20 replies to this topic

[Creepin]

Ok, here's scanned page of a Baldur's Gate 1 preview from a game journal that was ussied back in 1997. Yeah I know it's in russian so most of you wouldn't understand the text, but that's not what I'm asking about anyway. Take a look at a lower-right corner of a page: there's a screenshot of, presumably, some 3-d drawing utility. I have no idea how all these 3d-Max and other utilities looks like so I'd like to ask if anyone could recognize this screenshot as being made from some standard, commonly used 3-d drawing utility or should we suppose there was some internal utility Bioware created for development of BG1?

[Epantiras]

all I can say is that I remember seeing it on the old Black Isle webpage, maybe they said something about that software... as far as I know developers use lots of different softwares, for example one for textures, one for creating 3d objects, one for animations, one for light effects and so on. I've always heard of developers using internal software (ie not meant to be sold to common folk) for phisics, for example Havok (in Diablo 3) or even a Crysis engine (I think that videogame had a whole software created for it)

[Icendoan]

It's funny though, cause with the IE, the devs in retrospect wish they had some of the tools we modders made.

Icen

[Ponapel]

Hey, I recognize that! Once upon an epic surfing session of anything BG-related, I came upon that very screenshot, & though I can't for the life of me remember what site I found it on, I did save the image...




Evidently I reduced it for storage size, but I can still make out the utility's name, "LightWave Modeler version 5.0" on my copy, if you can't see it here. A brief pass at Google indicates the product's still a going concern, & apparently you can watch a tutorial of version 9.6 on YouTube now.

P.S: I trust everybody can identify the structure depicted here!

[Creepin]

Holy crap, Ponapel, that was cool! I wasn't even hoping for such detailed answer, thanks a lot!

[Ponapel]

Heh heh. I would've been floored if I was the one asking questions about that screenshot, & someone replied with that Russian page!

[Epantiras]

P.S: I trust everybody can identify the structure depicted here!

Epic surfing sessions!! I did them too!
I think it's the inn in Beregost, but I'm sure I'm wrong ;-)

[Aliya]

P.S: I trust everybody can identify the structure depicted here!

Epic surfing sessions!! I did them too!
I think it's the inn in Beregost, but I'm sure I'm wrong ;-)

Maybe random inn?

[Ponapel]

Oh good, people are guessing! I deliberately renamed the file to upload it, just to make it more fun. I hope this isn't considered too much of a thread-hijacker.

Epantiras, nice try-- I assume you're thinking of Feldpost's, but you're right: that's not it. The facades are certainly similar, but Feldpost's of course has a larger overall footprint-- which raises the question of how much we can really trust a BG building's outward appearance to match its interior floor plan...?

On that note, Aliya, the only thing random about this inn is the placement of some of the chimneys. I assure you it's an establishment of no uncertain renown, with its own name, four stars in the Sword Coast Tourist Association guidebook (or at least in Dan Simpson's walkthrough), & an integral part in at least one quest.

[Lysan Lurraxol]

It's the Elfsong, isn't it?

[Aliya]

Maybe Blushing Mermaid?

[Icendoan]

Maybe Candlekeep Inn

Icen

[Aliya]

Or maybe Jovial's Juggler?

[Icendoan]

No, it isn't the Jovial Juggler. I know the Jovial Juggler, favourite inn on the coast

Icen

[Aliya]

Well, maybe then the Burning Wizard?

[Icendoan]

Nope, that is a thinner, taller building.

Icen

[Aliya]

Oh, brother: Red Sheaf? All inns to me, look similiar...

[Epantiras]

I don't think it's the Blushing Mermaid, there's no blushing mermaid in front of it... Or maybe Black Isle is fooling us?? ~_^

[Ponapel]

Hey guys, sorry to keep you waiting, the correct answer is a few posts back already.

Icen said:

Maybe Candlekeep Inn

Well, bless my elven arse! You've been here before, haven't you? Belly up to the bar, friend, & let ol' Winthrop pour you a pint!

(Insert sound of everyone else kicking themselves here)

Although "the Candlekeep Inn" isn't much of a name, & the "quest" is only to fetch an Identify scroll for 50 xp... Ah, well, such are the humble beginnings of an adventuring career. One of the big chimneys in the back is directly over the stairs, but that doesn't stop Charname from making his unappointed rounds.

Thanks for your indulgence, Creepin, & moderators. And for everyone who makes Layers of Reality so much fun!

[Icendoan]

I know most of what there is to know about unmodded BG1 (apart from technical things). The red sheaf is completely different, it doesn't have a chimney on the main building iirc.

And it is the richest tavern in BG1. It holds a total net value of ~1602 GP, which is pretty impressive. ~2100 if you took the star sapphire AND the diamond later on.

Icen

Edited by Icendoan, 28 July 2008 - 01:51 PM.