Is it possible - banter mod?

ruscavo · Post by **ruscavo** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 9:00 am

I was just wondering, as I have no experience in modding or coding, if it would be at all possible for a mod to be created to give the pre-made parties in IWD2 banter????

I have only played through the game once, using the party The Winter Rose, but I was struck with just how lifeless it was in comparison to the Baldur's Gate games. I know the pre-made parties are weak compared to what you can create, hence more people opt to do just this, but I think it would add some much needed spirit to the game and more people would chose to use them then.

When I first got the game I was interested by the biographies written for each party but then dissappointed to find they had no character. I believe that the stories were open for expansion and could have opened out during the course of the game leading to a much more rewarding experience.

Anyway, I'm not sure if it would ever be possible, or if any one could be bothered to do it, but I for one would have liked to have seen it. Just my 2cents!

Raven_Song · Post by **Raven_Song** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 1:08 pm

You might be interested in [url="http://chosenofmystra.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2740"]this[/url] thread over at Chosen of Mystra.

You could contact Ashara and see what exactly it is she is working on.

ruscavo · Post by **ruscavo** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 4:03 am

Cheers for the link Raven, although I'm still not entirely certain what it is they are working on. It seems like they are attempting to create all new NPC for interaction during the course of IWD2. Could be interesting, I'll have to see what pans out.

Anyone else know any more about this?

Domi_Ash · Post by **Domi_Ash** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 1:41 pm

Basically, I am adding 2 types of game play with banter:

1) A pre-made party of six - my own though, not one of the 5 included in the IWD2 itself. These six characters will banter among each-other (integrated) and comment on game events (working on it). Originally I thought about using a premade party, but I was writing for so many years for BioWARE NPCs (BG1NPC Project, Kivan for BG2, etc) so I yearned to create my own cast.

2) A BG-style Protagonist you create on your own as the 1st character and then you can import any of the seven characters I am currently testing that will then banter not only between themselves, but also with the protagonist (a-la BG series).

The banter is spread throught the game. The characters initiate 2 or more banter with every other character and 9 or more Friendship banters with the Protagonist. There are limitations of the engine, but I seemed so far go around them successfully or know how to circumvene them.

Currently I am working on testing and the "scenery" dialogue where the characters will drop in comments in the existing dialogues or comment at length to Player 1 about the quests and events that happens around them.

Lastly, the romantic sequences will be added for a couple-three characters for your Protagonist.

I hope that adequately addresses your question, otherwise, feel free to drop at the forum and ask away!

Klorox · Post by **Klorox** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 4:57 pm

DA, this sounds absolutely wonderful! Please make sure it's a better party than those provided!

Domi_Ash · Post by **Domi_Ash** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 8:03 pm

I am happily taking suggestions on how to improve the characters tactical side, as long as the suggestions do not include changing their race/class and give some room to having the minimum stats in the background-related categories. You can see the 7 chars description with what stats I put in for them here:

Meet the NPCs - The Gibberlings Three Forums

Another three characters are on the "backburner" and those don't even have any stats yet, so suggestions, again are welcome, though I don't know if these three will ever make it.

"On Hold" NPCs - The Gibberlings Three Forums

Seeing how it's in alpha stage, and how IWD2 party needs certain power built, it'll be quite helpful. Plus, having the party from level 1 will definetly allow for customization as game progresses.

Rhûn · Post by **Rhûn** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 9:50 pm

I bought IWD2 yesterday (aswell as the first three games in the series)...hence my posting at 4:45am

I'm not hugely impressed by IWD so far (I'm not that far in...Vale of Shadows) but I'm finding IWD2 to be really interesting and the 3E rules certainly shake things up a bit. If only someone committed enough could just add some banters and bg elements into the mix, it'd make the game mindblowing

I already love the variety in convos in IWD2, based on charisma/int/wis/race, something that BG2 touched upon. Hmm. It's late and I'm tired and I'm not sure this post had a point anymore. I'm not re-reading what I wrote to find out. Umm...yeah what was the topic again?

Domi_Ash · Post by **Domi_Ash** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 5:20 am

Heh, for me it started when I found myself stuck in IWD2 campaign for a year and a half. Loved the Rulset/flexibility - check. Loved Artwork - check. Loved the Story - check. But the game is long, and while there is fun in seeing the characters level up, I was missing the ambiance of BG and KOTOR series and the "company". I found that most of the modding community after IW Gate decided that since IWD2 does not have a banter engine and no other mechanism of joining/dropping NPCs than importing/exporting NPCs manually, then joinable NPCs for IWD2 are not possible. In reality, it takes a number of work-arounds, but it is plausible to do a banter-engine substitute, even if it is not "exactly like BG2". There *are* thankfully helpful community resources, and much more creative coders than I who are willing to help out with the inventing the said work-arounds. So, luckily it boils down to patience and work. Now, the only element I am sourely lacking are the voice actors...

[Generic] · Post by **[Generic]** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 7:17 pm

Domi_Ash wrote:I am happily taking suggestions on how to improve the characters tactical side, as long as the suggestions do not include changing their race/class and give some room to having the minimum stats in the background-related categories. You can see the 7 chars description with what stats I put in for them here:

Meet the NPCs - The Gibberlings Three Forums

Another three characters are on the "backburner" and those don't even have any stats yet, so suggestions, again are welcome, though I don't know if these three will ever make it.

"On Hold" NPCs - The Gibberlings Three Forums

Seeing how it's in alpha stage, and how IWD2 party needs certain power built, it'll be quite helpful. Plus, having the party from level 1 will definetly allow for customization as game progresses.

These characters are really good! I really enjoy the storyline of Icewind Dale 2, I think it would be great to have some NPC banter in Icewind Dale, it would make the game a whole lot better.

Domi_Ash · Post by **Domi_Ash** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:03 am

Think a lot of banter. We're testing now and trying our best for the party to make sense, to have reactions to what's going on around them apart from the 'overoll' character development, and it looks pretty cool so far, even if I say so myself

Raven_Song · Post by **Raven_Song** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 1:56 pm

And you should ... because it is.