WOTC wouldn't license that since it wouldn't advertise their current products.

I am really tempted to see how this game plays out. Heck, I am even tempted to get one of those founder packs. The $200 one turns me off with the blatant "Be Drizzt" BS though the Regalia costume looks kind of cool. I agree that the $60 one seems a lot cooler lacking only the full Regalia and the "you get to log in first if there are queues" which is useful only if the game is a big hit.

[Pezzle]

I see that the founders pack gets you 750,000 Astral Diamonds.  The currency will not be a true translation (or the economy is fucked) of 4e rules as 1 AD is 10,000 gold.  A founder gets 7.5 billion gold, or, using old material since they do not print cool stuff like this anymore,  375 billion chickens.

[Ginaz]

If anyone else is on this weekend, I'll be playing my cleric mostly.  Not sure how to contact people in game but my character names are Ginaz (rogue), Jinaz (guardian) and Hellica (cleric).  I'll post my thoughts on the game tomorrow or Sunday.