66 replies to this topic

[Rabain]

What about a different start area for different races: dwarves start in an underground dwarven complex, elves in a forest city, halflings in a halfling village (a la Gullykin), Hlaf-orc's in an Orc tribe-tent-town-type-thing etc The area's could still be used later in the game if not used as start area's.

Might as well think big if you are talking TC!

[jester]

Nevertheless to see at least some variations would be nice. ToEE tried that a bit at least IIRC.

[Rabain]

It might be possible to use the same start area's for humans, elves and half-elves. Is it possible to simply change all the animations of creatures to elves or human in the village as necessary on creation?

Or even just to have 2 or 3 random start area's so that replay is not monotonous.

[Adder]

And, of course, there is also an obvious approach: a group of young and eager adventurers is going to research the paths of the Bhaalspawn wars.

Is there a chance for them to meet some of the original NPCs? Because IMO it would be fun to meet the old crew and listen to their versions of the events

[Rabain]

Note, that the mighty company BioWARE with a dozen + of artists and writers on staff had only decided to do different starting locations and mingling story lines depending on PC's background on its what? Fourth major game?

Bioware had a schedule , with deadlines they had to meet and a budget most likely too. None of which apply to any mod. That alone is not a good enough reason to not have different start areas.

And tripple the workload? An area is not just a backdrop. It hosts non-joinable NPCs and quests. And lumping the elves with the humans, while doing something gnome-specific, you'd get an outcry from anyone like me who is an elf-fan: 'where is my tree-city'?!

It would involve some work yes but take a look at Candlekeep, Easthaven, the Morgue (PST), all of which are small enough area's with what (?) four or five quests to get the player used to how to play? You won't have that problem with After the End anyway as anyone installing it would most likely have played through BG2. It would be something that would at least make the mod different to others and let the player feel as though his choice of race has some effect in game.

The only really good reasons for not including something are either (A) the mod maker doesn't like it and doesn't want to include it or (B) it is simply not possible to do.

[Delight]

How about continuing the game from the point it ended?

[Rabain]

How about continuing the game from the point it ended?

This is exactly what is being discussed here. You do have choices at the end of the game that make it end differently. Depending on those choices you would have a different continuation from that point, you have played BG2 to the end right?

[Mongoose87]

Perhpas, as to the startign areas, you should design a somewhat generic one that ftis humans, but could work for the other races. This would serve until th mod is done, or nearly so, and if it is deemed appropriate, the other areas could be made.

[Rabain]

@Mongoose87- I had thought about that but then I thought what would be the point of having different area's if all the dialogue/quests were the same?

@Ashara-I get the impression that the "fooling around" in the topic title is quickly becoming "I am seriously considering this as my next project".

I won't argue the point, I understand your point of view. I'll outline what my idea would have been:

Each race specific area would be small, smaller than candlekeep, say four or so buildings/tents/rooms:

Dwarves: small underground complex, dwarves are leaving because the seam of metal they have been following has abruptly ended. You take this opportunity to let your father know you won't be going with the Clan.

Humans: small rural village, a visitor at the inn tells you a tale of your father that leads you to want to follow in his footsteps...adventurer.

Elves: small forest camp, on a routine patrol you meet a ranger with a story to tell, a group of Goblinoids is fortifying an abandoned fort just beyond your borders. You are sent to take a look.

Halflings: small halfling town (like Gullykin). You have spent your life prying into business that is not yours, in a friendly way mostly. You are told to fetch this, carry that etc..you are bored. You take the opportunity to slip away in the night.

Half-Orc: small orc tribe. You have always been an outcast, half-breed. Now your tribe is under attack by a larger band of orc's..your only option...run or die!

Gnomes: Your merchant caravan has stopped to make some repairs. Your father is going to the city on business and you wanted to go too...ambush and separation follow leaving you in the wilderness alone.

---

Each of these area's would lead to the same wilderness area, allowing all races to follow the same path from there. Creating 3 or 4 fetch and carry quests for each area wouldn't be big deal in my opinion. But yes it would involve more work than just one generic start area. Perhaps you could even meet the first new npc in the wilderness area...randomly either a Human (looking for adventure), an Elf (on patrol), a Gnome (injured and lost)...you get the idea.

Edited by Rabain, 13 August 2005 - 11:23 AM.

[Rabain]

If you are ever thinking of actually doing this I would be interested in getting involved in the area art side of things.

Doing new outdoor area's is something I actually enjoy and do from time to time just for the fun of it! Check out the few I have given away HERE..

These are just the background images but I can do the full area with walls, search regions, doors, containers etc if needed. The only thing I dislike doing is all the dialogue involved in populating said area's!

[Sir BillyBob]

I find the areas to be the hardest to do just because of my crappy art skills. I don't have a problem with wallgroups, containers, dialogs, or any other part of mod making. Rabain, I may have a need for the red walled dungeon, though without the dragon. Great work and the idea of different starting points is not a bad idea.

The only issue may be that the game uses a 2DA file to tell it where to place your new PC. So you may have to script an area file that moves the player to one of the other locations. The areas do not have to be on the Worldmap, but at some point, you need players to see the map. So moving everyone to a common area could be the first location on the map.

[Kulyok]

(deleted)

Edited by Kulyok, 14 August 2005 - 07:23 AM.

[Rabain]

The only issue may be that the game uses a 2DA file to tell it where to place your new PC.  So you may have to script an area file that moves the player to one of the other locations.  The areas do not have to be on the Worldmap, but at some point, you need players to see the map.  So moving everyone to a common area could be the first location on the map.

Yeah my idea would have been to have a small blank area as the start area and then a script that transports the PC to relevant starting area.

Any of the area's in the link above are free for use as you see fit! Small mention in your readme is all I ask