the date of the release is set internally they’ll release in the Beamblog/other media You can see David Gaider in the video! And Trent Oster! they have over a 100 new items in SoD improved weapon switching works for dual wielding as well @elminster’s character (the one he designed) - Daran Highhammer will be voiced About all portraits, sounds and etc unified from all games– there’re some license issues, they’ll try to get it real When a shaman is summoning she should stay and can’t move. As soon as she moves, a spirit goes away you can still use the old AI scripts if you so prefer Will Baeloth make an appearance? If we have him in are party in BG1EE will he carry over to SoDS? Daigledopple: yep You run at Baeloth and M’Khin at the same time, no quest for him, but banters Neera has her own quest, Rasaad and Dorn don’t – Dorn has a small, small quest Grey DeLisle voices Viconia and Skie in SoD - the return of Grey DeLisle! shamans cast spells in a similar way to sorcerers. However, they pick their known spells from the druid spell pool. In addition, Shamans get a number of unique spells which are not available to anyone else. The text on the water is easier to see most of the SoD items have unique effects that were not possible in the original games we added a lot of code functionality to support the new items we also have items that grant specific bonuses to certain classes, races or kits there’re multiple kinds of fog in the game, including a blue one There will be dwarven clothes, bathrooms, shower caps a shaman wields an axe in the video Pre-set parties based on alignment and improted parties We can create custom parties in the SINGLE PLAYER mode! Safana’s voice is beautiful! Thanks, Stephanie Wolfe They couldn’t find Heidi Shannon, couldn’t find a contact, so Jaheira has a new actor (for @Aedan ) So does that mean in the end of SoD, you MUST have Jaheria, Khaleid, Minsc, Dynaheir, and Imoen in your party? No, you don't have to have them Daigledopple: But you'lls ee how it works out There will be riddles Dreams will give information to the player, cutscenes about the story – like in BG2 They will explain some abilities for your characters New videos, cinematics, music The production took 2 years, while the idea of SoD was in the work for 4 years
[spoiler=spoilery part]
A hat +1 CHA (+2 CHA to bards) A battle tanker – an item - can give immunity to fatigue M'khin stats were shown in the twitch 10-16-15-14-17-12
Baeloth and Viconia will speak in the Drow language – so you need a translator There will be new books! Like “Mortal to Lich” Shamans have new druid spells like “Spirit World” “Spirit Clarity” – removes mental effects – they share the majority spells with druids with additional spells
“Sword of Troll Decapitation +1” inspired by a sword of ogre decapitation
A lot of talk about Spelljammer. A hint maybe? The Iron Crisis is over, no breaking weapons If people in your party (not the main char) have good INT, it can be used in dialogues Reading in-game books can be rewarding for quests There will be a lich, with many options, including siding with him. There will be ways for evil character there will be Umberhulks
Hey thanks for answering the party import question! Great stream!
Also its kinda good to know some characters overall plots affect the length of their appearance in SoD.
[Spoiler]Im bracing myself now that Viconia might possibly make an early exit but that tid bit about her conversation with Baeloth is amazing to know![/spoiler]
1) If you could tell us will there be tiefling or aasimar race involved in the Siege of Dragonspear ?
2) Dual wielding slings ... ?
I meant to answer this in the stream and I forgot in the heat of the moment. Yes there is at least one tiefling and one aasimar you can meet on your journey, but that's all I'll say to avoid spoilers.
Gazebos were sadly forgotten... They must be integral to the plot... Revealing any such mystery would destroy the game!
...
Jokes and fun aside. I really enjoyed the stream. Thank you so much. I know they are nerve wracking @Amber_Scott but you come across as approachable, professional, whilst keeping the tone light-hearted and fun. You nailed it as far as I am concerned. More streams, more fun!
I know it's done to cut down on workload but I like the idea that characters have lives outside of you and don't just stick to following you around.
Im personally not so sure its just about workload etc. I think they beamdog folks are doing a great job of keeping this watertight from a narrative pov, both with the plots and characters. When I first heard about SoD and how it was an "interquel" (if thats even a thing) my initial reaction was "what the hell!?" With the trickles of information that have come out over time though its now "when the hell can i preorder!?"
If, just as an example, my all time favourite RPG character Viconia takes off 2/3rds of the way through the story I genuinely believe its because of what she tells you early on in her BG2 romance and that she wants to try and find a little peace.
Of course youre absolutely right though about how it helps in terms of character workload and costs etc, etc. I however do think it is genuinely because they respect the characters personal arcs.
I guess Ive just been totally sold on SoD and hitched myself to the bandwagon.
I know they are nerve wracking @Amber_Scott but you come across as approachable, professional, whilst keeping the tone light-hearted and fun.
This is why they keep me off the livestreams. I give the impression I want whoever I'm talking to to burst into flames, and that's when I'm in a good mood.
As you may all know... Or not know... A possible spoiler...
A Lich was seen during the stream.
A Coldhearth Lich... I'm sure I read this correctly, but it may be coldheart Lich...
Anyway... I'm thinking about it... A dwarf has gone missing... Could it be a Dwarven Lich? Becuase of the name?
Then the power of negative energy came over me... It could not be a Dwarven Lich, because they can't be wizards... In 2ed. anyway...
But I did some research just in case... Turns out I was sort of correct...
Taken from http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Archlich Thorsamsonns are dwarven archliches. A thorsamsonn's skin becomes gray rock, and its beard transforms into stalactites while their irises shine like emeralds. This transformation does not affect their mobility. There is only one recorded thorsamsonn: Bandaerl Dumatheir.
So...
Could the name... Relate to another type of underground dweller of short stature, related in some small way to Dwarves in their love of the earth and home...
Could this be...
A GNOME LICH ! ? !
Perhaps it could be me reading too much into a name... But it may prove true
It has sent my world topsy turvy, with the mere thought, I can tell you!
Ive just read the familiar magazine and its terrific. Really great to read not just new things Baldurs Gate related but of the isometric tactical RPG genre in general. Its really great to see it coming back so strong as so many "RPG" games these days aim for the same cinematic formula thats low on player choice.
Anyway the reason I bring it up is I was kicking myself after the familiar reminded me of a question I should have asked during the stream since I play a mage 98.4567% of the time.
Its probably a non-issue really or a very minor one but given the problem of "misplacing" and having to resummon your familiar when importing to BGII (all the while retaining the HP gains) does SoD manage to avoid doing this a "second" (or more accurately "first") time?
I know its been hinted at that we might be having all our moniez "confiscated", but Im doubting the items get this treatment as I know a great thing about SoD is that more new items will able to import over. Still I dont want to take it as a given and end up having to summon my cat again. Hes a cranky little demon.
Phillip mentioned the tools which will help out the modders to get some things done easily. Will you release this tools after the game will be released? Could you make the tools more user friendly? For example, DLTCEP has some painful installation setup and user interface for newcomers in modding. Also, could you add possibility to add our animations (as .png image sequences), assets, background areas in the game more easily ? For example, to make an area you have to follow this quite hard instructions:http://www.simpilot.net/~sc/dltcep/index.htm .
@Amber_Scott, @PhillipDaigle really enjoyed the livestream today - lots of good questions answered. Even more psyched for this game now, as it's looking better and better. The new areas look gorgeous and I just cannot wait to play this both as a standalone and a bridge between BG1 and 2. Really hoping there'll be some more on the BG games from Beamdog as it feels like you have found your feet.
The Familiar is very good too, I'd be interested to see some stuff in there to do with Torment: Tides of Numenara and Pillars of Eternity. Feels like with Kickstarter a really good ecosystem for these isometric RPGs is starting to build up again and it's a very exciting time.
1) If you could tell us will there be tiefling or aasimar race involved in the Siege of Dragonspear ?
2) Dual wielding slings ... ?
I meant to answer this in the stream and I forgot in the heat of the moment. Yes there is at least one tiefling and one aasimar you can meet on your journey, but that's all I'll say to avoid spoilers.
The recap of the twitch: ... most of the SoD items have unique effects that were not possible in the original games we added a lot of code functionality to support the new items we also have items that grant specific bonuses to certain classes, races or kits ...
This makes me very happy. It looks like they may have gotten effect 183 to work... Or a new opcode perhaps. Actually, this suggests quite a few new opcodes. We have--what was it? Around 100?--new items most of which 'have unique effects that were not possible in the original games'....
@Grammarsalad Just an FYI I edited your post just because you had a "[ /spoiler ]" (I assume from the Bengoshi's post you were quoting) which just by itself messes up the page
And to whoever won this gorgeous poster... I'm jealous... seriously. Congratulations, though!
I, for one, was very suprised there will be possibility to create full custom party in a single player mode. This is fantastic news!
Also I have high hopes for new modding tools @PhillipDaigle's advertising during both livestreams. Not sure if it's only for UI modding or other game aspects (e.g scripting, area graphics, etc.) too?
reading in-game books actually adds some quest-like benefit apart from immersion. I was playing Pillars recently and found it a bit lackluster to have so much information thrown at you without the possibility to actually do something with it.
As a non-english player, I was particularily interested in the figures regarding the number of texts and sounds added to the game. It seems nobody reacted to them.
@Amber_Scott During the session, you mentioned there were five hundred thousands lines, eight thousand being voiced (I'm not writing with digits to report the words you said, that's 500,000 and 8,000 respectively). I replayed that part of the video several times, just to be sure. The number of lines looks like a mistake (either in my understanding of oral english or in your expression). That would be five times the overall number of lines in BG2EE (based on the amount of items in dialog.tlk). I remember someone mentioning four hundred thousand words added into BG2EE. Even in words, not in lines, the amount you mentioned is a lot. Would you care to clarify, please?
Comments
Un-spoilery part:
the date of the release is set internally they’ll release in the Beamblog/other media
You can see David Gaider in the video! And Trent Oster!
they have over a 100 new items in SoD
improved weapon switching works for dual wielding as well
@elminster’s character (the one he designed) - Daran Highhammer will be voiced
About all portraits, sounds and etc unified from all games– there’re some license issues, they’ll try to get it real
When a shaman is summoning she should stay and can’t move. As soon as she moves, a spirit goes away
you can still use the old AI scripts if you so prefer
Will Baeloth make an appearance? If we have him in are party in BG1EE will he carry over to SoDS?
Daigledopple: yep You run at Baeloth and M’Khin at the same time, no quest for him, but banters
Neera has her own quest, Rasaad and Dorn don’t – Dorn has a small, small quest
Grey DeLisle voices Viconia and Skie in SoD - the return of Grey DeLisle!
shamans cast spells in a similar way to sorcerers. However, they pick their known spells from the druid spell pool.
In addition, Shamans get a number of unique spells which are not available to anyone else.
The text on the water is easier to see
most of the SoD items have unique effects that were not possible in the original games
we added a lot of code functionality to support the new items
we also have items that grant specific bonuses to certain classes, races or kits
there’re multiple kinds of fog in the game, including a blue one
There will be dwarven clothes, bathrooms, shower caps
a shaman wields an axe in the video
Pre-set parties based on alignment and improted parties
We can create custom parties in the SINGLE PLAYER mode!
Safana’s voice is beautiful! Thanks, Stephanie Wolfe
They couldn’t find Heidi Shannon, couldn’t find a contact, so Jaheira has a new actor (for @Aedan )
So does that mean in the end of SoD, you MUST have Jaheria, Khaleid, Minsc, Dynaheir, and Imoen in your party?
No, you don't have to have them
Daigledopple: But you'lls ee how it works out
There will be riddles
Dreams will give information to the player, cutscenes about the story – like in BG2
They will explain some abilities for your characters
New videos, cinematics, music
The production took 2 years, while the idea of SoD was in the work for 4 years
[spoiler=spoilery part]
A hat +1 CHA (+2 CHA to bards)
A battle tanker – an item - can give immunity to fatigue
M'khin stats were shown in the twitch 10-16-15-14-17-12
Baeloth and Viconia will speak in the Drow language – so you need a translator
There will be new books! Like “Mortal to Lich”
Shamans have new druid spells like “Spirit World” “Spirit Clarity” – removes mental effects – they share the majority spells with druids with additional spells
“Sword of Troll Decapitation +1” inspired by a sword of ogre decapitation
A lot of talk about Spelljammer. A hint maybe?
The Iron Crisis is over, no breaking weapons
If people in your party (not the main char) have good INT, it can be used in dialogues
Reading in-game books can be rewarding for quests
There will be a lich, with many options, including siding with him. There will be ways for evil character
there will be Umberhulks
[/spoiler]
Also its kinda good to know some characters overall plots affect the length of their appearance in SoD.
[Spoiler]Im bracing myself now that Viconia might possibly make an early exit but that tid bit about her conversation with Baeloth is amazing to know![/spoiler]
Not sure about the slings.
...
Jokes and fun aside. I really enjoyed the stream. Thank you so much. I know they are nerve wracking @Amber_Scott but you come across as approachable, professional, whilst keeping the tone light-hearted and fun. You nailed it as far as I am concerned. More streams, more fun!
...
I can't wait for this game to come out!
If, just as an example, my all time favourite RPG character Viconia takes off 2/3rds of the way through the story I genuinely believe its because of what she tells you early on in her BG2 romance and that she wants to try and find a little peace.
Of course youre absolutely right though about how it helps in terms of character workload and costs etc, etc. I however do think it is genuinely because they respect the characters personal arcs.
I guess Ive just been totally sold on SoD and hitched myself to the bandwagon.
A Coldhearth Lich... I'm sure I read this correctly, but it may be coldheart Lich...
Anyway... I'm thinking about it... A dwarf has gone missing... Could it be a Dwarven Lich? Becuase of the name?
Then the power of negative energy came over me... It could not be a Dwarven Lich, because they can't be wizards... In 2ed. anyway...
But I did some research just in case... Turns out I was sort of correct...
Taken from http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Archlich
Thorsamsonns are dwarven archliches. A thorsamsonn's skin becomes gray rock, and its beard transforms into stalactites while their irises shine like emeralds. This transformation does not affect their mobility.
There is only one recorded thorsamsonn: Bandaerl Dumatheir.
So...
Could the name... Relate to another type of underground dweller of short stature, related in some small way to Dwarves in their love of the earth and home...
Could this be...
A GNOME LICH ! ? !
Perhaps it could be me reading too much into a name... But it may prove true
It has sent my world topsy turvy, with the mere thought, I can tell you!
Also that name always makes me think of the song "Cold Hard B****" by Jet.
And, khm, @Amber_Scott (not sure I can ask you to put that into a spoiler) Hope I can be forgiven for that
Anyway the reason I bring it up is I was kicking myself after the familiar reminded me of a question I should have asked during the stream since I play a mage 98.4567% of the time.
Its probably a non-issue really or a very minor one but given the problem of "misplacing" and having to resummon your familiar when importing to BGII (all the while retaining the HP gains) does SoD manage to avoid doing this a "second" (or more accurately "first") time?
PC: Were Gazebo.
NPC: There Gazebo. There Castle.
Will you release this tools after the game will be released?
Could you make the tools more user friendly? For example, DLTCEP has some painful installation setup and user interface for newcomers in modding.
Also, could you add possibility to add our animations (as .png image sequences), assets, background areas in the game more easily ?
For example, to make an area you have to follow this quite hard instructions:http://www.simpilot.net/~sc/dltcep/index.htm .
The Familiar is very good too, I'd be interested to see some stuff in there to do with Torment: Tides of Numenara and Pillars of Eternity. Feels like with Kickstarter a really good ecosystem for these isometric RPGs is starting to build up again and it's a very exciting time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_and_the_Dread_Gazebo
Cool
These maps you are showing are absolutely gorgeous and I'm fond of the new feature allowing you to create a custom party in single player mode.
I, for one, was very suprised there will be possibility to create full custom party in a single player mode. This is fantastic news!
Also I have high hopes for new modding tools @PhillipDaigle's advertising during both livestreams. Not sure if it's only for UI modding or other game aspects (e.g scripting, area graphics, etc.) too?
As a non-english player, I was particularily interested in the figures regarding the number of texts and sounds added to the game. It seems nobody reacted to them.
@Amber_Scott During the session, you mentioned there were five hundred thousands lines, eight thousand being voiced (I'm not writing with digits to report the words you said, that's 500,000 and 8,000 respectively). I replayed that part of the video several times, just to be sure. The number of lines looks like a mistake (either in my understanding of oral english or in your expression). That would be five times the overall number of lines in BG2EE (based on the amount of items in dialog.tlk). I remember someone mentioning four hundred thousand words added into BG2EE. Even in words, not in lines, the amount you mentioned is a lot. Would you care to clarify, please?
Life is good!