Infinity Engine

[Weasel]

Quote:

Originally posted by HighLordDave Open source code is working for Linux . . . I think that even if they released the source code for the Infinity Engine, they'd still sell games because it's only hardcore geeks that want to make up their own mods. Most of us want to download other people's stuff. Look at the kinds of game exchanges that go on with games like Civ3 and Zeus which have mission editors. Why couldn't Bioware develop a toolset/mission editor using the Infinity Engine and existing maps so folks could create their own mods easier than the hard way that the people who made TDD and Ascension took?

And here is where my understanding of Linux stops...once everyone has it, what will keep the company afloat?

Bill the hated...releases a new version, meaning (and IMHO trying to force) people will need to ungrade. And he is hated for this..(among other things) Will Linux go down the same path?


And I agree BioWare would continue to sell their games, but there will be a chance one of hardcore geeks might take the code and make something better than BioWare could...and with good things, people will come. I know I would download a good mod before I would go and pay for one or put down more cash for another Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor.

Some will say, this will force BioWare to improve their games and I will agree. But it could also force them decide to not improve, stick with a proven thing. I wasn't around during the "Gold Box" (Spoken of like a dream time) time, but I do believe this is what spelled their end. Everything must move forward (IMHO).

As to a tool set..(Something like AoW) I would have loved to have had, but to impliment this on something like BG or IWD, could it have been done? At one time I thought NWN was going to be the answer to this question...now reading thru the posts and comments, I don't know what to think.

[Aqua-chan]

I have nothing new to contribute unfortunatly, but I will put it my opinion.

I really hate a lot of 3D games. The frame movement and speed and all of the motion during combat just throws my entire system out the window. Games like Doom, Half-Life, Oni, and Moto Racer just absolutely make me sick (In a physical sense! )

I personally love the Infinity Engine because not too many games are made with 2D graphics, and it gives BG and Icewind a type of uniqueness I really enjoy. I don't have to worry about frame rates and getting sick during a combat sequence, so IE really works for me.

[Jaesha]

@AC: Don´t forget the pause option in IE, one of the best features IMO.

[Chanak]

I think replayability is one of the key strengths of the Infinity Engine games I have played. Also, a great deal of variety is possible: look at the difference between the BG series and PS:T. I think the Infinity Engine reaches that balance Sleepy mentioned earlier: the rendered enviroments are neat, but what's more important is they serve as a backdrop for what's going on - the story!

@AC: I know exactly what you mean by feeling nauseous concerning 3D action on the screen. The same thing happens to me. Also, I feel the same way if I try to read something while in an automobile - but only when I'm a passenger. Strange.

I agree with Fable: the Aurora Engine was defintiely over-hyped, to be sure. It can't come close to the Infinity Engine, IMO, in terms of stability, replayability, and overall satisfaction factor. Years later, I can still play BG2. On the other hand, I am already tired of the NWN official campaign.