Would you like to see party NPCs in the next game by Beamdog?

JuliusBorisov

This discussion was created from comments split from: plebiscite for Joinable NPCs (this doesn't compels the devs).

Because it was completely off-topic for that discussion but still @booinyoureyes‌ 's idea for a discussion was a great one, I've made a separate thread where we can give our views on whether it's a good idea to have party NPCs in the next game by Beamdog, or not.

booinyoureyes

My bad, back to topic:

It seems like most people are against adding NPCs in IWD for various reasons (and to different extents).

But how about this question: If Beamdog was to make an entirely new game using the Infinity Engine, would people prefer it to be with original joinable characters (either BG1 or SoA style) or with just player made characters?

Blackraven

@booinyoureyes, I would be in favor of joinable NPCs. I know that custom-made characters can be fleshed out by the player, but I also enjoy experiencing other people's creations. Besides I like the fact that NPCs in a way limit the player, forcing one to take certain roleplaying decisions, such as doing an NPC's quest or bidding before that NPC leaves the party. To me, having to deal with NPCs and their viewpoints, needs, and whims, and not being able to fully control or adapt them, is one of the funnest aspects of roleplaying, even more so than battle I think (which is is why I voted I wouldn't mind optional IWD NPCs).
And if like BG and IWD the new game allowed for fully customized parties joinable NPCs would make everyone happy, including those who don't like playing with joinable NPCs.

Nimran

@booinyoureyes‌ I would vote for both. It would be complete freedom for everyone, no matter their preference. A fully customizable party from the beginning, with joinable NPCs spread around, would be a good move for a new game.

Elrandir

I completely agree with @Nimran‌. More options are better in a game where it's designed that way. I would also like the pre-made characters to have rather generic and vague backgrounds so that we could create our own heroes. (or villains)

JuliusBorisov

I just wanted to note that we still don't know what game will be the first *new* game by Beamdog: it could be IWD3, BGNext or even any other game.

But ideally I would like to see NPCs in any game they make from scratch. The choice is always better. NPCs add to the replayability of any game: we can make custom parties + we can make NPC parties + we can mix them. NPCs always bring stories, quests, items and personalities into the game.

So even if their next game is something like IWD3 (and that would be great, IMHO) I would like it to have NPCs.

jackjack

If they make a game from scratch, (hopefully not BG3), I welcome joinable NPCs!
…IWD3

Lord_Tansheron

I think NPCs in your party enrich any single player RPG (and even multiplayer to an extent), and there is little reason not to do it.

Ravenslight

Absolutely joinable NPCs! A role-playing game just doesn’t feel as deeply engrossing to me without NPCs with minds of their own to bounce my character off of. This is especially true when it comes to the game being able to hold my interest for more than one play-through.

kcwise

I'm all for joinable NPCs, but I'd also like them to keep the option of creating an entire party. Sometimes it is fun to create six machines of destruction and slay your way to an evil free land, or to have the option to create just one or two extra characters to fill a slot not adequately covered by the NPCs available (i.e. an evil thief in BG2).

Southpaw

Yes, please. But provided, they would be interesting.