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BioWare Wednesday Archive

Wednesday, Sep 13 2006

BioWare Wednesday Format Changes
We are making a change to our web content release schedule in favor of a more flexible schedule for our online updates. Read this important message from BioWare Community Manager Jay Watamaniuk, and participate in the discussion. Discuss.
BioWare Community Team Grows
BioWare's community has flourished over the years with each new game release, and is now one of most recognized and active communities in the world of gaming. To help BioWare move into exciting new spaces of community, we have hired a Community Coordinator whose name (if you have spent any time on our official forums, it will be familiar) is Chris Priestly. Discuss.
New Premium Neverwinter Nights Module Released!
Stampede your way into the latest Premium Neverwinter Nights module, Wyvern Crown of Cormyr, which features the long-awaited addition of fully ride-able horses, plus cloaks, tabards, new tileset, new creatures, new placeable objects, and whole a lot more! Discuss.

Wednesday, Sep 06 2006

1.68 Cloaks and Textures Tutorial
With NWN 1.68 we now have support for dynamic cloaks! Equip a cloak into the cloak slot and a cloak appears on your character. Read this tutorial to learn how to add exciting new cloak textures to your games. Discuss.

Wednesday, Aug 30 2006

Persistent World Higher Ground and the Big Transition
Last week we looked at a long-running Neverwinter Nights persistent world and some of the features they worked hard to implement that set themselves apart as a place for competitive, epic characters. This week we continue our discussion, but with a focus on the future, which is rapidly arriving in the form of Neverwinter Nights 2. Discuss.

Tuesday, Aug 29 2006

NWN 1.68 Update Released
Update 1.68 for Neverwinter Nights and the NWN Expansions is now available. Get the update automatically through the in-game updater, or download it from the NWN support area. 1.68 contains visible cloaks and scripting updates. Discuss.

Wednesday, Aug 23 2006

3 Million Member Contest Closed
Thanks to everyone who entered the BioWare 3 Million Member Ultimate Gaming Setup contest. The contest is now closed and winners notified by e-mail. To be alerted when our next contest starts up, sign up for our newsletter. Discuss.
Legendary Adventure: The World of Higher Ground
Read an interview with Funky Swerve, spokesman for NWN persistent world Higher Ground, which is making the transition from NWN 1 to NWN 2. Learn about the cool features Higher Ground has to offer, such as its legendary levels system, intense action, and multi-server community. Discuss.

Wednesday, Aug 16 2006

Darkness over Daggerford
Ossian Studios, headed by former BioWare producer Alan Miranda, has crafted a huge, 25-30 hour NWN adventure called Darkness over Daggerford. Formally a Premium Module, this free adventure offers new creatures, features, strongholds, and more. Discuss.
Ultimate Gaming Contest Closing Soon
Your chance to win the ultimate gaming setup ends Monday, August 21. Up for grabs is an NVidia PC gaming system bundled with an XBox 360 Premium system! Be sure to enter today, before it's too late. Discuss.

Wednesday, Aug 09 2006

New NWN CEP v2 Screenshots
Check out new screenshots featuring the cool content of the Community Expansion Pack v2. View some of the new shields - including emitter shields - and several placeable objects, such as portals, curtains, magic globes, a carriage, carts, starfish, a tome, a desk, and a chalkboard. Discuss.

Wednesday, Aug 02 2006

Wheel of Time Persistent World Part 2
Read the second half of our Neverwinter Nights interview with Wheel of Time persistent world co-chief, Lucky Day. Learn about what fans of the Wheel of Time can find in the world, along with what eager players can expect as well. Discuss.
NWN CEP v2 Unleashed
The Community Expansion Pack v2 is almost out! It will contain rideable horses, arcane and emitter based shields, hundreds of new monsters and creatures, thousands of armour and weapon components, and much more. Wow. This week, read an interview with CEP Project Overlord Kephisto, and check out screenshots of some of the new creatures in CEP v2. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jul 26 2006

Last Week to Enter Computer Giveaway
Enter to win a new Alienware PC. Entry is free and the deadline is looming - July 31. Wouldn't it be sweet if you could play Jade Empire PC on a brand spankin' new Alienware computer that even Death’s Hand would envy? If you haven't already entered, do it today. Discuss.
Wheel of Time Persistent World
The Wheel of Time Persistent World has been thriving for years, and we spoke with PW co-owner Lucky Day to learn about one of Neverwinter Night's most enduring and popular gaming destinations. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jul 19 2006

Mass Effect Podcast + Jade PC Screens
Listen to an interview with Mass Effect Project Director Casey Hudson in a podcast hosted by Official XBox Magazine. The Mass Effect part begins at the 20:24 mark. Also, view exclusive, new screenshots of Jade Empire PC. While you're at the Jade Empire site, be sure to enter the Alienware Giveaway where you could win a free computer. Discuss.
Mass Effect Video: See the Best RPG of E3 in Action
Mass Effect is taking the next-generation console world by storm! Watch stunning, in-game footage of Mass Effect in action with narration by Project Director Casey Hudson. You can also download this video from the Xbox Live Marketplace and watch it in beautiful, high definition! Discuss.
Tyrants of the Moonsea
We chat with Luke J.S. Scull, a.k.a Alazander, author of the exceptional Neverwinter Nights module, Tyrants of the Moonsea. Though once slated as a premium module, it is now available for all to download from the Neverwinter Vault, and fan reaction has been very positive. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jul 12 2006

The Overlooked Modules Reports
With a multitude of community-created modules at the Neverwinter Vault, it's easy to miss a few gems. Enter the Overlooked Modules Reports, which highlight high caliber modules that might have been missed in the avalanche of module submissions. We chat with community members actively working on the project. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jul 05 2006

BloodSpell Anatomy Part 2
We continue our nuts and bolts look into the making of a feature-length NWN machinima movie. Hugh Hancock of Strange Company outlines the final stages used to craft BloodSpell: Voice Recording, Filming, Editing, and more. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jun 28 2006

BloodSpell: Anatomy of a Feature Length Machinima Film, Pt 1
If you've ever wondered what goes into making a machinima film, Artistic Director of Strange Company, Hugh Hancock, gives us an in-depth, blow-by-blow account of each step in the crafting of BloodSpell. A fascinating read! Discuss.

Wednesday, Jun 21 2006

Celebrating Over 3 Million Members
The BioWare Community has achieved the amazing milestone of 3 million members! To show our thanks to the most awesome game community in the world, we are celebrating by giving away the Ultimate Gaming Setup. Community members, enter to win the Ultimate Gaming Setup. Non-members, we invite you to set-up a free community account and enter as well. Discuss.
From Talented Community Member to BioWare Staff
As the BioWare community continues to expand, we are always on the lookout for exceptionally talented community members who have shown not only creativity and skill, but the drive to turn a hobby into a profession. We profiled some community members turned BioWare staff when we achieved two million members, and now that the community has ballooned to three million, we wanted to add to the expanding list of outstanding new staff who got their start in the community. Discuss.
BloodSpell: A Feature Length Machinima Film
BloodSpell, a full-length machinima film built with the Neverwinter Nights engine, recently released the first few installments to the public! We speak with Hugh Hancock, the Artistic Director of Strange Company who heads up the massive BloodSpell project. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jun 14 2006

Learning the Ropes of Game Design with Matt Deller
We speak with Assistant Principal Matt Deller, a.k.a Poetic Colossus, about teaching game design using Neverwinter Nights, and how a high score in Asteroids can actually mean something in the real world. Discuss.
Widow Hagatha, Sharing Your Dungeon, New Screens
In this final week for Infinite Dungeons BioWare Wednesday updates, we have for you a new boss monster article about Widow Hagatha, an article on how to share your dungeons with friends and the community, new screenshots, and a new forum portrait. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jun 07 2006

Lord Antoine Baccha, Vizier de Guise
Read up on Infinite Dungeons' boss monster, Lord Antoine Baccha, Vizier de Guise, and learn about his dual nature and dark secret. Also available this week is a new Infinite Dungeons forums portrait and new screenshots! Discuss.
Infinite Dungeons Wallpaper
A cool wallpaper for NWN Infinite Dungeons is now available for download. It's brimming with creepy and deadly critters--can you name them all? After you've installed the desktop, read an interview with Senior Artist Todd Grenier who chats about crafting the feature Infinite Dungeons image. Discuss.

Wednesday, May 31 2006

Randomization, Scalability, and Stats Collection
For the number crunchers out there, read an article about the randomization, scalability, and stats collection of Infinite Dungeons for Neverwinter Nights, written by QA Ninja, Stanley Woo. Discuss.
The Lich King of Infinite Dungeons
Not all kings are created equal. Learn about the Infinite Dungeons villain, Masterius the Lich King, and his tragic story. Plus, a new Infinite Dungeons forum portrait and screenshots are available! Discuss.

Wednesday, May 24 2006

Infinite Dungeons Boss Monster Revealed
Meet Harat, Lord of Darkness, a malformed, demonic outcast from the lower planes and now Halaster's grudging servant in the uber wizard's Undermountain lair. Also check out new Infinite Dungeons screenshots and forum portraits. Discuss.
Infinite Dungeons Released
Infinite Dungeons, the brand new single and multi-player premium module for Neverwinter Nights, is now available at the BioWare Online Store for purchase and immediate download. Discuss.

Wednesday, May 17 2006

Final Writing Contest Winner Interviews
The last batch of four interviews with the talented folks who won the BioWare Writing contest are up. Read their thoughts on writing, characterization tips, and their plans for the future. Discuss.
Mass Effect a Hit at E3
Press and gamers are raving about the Mass Effect demo and presentation they experienced at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo. Congrats to the Mass Effect team! Browse the full list of online previews and reviews, plus view the complete set of brand new screenshots. Discuss.
Infinite Dungeons Premium Module May 24
A brand new Neverwinter Nights premium module releases May 24. Infinite Dungeons provides randomly generated adventures for characters of every level. Play with your friends or compete against your adversaries. If you dare, you can play alone.... View screenshots, read articles, and check out the module's awesome features. Discuss.

Wednesday, May 10 2006

Part 2: Writing Contest Winner Interviews
Four new interviews with the BioWare Writing Contest winners are up. Read their thoughts on writing modules, finding inspiration, and more. Discuss.
New Mass Effect Screens and Info
Check out a dozen new screens for BioWare's spectacular vision of the future currently in development, and stay tuned for Mass Effect news, interviews, and previews from this year's Entertainment Expo in L.A. Discuss.
Jade Coming to PC + Alienware Giveaway
BioWare recently announced Jade Empire is coming to the PC. The PC version will include customizable and intuitive controls, increased graphics resolutions, plus new visual effects, monsters, fighting styles, and more. Also, be sure and enter our free giveaway for a chance to win a new Alienware computer. Discuss.

Wednesday, May 03 2006

Interviews With Writing Contest Winners
This week, we start an article series about the authors of the winning BioWare Writing Contest modules that were recognized for writing quality and ability to tell a good story in a tiny little 4 by 4 square. Discuss.
1.67 Update Script Articles & Demo Module
Flashy new creatures are all fine and good, but the real meat of an NWN update is the added scripting commands and features. Check out a player-friendly overview of what might be in store in upcoming modules that utilize some of the new commands, plus in-depth articles about two of the flashier new commands for the scripting enthusiastic. Discuss.

Wednesday, Apr 26 2006

Free Content In New Neverwinter Nights 1.67 Update
The 1.67 update for Neverwinter Nights is available now and it features the most new content ever to be released for free. 1.67 contains new creatures, new placeable objects, new tilesets, and new scripting commands. Get all the goodies today! Discuss.

Wednesday, Apr 19 2006

NeverTris: High Fantasy Tetris
This week we return to our bizarro roots with a profile about Neverwinter Tetris. We spoke with community member Primogenitor, who has created a finely crafted game of Tetris that can be added to any NWN module for an interesting diversion. Discuss.

Wednesday, Apr 12 2006

Independent Game Festival Winner
This was the first year the Independent Games Festival awarded recognition to the top talent within the rich Neverwinter Nights modding community. This week, we speak with the competition winner, Challseus, about his winning module, Rose of Eternity - Chapter 1 - The Coming, and what it was like to attend the festival. Discuss.
BioWare Writing Contest Winners
The results are in and winners of the BioWare Writing Contest announced! Congratulations to everyone who entered and to those who won. Director of Design Kevin Barrett also shares with us his closing comments about the contest and a few tips for aspiring writers. Discuss.

Wednesday, Apr 05 2006

The Amazing World of Layonara
Nearly twelve moons ago we looked at a very impressive NWN persistent world that had gone to great lengths to create a unique experience for serious fans. Since then, Layonara has evolved to produce several new, innovative world features, and we revisit their work and introduce this realm to a new audience. Discuss.

Wednesday, Mar 29 2006

The Lands of Catara
This week, we profile the NWN persistent world of Catara, which recently joined the Confederation of Planes and Planets. ~ Note: only three days left for BioWare Writing Contest fan voting! Winners will be announced in an upcoming BioWare Wednesday. Discuss.

Wednesday, Mar 22 2006

The World of Arelith
We chat with folks from the Neverwinter Nights persistent world of Arelith, which began as small project between friends and grew into a huge, dynamic world for role-players. ~ Heads-up for NWN fans: there's only a week and a bit left to vote in the BioWare Writing Contest. Discuss.

Wednesday, Mar 15 2006

Escape From The Underdark
What if you were a penniless, escaped slave trapped in the Underdark, desperately seeking a way back outside? This is the premise behind the NWN persistent world, Escape from the Underdark, and world founder Howland answers our questions regarding his ominous setting. ~ Note: Only two weeks left for fan voting in the BioWare Writing Contest! Discuss.

Wednesday, Mar 08 2006

The Persistent World of Silver Spire
The NWN persistent world of Silver Spire not only has a great backstory, but a team of admins and DMs with a different way of approaching the fundamental cornerstones of running a successful PW as well. We spoke with World Leader Reinstag about his fantastic realm. The first round of judging for the BioWare Writing Contest is now complete, and the final modules are being narrowed down. Community voting is still open though! Discuss.

Wednesday, Mar 01 2006

Hala, The Heroic Domain of Ysgard
We speak with community member and Head DM Arkon who is thick in the machinery of running Hala, a Neverwinter Nights persistent world set in a Norse theme. Also, now that March has arrived, there is less than a month to check out some of the 300+ Writer's Contest modules, so take a few moments this week to play, evaluate, and vote. Discuss.

Wednesday, Feb 22 2006

Four Easy Steps To Omnipotence
BioWare's Senior Writer for Mass Effect provides excellent tips and advice in four easy steps about building worlds that are worth spending time in. NWN fans, don't forget to play and vote for modules in the Writing Contest. Discuss.

Wednesday, Feb 15 2006

Writing Contest Module Review Tips
Two top reviewers from the Neverwinter Vault share their tips and advice on reviewing module entries for the BioWare Writing Contest. Discuss.
Jade Empire Follower Profile: Sky
The laughing eyes of this handsome rogue charm some and infuriate others, but none can deny the skill and fighting spirit within. Sky's smile, however, hides an inner torment that can only come from a haunted past. Learn more. Discuss.

Wednesday, Feb 08 2006

Writing Contest Voting Continues
BioWare's Writing Contest is a smash hit with over 300 entries! It's time to download, play, and vote for your favourite modules. To give you enough time to try out a batch, we've extended the voting deadline to March 31. Heads-up: next week we'll be posting some review hints and tips. Game on! Discuss.
The Hunt By The Guildhall
We profile the fifth finalist in this year's inaugural Best Mod awards at the Independent Game Festival. NWN module, The Hunt, was crafted and produced by students of the Guildhall at the Southern Methodist University. We chat with Guildhall members about their experiences working on a team and building mods. Discuss.

Wednesday, Feb 01 2006

Xbox Giveaway Finished
Thanks to everyone who entered BioWare's Mass Effect Xbox 360 giveaway. Entry is now closed. The lucky winners have been selected and notified by e-mail. Discuss.
Runes of Blood & Rose of Eternity
Read two more interviews of NWN community members who've been selected as finalists in the Independent Games Festival mods awards: Brian Watson, who crafted Runes of Blood, a quest for revenge and glory, and Challseus, who created Rose of Eternity - Chapter 1. Discuss.
Vote For The Best Writing Contest Entries
The BioWare Writing Contest entry period has ended. Thanks to everyone who submitted their modules--best of luck with the voting! Speaking of which, it's now time for you to check out the horde of contest modules at the Vault and start voting for your favourites. Due to the huge volume of module submissions, we're extending the voting period so you'll have a chance to download and try them all. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jan 25 2006

Bitter Harvest & Hythum II: The Halls Of Kilgirn
We introduce members of the Neverwinter Nights community who have been named finalists for their outstanding work by the Independent Games Festival. This week, read about John Platte, a.k.a Scrotok, who crafted the Dungeon Master-run module Bitter Harvest, and Earnest Noa, who created the Hythum II: The Halls Of Kilgirn adventure. Discuss.
Call For Focus Testers: BioWare Needs YOU!
Are you interested in participating in the game development process? Do you know what makes a good game great? BioWare is interested in hearing from you! We are currently looking for Edmonton and local area residents who are interested in participating in focus testing. More details.... Discuss.
Free Contest Entry For Community Members
We're giving away Xbox 360s and there's only one week left to enter. Entry is free, fast, and easy. Hit the contest page, sign into your community account, and click the Enter Contest button. That's all there is to it. Enter now! Discuss.

Wednesday, Jan 18 2006

Enter Today: Submissions Now Being Accepted
For those entering the BioWare Writing Contest, submissions are now being accepted. View the short entry submission process, follow the instructions carefully, and be sure to enter your module by January 30, 2006. Discuss.
Erick D's Amazing Emitter Shields
Community member Erick D. treats us to new, emitter-based shields that look awesome and are free for all Neverwinter Nights fans to download and use. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jan 11 2006

The Mysterious Sagacious Zu
Sagacious Zu is a strange hermit who lives a simple life. His skill with his staff makes him a deadly opponent, and his history contains many demons that anyone seeking him as an ally must confront. Read more about this mysterious Jade Empire follower. Discuss.
BioWare's Kevin Barrett Answers Buckets of Contest Questions
Back in December, BioWare announced a special contest giving writers a chance at having their material reviewed by some of the best and brightest at BioWare. This week, we answer several questions burning in fans' minds about the contest. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jan 04 2006

Radiant Jen Zi Revealed
Radiant Jen Zi has a razor-sharp mind and is a master of the quick strike and the split-second dodge. Read more about this exciting playable character at the Jade Empire website. Discuss.
Fun To Say, Fun To Use: Konfabulator Widgets
BioWare's very own Georg Zoeller has crafted a pair of useful tools, known as Konfabulator Widgets, to bring you the latest Jade Empire and Hordes of the Underdark forum topics right to your desktop. Read more about these cool freebies and try them out for yourself. Discuss.

Wednesday, Dec 28 2005

Live Team Interview
Read an in-depth interview with Lead Live Team Designer Rob Bartel at the JeuxOnLine website. Rob shares his thoughts on Live Team history, the future of NWN, Premium Modules, the 1.67 patch, and more. Discuss.
Celebrate With Adventure
Looking for adventure this holiday season? Need to hide from the relatives and work on your CRT tan? Try our Plunder Packs! Our Premium Neverwinter Nights Modules are on sale and available for immediate download and play right now at the BioWare Online Store. Discuss.
NWN Project Profile: Ravenloft - Prisoners of the Mist
We take a look at the classic setting of Ravenloft, which a dedicated group of scripters, builders, and developers have crafted for NWN using custom content developed specifically for this project. Discuss.

Wednesday, Dec 14 2005

BioWare Holiday Card 2005
Join Tiger Shen, Crypto, and others in having a frolicking-good time this merry season with our 2005 holiday card. Happy holidays from BioWare|Pandemic Studios! Discuss.
Attention Writers! An interview with BioWare's Kevin Barrett
We speak with Kevin Barrett, BioWare's Assistant Director of Design, about his work, his thoughts on new writers wanting to break into the business, and his involvement with the exceptional contest BioWare is currently running for aspiring writers. Discuss.
Official BioWare T-Shirt Now Available!
The BioWare t-shirt is now available at the BioWare Online Store. Each shirt ships with the essence of "Eau de Developer" infused directly into the material for an added extra-spicy bonus. Note: no developers were harmed in the making of this product. Not the cool ones anyway. Dang! Discuss.

Wednesday, Dec 07 2005

The Deadly Silk Fox
The mysterious and beautiful Silk Fox is as enigmatic as she is deadly. While her attitude is cold, her heart carries a passion that fuels her quick and deadly longsword. Read more about Silk Fox, one of your potential followers in Jade Empire. Discuss.
BioWare Online Store Holiday Sale
Getting tense about what gift to get that gamer in your life? Look no further than BioWare's Online Store for a whole bag of limited time savings on great BioWare game gear. Be sure to also check out the special "Plunder Pack" deals on Premium Neverwinter Nights Modules to keep your gamer gaming through the holiday season. Discuss.

Wednesday, Nov 30 2005

Students Tackle Game Development
Last week, we spoke with University of Alberta instructor Nathan Sturtevant about his course that takes computer science students through the process of developing a game using the Neverwinter Nights toolset. This week, we hear the students' side of things. Discuss.
Support Penny Arcade's Child's Play Charity
Penny Arcade's Child's Play charity raises money for toys, games, and cash for sick kids in Children's Hospitals across the globe. There are no "Administrative Fees" and all gifts and donations go directly to the hospitals. BioWare is making a donation this year and we hope you will too. Visit the Child's Play website to pick the specific hospital you'd like to support. Discuss.
The Contest That Might Become Your Career
BioWare is holding one of the most exciting contests in our history. Anyone who has dreamed of writing professionally will find this a unique opportunity to get their work noticed by the right people. Visit the contest web page for full contest entry details. Discuss.

Wednesday, Nov 23 2005

Win an Xbox 360 From BioWare
The next generation of code crunchin', graphics totin', online enablin' consoles is here as Xbox 360 launched worldwide this week. You might already be aware, but Jade Empire and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic will work on the Xbox 360, plus our upcoming sci-fi action RPG, Mass Effect, will release on the Xbox 360. If you're chompin' to get an Xbox 360, enter our giveaway contest now. Discuss.
Students Tackle Game Development
The University of Alberta is trying its hand at teaching game development. Computing Science 299 hopes to introduce "computing technology such as artificial intelligence, computer graphics and animation, music and sound, programming challenges, and game design" to a group of enthusiastic students. Instructor Nathan Sturtevant gave us the rundown of the course. Discuss.

Wednesday, Nov 16 2005

Jade Announced Backward Compatible On Xbox 360
It's official: you will be able to play Jade Empire on your Xbox 360! In addition to over 200 other Xbox games, Jade Empire will fully function on the most advanced console platform crafted to date, as will Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. BioWare fans, be sure to enter our Xbox 360 giveaway contest today. Discuss.
The Persistent World of Ambrosia
This week we sit down and chat about the opening of longtime community member UO Abigail's latest project, the persistent world of Ambrosia, which features extensive custom scripting. Discuss.

Wednesday, Nov 09 2005

Profile: DLA Member Now BioWare Technical Artist
Meet Brian Chung, formerly of DLA, and the newest NWN community member to be hired by BioWare. Read our Community Manager's interrogation of Brian to learn more about him, how he got hired, and trout. Discuss.

Wednesday, Nov 02 2005

Jade Empire: Lu The Prodigy
Lu the Prodigy is an exciting character you can choose to play in Jade Empire. While not the fastest or the strongest of warriors, he is the most versatile and excels at adapting to exploit enemy weaknesses. Discuss.
The Making of BloodSpell: Final Installment
In part three of our Making of BloodSpell profile, we learn the machinima team's secrets for organising and coding this upcoming feature length movie made with our beloved Neverwinter Nights. Discuss.

Wednesday, Oct 26 2005

New Edmonton Con: Pure Speculation
Too long has the fine, fine city of Edmonton, Alberta been without a serious gathering of geeks. The call went out and was heeded by one Brent Jans, who took up the lordly sceptre of the Mountain Dew and multicolored dodecahedrons and got a darn convention organized. His event, called Pure Speculation, runs October 29-30 2005 and includes local luminaries and even the odd BioWarian thrall. Discuss.
The Making of BloodSpell Part 2
We continue our in-depth look at the making of the upcoming Neverwinter Nights feature length machinima movie, BloodSpell, with this week's focus on two key production elements: how it looks and how it moves. Discuss.

Wednesday, Oct 19 2005

The Making of BloodSpell & Trailer
The making of BloodSpell, the first feature length machinima using Neverwinter Nights, is a challenging undertaking, a labour of love, and at times, a rampaging hydra of wanton destruction. We begin a three part series looking at how it is all brought together. Interested in machinima? Stay tuned for an exclusive, inside look. We also have the first official BloodSpell trailer--watch it now. Discuss.

Wednesday, Oct 12 2005

BloodSpell: A Neverwinter Nights Machinima Project
We reintroduce a large Neverwinter Nights machinima project months in development by a team of dedicated professionals. Hugh Hancock, Artistic Director of Strange Company and site overlord at machinima.com, brings us new and fabulous information on the epic BloodSpell project. Discuss.
Scholar Ling Character Profile
Meet Scholar Ling, one of the characters from Jade Empire you can choose to play. Though not as physically strong as other PCs, Scholar Ling is the best at channeling Chi to enhance her physical strikes and fuel powerful elemental magics. Discuss.

Wednesday, Oct 05 2005

BioWare Announces New Game - Mass Effect
Mass Effect is BioWare's new, revolutionary, sci-fi action RPG coming to Xbox 360. Visit the official website to view the trailer (also available for download). While there, enter to win an Xbox 360 and visit the lively forums! Discuss.

Wednesday, Sep 28 2005

Essential Jade Empire Plot Items
We have posted the final batch of essential plot items at the Jade Empire website. Use this resource and others in the Game Secrets area to help your journeys through the Jade Empire. Discuss.
The Ultimate Library Of Neverwinter Knowledge?
Read about NWNWiki, created by Bastions of War founder, Alec Usticke. NWNWiki is an ideal solution for presenting the trillion bits of information and knowledge about Neverwinter Nights. It is easy to navigate and allows input from any fans anywhere in the world. Discuss.

Wednesday, Sep 21 2005

Jade Empire Quest Advancement, Part 2
An additional dozen-plus plot item descriptions and icons are now available in the Game Secrets area of the website to help you get the most out of your Jade Empire quests. Discuss.
Hugo Winning Author Chooses Neverwinter Nights
Charlie Stross invented our beloved githyanki and slaadi. Not only is he an award-winning author, he's also an NWN fan. Read Mr. Stross's thoughts on D&D, computer games, writing, and gadgets. Discuss.

Wednesday, Sep 14 2005

Jade Empire Quest Advancement, Part 1
This week, we feature descriptions of several plot items you can find as you play Jade Empire. These artifacts, items, and objects are important for advancing through your quest. Check our list to see if you have them all. Discuss.
Meet NWN Bug Smasher, Craig Welburn
We chat with NWN Master of the Universe and Senior Live Team Programmer Craig Welburn about the great, complex programming beast that is Neverwinter Nights, update 1.67, and more. Discuss.

Wednesday, Sep 07 2005

DLA Member Now BioWare Character Artist
Character Artist Francis Lacuna began working at BioWare in June 2005. He comes from a background with DLA and his work there helped get him the skills BioWare needed. We chatted with Francis about his experience, his involvement with the NWN community, and what being a character artist with BioWare is all about. Discuss.
Final Techniques of Jade Empire
The final 18 Jade Empire techniques are now available at the Jade website. With new locations and a Spirit search option, you'll be fully armed to tackle your epic quest. Discuss.

Wednesday, Aug 31 2005

The Techniques of Jade Empire Part 2
We reveal two dozen more Jade Empire techniques this week. In addition, techniques are now searchable by location to help you find them faster based on your current game progress. Discuss.
Drow On The Prowl - Dor Maeglin Underdark
The chilling Underdark serves as the central theme of Dor Maeglin, a persistent world tempered into one of the best and broadest multiplayer experiences for Neverwinter Nights. Find out more about this engaging realm in our interview with boss monster Siggy. Discuss.

Wednesday, Aug 24 2005

The Techniques of Jade Empire
As you make your epic journey through the Jade Empire, skilled teachers impart secret techniques that will improve your ability to survive in both the combat and social arenas. Presented here for your on-going reference is the official list of techniques, sortable in various ways to make your questing easier. This week, we offer techniques A through G. Discuss.
On-Going NWN Campaigns Part 2
Our man in the trenches of on-going campaigns continues his talk on this popular way to enjoy Neverwinter Nights. This week, he delves into big questions dungeon masters and players must answer before beginning a campaign and tips on where new DMs can get help. Discuss.

Wednesday, Aug 17 2005

Special Weapons of Followers in Jade Empire
A little known Jade Empire fact: you can upgrade certain followers' weapons from your basic Elbow Strike level to a Cranium Splintering Assault of Ancestor-Jarring White-Knuckle Justice level. We asked Evil Chris Priestly from our Quality Assurance team to give us the goods on getting the upgrades for Dawn Star, Silk Fox, and the master of disaster himself, Black Whirlwind. Discuss.
Crafting On-Going Campaigns With NWN
We look at a more traditional use for Neverwinter Nights this week: the pen and paper type of on-going campaign where players gather regularly to play with the same group of friends and characters. Discuss.

Wednesday, Aug 10 2005

Temple of Dirge Video
The Temple of Dirge is located deep within the Land of the Howling Spirits and lies abandoned and forgotten among the region's icy mountains. View the final video in our Jade Empire world region series today. Discuss.
Fellowship of the Dragonsong Guild
Read about the two year old Fellowship of the Dragonsong Guild formed by a group of people who have crafted a persistent world and a thriving guild to suit their own gaming style, preferences, and philosophy. Discuss.

Wednesday, Aug 03 2005

New Jade Empire World Region
Another Jade Empire world tour video is available at the Jade site. The Necropolis is the resting place for the Imperial City's honored dead and it crawls with evil spirits. Discuss.
Neverwinter Nights Machinima Tutorial
The new industry of Machinima is on the rise with its own celebrities, award shows, and multitude of fans. This sort of animation is something virtually anyone can get started in without extensive training or resources. This week, we profile Hugh Hancock who has developed a quick tutorial on using our beloved Neverwinter Nights to make movie magic. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jul 27 2005

NWN Community Expansion Pack Upgraded
The CEP team has just released an updated Community Expansion Pack! The new version 1.52 includes all the features of previous releases and is fully compatible with NWN v1.66. Find out what has been updated and download it today. Discuss.
Art Corner - Jade Empire Box Cover
Mike Sass crafted the beautiful art that you see on the cover of your regular or limited edition Jade Empire game box. It was a complicated project that took several months from beginning to end. This week, Mike gives us an intriguing and detailed behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of the Jade Empire box cover. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jul 20 2005

Canada Rawks
Intrepid Community Manager Jay Watamaniuk abuses his infinite cosmic powers to investigate the mysterious Canadian connection to Neverwinter Nights. Learn of his provocative findings and vicious ice monkeys. Discuss.
Great Southern Forest and Quarry Caves
We reveal two more video clips of important regions within the Jade Empire. Rumor has it the Great Southern Forest is overrun with ghosts and malevolent spirits, and that the trees themselves warp to trap unfortunates inside. The Quarry Caves are an ancient network of tunnels that run underground near the original site of Tien's Landing, and whispers tell of ghosts who lurk in the dark, stone corridors. Discuss.
Artwork for the High Seas! Creating Imagery for Pirates of the Sword Coast
Working for BioWare gives one access to amazing artists. Todd Grenier has been creating art for many years and was asked to put his talent to work creating a central image for BioWare's latest premium module, Neverwinter Nights: Pirates of the Sword Coast. This week, we speak with Todd to learn more about his craft and how the gorgeous feature image for Pirates of the Sword Coast came about. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jul 13 2005

More Jade Empire World Regions
This week, we feature two new world region video clips that reveal the beauty and sophistication of the Jade Empire. The Scholars' Garden is a place of study, debate, and cultural and philosophical advancements, and the Market District of the Imperial City is the bustling heart of the Jade Empire's economy. Watch the videos today. Discuss.
New Pirates of the Sword Coast Wallpaper
Avast me hearties! Best ye be downloadin' and installin' the beautiful new wallpaper for Neverwinter Nights: Pirates of the Sword Coast. It be featurin' the likes of grizzled ol' Captain Allendry, wretched Poly the parrot, and Garm the troglodyte aboard the Midnight Rose, the most notorious ship ever to sail the untamed seas. Get it today or ye'll be kissin' the Gunner's Daughter! Discuss.

Wednesday, Jul 06 2005

New Jade Empire World Regions
Our Jade Empire world regions video series continues with two new areas. The Golden Way is a place where artists, musicians, and performers ply their trade to the amusement of the city's elite, and the Imperial Arena is the famed battleground to which fighters from all over the Empire travel to compete in the greatest contest in the land. Discuss.
The Crew of the Midnight Rose
This week, we introduce you to the crew of the Midnight Rose--the most notorious ship ever to sail the untamed seas and your home in the BioWare Premium Module, Neverwinter Nights: Pirates of the Sword Coast. Also, five new Pirates forum portraits are available for registered NWN owners. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jun 29 2005

Jade Empire World Regions Movie Clips
The world of Jade Empire is lush, beautiful, and fraught with danger. This week we launch a new series of videos that highlights specific regions of the Jade Empire world starting with the town of Two Rivers and Tien's Landing. Discuss.
Pirates of the Sword Coast Content & Portraits
Preview the awesome content NWN: Pirates of the Sword Coast offers, including the Undersea Cavern Tileset, underwater placeables, sahaugin, sharks, and the tropical tileset. Plus, read a batch of tips and tricks and check out three new forum portraits. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jun 22 2005

The Gems of Jade Empire, Part 3
All 92 gems are now listed in the Game Secrets area of the Jade Empire website. You can sort the list by name, effect, and special power so you can get the information you need quickly to optimize your gameplay strategy each step along your epic quest. Register your game for free today to access this and other great game secrets. Discuss.
Jade Empire Soundtrack CD
Now available at the BioWare Online Store: the official CD soundtrack from the smash hit martial arts action-RPG, Jade Empire. Listen to 10 sample clips and learn more about this lilting, rousing, and dramatic soundtrack. Discuss.
NWN: Pirates of the Sword Coast Released!
Ahoy mateys! Neverwinter Nights: Pirates of the Sword Coast, the newest premium BioWare module, is now ready for plunderin' at the BioWare Online Store. Our largest premium module ever brims with new content, multiplayer options, a dozen hours of gameplay, and much more. Visit the BioWare Online Store for more information today. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jun 15 2005

The Gems of Jade Empire, Part 2
New gems are now available in the Game Secrets area of the Jade Empire website. Gems and your Dragon Amulet strategy are important as you journey through the Jade Empire on your epic quest, and our reference lets you sort gems by their properties so you can make the best possible tactical decisions. Discuss.
Ahoy! New Neverwinter Nights Premium Module Announced
BioWare is pleased to announce the upcoming release of Neverwinter Nights: Pirates of the Sword Coast, a tale of pirates, parrots, and peril! This exciting adventure boasts a dozen hours of gameplay, multiple endings, single and multiplayer modes, new creatures, new tilesets, and much more! Visit the full site for more details, screenshots, and a wallpaper. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jun 08 2005

What Role Can You Play At BioWare?
BioWare is a growing company with multiple exciting projects on the horizon, and we want to add YOU to our talented, creative, hard-working team! You have enjoyed our great story- and character-based roleplaying games in the past - now we challenge you to play a role at BioWare in the future! Discuss.
The Gems of Jade Empire, Part 1
One of the key gameplay strategies to Jade Empire is collecting magic gems and finding the best configurations for them in your Dragon Amulet. While sorcerers, healers, and jewelers use these "essence gems" in their arts, your Dragon Amulet enables you to tap their true powers to enhance your own abilities. This week, we feature gems A-G as a resource to help fine-tune your gameplay--register your game for free to access this and more great articles, game secrets, and bloopers. Discuss.
The Persistent World of Layonara
A persistent world is a labour of love. It requires a tremendous amount of work to establish and even more work to keep it running. Pen and paper gamers often take their worlds online to open them up for everyone to play. Leanthar has taken his 10 years of campaign details and created a lush world to explore for courageous adventurers that welcomes new players and veterans. In this interview, we speak with Leanthar about his world. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jun 01 2005

Do You Have Community News To Report?
Found something innovative and cool that deserves some recognition? Have a project you are working on that relates to a BioWare game you would like to call attention to? Send us an e-mail and tell us about it! Everything from Neverwinter Nights to Jade Empire is welcome. Discuss.
NWN World of Aventia
Aventia is a huge persistent world of vastly powerful characters, nefarious villains, and hideous creatures. It offers great features, such as PvP battlegrounds and Clans, Tournament Arenas, Guilds for Classes, Infinite Casting Nerf, Pick Pocketing Nerf, and more. We spoke with founding organizer Jason de Cordoba, aka Oclair Monanari, and PinkFuzz on how this PW got started and what's in store for the future. Discuss.
New Jade Empire Interview and Wallpaper
A fun new wallpaper is available for your desktop: the Class of Jade Empire 2005. It features a variety of characters from the epic action-RPG posing for a group photo--can you name them all? We also feature a mini-interview with Jade Producer/Project Director Jim Bishop in the game secrets area--register your game for free to access this and more great articles, game secrets, and bloopers. Discuss.

Wednesday, May 25 2005

Exclusive New Jade Empire Developer Interviews
Get an inside peek at the making of Jade Empire this week with a pair of new developer interviews. The first is with Lead Designer Kevin Martens who shares his thoughts on the design of a new IP and real-time combat system. The second is with Alain Baxter, Quality Assurance Lead, who tells us about chaos testing and playthrough testing. Register your game for free to access all of this great information and more. Discuss.
Back to School for Neverwinter Nights
It is always a treat to hear when Neverwinter is used in a completely new and surprising way beyond the gaming world. Peter Gorniak, a.k.a. Sumpfork, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) joins the educators of West Nottingham Shire for crafting NWN into a tool entirely different than what BioWare expected. Discuss.

Wednesday, May 18 2005

Neverwinter Nights Profile: Murder At Avedon Hill
One of the most enduring story archetypes involves solving a mystery. Add to this a sensational murder and a line-up of diverse and captivating characters as suspects and you have a setting for a fine story of sleuthing and intrigue. P.G. Holyfield, aka gurney9999, has used Neverwinter Nights as a springboard to present a scandalous story of murder most foul and is closing in on completing his first novel from the experience. Discuss.
Jade Empire Minigame High Score Challenge
The minigames of Jade Empire are a very popular feature of the game, so we had Scott Horner flex his QA skillz to come up with high scores for you to attempt to attain and beat in each of the missions. More new game secrets are available for registered game owners as well, including a Guide to the Marvelous Dragonfly and a new blooper video. Register your game for free to access all of this great information. Discuss.

Wednesday, May 11 2005

Even More Game Secrets For Jade Empire
More new, exclusive content is available for registered game owners at the Jade Empire website, including the Drunken Zombie and Too Much Coffee blooper videos, and a short interview with Jade Art Director Matt Goldman. Register your game to access all of this great information and more. Discuss.
Neverwinter Nights: French Connection
French-speaking Fabien Cerutti is one of the top rated module makers in the Neverwinter Nights community today, and he has been kind enough to answer some questions about his modules and methods. With the help of BioWare Localization Producer Jenny McKearney, we present Fabien's thoughts this week in both French and English. Discuss.
Hot New Gear Now Available at the BioWare Online Store
Responding to numerous community requests, polls, and surveys, we are pleased to announce BioWare and Jade Empire official merchandise is now available from the BioWare online store. Several high quality new products have been added, such as Jade Empire mousepads, Jade Empire t-shirts, BioWare toques, exclusive Jade Empire signed lithographs, and more! Discuss.

Wednesday, May 04 2005

NWVault New Design Launch!
A year in the works, the NWVault now has a slick new design offering many improvements, such as unification of user features under one account, revised gameworld listings, revised comments system, blog, and more. Visit the NWVault for the full scoop--and download a few modules to play while you're there! Discuss.
Shadowrunner Nights
Set in a future where magic has seen a rebirth, the crazy world of Shadowrun is still adjusting to the fact that Dragons and wizardry exist alongside advanced technology and global corporations that have more power then governments. Peacekeeping duties in Iraq have not stopped community member SDX from gearing up to reshape Neverwinter Nights into something that comes with a full clip. Discuss.
More Great New Game Secrets For Jade Empire
New game secrets are available at the Jade Empire website. View the final installment of the Character Outtakes series plus another funny blooper video, read up on two new Easter Eggs, and view a pair of great bloopers. There's also a new batch of forums portraits available to registered game owners. Register your game to access all of this great information and more. Discuss.

Wednesday, Apr 27 2005

An Interview with Rick Burton
Using the well-crafted community name 'Rick Burton', Rick Burton became well-known to fans as the author of several impressive Neverwinter Nights modules, including his 'Paladin' series, which is planned as a trilogy. His work garnered the attention of the BioWare design department, which concluded that he was the stuff that professionals were made of. Rick took some time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions on being the latest community talent to start working as a professional game developer. Discuss.
Game Secrets For Jade Empire
This week, we unleash more new game secrets for Jade Empire. Watch the third installment of the hilarious Character Outtakes series, learn about two new Easter Eggs, and view a pair of great bloopers. Also, registered game owners have eight new forums portraits available. Be sure to register your game to access this great information. Discuss.

Wednesday, Apr 20 2005

Wu the Lotus Blossom Desktop
A brand new beautiful wallpaper is available for download at the Jade Empire website. You can find the desktop, which features Wu the Lotus Blossom, in the Wallpapers Gallery. Discuss.
Neverwinter Nights: World of Amon
One of the best parts of the Neverwinter Nights community is exploring private worlds created for pen and paper gaming that have been recreated through the NWN Toolset for all to enjoy. Some have even gone so far as to run their home-brewed lands as Persistent Worlds, allowing players around the world to create even more detail and stories. We spoke with Craig Suter who has taken his pen and paper world of Amon and recreated it in NWN. Discuss.
New Jade Empire Game Secrets
Several new Jade Empire game secrets are now available at the Jade website, including three additional outtakes and bloopers, and two new Easter Eggs. Register your game to gain access to this great information. Also, registered game owners now have eight new forums portraits available. Discuss.

Wednesday, Apr 13 2005

Making-Of Jade Empire Video Now Online
"The Making of Jade Empire" DVD documentary was filmed by G4 Tech TV and contains interesting commentary from game producers, behind-the-scenes footage of the BioWare offices, and much more. It debuted with the Limited Edition version release of the game, and it is now available in its 23 minute entirety at the Jade Empire site. Discuss.
Neverwinter Nights: Resurrection
Attention Old Schoolers, you'll find this week's profile about the revival of the Neverwinter Nights hosted by AOL in the '90s a great read and a fun trip down memory lane. We spoke with Snake, project lead designer, to learn more about this great mod of a classic game. Discuss.
Jade Game Owner Only Forums & Portraits
Registered owners of Jade Empire can now voice their opinions and get the best tips from BioWare developers in the exclusive game-owner only forums. In addition, special game-owner only forum portraits are now available. Who wants to be Death’s Hand? Discuss.
Jade Empire Game Secrets Revealed
When you nab your copy of Jade Empire, be sure to register it to your BioWare Community account so you can check out the awesome secret game content we've prepared for you. Learn about Easter Eggs and hidden content, read an introductory Jade walkthrough, watch bloopers and outtakes, and more! Discuss.

Wednesday, Apr 06 2005

New Jade Screenshots
View half a dozen new screenshots of Wu the Lotus Blossom and Scholar Ling wielding Storm Dragon, White Demon, and Ice Shard fighting styles. Discuss.
Prima DVD Enhanced Official Game Guide for Jade Empire
Watch the video trailer for the Prima DVD Enhanced Official Jade Empire Game Guide that not only gives you an idea of what's inside the Guide, but it also showcases BioWare's soon-to-be-released action-RPG with nearly two minutes of new gameplay footage. The Official Jade Empire Game Guide appears in stores April 14th and is also coming soon to the BioWare Online store. Discuss.
New Jade Fighting Styles: Storm Dragon & Ice Shard/White Demon Combo
Two new smacktastic fighting styles are up at the Jade Empire website. The first features Storm Dragon, a style that enables a master to call upon the power of lightning to damage an opponent. The second video reveals a harmonic combo of Ice Shard and White Demon styles in action. Discuss.
Neverwinter Profile: Bastions of War
Bastions of War is a team-based, player versus player, arena module where NWN fans can flex their powergaming muscles, work out their daily stress, and beat the crap out of gnomes, bards, elves, and other deserving folk. :P We spoke with Alec Usticke, BoW's chief admin and scripter, to find out more about this entertaining mod. Discuss.

Wednesday, Mar 30 2005

New Jade Screens Featuring Stone Immortal
A quartet of new Jade Empire screenshots are up at the website featuring Radiant Jen Zi wielding the powerful and earthy Stone Immortal fighting style. Discuss.
New Jade Fighting Styles: Spirit Thief and Hidden Fist
View two more great fighting style videos now available at the Jade Empire website. Hidden Fist style is a collection of techniques that render your foes disoriented and unable to fight back, and Spirit Thief style enables you to tap an enemy’s vital energies and refill your own reserves. Discuss.
Neverwinter Community Tileset Pack
A group of special and slightly crazy people have been tirelessly working on a project to bring Neverwinter fans new and previously released tilesets in a convenient package accessible to the whole community. We spoke with project leader Banshe to learn how the project is going and to find out what exactly will be in the Neverwinter Community Tileset Pack. Discuss.

Wednesday, Mar 23 2005

Super-Powered Tools for ModForce!
The foundation of any community is based on the enthusiasm and talent of its members and the tools that are available to create new content. In our first article on the new partnership between BioWare and Irrational Games, General Manager and Creative Director Ken Levine hinted at what was coming down the pipe for Modder fans of Freedom Force. In this week's scoop, Ken gives the Mod community some tips on the fabulous new tools. Discuss.
Hot New Jade Preview Videos & Radiant Jen Zi Wallpaper
View hot new video previews of Jade Empire at the Jade website. Watch never-seen-before exciting gameplay footage that reveals Jade's immersive story, fast-paced combat, and spectacular effects. While you're there, download a new desktop featuring the beautiful Radiant Jen Zi. Radiant Jen Zi is a fast and deadly warrior and one of the characters you can choose to play in the game. Discuss.
NWN Profiles: Eye of the Beholder Project & David Gaider Interview
The original Eye of the Beholder grabbed gamers by their keyboards and wouldn't let them go. Now, 14 years later, a team of community members have made a gigantoid mod of the original adventure for Neverwinter Nights; plus, they've added a bevy of new NWN content. We spoke with team members Rick and Mika about the project. In other NWN related news, be sure to also read an interview with BioWare Designer David Gaider recently posted at the Ladies of Neverwinter site. Discuss.

Wednesday, Mar 16 2005

White Demon & Double Axes Jade Fighting Styles
View another fantastic pair of fighting style videos at the Jade Empire website. See Tiger Shen wielding the destructive and far-reaching Double Axes style, and then watch him plow through his opponents like an ogre in a teahouse with White Demon style. Discuss.
News From The DM Friendly Initiative
Being a Dungeon Master is hard work. You need to be organized, dedicated, play a 1000 parts to tell your players a story, and somewhere along the way, have some fun yourself. The DM Friendly Initiative (DMFI) focuses on creating tools to help the beleaguered DM run adventures with the fewest hiccups and stalls as possible. This week, we speak with Carlo, the DMFI project coordinator. Discuss.

Wednesday, Mar 09 2005

Jade Empire Art Corner: Tiger Shen
Tiger Shen is one of the six selectable player characters in Jade Empire, and he represents a roleplaying style that is about diving right in and powering through your opponents with a touch less concern for finesse. In this art corner, we look at Tiger Shen from early concepts to final model. Discuss.
Two New Jade Empire Fighting Style Videos
Two new fighting style videos are ready for your viewing pleasure at the Jade Empire web site. Watch a Thousand Cuts - an aptly named martial style that relies on numerous light strikes in quick succession instead of singular punishing blows or thunderous kicks, and Dire Flame - a magical style of fire bolts, fireballs, and tongues of flame. Discuss.
New NWN Epic Builds: Holy Paragon and Eldritch Archer
A new pair of special epic builds is available for study and download. The Holy Paragon and Eldritch Archer make use of the Player's Resource Consortium pak and they feature brand new prestige classes! Also, we caught up with Lord Deimos from the PRC to get details of what's on the horizon for the hard-working group. Discuss.

Wednesday, Mar 02 2005

BioWare Online Store Q&A With Ray & Greg
We recently caught up with BioWare joint-CEOs, Ray and Greg, to find out what exciting things are in the works for the BioWare Online Store. In this interview, plans are revealed for the sale of physical products and more story-based games! Discuss.
New Jade Wallpaper: Lu the Prodigy
Download the latest beautiful desktop from the Jade Empire web site. This one depicts a grim scene of the playable character, Lu the Prodigy, powering up Storm Dragon style while being surrounded by hungry cannibals as lightning lights up the night sky overhead. Discuss.
Two New Jade Empire Fighting Style Videos
Two new fighting style videos, Tempest and Golden Star, are now available for viewing at the Jade Empire web site. Warriors who fight with Golden Star wield a powerful weapon originally crafted as a gift for the Water Spirit of the Silkworm River. And martial artists who are proficient in Tempest have the very winds at their beck and call! Discuss.
Neverending Nights - A Machinima Project
It took little time for fans to break the boundaries of the Aurora Toolset in pursuit of telling their personal stories when Neverwinter Nights was released, and now a pair of creative souls have teamed up to create an NWN Machinima project. Read how and why Adam Freese and Tawmis have produced a series of video shorts that bring out the humorous side of being a hero. Discuss.

Wednesday, Feb 23 2005

10 Years of BioWare, Part 2
BioWare has been making critically acclaimed games for ten years. Each new game we develop is a culmination of all the experience and talent that have been brought together to work under one roof with one goal in mind - to make great games. We continue our talks with some of the early BioWare employees who got their start as professionals in the games industry ten years ago working on Shattered Steel to see what a decade in the business has taught them. Discuss.
New Limited Edition Bonus Character Screens
BioWare's epic action-RPG for Xbox hits store shelves April 14. However, available for pre-order today is a Limited Edition of Jade Empire that features special foil wrap, a bonus fighting style - Spade Staff, a behind-the-scenes "Making Of" video feature on DVD produced by G4 Tech TV, and today's screenshot feature: a playable bonus character - Monk Zeng. Discuss.
Jade Empire Q&A With Ray and Greg
Jade Empire is nearly here, and Ray and Greg, Co-Executive Producers of Jade Empire and Joint-CEOs of BioWare, took some time recently to answer a number of questions about how the development of Jade is going and the thinking behind the release of a pre-sale Limited Edition. Discuss.
Neverwinter Nights Premium Module Updates Now Available
Version 1.1 for Neverwinter Nights premium modules Kingmaker, ShadowGuard, and Witch's Wake is now available. The 1.1 updates address various known issues based on feedback from the community. If you have already purchased a premium module, you can download the updated version at your BioWare Store Downloads page. Discuss.

Wednesday, Feb 16 2005

10 Years of BioWare, Part 1
A great deal has changed in the ten years since BioWare started to make world-class games. We spoke with some of the original members of the BioWare team about the early days of BioWare, their decade of experience, and where the games industry might be headed. This week, we feature interviews with Joint-CEOs Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk, Director of Design James Ohlen, and Producer/Project Director Scott Greig. Discuss.
Jade Empire Character Feature
Finding your soul mate is tough business. However, there's hope yet as we profile some of the bachelors and bachelorettes of the Jade Empire. Perhaps love will strike? Then again, maybe flying fists and feet will strike instead! Discuss.
Stone Immortal - A Jade Empire Featured Fighting Style
Fighters who study the Stone Immortal style gain mastery over the ponderous element of earth, putting the mighty power of stone and crystal at their command. Masters of Stone Immortal have the ability to attack enemies with crystalline missiles, encase foes in stone, or even open the ground beneath an opponent's feet. Watch this exciting style in action right now. Discuss.
Chaos Harbinger and Primeval Champion - New NWN Epics
A brand new pair of epic character builds, complete with downloadable character files so you can tweak and fiddle with them yourself, are up at the Neverwinter Nights web site. This week, we offer you the Chaos Harbinger and the Primeval Champion built by Imna Lias. Discuss.

Wednesday, Feb 09 2005

BioWare Development Through the Ages
In the second part of our BioWare's 10th Year celebration, we look back at our past games and compare technology and projects. Can you guess how many average polygons were used in Shattered Steel and Jade Empire? Read on to find out the answers. Discuss.
New Fighting Styles On The Jade Empire Site
View exclusive new gameplay footage that's still smoking hot from our video capture equipment for two Jade Empire fighting styles. First, watch as Tiger Shen battles a ghost using Leaping Tiger style, with follower Chai Ka assisting. Then root for Lu the Prodigy using Ice Shard style as he clashes with a powerful and dangerous ogre. Discuss.
New NWN Epics: Devastating Rogue and Troubadour Guardian
Roll up your sleeves and dig into another pair of great epic character builds. This week, we feature the Devastating Rogue and the Troubadour Guardian created by Brian "Flameoftheabyss" Quah. In related news, the Community Expansion Pack team has recently updated the CEP to 1.51. Download it today. Discuss.

Wednesday, Feb 02 2005

Jade Empire Pre-Order Bonus!
Jade Empire Limited Edition is now available for pre-order at no extra cost. The Limited Edition contains exclusive bonus content, such as the devastating new fighting style Spade Staff, "The Making of Jade Empire" video documentary on DVD, and this week's BioWare Wednesday feature: the new and completely playable character Monk Zeng. Be sure to also download the cool Monk Zeng desktop today as well. Discuss.
Edmonton Casting Call
This is your chance to be the envy of all your friends by appearing in a world-class video game from award-winning game developer BioWare! We are searching Edmonton for all types of people aged 18-99 to become the faces of characters in upcoming games. The event takes place February 4th at West Edmonton Mall. For more details, view the casting call web page. Discuss.
BioWare Celebrates 10 Years of Game Development
Ten years is a vast gulf of time when it comes to the world of computer games. Advances in computing have dramatically changed the medium of computer games, and by extension, have forced changes to the business of making games. BioWare has transformed just as dramatically over the years. This month, we look back at the last decade starting with a timeline of games we have created. Here's to another ten years! Discuss.
NWN Epic Builds Are Back!
The epic PC builds are back, baby! Check out these elite PCs with complete character advancement history from 1st to 40th level. Plus, you can download 20th and 40th level snapshots of each build to tinker and game with on your own. This week, we feature a pair who wouldn't be caught dead wearing pink and fuzzy bunny slippers: the Death Hunter and the Wrathful Berserker. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jan 26 2005

Save Over 25% on Neverwinter Nights Premium Modules
For a limited time you can save more than 25% on the critically acclaimed premium Neverwinter Nights modules. Grab them at these great prices while you can! Discuss.
NWCON3: Con of the Dead Has Begun
NWCON 3: Con of the Dead has begun and there is a treasure chest full of games, events, and seminars for you to discover and enjoy. Check out the fantastic week of activities ahead, including DM and player seminars, roundtable discussions, ghost stories, and of course, games! Discuss.
Jade Empire Creature Feature: the Dangerous Ogre
Although most people in Jade Empire believe these beings are "lesser demons," ogres are actually a race of creatures too dim-witted to understand the advanced technology and spirituality of the civilized lands. Years of being exploited by smarter folk have tainted the beasts, however, and you're more likely to meet an ogre holding a sword than one holding a plowshare! Discuss.

Wednesday, Jan 19 2005

Official Neverwinter Nights 2 Forums Launched
We are pleased to announce the launch of the official discussion forums for the upcoming Neverwinter Nights 2 game that is being developed by Obsidian Entertainment using the BioWare Aurora Engine® technology. Swing by the new forums to join the community, or use your existing account, and read and discuss all things NWN2 with Obsidian developers and Neverwinter Nights fans! Discuss.
Neverwinter Nights 2 Developer Interview
Obsidian Entertainment is hard at work developing Neverwinter Nights 2. Lead Designer Ferret Baudoin graciously gave us some of his time to chat about NWN2, the toolset, and the D&D rules set that will be used in the game. Discuss.
New Jade Empire Gameplay Screenshots
View five beautiful new screenshots for Jade Empire, including the Golden Way, Wu unleashing Heavenly Wave fighting style, and Wu the Lotus Blossom wielding Dire Flame style. Discuss.
AIAS Kingmaker Nomination Interview
Neverwinter Nights: Kingmaker was recently nominated by the prestigious Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences for the RPG of the Year award. We waded through the paparazzi and blinding flashes to get developer reactions from Dan and Cori. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jan 12 2005

NWCON 3: Con of the Dead - Jan 26-30
Start the New Year with some flesh-consuming horror from the damned! Lead Coordinator Danebo gears up for the next huge Neverwinter Nights online convention, January 26-30, filled with special events, contests, and of course, games of spleen-spasming terror in the name of wholesome fun. Organizers Danebo, Festivus, J'Dai, and even grizzled Con veteran Eliandi, gave us the details of the upcoming NWCON 3. Discuss.
Jade Creature Feature
Three new creatures have been added to the Jade Empire web site. View the lowly yet vicious rat demon, the majestic but brutal elephant demon, and the trickster fox spirit whose lessons aren't always easy to accept. Discuss.
Box Cover For Jade Empire Revealed
View the recently released official box cover for Jade Empire. This fine art piece that will grace the game box features Wu the Lotus Blossom and Furious Ming besieged by numerous deadly threats. Can you name them all? And more importantly, will you, as the player, be able to overcome them? Discuss.

Wednesday, Jan 05 2005

New Jade Empire Screenshots
Three beautiful new screenshots are up at the Jade Empire site today. See Wu battling an Elephant Demon, Follower Dawn Star and Wu chatting in the garden, and Wu unleashing Tempest Style. Discuss.
Neverwinter Nights Extender V2 Profiled
Exploring a persistent world with friends is a favourite way fans play NWN multiplayer. The ground-breaking program, Neverwinter Nights Extender (NWNX), addresses the community's desire for a true persistent world--it ensures character actions are permanently remembered. NWNX was recently updated, and we spoke with Papillon about the latest version, NWNX2. Discuss.

Wednesday, Dec 22 2004

Jade Empire Horse Demon Transformation Fighting Style Video
Another exclusive new in-game video featuring the Horse Demon Transformation fighting style. Using the captured spirit of a defeated foe, Wu uses her Chi to transform into the powerful Horse Demon. Discuss.
New Jade Empire Desktop: Furious Ming
Available now: A new desktop wallpaper featuring Furious Ming, the quintessential light and fast martial artist. Download and install the beautiful desktop today. Discuss.
West Nottinghamshire Wins Beacon Award!
The Computing Science team at West Nottinghamshire College crafted Neverwinter into a learning tool that just won one of the top awards in education in the UK: a Beacon. Members of the team share their experiences with winning the Beacon Award and their thoughts on the future. Discuss.
Holiday Top 10
'Tis the season to overindulge on kidney-damaging sweets like "Chocolate covered Suger Fried Icing Smacktee-Loops" and put yourself into an endless dreamy glucose stupor. Put down grandma's fruit cake and catch up on the Top 10 reasons to give premium Neverwinter Nights modules this holiday season. Discuss.

Wednesday, Dec 15 2004

Neverwinter Nights Profile of Composer David John
Adding music can have a profound affect on gameplay. Just ask David John, a Canadian composer who was recently contracted to conjure up some exceptional music for the premium Neverwinter Nights modules on sale now at the BioWare Online Store. This week, we chat with David to learn more about his instrumental game craft. Discuss.
New Jade Empire Twin Ham Fighting Style Video!
Click over to the Jade Empire site to view an exciting and exclusive new in-game video featuring Wu the Lotus Blossom battling in the Teahouse. Watch as she mercilessly takes down her enemy with the improvised but deadly weapon, Twin Hams. Discuss.
BioWare Holiday Card
Ho ho ho! We hope your holiday season is full of peace, harmony, and gobs of loot! If you're having trouble finding anything good to watch on TV, as lawful evil broadcast executives greenlight more and more reality shows, you might want to pick up your clicker and check out this year's BioWare Holiday card. Happy holidays from BioWare! Discuss.

Wednesday, Dec 08 2004

Neverwinter Nights: Witch's Wake Developer Put To The Question
Witch's Wake I was a huge hit among NWN community members, with over a million downloads since its release over a year and a half ago. The remastered premium Neverwinter Nights: Witch's Wake module is now available at the BioWare Online Store, and we took a few moments to chat with the module's developer, Rob Bartel, to learn about the module's design and to see if we could pry some information from him about the future of the series. Discuss.
Jade Empire Philosophy Part 2: Way of the Open Palm
The Jade Empire is a land steeped in tradition, where every person has his or her place in the grand scheme of things. Many of the greatest minds in the Empire believe that their civilization was built on the tenets of strength, duty, and honor: the Way of the Open Palm. Read this week's feature article that discusses this aspect of Jade Empire's intriguing philosophy. Discuss.

Wednesday, Dec 01 2004

Developer of Neverwinter Nights: ShadowGuard Interviewed
Ben McJunkin was one of the first community members to be approached to create a module exclusively for BioWare. In this week's article, our intrepid Community Manager learns how Ben approached the creation of Neverwinter Nights: ShadowGuard and some of the challenges involved in making a BioWare Online Store premium module. Discuss.
New Jade Empire Desktop: Tiger Shen In A Fierce Battle
Get this hot new Jade Empire desktop today that features the mighty Tiger Shen lashing out at a gang of enemies in Leaping Tiger fighting style. The battleground is full of chaos and mayhem, and it appears he is surrounded! How will he get out of this one? Discuss.

Wednesday, Nov 24 2004

Exclusive New Screenshots For Jade Empire
Crack open these four new exclusive screenshots revealing more Jade Empire RPG adventure action! See Radiant Jen Zi teaching a lesson in the art of Leaping Tiger, Furious Ming driving foes back using White Demon style, Sky charging into battle, and Furious Ming exploring a heavenly realm. Discuss.
Neverwinter Nights: Kingmaker Developer Interview
We recently caught up with the Neverwinter Nights: Kingmaker module developers to get their thoughts and views on the making of this premium module that's now available at the BioWare Online Store. Read about what they enjoyed most about crafting the adventure, their favourite module character, and more. Discuss.

Wednesday, Nov 17 2004

NPCs of Neverwinter Nights: ShadowGuard
Keep your enemies close and your friends closer--it pays to know who you're adventuring with! Read this week's NPC profiles for the premium Neverwinter Nights module, ShadowGuard, to learn more about your companions--perhaps more than they'd like you to know. Heh. Discuss.
Jade Empire: The Way of the Closed Fist
After rigorous debate and discussion, philosophers in the Jade Empire have defined two opposing moral paths: the Way of the Open Palm and the Way of the Closed Fist. This week, we delve into the Way of the Closed Fist, a philosophy of doing whatever it takes to further one's station, regardless of the consequences this has on the world at large. Discuss.
Catch These Premium Neverwinter Nights Module Tips
Check out cool tips and secrets from the writers and designers of the premium Neverwinter Nights modules that are on sale now: Kingmaker, ShadowGuard, and Witch's Wake. Use these tips to get the most out of your gameplay experiences and to replay the adventures with different objectives and perspectives in mind! (Spoiler warning.) Discuss.

Wednesday, Nov 10 2004

Neverwinter Nights: Kingmaker NPCs Profiled With Audio!
Kingmaker offers some wonderful, non-linear story-telling and roleplaying possibilities. The quality of personality, writing, and voice-over of non-player characters definitely impacts how enjoyable an adventure is to play, and Kingmaker's designers spent a lot of time making sure this module's NPCs are fun to roleplay and interact with. Read, look, and listen to a sample cast of henchmen from Neverwinter Nights: Kingmaker in this week's NPC profile. Discuss.
Jade Empire: A Labour Of Love Part 2
Part two of the Labour of Love article, featuring several Jade Empire team interviews, is up right now at the Jade web site. This week, we feature Combat, Production, and QA, plus new, exclusive screenshots. Discuss.
Premium Neverwinter Nights Modules Now Available!
The doors opened November 10th to BioWare's Online Store. Sporting fresh new adventures for Neverwinter Nights fans to explore is only the beginning of what fans can expect! We caught up with BioWare Joint-CEO Ray Muzyka, Marketing Director Craig Priddle, Live Team Lead Designer Rob Bartel, Client Care Specialist Jason Barlow, and Community Manager Jay Watamaniuk to answer a few questions about the bright future of the BioWare Online Store. Discuss.

Wednesday, Nov 03 2004

Way of the Closed Fist - Jade Philosophy
Learn more about the Jade Empire's philosophy in an article up right now at Gamespy's web site. Discover some intriguing tid bits about the Way of the Open Palm, the Way of the Closed Fist, the Followers of the Discordant Path, the Iron Soldier, the Lotus Assassins, and more! Discuss.
Jade Empire: A Labour Of Love
Jade Empire is a large, exciting project and a huge team effort that crosses several game creation disciplines. This week, we feature Jade team interviews to learn what roles are involved in creating a AAA title and why BioWare's first intellectual property is not merely a job--it's a labour of love. The interviews also contain new, exclusive screenshots! Discuss.
Neverwinter Nights: Witch's Wake Remastered Sub-Races
Great news for Witch's Wake fans! There are now 27 new subraces for you to choose from when creating your character for Witch's Wake Remastered! These races were added to flesh out the game world of Witch's Wake and to enhance the roleplaying aspects of the module. Visit the Witch's Wake site for subrace pics and profiles. Discuss.

Wednesday, Oct 27 2004

New Jade Desktop: Scholar Ling
Available now: A new desktop wallpaper featuring the graceful and deadly Scholar Ling, whose magical affinity gives her an advantage over those who rely on muscle alone. Download and install the beautiful desktop today. Discuss.
NWN Community Expansion Pack 1.50 Upgrade Now Available
Not only is the NWN Community Expansion Pack 1.50 upgrade compatible with NWN 1.64, but it comes with a cornucopia of new content, such as CODI's osyluth and maugs, DLA's treant and gem golems, exotic new weapons, additional shields, more clothing, new placeables, and much, much more. The long-awaited CEP sequel is now available for download--get yours today! Discuss.
All-New Adventures For Neverwinter Nights!
Neverwinter Nights fans rejoice for more official content is coming your way. BioWare has announced three new premium Neverwinter Nights modules: Kingmaker, ShadowGuard, and Witch's Wake. Each will be available November 10th when the BioWare Online Store opens its online doors. The premium modules will host a wide variety of features, including engrossing storylines, professional voice-over, musical scores, brand new in-game content, and much more. Discuss.

Wednesday, Oct 20 2004

5 New Jade Empire Screenshots
We have five exclusive and cool Jade Empire screenshots for you this week. See Tiger Shen dodging a student's attack, Kang the Mad launching the Ice Shard Style, Sagacious Zu battling cannibals, Silk Fox and Wu readying for combat, and the Necropolis. Visit the gallery to view them all. Discuss.
NWN Goes To School
Crushing your foes and driving them before you amongst the lamentations of their women (and men...this is an equal opportunity lamentation) is how Neverwinter Nights is generally expected to be used. Team staff at the West Nottinghamshire College are changing that expectation though, and they're building excitement in their students at the same time by taking Neverwinter Nights and turning it into a learning tool. Read the article for the full scoop. Discuss.

Wednesday, Oct 13 2004

NWN Player Profile: Skullport Game Guides
Game walkthroughs are awesome tools for extracting every last ounce of entertainment from a game. The Skullport website has embraced computer games set in the Forgotten Realms and provides walkthroughs for games such as the Baldur's Gate series and Neverwinter Nights. Each walkthrough is crazy with detail on plots, gameplay tips, PC classes, spells, items, and more. We caught up with founder and obvious worklunatic, Sylvus Moonbow, to get the goods on Skullport. Discuss.
New Jade Weapon: Fortune's Favorite
Fortune's Favorite is a wondrous saber that was crafted by the gods-cursed blacksmith, Shining Fortune. View the weapons profile page on the Jade Empire site to learn more about this blade's intriguing history and unique design. Discuss.

Wednesday, Oct 06 2004

Feast Your Eyes Upon The Jade Cannibal Desktop
Now this a wallpaper we can all sink our teeth into! Install this new desktop for Jade Empire that depicts several fine young cannibals peacefully dining on their latest dinner guest. Pass the salt, anyone? Discuss.
Need Help Building NWN Modules?
Wanna build your own Neverwinter Nights module and don't know where to start? Read our profile of the wonderful and valuable Builders Project guild. One of the most popular NWN guilds to form, the Builders Project exists to help newbs and experienced builders alike make their story and adventure visions become a reality. Discuss.

Wednesday, Sep 29 2004

Jade Empire Rocks On MTV2
The first ever Jade Empire music video mod will appear on MTV2 October 2nd, 9:30 pm ET/6:30 pm PT. Rocking the world will be Wu the Lotus Blossom, Furious Ming, and Death's Hand as they sing to Christina Milian's "Dip it Low," and New Found Glory's "It's all downhill from here." For more information on MTV2 "Video Mods" visit www.MTV2.com. For sneak peak screenshots of the video mods, visit the Jade site. Discuss.
New Skies For Neverwinter Nights
Three great new skies will be included in the upcoming Neverwinter Nights update. Fly over to the NWN screenshots page to see the crisp Desert Clear sky, the ominous Grassy Storm sky, and the chilly Winter Clear sky. Discuss.

Wednesday, Sep 22 2004

NWN Platinum Now In Stores!
Finally, your RPG collection will be complete! The NWN Platinum Edition is unleashed and on store shelves. It comes complete with the 100-hour official campaign and both official expansion packs, Shadows of Undrentide and Hordes of the Underdark for one low price. Discuss.
NWCon 2.5 The Madness Continues...
NWCon takes places this weekend, Sept 25-26. It's a free, online convention for Neverwinter Nights players that includes in-game and chat-based seminars where experts will share their NWN knowledge on DMing, gaming, building, and more. And, of course, there are games. Lots of games! New players and experts alike are welcome to join in and share the fun. For more info, hit the NWCon site. Discuss.
Hot New Jade Empire Screenshots
Take a gander at the five new screenshots just posted at the Jade Empire web site. See the Black Whirlwind wildly wielding a pair of double axes, Furious Ming battling a wily fox demon, Wu employing the Heavenly Wave fighting style, and more! Discuss.
NWN Bites The Bulette
Beware the landshark and its mighty bite. Being stupid, always hungry, and fearless, when a bulette rounds a corner forget negotiation, stop looking like food, and unsheath your weapons! The Bulette is a tough new creature appearing in the upcoming NWN update. Discuss.

Wednesday, Sep 15 2004

Jade Empire Weapon Profile: The Dragon Sword
The weapons of the Jade Empire are as wondrous and exotic as the land itself. Rich in history and forged for conflict, they should be prized...and feared. This week, we reveal the mighty Dragon Sword. Hard as dragon scales and sharp as a dragon's tooth, it is one of the most formidable blades in the Empire. Discuss.
NWN - The Stink On Trogs
Devilish creatures of heartless evil, Troglodytes delight in feasting on their defeated enemies and thus carry a variety of exotic mustards and other condiments at all times. Although cunning and fierce in battle, when the Troglodyte is angry or frightened they secrete an oily musk-like substance similar to what you smell at gaming conventions and LAN parties. The Trog is a new critter appearing in the upcoming NWN update. Discuss.

Wednesday, Sep 08 2004

Jade Empire Art Corner: Death's Hand
Jade Empire artist, Rion Swanson, fills us in this week about the artistic evolution of the Death's Hand character. From vague sketches to a fully rendered game model, learn how the Jade team tackled the creation of the grim, masked servant of the Emperor. Discuss.
A Feast of Worlds For NWN
Experience a feast of worlds in part two of our Confederation of Planes & Planets profile. We visit eleven cool persistent worlds, all linked together as part of the CoPaP group for unlimited, seamless adventures and roleplaying. Check out the horde of screenshots as you read about each world! Discuss.

Wednesday, Sep 01 2004

BioWare RSS Feeds
RSS, or Really Simple Syndication, is an easy way to have information to come you. Web sites can put their news, forum postings, and other information in RSS XML format so that your RSS reader can periodically check for it and let you know when new things become available. We have just set-up RSS feeds for all our forums to make tracking new threads even easier. Check out our RSS article for information about RSS, RSS readers, and our feeds. Discuss.
Interview With Death's Hand
"Back to work you worms!" *crack* If you thought you worked for a tyrant, try toiling for Death's Hand, the Emperor's formidable right arm in Jade Empire. Lead Designer Kevin Martens musters up the courage this week to interview Death's Hand while trying to dodge the sting of the Lotus Assassin Leader's backhand. Discuss.
NWN Profile - The Confederation of Planes & Planets
The Confederation of Planes & Planets is a group of linked NWN persistent worlds that players can seamlessly adventure in and travel through. CoPaP's goal is to create the entire D&D setting in Neverwinter Nights, piecing together every plane, planet, wildspace area, and every campaign setting, both official and unofficial. We spoke with some of the head honchos of these worlds to get a better idea of what they have set-up for our gaming giddiness. Discuss.

Wednesday, Aug 25 2004

NWN Gen Con Report
Our brave Community Manager, Jay Watamaniuk, reports from the field at this year's Gen Con in Indianapolis. Read how he avoids a close brush with death by taking photos of a Tigerlady and his experience being on the show floor meeting and greeting BioWare fans from around the world. Discuss.
The NWN Roundtable Discussion - Part 2
Last week, we asked our panel of experts to talk about the persistence of the Neverwinter Nights community, how people play, and why. This week, we gaze a little further into the crystal ball and get some impressions on what is in store for our favorite game. Discuss.
Jade Empire - 2 Gamespot Videos
Two cool new preview videos are now available at the Jade Empire web site. Narrated by Producer Jim Bishop, the vids reveal exciting new creatures, fighting styles, adventure areas, and even a new player character. If you've never seen someone beat up with a pair of hams, then you have to see this great gameplay footage. Discuss.
2 Million Member Giveaway Closed
The entry deadline is over and winners of the Alienware PC, video cards, Xboxes, and a horde of games will soon be notified by e-mail. The entire BioWare staff would like to thank everyone who entered this amazing, unique, BioWare community event. We have the best community in the world! Be sure to surf to the web site and read the past weeks' 2 Million Member celebration articles. Discuss.

Wednesday, Aug 18 2004

Jade Empire Art Corner - Furious Ming
This week we feature the concepts behind the playable character, Furious Ming. Rion Swanson, Artist on the Jade Empire team, takes us through concept art and character renders for the quintessential light and fast martial artist, Furious Ming. Discuss.
So You Want To Be A Dungeon Master?
Looking for a new way to play NWN beyond the single player game? The DM Client offers a unique experience in computer gaming. As DM, you do more than play the game, you are the game. You provide the adventure, moderate events, and help make a story come alive for your players. How do you become a DM? A good start would be reading the advice of Arawen Silverstar, head of the DM-Friendly Initiative and a DM at Neverwinter Connections. Discuss.
Looking Into The Crystal Ball - The NWN Roundtable
As part of the 2 Million Member Celebration bonanza event this month, we asked a group of Neverwinter Nights community members to talk about the BioWare's community, persistent worlds, multiplayer and DMed NWN play, and the future of NWN. Reminder: the last day to enter the giveaway is Monday, so enter now! Discuss.

Wednesday, Aug 11 2004

Four New Jade Empire Screenshots
Swing by the Jade Empire web site and view four gorgeous new screenshots. Check out Sagacious Zu battling a Toad Demon, Monk Zeng fighting a Cannibal, and Chai Ka with Dawn Star. Discuss.
Dragonlance Adventures Update, Part 2
In part I, we introduced the massive NWN community-made project known as DragonLance Adventures. This week, we get the scoop on some of the details about what fans can expect when DLA is completed. If you're curious about cloaks, rideable horses, new tilesets, and other cool new goodies, read on. Discuss.
From Talented Community Member to BioWare Staff
Over the years, several talented BioWare community members have come to work for BioWare. Hard work, a fevered excitement for games, and the guts to make big life changes have brought some exceptional people to our doorstep. This week, as part of our ongoing 2 Million Member celebration (have you entered the contest yet?), we profile four community members who joined our family and have helped us develop some of the best games around. Discuss.

Wednesday, Aug 04 2004

Jade Developer Diary: Deo Perez, Lead Animator
Jade Empire is a game of "firsts" at BioWare. You may know this is BioWare's first intellectual property, our first action-roleplaying game, and our first game inspired by mythical China. What's not widely known is that this is also the first time we've built an animation skeleton and system from scratch, and the first time we've used motion capture to animate our characters. This week, Lead Animator, Deo Perez, gives us the low-down on MoCap. Discuss.
Dragonlance Adventures Progress Update, Part 1
Ever wanted to throttle a kender? Well, your chance is coming. This week, we speak with Steel_Wind, Project Lead on the DragonLance Adventures fan expansion for Neverwinter Nights. Find out how the project got started, what the biggest challenges were in bringing DragonLance to NWN, and info about the upcoming downloadable version of the classic PnP module, DL1: Dragons of Despair. By the way, that Kender's turning blue now--and your wristwatch is missing... Discuss.
A BioWare Community Timeline
We take a walk down memory lane in the first part of our 2 Million Member celebration article series. Where were you October 2001 when forums.bioware.com first launched? Dancing fleetfootedly to "It's My Life" by Bon Jovi perhaps? Hmmm, maybe not. If you haven't already, be sure to enter the contest for your chance to win an Alienware PC, Xboxes, and more! Discuss.

Wednesday, Jul 28 2004

Win With BioWare Community 2 Million Celebration!
The BioWare community is now over 2 million members! To show our thanks we are giving away some fantastic loot, including an Alienware PC, Xboxes, NVIDIA graphics cards, games, and more. Visit the contest page today for details and entry form. Discuss.
NWN CEP Race Profile - The Brownie
The brownie can kick a grasshopper in the knees yet still take down a dragon when he gets his dander up. This week, we profile the small and mighty brownie, one of the two new races featured in the Community Expansion Pack for NWN. Be sure to download the customizable brownie character files for CEP enabled modules and game play. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jul 21 2004

NWN CEP Race Profile - The Wemic
Tired of tripping over your beard in every adventure as a dwarf? Looking to play something that can arm wrestle a half-orc, play footsie with an elf, and disembowel a zombie all at the same time? The CEP offers two new races for your playing enjoyment, and this week we profile the majestic wemic. Included in the profile are 22 customizable character files for download! Discuss.
Snag The Top NWN CEP Modules For Yourself
Wanna take your Neverwinter Nights Community Expansion Pack (CEP) goodies for a spin? You can now discover what the top-rated fan-created CEP enabled modules are, download 'em, and play 'em to your heart's content! The top modules are available for download at the NWVault, and you can catch the rankings and links on our modules page and in the Modules side panel of the Neverwinter Nights web site. Discuss.
Jade Exclusive Developer Interview
Alex Scott is a Senior Technical Artist on the Jade Empire development team. In this insightful interview, discover what a technical artist technically is, what tools he uses to create Jade's dazzling effects, and his secret technique for generating good ideas. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jul 14 2004

New NWN Epics: Sorceress & Archer
'Lo an' behold all ye adventurers, the Bewildering Archer! A skilled missile combatant who utilizes spell powers to supplement her amazing archery, she is also a competent illusionist with many talents who can hide from enemies and deceive them into devious traps. The second epic character is the Exalted Sorceress who is the embodiment of an epic spell caster. Not to be trifled with, she has focused her studies on the art of necromancy and specializes in death-like spells. She dislikes little dogs too. Discuss.
Jade Temple of Dirge Concept Art
The Temple of Dirge has withstood wind and snow for centuries and is now home to a malevolent force that has twisted it into an evil and perilous place. Stark and uninviting, the Temple of Dirge is more trap than sanctuary. This week, view two pieces of concept art that laid the foundations for the Temple's current development. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jul 07 2004

New NWN Epics!
Two new Epic Character builds are out this week. The first is the Versatile Kensai, a jack-of-all-trades of epic proportions with a skill list a mile long. A veritable Swiss army knife of characters. The next one gives us the willies--the Infernal Warrior. Here's a dude who'd just as soon eat your soul as look at ya. Yikes! Discuss.
Download A New Dragon Age Wallpaper!
Download a brand new wallpaper for our exciting PC fantasy roleplaying game in development, Dragon Age. This wallpaper depicts a barbarian from some of our early, early concept art for the recent E3 trade show demo. Check out a full body shot, a profile, head shots, and a couple of conceptual equipment items. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jun 30 2004

New Epic Characters - Marauder & Medic
The epic characters are back with a pair of cool new builds. The Magical Marauder is a harmonious combination of magic and might who can dish out arcane mayhem and devastating greatsword criticals. With a measely AC of 70, The Combat Medic is a bastion of defense who can leap into battle, grab those bandages, and patch up the fallen so they can jump back into the fray. Discuss.
New Jade Wallpaper: Wu the Lotus Blossom
Wu the Lotus Blossom represents a balanced and sensible approach to combat. She is both fast and powerful, but not exceptional in either category. The true strength of this playable character is flexibility, and she excels equally in defense and offense, in melee and magic. We have just released a brand new desktop of Wu--put her on your desktop today! Discuss.
CEP in Spanish!
The Neverwinter Nights Community Expansion Pack now includes Spanish versions of all the CEP items, creatures, clothing, and placeable names and descriptions. As a special bonus, it also includes updated crafting scripts in Spanish. Download it today from the NWVault. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jun 23 2004

NWN Profile: NWTactics
Do you yearn to crush your friends like the dogs they are in gleeful player versus player (PvP) gaming under the Neverwinter roof? If so, look no further than the world of NWTactics! NWTactics is a tested, balanced, and exciting way to flex your might. Recently, we chatted with PDL Northpal, NWTactics developer and PvP enthusiast. Discuss.
The First Dragon Age Wallpaper Just Released
The first Dragon Age wallpaper has just been released! Based on a piece of awesome concept art, the wallpaper is sure to spruce up even the dullest monitors. Visit the official Dragon Age web site to download the wallpaper today. Discuss.
New Jade Empire Region: Tien's Landing
The first Tien's Landing village was one of the oldest in the Jade Empire, serving as a gateway to the Silkworm River trade route. When the great drought ended twenty years ago, a dam was built to tame the Silkworm River. The resulting reservoir flooded the basin of Tien's Landing, "accidentally" trapping some of the more undesirable residents. Shame over this event is cited as a reason the new Tien's Landing has not yet regained its former importance. Discuss.
NWN Profile: NWConnections Player's Guide
NWConnections is one of the most impressive venues for recreating a tabletop D&D atmosphere. However, the site might seem daunting to some, so a handy guide was developed. We spoke with Gruush, who was part of the team of authors that recently created a complete guide to NWConnections. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jun 16 2004

Player's Guide to Neverwinter Connections Released
The world's leading Neverwinter gamer matchmaking service has recently posted a new guide to their services. The guide tells you what you need to know about NeverwinterConnections.com, how to get involved with online multi-player games, what multiplayer Neverwinter Nights is like, and more! The guide is also available in a handy print-frienldy format. Be sure to check out upcoming scheduled games at www.neverwinterconnections.com or the official NWN site as well. Discuss.
New Jade Empire Emperor Sun Hai Desktop
The Emperor rules the Jade Empire and was key to returning life-giving water to the parched land. Yet, with restless spirits and ghosts wandering the realm, some whisper he has upset the order of things. Strange disappearances, blood-curdling screams, and chilling sightings now plague numerous regions. This week, we feature a downloadable Emperor Sun Hai desktop. Why don't you install him today? Maybe he'll bring you a change of fortune too... Discuss.
NWN Profile: The Persistent World of Brynsaar
Brynsaar (pronounced BRIN-saur) is a Neverwinter Nights persistent world where serious roleplayers come to pursue epic quests in search of glory and renown. Caught in the crux between law and chaos, good and evil, Brynsaar is brimming with exciting areas, epic quests, and roleplaying possibilities. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jun 09 2004

NWN Profile: The Persistent World of Glorwing
With engaging quests, glowing standing stones that transport you to far flung parts of the world, and interesting characters, Glorwing has become known for being an easy place in which to start your persistent world journeys with Neverwinter Nights. We spoke with founder and organizer Cornflower to find out more about the world of Glorwing. Discuss.
Explore A New Jade Region: The Quarry Caves
The Quarry Caves are an ancient tunnel network famous for the resilient and attractive stones they produced. Twenty years ago a dam was built on the Silkworm River and the area was flooded--but no one told the captive miners toiling beneath the earth. Today, the locals whisper of lingering cries for help coming from the caves. They're convinced that the ghosts of those lost now haunt the area.... Discuss.

Wednesday, Jun 02 2004

Watch The Full 20 Minute E3 Demo Video Of Jade Empire
Ray Muzyka, Joint-CEO of BioWare, takes you through a full length, 20 minute video demo of the exciting combat, detailed characters, new areas, and stunning effects that debuted at E3. Also check out the new screenshots available to community members! Discuss.
NWN Profile: The Persistent World Of Avlis
Avlis is one of the original NWN persistent worlds and has grown to include 2500+ areas to explore and offers exceptional roleplaying to experience. New players can read through over one hundred pages of history and details about this very mature world. Josh Simon, Team Leader, found the time to respond to some our questions about Blackdagger: The World of Avlis. Discuss.
Get paralyzed! New Jade Empire Interactive Fighting Style Unleashed!
Tiger Shen and Furious Ming demonstrate the latest fighting style revealed at the Jade Empire site. Employing a free 3D player and simple web page controls, you can execute a variety of moves from the Paralyzing Palm fighting style sequence in real time with real character models from the game! Be sure to execute Tiger Shen's Kick Combo in slow motion--too cool! Discuss.

Wednesday, May 26 2004

Haunted New Jade Area Revealed: The Temple of Dirge
High on a crag in the western mountains of the Jade Empire, the ancient Temple of Dirge is now home to a malevolent force that has twisted it into an evil and perilous place where no living creature dares to tread. Visit the Temple of Dirge page to go where other mortals fear to tread. Discuss.
Post HotU Contest Winner!
Craving more adventure after Hordes of the Underdark? Play the three entries of the NWVault's HotU contest where the goal was to create the best module that continues the story from the Hordes of the Underdark expansion. Congratulations goes to Sands of Fate 1 - Shadows under Heliopolis by John McA for winning the contest. Why don't you download all three modules and decide for yourself! Discuss.
NWN Profile: Introduction To Persistent Worlds
Have you finished Neverwinter Nights? Do you still lust for adventure? Neverwinter Nights is far more than just the official campaign. An entire universe of quests, treasure, danger, and monsters await you in the many persistent worlds that have been created by the community. Not sure what persistent worlds are? Lycius, founder and owner of Brynsaar, explains what a persistent world is and how you can continue your endless adventures. Discuss.

Wednesday, May 19 2004

Road To E3: Jade Empire A Huge Success, Plus New Trailer Available
E3 is done and the BioWare team has returned from LA safe and sound. The reviews and previews are pouring in, heaping the praises upon a successful Jade Empire showing. Read the E3 wrap-up report and check out a final batch of showfloor pics. Also, be sure to view the E3 2004 Jade Empire trailer--a provocative and evocative preview of the game! Discuss.
Dragon Age Images & Updates Released
Dragon Age has won the E3 Best of Show award from ActionTrip. According to the game site, "This is the first game we have ever seen where the end result looks better than the concept artwork. BioWare has outdone themselves, blending everything good about Baldur’s Gate, Neverwinter Nights, and Knights of the Old Republic into this stunning new title. This was, flat out, the best thing we saw at all of E3." Check out the new images and information at the Dragon Age site today Discuss.
More Jade Empire Characters Revealed!
Two more Jade Empire characters are up at the site this week. Kang the Mad is one of a new breed of artisans who pushes the boundaries of what can be done with hammer, chisel, and divine appeasement. He has been accused of not ensuring his creations are safe, however, so is he friend or menace? Tiger Shen, a playable character, is an example of the quintessential brawler. He has the strength to use the heaviest weapons available and the skill to bring them to bear against even the fastest opponents. Discuss.
NWN Profile: Player Resource Consortium
The lack of career choices starting to chaff just a tad? Having trouble relating to the somewhat conservative fighter, wizard or rogue? Does your complex soul scream for more? Rejoice, for the Player Resource Consortium has the solution. Take a look at this exceptional group of people who have been hard at work creating huge extras for players of Neverwinter Nights. Discuss.

Wednesday, May 12 2004

NWNCon II: Wrap-Up Thoughts
The second online Neverwinter Night convention wrapped up after a very successful three days of non-stop gaming, chatting, and smacking the XP out of their enemies. J'Dai Voisin and Danebo, two of the chief organizers of the convention, give us their thoughts on how the event went and what we can expect in the future. Discuss.
New Jade Empire Screens & Characters!
Several cool new screenshots are up at the Jade Empire site. Also new this week are two game characters. Emperor Sun Hai holds dominion over all the Jade Empire, but some whisper he has upset the order of things and all of the Jade Empire will suffer the consequences. Dawn Star, a follower in the game, was born under an ominous sign and has spent much of her life at the Two Rivers school. Discuss.
NWN Community Expansion Pack Patch Released
There have been over 185,961 downloads of the CEP, and thanks to our great community, a number of bugs have been identified and reported. The CEP Team has been listening and a new patch is out and ready for everyone to download. Over 30 bugs have been stomped out, including crafting script issues, misbehaving placeables, and non-gurgling slimes! Download the patch today. Discuss.
Road To E3: BioWare Builds A Big Booth
E3 threw open its doors today and the throngs are thronging. In Part 2 of our 2004 E3 coverage series, read about our booth preparations, and check out new pics from the trip, the E3 showfloor, and the BioWare booth. Discuss.

Wednesday, May 05 2004

Revving Up For E3
The BioWare offices are buzzing these days as we rev our engines up for what looks to be our best Electronic Entertainment Expo yet. We've been working closely with Microsoft Game Studios to prepare, and we're pretty juiced about demoing the beautiful Jade Empire action RPG on the Xbox floor to excited E3 attendees. Check out this article, complete with pictures, to get an insider's look into BioWare's trade show planning and organization process. Discuss.
New Jade Empire Characters - Toad Demon & Mask Spirit
It's a villainous day at the Jade Empire site. We're not sure how it happened, but the Toad Demon and Mask Spirit pushed their way onto the characters page. There are pictures and character information about them there and there's no volunteers in our offices who are willing to get close enough to remove them, so it looks like the information is here to stay. Toad demon spit...yech! Discuss.
2 New NWN Epics: Dragon Kin and Dwarven Wall
Fresh meat! The Dragon Kin is a combination of epic wizard and formidable, shape-shifting druid. Epic enemies might not fear a regular dragon, but they will fear the Dragon Kin! Those who attack our second epic PC offering will learn the full meaning of futility as their blows bounce off his incredibly hard form. Those who stick around afterwards will learn what the afterlife holds in store for them, as the Dwarven Wall will neatly separate their head from their shoulders with devastating blows. Discuss.

Wednesday, Apr 28 2004

New Epic Builds - Dark Stalker & Dragon Savant
The newest NWN epic character builds are out! Beware the Dark Stalker, by Carl "Syrsuro" Torvik. Wherever you may run, he will hunt you down. Wherever you hide, he will search you out. Whatever defences you establish, the Dark Stalker will slip by them unseen. The second epic is the Dragon Savant, by Lockindal Linantal. Born a dwarf, walks as a dragon, with his power the Dragon Savant defends dwarves and destroys their enemies. Discuss.
Jade Empire Interactive Fighting Styles Unleashed
Experience and interact with real 3D character models from the Jade Empire Game! Using simple controls on a web page and a free 3D player, execute a variety of killer fighting style moves for actual characters from the game--all rendered in real time with sound effects. This week we unleash the Legendary Fist and Storm Dragon fighting styles. Be sure to try the ultra-stylin' slo-mo moves! Also revealed this week are two new multi-style combos. Discuss.

Wednesday, Apr 21 2004

Jade Empire Ability Scores Revealed
Your character's ability scores in Jade Empire grow and change under your control in many ways as the story unfolds. This week, learn all about Primary and Secondary abilities, how they affect game play, and how those scores impact your roleplaying. Will your character be charming, intimidating, or intuitive? The choice is yours... Discuss.
The Community Expansion Project Is A Hit!
The wildly successful CEP has been downloaded a stunning 142,871 times since its release March 24. The community has embraced the custom content package with open arms, no doubt because of the huge amount of free, high quality content it contains. Also note that the CEP team is working hard on the first CEP patch as we speak. NWCon II took place last weekend and was a great success. The transcript of Thursday's kickoff chat has been posted at the Neverwinter Vault. Discuss.
Two New NWN Epic Characters Posted
Ding, ding! It's round four of the NWN Epic Character builds. Check out the gruesome Undead Lord who calls demiliches pets and the half-dragon Blade Juggernaut who enjoys a good fire belch every day. Created by Christopher "cdaulepp" Aulepp, you don't want to miss these epic builds. Discuss.

Wednesday, Apr 14 2004

NWCon II Kicks Off This Thursday Eve!
Be sure to attend the kickoff chat for the second NWCon on April 15th at 7pm CST (GMT-5). Hobnob with members from the City of Doors Initiative, Dragonlance Adventures, d20 Modern Group, and BioWare staff. And then Friday through Sunday will be overflowing with awesome gaming events and informative panels; so clear your schedule, adjust your chair, and stock up on the pop and chips--it's gamin' time! This week we've also posted a new profile about NWCon that's an interesting read. Discuss.
Builder Alert: Awesome NWN 3d Tool
Ever wanted to craft your own critters, weapons, or placeables? Check out NWMax. Produced by the DragonLance Adventures team to manage the huge content demands for their upcoming module, this wonderful, time-saving tool will help you craft new models and tilesets faster and easier than ever before. It's based on discreet's free gmax software, and while NWmax won't model for you, it does remove the barriers to community creation of 3d content. From the interested amateur to the advanced builder - this is an exceptional tool at the very best price - FREE. Discuss.
Jade Empire Fan Site Kit Now Available
The official Jade Empire fan site kit is now available and free to download. Chock full of game art, screenshots, logos, game information, and other great content, this kit will help you get your Jade fan site up and running in no time. When your site is finished, be sure to submit your link at the official Jade site to drive traffic, fame, and fortune cookies to your new creation! Discuss.

Thursday, Apr 08 2004

NWN City Of Doors Initiative Profile
Heads up berks! The City Of Doors Initiative, "Foundation", is almost here. We tracked canny CODI team leader Papermonk down in his birdcage and got the latest chant about the project before he could wriggle away and give us the laugh. CODI is all about bringing the revered Planescape setting to NWN, and if you're not barmy, you'll check it out. If you are barmy, drop me a note 'cause I got some prime Gehenna real estate if you've got the jink! Discuss.
Jade Empire GDC Producer's Cut Video
Produced by BioWare Joint CEOs Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk, this movie is a whopping 12 minutes long. Take a thorough tour of Jade Empire's beautiful, fast-paced, action combat. Watch as the main characters of the game use numerous fighting styles, transformation styles, and multi-style combos to defeat deadly opponents. The video features real in-game footage, soundtrack, and feature-revealing narrative. Couldn't make it to the Game Developers Conference? No sweat--watch the video today. Discuss.
NWCon II is coming April 16-18!
Last Year's NWCon was a huge success and this year's event will be even better. Swing by and attend DMed sessions, multiplayer DM-less mods, PvP arenas, and team events, all scheduled through the Neverwinter Connections player matching service. Plan to attend the expert panel discussions on a wide variety of topics that include Designing and Building Long Term Campaigns, Playing PnP Style, Custom Content Creation, and much more! NWCon events will run Friday April 16 to Sunday April 18, with a kickoff extravaganza on the evening of Thursday, April 15. For more information, visit the NWNCon Site, forums, and online store. Discuss.
More Jade Empire Multi-Style Combos Revealed
Kicking demon butt has never been more exciting! Revealed for the first time are four new multi-style fighting combos. The Jade Empire game offers beautiful, fast-paced, action combat--but it's not about learning a single trick and pressing those buttons the whole game. Different foes will require different tactics and styles to defeat. Through exploration, experimentation, and roleplaying, your character will discover what works best against demons, wizards, the executioner, and other nasty foes! It will require good roleplaying, superior tactics, and great reflexes to put these new multi-style combos to best use. Discuss.

Wednesday, Mar 31 2004

Jade Empire GDC Combat Demo Video
Catch astonishing new game play footage of Jade Empire in a just-released game trailer. Almost two minutes in length, this video will treat you to a mouth watering sampling of some of the many fighting styles, such as transformation styles, weapons styles, and magic styles. You've seen the screenshots, now see the full motion version of exciting scenes, such as Furious Ming Catching Fire, Wu stealing Chi from her foes, and Tiger Shen transforming into Chai Ka then battling a Toad Demon and some cannibals! Discuss.
Neverwinter Nights Goes Modern
Ditch the dragons and bring on the tanks. Booyah! Thanks to the d20 Modern Mod group, the Neverwinter Nights game is being dragged into the 21st century, replete with guns, skyscrapers, cyberpunk duds, and more. Read about the evil geniuses behind this ambitious plot and learn details about what's shakin' in the modern world. On an NWN related note, NWCon events are running Friday April 16 to Sunday April 18, with a kickoff extravaganza on the evening of Thursday, April 15. For more information, visit the NWNCon Site, forums, and online store. Discuss.
Jade Empire Multi-Style Combos
How would you like to turn an enemy to stone and then shatter him into a million pieces? Maybe you'd prefer to set your foe on fire instead, and knock him into his evil henchmen, catching them on fire too? The choice is yours--once you master Multi-Style Combos in Jade Empire. Discuss.

Wednesday, Mar 24 2004

Jade Empire Update: Two New Fighting Styles Revealed
Opponents in the Jade Empire will employ a dizzying variety of styles, but you can rise to the challenge by wielding an array of fighting styles yourself. This week, we reveal two new styles: Legendary Fist and Storm Dragon. Of course, the trick will be to choose the right style at the right moment--or your foes will enjoy the honour of the last blow. Discuss.
Awesome New Screens & FAQ Updates For Jade Empire
View ten new screenshots that reveal fighting transformations, fighting styles, chi theft, toad demons, and more. Also, discover the latest info about Jade Empire in our Frequently Asked Questions update. Get the scoop on mocap, the skinny about character ability scores, the hubbub on sound, the dirt on the Dragon Amulet, and more! Discuss.
NWN Community Expansion Pack Released!
The CEP team has just released the much anticipated Community Expansion Pack! Once you download the free CEP you can use it to run any CEP-compatible modules. If you have never used custom content before, don't worry: the CEP does not affect your NWN game installation. It's simple and takes minutes to install. You will be amazed at what it can do for the look and feel of you game. The CEP also contains a fully playable module, so you can try out the new content right away. Be sure to check out the CEP trailer for a guided tour as well. Discuss.

Wednesday, Mar 17 2004

Community Expansion Pack Coming March 24!
BioWare is excited to announce the official public release for the highly anticipated Community Expansion Project (CEP) will be March 24th! For more information about the CEP, visit BioWare's CEP info page. While you have your calendar open, note that NWCon II: Hordes of the Internet will take place online April 16th-18th. Play in games and attend expert panel discussions on a wide variety of topics! Want to get involved? Visit www.neverwinterconnections.com. Discuss.
New Jade Empire Wallpaper Download & Screenshots
Catch Furious Ming as he battles ferocious swamp monsters with his bare hands! But wait--is that Death's Hand looming behind him? Look out Ming! Download the new Jade Empire Wallpaper and catch all the action right now. Be sure to view the compelling new screenshots just released this morning as well. Discuss.
NWN Epic Character Builds: Part III
This week, we feature two more awe-inspiring epic character community contributions. The Devastating Kukri Master is the consummate combatant, combining a blenderific attack style with a stainless steel defense. The Rogue Archer was built to deliver the best sneak attack damage and employ hit and run guerilla tactics. Discuss.

Wednesday, Mar 10 2004

NWN Epic Character Builds: Part II
This week, we feature two new cool epic character community contributions. Whirling Death was designed to maximize the odds of getting critical hits and doing massive damage against multiple melee opponents in a round. The Damage Adept was built around the concept of delivering the most damage in one hit with a scythe. Discuss.
Xbox Live Content Available For KotOR
New content for KotOR Xbox gamers with Xbox Live subscriptions was released this week. Included in the update is a new area, the gas giant of Yavin, where you can purchase new stuff, such as new crystals and new armor with powerful strength and endurance. There's also a new race: the Trandoshans. Hailing from Trandosa, these 1.9 meter tall beings were popularised by the Empire Strikes Back's bounty hunter Bossk. Discuss.
NWN Community Expansion Pack Team Profile
Meet the masterminds behind the upcoming Community Expansion Pack for Neverwinter Nights. Learn why the project got started, who is a secret geneticist in disguise, and what the team hopes you'll use the expansion pack for. The CEP is an upcoming, community created, simple download that contains a ton of high-quality, custom content for Neverwinter Nights. For more information and screenshots, check the CEP information page. Discuss.

Wednesday, Mar 03 2004

NWN Epic Character Builds
Munchkins are people too. We think. So, for all you power mongers, we have a special treat. Check out these epic characters, built ground up from level one to forty by community uber-moderator, Christian "Torias" Gillott, tweaked for cosmic power. This week, we feature the Divine Warrior and the Reliable Archer, complete with downloadable character files! Discuss.
KotOR Game Guide Re-Released
The Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic strategy game guide has been re-promoted at Gamespot. If you need tips, help, or advice about the game, this guide has it all. Within is a very comprehensive walk-through detailing main and optional quests for all seven planets, mini-game strategies, and extensive character creation information. Discuss.

Wednesday, Feb 25 2004

Community Expansion Pack Preview Part II
The CEP is a community created, simple download that contains a ton of high-quality, custom content for Neverwinter Nights. For this week's sneak preview update, we feature a new FAQ with questions from fans and answers from the CEP team. Also new are 6 new galleries, featuring some of the new creatures, structures, PC races, and more! Check out the sneak preview now! Discuss.
Happy Easter Eggs NWN and KotOR Fans!
The Easter bunny has hopped over to the BioWare Game Secrets section and laid some new easter eggs! For Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic gamers, check out the hole in Jolee’s Saucy Suspender Socks. For Neverwinter Nights fans, BioWare demonstrates its nerdiness with the Pearl of Bashing. Discuss.

Wednesday, Feb 18 2004

Community Expansion Pack Preview
The CEP is the result of over two years' community development and contributions and contains a ton of high-quality, custom content for Neverwinter Nights. When it's available, it will be a simple download that takes just minutes to install and inlcudes such things as 450 creatures, 14 new weapons and thousands of components, 324 shields, 1448 new placeables, and more. Check out the sneak preview right now! Discuss.
Jade Empire Wallpaper Download
If you're going to shatter your enemies like day-old breakfast bagels you really need a fetching logo or nobody will take you seriously as a mythic hero. BioWare is here to help with this very fine Jade Empire logo wallpaper that is the very pinnacle of bagel-shatteringness. Discuss.

Wednesday, Feb 11 2004

Jade Empire Villainous Update
Death's hand is considered to be the strongest warrior in all the empire who, rumour has it, has mastered an ancient martial arts style that has no counter! Recently, the Death's Hand character was revised with a compelling new look. Check out the new screenshots as well as the community exclusive inside scoop about the changes. Be sure to watch the updated Jade Empire Premier Trailers as well. Discuss.
Cool Winter Skies
Brrrrr. Check out the cool Winter Skies addition to the upcoming Neverwinter Nights update. These skies are replacing the Stormy set, which will appear in a later update after we do some touch-ups to those tempestuous items. Discuss.

Wednesday, Feb 04 2004

Nasher Leaves His Stuff Around
Remember the young Lord Nasher battling the minotaur in the opening cinematic of Neverwinter Nights? Well, he's a wee bit older now, and several important and magical pieces of his equipment have gone missing! Finding these items is a fun mini-quest in Chapter 2 of Hordes of the Underdark. Discuss.
Find Multiplayer Games Easier
The Neverwinter site now features a live, 24/7 feed of available servers, games, players, and DMs from Neverwinter Connections. Find this information in the "Scheduled Games" side panel of the Neverwinter Community site. Discuss.

Thursday, Jan 29 2004

Hordes Introductory Walkthrough
More and more players are joining the community to delve into the dank depths of the Underdark. We've got an introductory walkthrough to get you out of bed and through the first level of Undermountain. You don't know what you might have missed until you check it out. Discuss.
Hordes of the Underdark - Complete Feats List (Printable)
We've completed the list of Feats in Hordes of the Underdark, and added a printer-friendly option. Blinding Speed, Dragon Shape, Thundering Rage and Planar Turning are just a sampling of the tasty Epic Feats added in this expansion pack. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jan 21 2004

Stormy Skies Screenshots
It was a dark and stormy night.... Add some squall to your adventure with these stormy skies appearing in a future Hordes of the Underdark update. Discuss.
Hordes - Complete Spell List (Printable)
We've buffed up the Hordes of the Underdark spell list to include all of the spells in the expansion pack. Details on Hellball, Dragon Knight, Black Blade of Disaster and many more are now available in browser and printer-friendly forms. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jan 14 2004

Top Hordes Modules
The Neverwinter, Shadows, and Hordes sites now list the top rated Hordes of the Underdark modules hosted at NWVault. You will find this information listed in the "Modules" side panel of each site, as well as the modules page. The % of online players with Hordes installed is now also shown in the "Site Status" side panel. Discuss.
Guilds and Registries and NWN Lexicon Hordesified
The Guilds and Registries section has been updated with Hordes of the Underdark classes, skills, and feats so you can now search players and guilds by Hordes prestige classes, or add example characters to your registry profile that use Hordes skills and feats! Additionally, NWN Lexicon (the reference bible for builders) has recently been updated with scripting functions and constants up to and including patch 1.61, including the scripting additions introduced in Hordes of the Underdark. Discuss.
Gelatinous Cube
Just when you thought that unsightly pasta stains had no champion, and you were comfortable in a world where mayonnaise didn't fight back, comes a creature made entirely of the stuff that bursts out of mashed caterpillars. A wobbly favorite of roleplayers young and old, the Gelatinous Cube is one of the new creatures in Hordes of the Underdark. Discuss.

Wednesday, Jan 07 2004

Sea Hag
Gibbering, wretched, seaweed-covered, screeching horrors of the sea, these watery minxes used to lure sailors to their death with their seductive, haunting call. The Sea Hag is a new creature that will be included in a future Neverwinter Nights update. Discuss.
NWVault Module Contest Overall Winner
We previously announced that Papermonk’s "The Nether Scrolls" and Xxtayce’s "Shadohaunt" were the two finalists in the NWVault Module Contest. After some tough deliberation, we have named an overall winner. Discuss.

Wednesday, Dec 17 2003

Dracolich and Adamantine Golem
Two Hordes of the Underdark creatures are revealed this week! Nothing says 'paladinhood is for chumps' like a giant dragon shaped skeleton. The Adamantine Golem has been also been released to fan sites, and is truly one of the most feared and unstoppable juggernauts in existence! Discuss.
Knights of the Old Republic Guides
If you are looking for some tips on playing through Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, check out these two guides: the Boss Guide posted at IGN will help you lay waste the top villains, and the Walkthrough posted at Gamespot will take you through the Lower City Level on Taris. Discuss.
Jade Empire Producer's Cut Video
Filmed from the Tokyo Game Show demo, check out some actual footage of Jade Empire in action! Part 1 focuses on the roleplaying and exploration aspects of the game, Part 2 takes a look at some of the stylish combat you will experience in Jade Empire. Discuss.
BioWare Holiday Card
Check out this year's BioWare Holiday card featuring Jade Empire. You can download and print the pdf version for cardboard cut-out action! Happy holidays from BioWare! Discuss.

Wednesday, Dec 10 2003

Prismatic Dragon
These magnificent magical creatures are fun, festive, and prone to unexpected mood swings. Prismatic Dragons keep a very neat lair with tasteful, yet bold use of space and color. They're also 40th level, and have over 1000 hit points! Discuss.
Deekin's Big Adventure Part 5
Hordes of the Underdark takes adventurers to a vile, lightless world of festering evil and corpulent nightmares fashioned from horrors undreamt. Who better to brave this dark world of creeping malice and lurking doom? Deekin of course! Check out the last installment of Deekin's Big Adventure featuring the new Drow Interior tileset! Discuss.
Deep Rothe and New Spell
Similar to the very unterrifying cockatrice for sheer undiluted lack of horror, the Deep Rothe is a big cow. The only way that a party of adventurers might give these creatures a second thought would be if the Deep Rothe fell asleep on the road! There is also a new Paladin spell released to fan sites this week, Deafening Clang. Discuss.

Wednesday, Dec 03 2003

Red Dragon Disciple Prestige Class
It is rumored that the magical powers of sorcerers and bards are somehow connected to the presence of dragon blood in their family tree. Red Dragon Disciples are sorcerers, and sometimes bards, who use their magical power as a catalyst to ignite their red dragon blood, and are one of 6 new Prestige Classes in Hordes of the Underdark! Discuss.
NWVault Module Contest has Two Winners!
In a flurry of voting, the community has selected Papermonk’s The Nether Scrolls and Xxtayce’s Shadohaunt! Both will receive prizes, and sometime this month the overall winner will be choosen. All 11 entries from this talented community are impressive, so give them a try! Discuss.
Shadow Dragon
Many, many layers of oil-black evil coat this vilest of the living dragons. So baby-seal taunting evil is the shadow dragon that prancing do-gooders simply detonate in a shower of law-abiding fragments within 30 feet of this foul wyrm. One of 16 new creatures in Hordes of the Underdark! Discuss.
New Game Owner Forum and Portraits, plus Spell!
Register your copy of Hordes to unlock 21 new class-specific account portraits, and gain access to discuss the Official Campaign in the HotU Spoilers Forum. Then check out the new Hordes spell released, Stone Bones! Discuss.

Wednesday, Nov 26 2003

Dwarven Defender Prestige Class
Dwarven defenders are skilled combatants trained in the arts of defense, and are one of six new Prestige Classes featured in Hordes of the Underdark. A line of dwarven defenders is a far better defense than a 10-foot-thick wall of stone, and much more dangerous! Discuss.
Deekin's Big Adventure Part 4
Hordes of the Underdark will take adventurers to a vile, lightless world of festering evil and corpulent nightmares fashioned from horrors undreamt. Who better to brave this dark world of creeping malice and lurking doom? Deekin of course! Check out Part 4 of Deekin's Big Adventure featuring the new Mind Flayer Tunnels tileset! Discuss.
Character Customization in Hordes of the Underdark
Hordes of the Underdark offers a wide variety of new options for character customization, and this article posted on GameSpy outlines many of the features such as new heads, portraits, wings and tails, robes, and new voice sets! Discuss.
New Hordes of the Underdark Spell and Feats
Summon a dagger as your loyal servant you with Shelgarn's Persistant Blade, the new spell released to fan sites this week! Feel like rampaging through the forest as a dragon? Then check out the 3 new Epic level feats posted on RPG Vault, including Wildshape (Dragon)! Discuss.

Wednesday, Nov 19 2003

Pale Master Prestige Class
NWN: Hordes of the Underdark will be in stores Dec 2 and includes 6 new Prestige Classes! For those who desire power over undead, the pale master draws on a font of special lore that provides a macabre power all its own. Discuss.
New KotOR Portraits and Forums!
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic for PC is now in stores! Once you've purchased your copy, register yourself as a Star Wars: KotOR (PC) Game Owner to unlock new KotOR PC portraits for your account and gain access to exclusive game-owner only forums! Discuss.
ScriptEase... Non-Scripters Unite!
The ability to design complicated, engaging, and exciting modules using all the crazy scripting power of the Aurora Toolset is now within reach. A group of talented programmers at the University of Alberta has created the answer to our non-programming dreams - ScriptEase! There is also a step-by-step tutorial with lots of screenshots to get you started on this powerful software. Discuss.
Hordes Spell and Feats!
In celebration of the Dec 2 release date for Hordes of the Underdark, head over to RPG Vault and drool over 3 new Epic level feats, including Improved Ki Strike and Overwhelming Critical, and then visit your favorite fan site to find details on the newest spell, Death Armor. Discuss.

Wednesday, Nov 12 2003

Robes and Skies Screenshots!
The beauty of the open night sky is upon us! Check out the new Hordes of the Underdark screenshots featuring Robes and Skies, including a new panorama image showing a day to night sky transition! Discuss.
Eyeball, Feats, and New Wallpaper!
Known for causing a lot of embarrassing running and screaming in seasoned adventures who mistake it for its soul-devouring older cousin the Beholder, the Eyeball has been posted to fan sites. A new wallpaper featuring the Drow Matron is now available, and RPG Vault has also released 3 new Epic level feats. Discuss.
Deekin's Big Adventure Part 3
Hordes of the Underdark will take adventurers to the vile, lightless world of festering evil and corpulent nightmares fashioned from horrors undreamt. Who better to brave this dark world of creeping malice and lurking doom? Deekin of course! Check out Part 3 of Deekin's Big Adventure! Discuss.
Module Contest Update - 11 Finalists!
The submission date for the NWVault Module Contest to create a module that bridges the Shadows and Hordes expansions has past, and the final entries are in! There are a total of 11 qualifying adventures and voting will tentatively take place at the end of the month (details soon). So start playing today and note your favorites! Discuss.

Wednesday, Nov 05 2003

White Slaad, Black Slaad - Quite Mad, So Bad!
Slaadi are representatives of planes that are entirely alien, wholly violent and utterly lethal. Hordes of the Underdark will introduce the White and Black Slaadi - caffeinated, extra-salted, high in fat versions of their multi-colored cousins, and not to be messed with! Discuss.
Deekin's Big Adventure Part 2
Hordes of the Underdark will take adventurers to the vile, lightless world of festering evil and corpulent nightmares fashioned from horrors undreamt. Who better to brave this dark world of creeping malice and lurking doom? Deekin of course! Check out Part 2 of Deekin's Big Adventure featuring the new Beholder Tunnels tileset! Discuss.
Hordes Feats, Spell, and New Screenshot!
A new Hordes screenshot has been added, and a new Druid spell Vine Mine is posted up on fan sites! Then check out the 3 new Epic level feats at RPG Vault: Epic Skill Focus, Bane of Enemies, and Improved Combat Casting! Discuss.

Wednesday, Oct 29 2003

Deekin's Big Adventure
Hordes of the Underdark will take adventurers to the vile, lightless world of festering evil and corpulent nightmares fashioned from horrors undreamt. Who better to brave this dark world of creeping malice and lurking doom? Deekin of course! Check out Part 1 of Deekin's Big Adventure featuring the new Underdark tileset! Discuss.
NWCon Chat Log - Robes Are In Hordes!
Last night BioWare employees attended a community chat organized by Neverwinter Connections as a part of NWCon. Maximus has organized a chat log available on NWVault, revealing tidbits like Robes being included in Hordes of the Underdark! Discuss.
Hordes Spells, Feats and a Screen!
Cover your ears before checking out this loud new spell released to fan sites, Horizikaul’s Boom. 3 new Epic level feats have also been posted at RPG Vault, and a new Hordes screenshot has been released! Discuss.
Module Contest Update - Close Date Nov 9th
The close date is nearing for the NWVault Module Contest to create a module that bridges the Shadows of Undrentide and Hordes of the Underdark expansions. Everyone is invited to participate - so check out the details and submit your module before Nov 9th! Discuss.

Wednesday, Oct 22 2003

New Prestige Class - Champion of Torm
Champions of Torm are mighty warriors who dedicate themselves to Torm's cause, defending holy ground, destroying enemies of the church, and slaying mythical beasts. Champions of Torm are one of the 6 new Prestige Classes included in Hordes of the Underdark. Discuss.
New Hordes Scripting Commands
Get the technical details on a collection of the new scripting commands coming in Hordes of the Underdark, including the oft-requested function to change a creature's appearance. Discuss.
Hordes Spells, Feats and a Screen!
Get your sneak on with Improved Sneak Attack, Self Concealment 10% and Epic Dodge, three new Hordes feats posted at the RPG Vault. Absorb the Scintillating Sphere, a new Hordes spell currently electrifying fan sites. Feast your eyes on a new Hordes screenshot and a Harpy profiled. Discuss.