17 réponses à ce sujet

[Lance Botelle]

Hi Everybody,

When this module passes testing, here are some reasons *NOT* to download and play my module, "The Scroll".

Seriously, save yourself time and effort and look for something more "standard", because this module *is* that different from anything I have experienced to date, and some testers have showed equal concerns. I feel I owe it to you guys/gals and to give a sensible warning. That said, if your answers are the reverse to many of the following statements, then I hope the wait will be worth it for you.

Please let me know if this post *does* put you off, because I can adjust my own efforts when it comes to modules 2 and 3 accordingly, be that for better or worse.
 
Many thanks, Lance.

A LIST OF TEN
=============

1) If you are expecting a module similar to other NWN modules, then do NOT play "The Scroll"!

2) If you do not like a challenging learning curve, then do NOT play "The Scroll"!

3) If you want a quick game just to pass a few minutes, then do NOT play "The Scroll"!

4) If you do not like to learn new rules, then do NOT play "The Scroll"!

5) If you find reading too burdensome, then do NOT play "The Scroll"!

6) If you just want to tick another module off your list, then do NOT play "The Scroll"!

7) If you do not want to think too much about the game, then do NOT play "The Scroll"!

8) If you want it easy, then do NOT play "The Scroll"!

9) If you are expecting to play "the usual way", then do NOT play "The Scroll"!

10) If just reading this post is too much, then do NOT play "The Scroll"!

OR TO PUT IT ANOTHER WAY ...
============================

1) If you are expecting and needing romances, then do NOT play "The Scroll"!

2) If you like stores with buy and sell all you like, then do NOT play "The Scroll"!

3) If you expect standard easy recovery, then do NOT play "The Scroll"!

4) If you expect to always develop your PC in your usual way, then do NOT play "The Scroll"!

5) If you expect the standard NWN mechanics, then do NOT play "The Scroll"!

6) If you want every area map to hand, then do NOT play "The Scroll"!

7) If you do not like D&D PnP style puzzles, then do NOT play "The Scroll"!

8) If you do not like a sense of world real reactions to you, then do NOT play "The Scroll"!

9) If you like to try to run before you can walk, then do NOT play "The Scroll"!

10) If you don't like a tough game if you play it the wrong way, then do NOT play "The Scroll"!

If you are still interested:

GAME MANUAL (NOT THE FINAL VERSION): https://dl.dropboxus...Information.rar

[Arkalezth]

What do you mean by "standard easy recovery"? Standard resting?

[rjshae]

Lance, I think you've done a nice job of creating a game with a PnP feel to it; more so than just about any other video game I've played. There are a  number of (to me) well-crafted and deceptive puzzles, and the occasional decent story twists. It does require patience and perseverance to make progress though; this is definitely not a hack-n-slay diablo clone. There's a few areas where I think it could be improved, but overall I'd say (once the kinks are ironed out) it's pretty good. (For example, one area I think it could be improved is with party interactions and banter among the stock recruitable party members. There's a few available, but not nearly enough.)

[Lance Botelle]

What do you mean by "standard easy recovery"? Standard resting?

Hi Arkalezth,

Both resting and death have been heavily revised.

DEATH: Follows PnP rules, but comes with two alternative means to avoid: - "Rebirth" and "Revival". Rebirth is possible with Life Essences. Revival (optional) is similar to Dragon Age revival, where companions recover after combat if they fell during it.

RESTING: Follows PnP rules where environment affects HP and spell recovery. NB: New spells and feats alleviate this, and a double rest at an inn give full spell recovery.

Do ask as many questions, or for further explanations as you feel necessary.

GAME MANUAL (NOT THE FINAL VERSION): https://dl.dropboxus...Information.rar

Cheers,
Lance.

[Lance Botelle]

Lance, I think you've done a nice job of creating a game with a PnP feel to it; more so than just about any other video game I've played. There are a  number of (to me) well-crafted and deceptive puzzles, and the occasional decent story twists. It does require patience and perseverance to make progress though; this is definitely not a hack-n-slay diablo clone. There's a few areas where I think it could be improved, but overall I'd say (once the kinks are ironed out) it's pretty good. (For example, one area I think it could be improved is with party interactions and banter among the stock recruitable party members. There's a few available, but not nearly enough.)

Hi Robert,

Thanks for your voice of confidence. That is very kind of you to point the benefits out too.

I have the exact same concerns as you raise, and the *only* reason they (and perhaps a few others you may not have quite reached) have not been addressed is because I simply ran out of unction before releasing as beta. It may be that I can address those issues before final, but it will all depend upon the full feedback and the time I decided to allocate to the various "issues" raised.

P.S. I will be needing your exact concerns upon your finishing, and discussing the best way to improve those points.

Cheers,
Lance.

[rjshae]

Well, you could always go back later and release an "enhanced edition". I'm sure you'll get plenty of feedback once you've released it.

[Shallina]

You implemented partial rest ?

 

At first I wanted to do it in BGR as well, but when I did the resting system I was begining with NWN2 and didn' t have enought NWN2 scripting knowledge to do it. And at the end i was good enought for it, but I considered resting done.

 

Fog of WAR, and Partial resting are 2 importants missing feature in default "NWN2".

[Lance Botelle]

Well, you could always go back later and release an "enhanced edition". I'm sure you'll get plenty of feedback once you've released it.

Hi Robert,

With Modules 2 and 3 still to do, I'm not sure I will still be around to do an enhanced version ... and I doubt NWN2 will work on any computer by then.  
 

You implemented partial rest ?
 
At first I wanted to do it in BGR as well, but when I did the resting system I was begining with NWN2 and didn' t have enought NWN2 scripting knowledge to do it. And at the end i was good enought for it, but I considered resting done.
 
Fog of WAR, and Partial resting are 2 importants missing feature in default "NWN2".

Hi Shallina,

Yes, I am "old school" and therefore, my whole campaign and module ethos is based around this style of PnP play, even down to an in-built auto-round pausing for more tactical combat.

CLARIFICATION: The party effectively "fully" rest, but they do not necessarily fully recover from that rest due to environmental factors.

I have even implemented a version of "attrition" called the Vigour system, which means you *have* to eat and sleep accordingly. I have also implemented the Create Food and Water spell for clerics too, so there is an ease for higher level party with a cleric.

If you like/prefer "old school" PnP approach and don't mind reading some House Rules, then this may be your style of module. As rjshae says, it is *not* a Diablo clone ... or the kind of approach that feels like any CRPG, so it may not appeal to some who are used to the more accessible rest/recover at a button approach.

That said, if you have the feat, spell and/or at an inn and can spare the time (and can afford it), you can fully recover.

I will update my first post to include my Game Manual for those who may like to get a head's up. (Although, it does not cover all these points, but does more so in-game.)

P.S. And I guess your mention of the "Fog of War" means you know it's in there too.

GAME MANUAL (NOT THE FINAL VERSION): https://dl.dropboxus...Information.rar

Cheers,
Lance.

[andysks]

I think the rules can scare people in the beginning. They certainly did scare me. I think you can safely tell people that they can read them once they encounter a situation needing them. Otherwise the beginning is like reading a guide you will forget by the time you need the rule. Eg: Need to rest for the first time, read the rule. A PC dies and revives, read the rule.

[Lance Botelle]

I think the rules can scare people in the beginning. They certainly did scare me. I think you can safely tell people that they can read them once they encounter a situation needing them. Otherwise the beginning is like reading a guide you will forget by the time you need the rule. Eg: Need to rest for the first time, read the rule. A PC dies and revives, read the rule.

Hi Andy,

That's a very good point. And that's the way I would approach it.

But, just in case there are people who don't like changes, then it's possible, this module will not be for them. Of course, I still hope they would be prepared to give it a go, because I would also hope that they would be changes worth playing with.

Cheers,
Lance.

[rjshae]

If it were me, I would just refer to it as "old school, PnP-style gaming". No need to scare everybody off really.

[Lance Botelle]

If it were me, I would just refer to it as "old school, PnP-style gaming". No need to scare everybody off really.

Hi Robert,

If that's the case, then I have achieved my goal and that is a great compliment. Thanks! 

Cheers,
Lance.

[Dann-J]

You mean it's not the sort of game where a lone god-like character easily slaughters endless hordes of cookie-cutter enemies (who drop endless supplies of free healing potions and powerful equipment) without any thought required from the player? Surely there's no demand for such an alternative. [End Sarcasm]   

[Lance Botelle]

You mean it's not the sort of game where a lone god-like character easily slaughters endless hordes of cookie-cutter enemies (who drop endless supplies of free healing potions and powerful equipment) without any thought required from the player? Surely there's no demand for such an alternative. [End Sarcasm]

Hi DannJ,

You could put it like that.

However, I dare not berate players who love that kind of thing and have a shock when mine is nothing like that.

Here is one comment I have from one of my testers, which I hope they don't mind me using here now.
 
I let you draw your own conclusions.
 
Cheers,
Lance.

"'The Scroll' contains more custom content by far, than most other modules I have played. It was fun to discover the different features and changes it has. It took me a little time to get the hang of all the changes, but it was worth the time. Your module has more puzzles and secrets than any other I have played before. And different kinds of puzzles, too. In contrast to other modules, independent thinking is encouraged. You give hints in the journal, but you have to use your brain. And you use more scrolls and books that are plot critical.

Because of all this, I would say it is not a module for playing between the times. It's not about jumping right to the 'action' and kill everything you see. So it is more for players who want to learn about a world and it's beliefs, lore, surrounding histories, etc. ...

It's more for 'mature' players who do not want to only be challenged by hacking and slashing, but also by logical thinking, deducing, exploring a new world, ... In this way it differs from the modules I played before ..." Grinsekatze

 

(Edited by authors approval.)

[kamal_]

Because it was quite different from normal modules, I just outright said "you may not like Crimmor" up front in the description on the Vault page for it, and tried to be clear on the module page about what it was (eg playing a solo non-combat rogue in a specific city and organization). As a result I didnt get complaints that it wasnt something that it wasnt trying to be.

I think as long as you are clear upfront and say it's recreating pnp or has lots of puzzles or doesnt lead the player by the hand or whatever you will be ok. Well, you will be ok in any case, but if anyone complains its not a hack and slash you can direct them to the module description and ask them if they read it...

[Lance Botelle]

Because it was quite different from normal modules, I just outright said "you may not like Crimmor" up front in the description on the Vault page for it, and tried to be clear on the module page about what it was (eg playing a solo non-combat rogue in a specific city and organization). As a result I didnt get complaints that it wasnt something that it wasnt trying to be.

I think as long as you are clear upfront and say it's recreating pnp or has lots of puzzles or doesnt lead the player by the hand or whatever you will be ok. Well, you will be ok in any case, but if anyone complains its not a hack and slash you can direct them to the module description and ask them if they read it...

Hi Kamal,

Agreed ....

Cheers,
Lance.

[Shallina]

no download beceause it 's isn t released yet, is it a good reason ?

[Lance Botelle]

no download beceause it 's isn t released yet, is it a good reason ?

Very good ... I was being pre-emptive.

Lance