The developers were allowed to add minor dialogues to existing characters, but as far as I know the vast majority of them are reactions to new content.
This mod would represent a significant change to existing content, which is not allowed in the contract.
Also, Overhaul would need permission from every author that contributed to the NPC Project in order to integrate it into BG:EE (and that list is pretty long: http://forums.gibberlings3.net/?showtopic=1315).
Also, mods are modular by nature, and that's one of their stengths. We have different tastes and playstyles, so it's a good thing that we can choose and pick which mods we want to install and which ones we don't.
Also, mods are modular by nature, and that's one of their stengths. We have different tastes and playstyles, so it's a good thing that we can choose and pick which mods we want to install and which ones we don't.
Does the word 'mod' come from 'module' or 'modication'? or something else entirely? I've always supposed a mod is named 'mod' for being a modification on the original game.
I think most of the time "mod" stands for "modification", but in some communities (like NWN) it stands for "module" instead. That said, game modifications are still modular in the sense that each user can install the ones that they like.
Oh, the topic. Right. I can't wait for this mod. I have only played through BG1 with it a couple of times, but it always added another whole new layer to enjoy to an already close-to-perfect experience. I love it.
In addition to all of the above, the quality of BG1NPC varies wildly. Some parts are excellent, some are not. It would need to be totally revised, much of it rewritten and all of it heavily edited if we were to look at inclusion -- which is definitely not feasible, unfortunately.
Damn you all with your 11 new replies convincing me something had been announced XP
Imagine people seeing over a dozen replies, and the last one being @LiamEsler's! (but don't worry, this post of mine'll save them the disappointment...)
We are not sure. @LiamEsler has handled a good chunk of the BG:EE work, and I have shamelessly [s]stolen[/s] re-appropriated his hard work to the github master, but we are working out Journal Entries and need to pull together some of the typos/bug reports and try out the full thing on the patch.
As far as the content goes, I second @Adul and K'aeloree and all the other folks pointing out the "why not include it directly in BG:EE".
1. the strength of a mod is that it is adaptable to player's choices, so adding it all in takes away folk's choices. 2. can't fight the lawyers - and don't want to. 3. wildly differing amount of content and quality of content for different NPCs. Faldorn gets very little, while other NPCs get entire romances and friendship talk add-ons; cotent is very qualitatively different even between "heavy" NPCs. 4. impossible to get everyone's permission to put it in the official game directly anyways - very restrictive "gentleperson's agreement" on not changing folks work or messing about with it. And a "no new content" agreement, too. I am pretty much just a gatekeeper and maintenance dude.
To tell the truth, that is a good thing. Some of you folks might want to add content to all those new NPCs and the old ones, too. Why get tied up in a tightly controlled mod, when you can build one and have your own oversight? The modding community is strong and supportive for this game, and we'll help you code up Neera <> Jaheria banters, or that wild 3rd party Dorn + Viconia Romance you have always wanted to see played out. You don't need a BG1NPC expansion, you need a "I like Neera so much that I am going to use K'aeloree's expansion PLUS my own flirtpack PLUS some more adventures for her and her unknown little sister, Kim the Shadow Thief"! (Sorry. Got carried away. Though some banters between Viconia and Dorn would be priceless.)
TL, DR - I'm a slacker due to RL, and am working on it - with K'aeloree doing most of the work
The little banter Dorn and Viconia get in the actual EE is pretty good, so I would kill for some more. I'd also like some expansions on Dorn and Kagain, since the latter offers the former a job at the conclusion of his questline.
I do feel sorry for Dorn with his perfectly ordinary Int 10 when he has to be in a party with Edwin (Int 18) and Viconia (Int 16), or even Kagain (Int 15). He must feel so stupid. Though he does have the second highest Wisdom score, and way higher than Edwin's measly 9, to say nothing of Shar-Teel's astounding 7. XD
Can't wait for this! I can't believe I have been a devout BG enthusiast since first release and I was in primary school, yet I never knew about this mod!! I can tell from the hype over this that I have definitely been missing out.
Can't wait for this! I can't believe I have been a devout BG enthusiast since first release and I was in primary school, yet I never knew about this mod!! I can tell from the hype over this that I have definitely been missing out.
The mod varies quite wildly in both quality and quantity between the various NPCs (I seem to recall Faldorn being rather underdeveloped, for instance, but who uses Faldorn?). Even then, however, it is a vast improvement over the generally quite sparse characterisation of the original game, and most of the popularly-used NPCs have a considerable amount of interactions and content.
I'm a little confused, is this a just a conversion or are the makers also adding in/fleshing out some more things? I'm even more excited for this mod to come out if they're putting in a few new features.
I don't think they're adding anything, just converting to the EE format. I think some of the authors of the various characters are MIA, so they can't really change anything.
It's definitely not coming before BGII:EE, sorry peeps. BGII:EE is, understandably, completely monopolizing my time at the moment
Just out of curiosity, since I kind of want to start a new game and BG2EE it's just a few days away, how long after are we talking about? days? weeks? months? I'm obviously not asking for a hard deadline, just a rough estimation.
Comments
Oh, the topic. Right. I can't wait for this mod. I have only played through BG1 with it a couple of times, but it always added another whole new layer to enjoy to an already close-to-perfect experience. I love it.
(but don't worry, this post of mine'll save them the disappointment...)
As far as the content goes, I second @Adul and K'aeloree and all the other folks pointing out the "why not include it directly in BG:EE".
1. the strength of a mod is that it is adaptable to player's choices, so adding it all in takes away folk's choices.
2. can't fight the lawyers - and don't want to.
3. wildly differing amount of content and quality of content for different NPCs. Faldorn gets very little, while other NPCs get entire romances and friendship talk add-ons; cotent is very qualitatively different even between "heavy" NPCs.
4. impossible to get everyone's permission to put it in the official game directly anyways - very restrictive "gentleperson's agreement" on not changing folks work or messing about with it. And a "no new content" agreement, too. I am pretty much just a gatekeeper and maintenance dude.
To tell the truth, that is a good thing. Some of you folks might want to add content to all those new NPCs and the old ones, too. Why get tied up in a tightly controlled mod, when you can build one and have your own oversight? The modding community is strong and supportive for this game, and we'll help you code up Neera <> Jaheria banters, or that wild 3rd party Dorn + Viconia Romance you have always wanted to see played out. You don't need a BG1NPC expansion, you need a "I like Neera so much that I am going to use K'aeloree's expansion PLUS my own flirtpack PLUS some more adventures for her and her unknown little sister, Kim the Shadow Thief"! (Sorry. Got carried away. Though some banters between Viconia and Dorn would be priceless.)
TL, DR - I'm a slacker due to RL, and am working on it - with K'aeloree doing most of the work
I do feel sorry for Dorn with his perfectly ordinary Int 10 when he has to be in a party with Edwin (Int 18) and Viconia (Int 16), or even Kagain (Int 15). He must feel so stupid. Though he does have the second highest Wisdom score, and way higher than Edwin's measly 9, to say nothing of Shar-Teel's astounding 7. XD
So, yeah, you've been missing out
I guess I'll just play something else for a while and hope for the best.