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Here's an update from the IWD2 forums.Feargus UrquhartAbout the delay, part 1
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to quiet most of your fears about the release of Icewind Dale II. So you all know, we are very close to finishing the game up, we are no longer implementing any new features and the number of active bugs is dropping drastically every day. We are even hoping to have every quest in the game completely playable and tested by early next week.
I bet you are all now asking what that means for our date. Normally, I would be able to tell you all a specific date right now because we are so close. Unfortunately there are two five thousand pound gorillas coming down the pipe right now named Warcraft III and Neverwinter Nights. This means that the retailers are not sure what they can order or when they can expect these games which impacts what they are willing to order of Icewind Dale II. It's sort of a big game of standoff right now to see who is going to blink, ie. ship or slip first.
However, I really hope that we will be able to tell you all when we will be on the shelves soon. We should be able to announce that date within the next ten days - I hope, I unfortunately might have to break that promise. Also, that ten days is when I can tell you all about a ship date, not when the product will ship.
Lastly, the main Interplay site was updated with a new date recently, which was incorrect; it should be changed as of the time I am writing this.
Thanks for reading all of this and for your patience with us,
About the delay, part 2
I'd like to address a couple of the things brought up in this chain. The first is that there seems to be a belief that we deliberately release information that is incorrect. As an example, it was posted above that we changed our FAQ when it came to what we were saying about the length of time it would take to play through the game. Our first entry in the FAQ about that was that it would take 30 to 40 hours. When we first started to make the game last year that was correct, since then, however, we have changed a lot about the game and put much more into it. Also, when we announced the game it was still correct, because we had not determined for a fact that it was going to be more.
As for the talk about the release date stuff, we are unfortunately in a difficult position that has some to do with the development of the project and some to do with the market. It has taken us somewhat longer to develop the game done than we had hoped. At the time we made the decision to go 3E, we felt that it would not impact us being on the shelf for the end of May. Unfortunately it did end up impacting that date. Believe me I really wish it did not impact the date because it not only hurts our credibility with all of you, but with Interplay and the retailers. It just turns out to be a big %$#^ sandwich that we get to eat.
I'm not asking you to cry for us Argentina, or to create a supposed fanboy vs. non-fan boy argument. I just wanted to say my piece.
Josh SawyerWhy no 640x480 support
Because we don't have to put those lame "padding" panels in the side of the screen for resolutions above 640x480. Instead, we can actually use that space for interface. That's a 160x600 and a 640x120 strip of pixels that get wasted if 640x480 is the min res. The interface changes we made would not have been possible if we stuck with 640x480 as the minimum resolution and "padded" up from there.
Dave maldonadoGiving parties a name
In your head, sure.
The party names only appear on a series of buttons that select the parties, one of which is 'New Party.'
They also appear in the character bio's, where you are of course more than welcome to place your own party's name.
Loosing rangerhood
I'm not Briareus, but I can say that a ranger can't currently lose his or her status as such - that was a 2E thing.
In 3E, nature is rather uncaring as far as morality is concerned - you've got good, evil, neutral etc. rangers prowling about in the bush doing whatever they like.
About the delay
Awww, I'm so sorry to bore people with the truth... perhaps if I didn't have to needlessly repeat it so often everyone wouldn't be so tired of hearing it.
But that's OK; I know how important it is for some people to be able to blame and grouse at someone that's right in front of them rather than taking the time to contact whoever's actually responsible. Blowing off steam is important; who cares who gets burned?
I'm not trying to push blame anywhere (even if that's the end result). I'm merely explaining that (1) we developers can't and don't handle that information unless it's given to us from above, and (2) no matter how logical, pleading, nasty, cunning, or whatever a poster is, it won't change that. No developer on this board is going to be 'guilted' (and certainly not intimidated! ) into doing something that will get them in trouble with the company, no matter how bad they feel for the buying public.
You've my empathy and humblest apologies... but that's all I can offer.
Chad NicholasFeats and levels
There are feats that have "levels." For example, the feat Toughness adds +3 HP and you can take it up to 5 times (3 times in PnP).
React to damage from invisible attacker
Thankfully, IwD2 AI can react to damage from an attacker it cannot see.
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Icewind Dale II Forum Update
