60 replies to this topic

[Rathwellin the Bard]

But as Wynne aptly pointed out, you've stacked the deck and clearly indicated your preference, so you have people either agreeing with your implicit PST preference because you've convinced them before the debate portion began, or agreeing with you because they're afraid if they don't, Imoen won't love them anymore.

Bah! I think you are biased about Quitch being biased!

Seriously the impression that I've had is that PST was not going to be the default on this project. Sure it has some things going for it, but unless it came out ahead then one of the other formats would be used. Sure Quitch might like it, but why ask if one's mind is already made up? Somehow I just don't see that being the case here.

And sure the boards are loaded with the folks who seem to post nothing but positive stuff & seem to agree with anthing the mod makers post, but I've seen plenty of nasty stuff and constructive criticism too. I don't think that bias will be a problem here. After all we all are biased one way or another.

[oopsilon]

There is some Imoen dialogue in Return to Windspear which happens during a Bioware bit, and all the banter with the new NPC is written in the PST layout and style. When it comes out I'd reccomend you take a look and see what you think.

I'm eagerly awaiting RTW to breathe some new life into BG2. When I install RTW, the PST style dialogue is completely expected in certain parts such as the messenger who initiates the quest and such. That's a bit different from Imoen randomly starting up a conversation in Trademeet. I'll have to agree with JCompton on the suspending disbelief part. I'll *know* that some/lots of the Imoen dialogue won't be original Bioware work, but perhaps I'll be fooled by some of them after not playing the game for a few months.

[Quitch]

because you've convinced them before the debate portion began

Uh... a debate is about two sides arguing over something, in this case the merits of the dialogue systems. How can you have a debate if no one is allowed to start it for fear of someone agreeing with them?

[Wynne]

Having Imoen speak may feel "out of place" since she hasn't done it before, but that doesn't make it a bad thing.

Not necessarily 'bad', no... just 'incredibly annoying'.

[Gospel]

Annoying, ma'am? :D

*spins around, confused*

[Catalyst]

Well, for my two cents...

I believe the PS:T style definitely offers an easier blend of action and dialogue, and that in general it is superior to BG2 for fully portraying interactions.

That said, my vote (and it appears to be in the minority) would be for BG2 style. I recognize that it limits action to a degree, but I agree with JCompton here...I may know in my head something is Quitch's work while playing the game just because I've never seen it before, but I like as seamless an integration as possible because it does help with suspension of disbelief.

Playing Arnel's Nalia romance, I thought a large portion of it was fairly well done...but one or two exchanges using odd punctuation or style not fitting with the rest of the NPCs went a long way towards reminding me it wasn't "real". Return to Windspear is a separate module altogether, and maybe that helps because the entire adventure is fresh...but if you are integrating exchanges and developing a relationship within the BG: SoA or ToB context, I'd want it to retain a BG2 flavor (as opposed to a Planescape flavor).

[Wynne]

I agree with Catalyst--I think it does work for RtW because that'll be like its own contained world. But Imoen will be throughout the whole of both games; PS:T would seem odd, break immersion for me.

It's funny that the opinion is now slanted towards PS:T because I think before the forum died, it was actually more towards BG2.

[Quitch]

Before the forum died there were only two choices.

[Queen_Akasha]

I prefer this style

Baldur's Gate II - Literal (PST Style & BG2 Layout)

Imoen: Heya! It's me, Imoen! (she punches you playfully on the arm)

You know, dilogue normally, actions enclosed in ().

Whatever you decide to do, as long as its consistant thats okay with me

[Uther]

I'd go with the "Baldur's Gate II - Literal (Pure PST Style & BG2 Layout)." I enjoyed the depth to the story that PST provided; yet, I also enjoyed the way BGII organized the dialouge.

[Kish]

I really like the PST style.. Imoen romance is out already right? The way it is now is really good It adds alot of depth

The Imoen Romance mod, which has nothing to do with this Imoen Relationship mod, is out already.

[ak404]

As much as I like the pure PST style, I'd have to ask for consistency in this case. Baldur's Gate II - Literal (PST Style & BG2 Layout), please.

[Seifer]

BGII

[kozand]

I agree with Queen Akasha.

Baldur's Gate II - Literal (PST Style & BG2 Layout)

Imoen: Heya! It's me, Imoen! (she punches you playfully on the arm)


Also some longer banters could lead to raise Imoen's stats or her future reactions to events (though second one won't be feasable for it would require alterhative banters for different Imoen personalities).

[Quitch]

(though second one won't be feasable for it would require alterhative banters for different Imoen personalities).

It's really very easy and doable.

[AG3]

I would go with the Baldurs Gate II - Literal style.

When you put action in (), it is easier to read. Some might feel that you get a disruption in the "flow" of the dialogue, but I feel that without them it will be slightly more difficult to see which part is talk and which part is the action.

Moving onto thin, cracking ice, I can compare the dialogues with pizza and coke. Great together, but pouring the coke over the pizza so you can consume both items in one action isn't really the best way to do it. Of course, some people might actually like that, but I prefer them a little bit separate.

Oops, the ice broke...