Ok, @JuliusBorisov is asking for "adventurers, warriors, rogues, wizards, druids, clerics, rangers, monks and shamans" - this would seem to point away from PS:T:EE, since The Nameless One starts as a fighter and can only switch to mage or thief.
He also said "next game," which indicates it's not just an update. Besides, would the 2.4 update for BG:EE or 2.x update for IWD:EE need such secrecy about the beta?
So, perhaps IWD2:EE? The thief class was renamed rogue in IWD2, in keeping with 3E rules, and Julius said "rogues". Also, the shaman introduced with SoD already uses sorcerer/bard-like casting mechanic, so it could be easily adapted to IWD2's 3E-based rules.
Ok, @JuliusBorisov is asking for "adventurers, warriors, rogues, wizards, druids, clerics, rangers, monks and shamans" - this would seem to point away from PS:T:EE, since The Nameless One starts as a fighter and can only switch to mage or thief.
He also said "next game," which indicates it's not just an update. Besides, would the 2.4 update for BG:EE or 2.x update for IWD:EE need such secrecy about the beta?
So, perhaps IWD2:EE? The thief class was renamed rogue in IWD2, in keeping with 3E rules, and Julius said "rogues". Also, the shaman introduced with SoD already uses sorcerer/bard-like casting mechanic, so it could be easily adapted to IWD2's 3E-based rules.
I like it, but he also mistakenly refers to selected testers as "the chosen one". Part of what made Icewind Dale different is that we weren't chosen-ones, we were just heroes. If we try to find hints from his post, I think that this might go against the idea of IWD.
Either way, the announcement of a new game being underway should be a nice holiday present for everyone.
i have applied because i just am interested in anything related to BG, IE and AD&D since BG1 vanilla ... if i could provide some input as interface designer, all the better.
Ok, @JuliusBorisov is asking for "adventurers, warriors, rogues, wizards, druids, clerics, rangers, monks and shamans" - this would seem to point away from PS:T:EE, since The Nameless One starts as a fighter and can only switch to mage or thief.
He also said "next game," which indicates it's not just an update. Besides, would the 2.4 update for BG:EE or 2.x update for IWD:EE need such secrecy about the beta?
So, perhaps IWD2:EE? The thief class was renamed rogue in IWD2, in keeping with 3E rules, and Julius said "rogues". Also, the shaman introduced with SoD already uses sorcerer/bard-like casting mechanic, so it could be easily adapted to IWD2's 3E-based rules.
Seriously?! For the longest time they've been talking in bits and pieces about a new D&D game they're working on that they will announce soon. This beta testing is not for an EE. It's for a brand new D&D game using 5e rules.
Ok, @JuliusBorisov is asking for "adventurers, warriors, rogues, wizards, druids, clerics, rangers, monks and shamans" - this would seem to point away from PS:T:EE, since The Nameless One starts as a fighter and can only switch to mage or thief.
He also said "next game," which indicates it's not just an update. Besides, would the 2.4 update for BG:EE or 2.x update for IWD:EE need such secrecy about the beta?
So, perhaps IWD2:EE? The thief class was renamed rogue in IWD2, in keeping with 3E rules, and Julius said "rogues". Also, the shaman introduced with SoD already uses sorcerer/bard-like casting mechanic, so it could be easily adapted to IWD2's 3E-based rules.
Seriously?! For the longest time they've been talking in bits and pieces about a new D&D game they're working on that they will announce soon. This beta testing is not for an EE. It's for a brand new D&D game using 5e rules.
Beamdog only hired David Gaider in February of this year, by August he had only hired one narrative designer. It seems a little quick to have a game written, art created, 5e engine coded, VO recorded, and be ready to launch beta testing in a matter of a few months.
Beamdog only hired David Gaider in February of this year, by August he had only hired one narrative designer. It seems a little quick to have a game written, art created, 5e engine coded, VO recorded, and be ready to launch beta testing in a matter of a few months.
I agree that an EE is more likely than a completely new game. With that said, to add to the conversation, I want to say that many of the steps you've mentioned can be started before the writer is hired.
They don't need a story to begin creating the engine or implementing 5e mechanic. Even some of the art could be done without knowing where the story takes place: 1) they can decide which artsyle they think suits the type of atmosphere they're going for 2) they can begin creating assets for common objects (food, common armor/weapons, common animals). (I don't fully remember, but I think this is what Trent did when he began working on NWN? The engine + armor pieces? Someone else can confirm or correct) VO also doesn't need to be in the game for beta-testing to begin, it can be added later in development. Especially if the developers are worried they'll change dialogue during development.
There's also the possibility that even without a writer they knew what type of story they wanted to tell and where it takes place (this is a possibility if they had to discuss it before with WOTC, getting their approval, maybe even creating a story that will tie-in with new books for 5th edition).
There's a real possibility they had begun work on the game before David Gaider joined their forces. With that said, I don't know more than anyone else here, and probably know quite a bit less! This is just to offer more possibilities.
My guess is we're getting another EE as they keep transitioning toward a full game. But I'm gonna be very pleasantly surprised if it's something brand spanking new!
Beamdog only hired David Gaider in February of this year, by August he had only hired one narrative designer. It seems a little quick to have a game written, art created, 5e engine coded, VO recorded, and be ready to launch beta testing in a matter of a few months.
He hired 3.
My mistake, I remembered this post from August where only one had been hired.
So who are these 3 new narrative designers and when can we start tormenting them about information on this new game?
Only one of them has been officially hired and is in the office. As to whether they'll ever officially reveal themselves online for tormenting, that's really up to them.
Still, could a team of four writers deliver an entire game of plot and dialog with enough time for the rest of the team to create visuals, settings, sounds, scripting, etc.. and have the game beta-ready in 4-5 months?
Isn't it the case that @TrentOster has mentioned small, medium and large projects all in the works?
The next patch for the existing products is presumably the small project.
A completely new game would presumably be the large project, and that's surely not going to be ready for testing yet.
That leaves the medium project ... so yep, my best guess is that there's one more EE to come out, using their Enhanced IE. From the wide-ranging characters implied by the call for volunteers, it's not PSTee ... so I reckon they must be having a crack at IWD2ee.
Isn't it the case that @TrentOster has mentioned small, medium and large projects all in the works?
The next patch for the existing products is presumably the small project.
A completely new game would presumably be the large project, and that's surely not going to be ready for testing yet.
That leaves the medium project ... so yep, my best guess is that there's one more EE to come out, using their Enhanced IE. From the wide-ranging characters implied by the call for volunteers, it's not PSTee ... so I reckon they must be having a crack at IWD2ee.
True enough, though I still think they may be ready to reveal the large project. They didn't issue a public call for beta testers for IwD EE so why now for an EE? Furthermore, if it is an EE, and I myself have said in the past that I believe the medium sized project is an EE, then surely it will be Ps:T EE which keeps all the EEs in 2e and takes advantage of the hype of the release of T:ToN in February 2017. I don't think much should be read into the specific wording used in the call for testers. It's natural to engage in a bit of hyperbole to get potential volunteers energized.
They didn't issue a public call for beta testers for IwD EE so why now for an EE?
It might be a result of Dragonspear being buggy at launch. They mentioned they wanted to try harder for a stable launch in the future, asking for more beta testers would be a solution to this problem. Especially since they know how obsessive we can be regarding details - this thread is proof of it. Personally, the only reason why I think it might not be IWD2 would be sales. IWD:EE sold fine, but it didn't seem to compare even remotely to BG:EE and BG2:EE. So if they had to pick between making IWD2:EE or PsT:EE... I think they would love to go for PsT:EE instead.
Still, I think many of us would love IWD2:EE regardless.
I have a little technical question. If i would like to add more to my available testing platforms,should i send a new submission, or is there another way?
IWD2 would actually be great to have ... i tried to play the original again for some completeness of mind, but this is just so a drag technically now with being used to the EEs ...
I have a little technical question. If i would like to add more to my available testing platforms,should i send a new submission, or is there another way?
It works like one submission per person. If you are contacted about your submission, the details will be decided.
It doesn't say this is for The BG Series. I assume it's for "the other thing" they've been spending their time creating. Still, pretty exciting either way
You can't leave it at that! What is the other thing? I MUST KNOW
Lol! I agree! Fortunately, however, Beamdog seem no more interested in the FPS market than we are, so there's probably little danger of that turning out to be the Big Secret.
Comments
Ok, @JuliusBorisov is asking for "adventurers, warriors, rogues, wizards, druids, clerics, rangers, monks and shamans" - this would seem to point away from PS:T:EE, since The Nameless One starts as a fighter and can only switch to mage or thief.
He also said "next game," which indicates it's not just an update. Besides, would the 2.4 update for BG:EE or 2.x update for IWD:EE need such secrecy about the beta?
So, perhaps IWD2:EE? The thief class was renamed rogue in IWD2, in keeping with 3E rules, and Julius said "rogues". Also, the shaman introduced with SoD already uses sorcerer/bard-like casting mechanic, so it could be easily adapted to IWD2's 3E-based rules.
Part of what made Icewind Dale different is that we weren't chosen-ones, we were just heroes.
If we try to find hints from his post, I think that this might go against the idea of IWD.
Either way, the announcement of a new game being underway should be a nice holiday present for everyone.
*Begin maniacal laugh*
I've done testing for SoD, and I was really happy to help Beamdog with one of my favorite franchise. I wish to help again.
if i could provide some input as interface designer, all the better.
Seriously though, I'd love a new 5e adventure from Beamdog. Maybe something episodic like the Walking Dead games or Sam & Max.
I'm not sure a tablet would be able to handle anything graphically new, as in games of today for desktops or consoles.
Not really thrilled about this prospect, to be honest >.>
I agree with @Mornmagor, since they are including tablets in the beta it is likely an IE game.
They don't need a story to begin creating the engine or implementing 5e mechanic. Even some of the art could be done without knowing where the story takes place: 1) they can decide which artsyle they think suits the type of atmosphere they're going for 2) they can begin creating assets for common objects (food, common armor/weapons, common animals). (I don't fully remember, but I think this is what Trent did when he began working on NWN? The engine + armor pieces? Someone else can confirm or correct)
VO also doesn't need to be in the game for beta-testing to begin, it can be added later in development. Especially if the developers are worried they'll change dialogue during development.
There's also the possibility that even without a writer they knew what type of story they wanted to tell and where it takes place (this is a possibility if they had to discuss it before with WOTC, getting their approval, maybe even creating a story that will tie-in with new books for 5th edition).
There's a real possibility they had begun work on the game before David Gaider joined their forces. With that said, I don't know more than anyone else here, and probably know quite a bit less! This is just to offer more possibilities.
My guess is we're getting another EE as they keep transitioning toward a full game. But I'm gonna be very pleasantly surprised if it's something brand spanking new!
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/802646/#Comment_802646 Still, could a team of four writers deliver an entire game of plot and dialog with enough time for the rest of the team to create visuals, settings, sounds, scripting, etc.. and have the game beta-ready in 4-5 months?
The next patch for the existing products is presumably the small project.
A completely new game would presumably be the large project, and that's surely not going to be ready for testing yet.
That leaves the medium project ... so yep, my best guess is that there's one more EE to come out, using their Enhanced IE. From the wide-ranging characters implied by the call for volunteers, it's not PSTee ... so I reckon they must be having a crack at IWD2ee.
Personally, the only reason why I think it might not be IWD2 would be sales. IWD:EE sold fine, but it didn't seem to compare even remotely to BG:EE and BG2:EE. So if they had to pick between making IWD2:EE or PsT:EE... I think they would love to go for PsT:EE instead.
Still, I think many of us would love IWD2:EE regardless.
And personally, I'd go gaga for iwd2.