Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition is still amazingly being updated, although not directly by Beamdog with the community now helping out for fun.
The latest update to this classic RPG was "developed for personal enjoyment and out of goodwill for our fellow players and creators by unpaid software engineers from the NWN community" Beamdog said. Nice to see they're being open to letting others help improve it even further, especially given the age it probably doesn't exactly pull in many sales to continue paying a dedicated team.
Here's the highlights of what's new:
- New HDR-bloom postprocessing effect accumulates overlapping effects more naturally and makes intense colors bleed into the surrounding pixels.
- Improvements to the gameplay UI, such as toggling object highlight by double-pressing TAB.
- Significant performance improvements across the board, both on servers and clients.
- Many new and improved scripting functions, including support for synchronised audio playback and improvements to the scriptable UI.
- Over a hundred bugfixes, including several notorious 20-year-old bugs, such as area objects sometimes showing up too late.
- Script compiler is now open source and available as a standalone tool at https://github.com/niv/neverwinter.nim.
More open source is always nice to see too!
Full changelog on the Beamdog website.
You can buy it on Humble Store, GOG and Steam. It has Native Linux support and is rated Steam Deck Playable.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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17 comments
Improvements to the gameplay UI, such as toggling object highlight by double-pressing TAB.
This!
5 Likes, Who?
Over a hundred bugfixes, including several notorious 20-year-old bugs
I'd love that, as a software developer!
5 Likes, Who?
This is super amazing! NWN has a special place in my heart. My family and I built and ran a persistent world for many years, and I like to go back to check it out from time to time.
6 Likes, Who?
Sadly, mobile/android is now 2 patches behind, and the gutting Beamdog has gone through courtesy of Embracer is - I'm guessing - at least partially responsible for the lack of resources there. Good call to hand this over to the community as I don't expect Beamdog to survive past this year, frankly.
As for NWN itself... I always hated playing NWN on PC, and I tried many times over the decades, but it does work for me as a mobile game. So... not a terribly exciting update to me.
As for NWN itself... I always hated playing NWN on PC, and I tried many times over the decades, but it does work for me as a mobile game. So... not a terribly exciting update to me.
1 Likes, Who?
legluondunet Feb 16
I just downloaded and installed the game from GOG and I confirm the Windows game updated to 88.8193.36-11, but Linux game version is 87.8193.35-40
Last edited by legluondunet on 16 February 2024 at 2:42 pm UTC
Last edited by legluondunet on 16 February 2024 at 2:42 pm UTC
3 Likes, Who?
redneckdrow Feb 16
Script compiler is now open source and available as a standalone tool at https://github.com/niv/neverwinter.nim.
Wow, what is with patch notes burying the lead lately?
There have been at least three attempts to create an open-source implementation of NWScript (basically NWN 1/2-specific C) and Toolkit replacement over the years.
Now all we need is for them to find the source code for NWN2, so we can finally have an Enhanced Edition of my favorite D&D game. Not the least of reasons for which is that NWN2 uses 3.5e instead of 3e.
That, or wait 20 years for xoreos to be ready.
I swear, if I were any good at C++, I'd help Dr McCoy and the rest out. But every time I look at C/C++ tutorials, I'm reminded of why I barely managed a B- in College Algebra my senior year of high school.
4 Likes, Who?
The fact that NWN2 is listed on GOG, but no one bothered to fix it for Steam if it was causing some issues there (as I think I've heard ages ago) is... odd. Especially since it seems that it does function. Surely, it's better for a game to earn something than nothing at all?
...right?
...right?
0 Likes
slaapliedje Feb 18
I just downloaded and installed the game from GOG and I confirm the Windows game updated to 88.8193.36-11, but Linux game version is 87.8193.35-40Just confirmed the Steam version is the latest release. Also just noticed they have an arm64 binary. Nice!
2 Likes, Who?
slaapliedje Feb 18
The fact that NWN2 is listed on GOG, but no one bothered to fix it for Steam if it was causing some issues there (as I think I've heard ages ago) is... odd. Especially since it seems that it does function. Surely, it's better for a game to earn something than nothing at all?NWN2 was removed from Steam ages ago, so that is likely why. There is a thread requesting it be returned, but there of course is always some dick that has to say 'why bother, it sucked' I still think Obsidian sucked for not making a native Linux version back when it was released.
...right?
0 Likes
Those early mercenary projects are small miracles anyway. They came out great, far better than they had any right to (no signed deal for KOTOR2, anyone? That's a fun story...), but they're all treated like unwanted bastards to varying degrees. NWN2 drew the shortest straw, I suppose.The fact that NWN2 is listed on GOG, but no one bothered to fix it for Steam if it was causing some issues there (as I think I've heard ages ago) is... odd. Especially since it seems that it does function. Surely, it's better for a game to earn something than nothing at all?NWN2 was removed from Steam ages ago, so that is likely why. There is a thread requesting it be returned, but there of course is always some dick that has to say 'why bother, it sucked' I still think Obsidian sucked for not making a native Linux version back when it was released.
...right?
0 Likes
redneckdrow Feb 20
The fact that NWN2 is listed on GOG, but no one bothered to fix it for Steam if it was causing some issues there (as I think I've heard ages ago) is... odd. Especially since it seems that it does function. Surely, it's better for a game to earn something than nothing at all?NWN2 was removed from Steam ages ago, so that is likely why. There is a thread requesting it be returned, but there of course is always some dick that has to say 'why bother, it sucked' I still think Obsidian sucked for not making a native Linux version back when it was released.
...right?
It was a lot better than NWN1, as far as I'm concerned. The artwork doesn't look phoned in, for one thing. For another, 3.5E fixed almost every gripe I ever had with 3E.
0 Likes
slaapliedje Feb 20
Ha, the closest I have gotten to play either of those were Neverwinter Nights 1 and a little bit of 2. Then I played one session of actual D&D 3e (where my friend's brother in law pissed me off by 'grabbing and picking up' my character... even though he was a dwarf with a 9 dex and I was a halfling with 19 dex...The fact that NWN2 is listed on GOG, but no one bothered to fix it for Steam if it was causing some issues there (as I think I've heard ages ago) is... odd. Especially since it seems that it does function. Surely, it's better for a game to earn something than nothing at all?NWN2 was removed from Steam ages ago, so that is likely why. There is a thread requesting it be returned, but there of course is always some dick that has to say 'why bother, it sucked' I still think Obsidian sucked for not making a native Linux version back when it was released.
...right?
It was a lot better than NWN1, as far as I'm concerned. The artwork doesn't look phoned in, for one thing. For another, 3.5E fixed almost every gripe I ever had with 3E.
Then I have played a decently long game of Pathfinder 1st edition, which I've been told is more like a D&D 3.7 or so edition... They fixed the things that 3.5 didn't fix, or something. Still haven't had the patience to keep playing Wrath of the Righteous or Kingmaker, as I'm wanting a game to use PF2e... :P
0 Likes
Ah, D&D! Played lots of 1st edition back in the day, and a bit more during Covid for nostalgia. And played a bit of 5th, which surprised me with how similar it really was. And I had some fun doing that, don't get me wrong. But . . .Ha, the closest I have gotten to play either of those were Neverwinter Nights 1 and a little bit of 2. Then I played one session of actual D&D 3e (where my friend's brother in law pissed me off by 'grabbing and picking up' my character... even though he was a dwarf with a 9 dex and I was a halfling with 19 dex...The fact that NWN2 is listed on GOG, but no one bothered to fix it for Steam if it was causing some issues there (as I think I've heard ages ago) is... odd. Especially since it seems that it does function. Surely, it's better for a game to earn something than nothing at all?NWN2 was removed from Steam ages ago, so that is likely why. There is a thread requesting it be returned, but there of course is always some dick that has to say 'why bother, it sucked' I still think Obsidian sucked for not making a native Linux version back when it was released.
...right?
It was a lot better than NWN1, as far as I'm concerned. The artwork doesn't look phoned in, for one thing. For another, 3.5E fixed almost every gripe I ever had with 3E.
Then I have played a decently long game of Pathfinder 1st edition, which I've been told is more like a D&D 3.7 or so edition... They fixed the things that 3.5 didn't fix, or something. Still haven't had the patience to keep playing Wrath of the Righteous or Kingmaker, as I'm wanting a game to use PF2e... :P
GURPS is better.
3 Likes, Who?
slaapliedje Feb 22
"Even HeroQuest has a 'roll for defense'! Stupid D&D is so boring for combat!" - Me during one of our HeroQuest sessions.Ah, D&D! Played lots of 1st edition back in the day, and a bit more during Covid for nostalgia. And played a bit of 5th, which surprised me with how similar it really was. And I had some fun doing that, don't get me wrong. But . . .Ha, the closest I have gotten to play either of those were Neverwinter Nights 1 and a little bit of 2. Then I played one session of actual D&D 3e (where my friend's brother in law pissed me off by 'grabbing and picking up' my character... even though he was a dwarf with a 9 dex and I was a halfling with 19 dex...The fact that NWN2 is listed on GOG, but no one bothered to fix it for Steam if it was causing some issues there (as I think I've heard ages ago) is... odd. Especially since it seems that it does function. Surely, it's better for a game to earn something than nothing at all?NWN2 was removed from Steam ages ago, so that is likely why. There is a thread requesting it be returned, but there of course is always some dick that has to say 'why bother, it sucked' I still think Obsidian sucked for not making a native Linux version back when it was released.
...right?
It was a lot better than NWN1, as far as I'm concerned. The artwork doesn't look phoned in, for one thing. For another, 3.5E fixed almost every gripe I ever had with 3E.
Then I have played a decently long game of Pathfinder 1st edition, which I've been told is more like a D&D 3.7 or so edition... They fixed the things that 3.5 didn't fix, or something. Still haven't had the patience to keep playing Wrath of the Righteous or Kingmaker, as I'm wanting a game to use PF2e... :P
GURPS is better.
Edit: Ha, speaking of GURPS, I realized when I was looking at stuff that I've now bought a total of 6 DFRPG box sets... two of which I've given away, and 3 of which are still in the shrink wrap since I haven't had a chance to play it beyond one cool session I ran with some uncool people. Once I'm done with the Abomination Vaults, I plan on going back to DFRPG, and if need be, convert over some of the Pathfinder / D&D modules that I have. Need to build up the characters for the module I'm writing...
Last edited by slaapliedje on 22 February 2024 at 6:38 pm UTC
1 Likes, Who?
mattaraxia Feb 23
It's been kind of a big ask, paying $5 a month every month for the last two decades for Neverwinter+, but the value we've gotten out of it is pretty insane.
I know a lot of people bemoan subscriptions for everything, but obviously it would be impossible to get this kind of support any other way.
I know a lot of people bemoan subscriptions for everything, but obviously it would be impossible to get this kind of support any other way.
0 Likes
slaapliedje Feb 24
It's been kind of a big ask, paying $5 a month every month for the last two decades for Neverwinter+, but the value we've gotten out of it is pretty insane.Is that for the MMORPG Neverwinter, vs Neverwinter Nights, which is an entirely different game?
I know a lot of people bemoan subscriptions for everything, but obviously it would be impossible to get this kind of support any other way.
2 Likes, Who?
redneckdrow Mar 3
Ah, D&D! Played lots of 1st edition back in the day, and a bit more during Covid for nostalgia. And played a bit of 5th, which surprised me with how similar it really was. And I had some fun doing that, don't get me wrong. But . . .Ha, the closest I have gotten to play either of those were Neverwinter Nights 1 and a little bit of 2. Then I played one session of actual D&D 3e (where my friend's brother in law pissed me off by 'grabbing and picking up' my character... even though he was a dwarf with a 9 dex and I was a halfling with 19 dex...The fact that NWN2 is listed on GOG, but no one bothered to fix it for Steam if it was causing some issues there (as I think I've heard ages ago) is... odd. Especially since it seems that it does function. Surely, it's better for a game to earn something than nothing at all?NWN2 was removed from Steam ages ago, so that is likely why. There is a thread requesting it be returned, but there of course is always some dick that has to say 'why bother, it sucked' I still think Obsidian sucked for not making a native Linux version back when it was released.
...right?
It was a lot better than NWN1, as far as I'm concerned. The artwork doesn't look phoned in, for one thing. For another, 3.5E fixed almost every gripe I ever had with 3E.
Then I have played a decently long game of Pathfinder 1st edition, which I've been told is more like a D&D 3.7 or so edition... They fixed the things that 3.5 didn't fix, or something. Still haven't had the patience to keep playing Wrath of the Righteous or Kingmaker, as I'm wanting a game to use PF2e... :P
GURPS is better.
Oh no, I'm not getting into that argument!
I once had that argument for a week straight with eight other people proselytizing their favorite systems. We never reached a consensus.
But yes, Pathfinder 1E was basically the saving grace of any 3-3.5E era D&D player who was unhappy with D&D 4E (Broken Base is not even the right word!).
1 Likes, Who?
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