Baldur's Gate Meeting Log edited by leviticus@bgchronicles.com
Revised by lordcyric1@hotmail.com

Baldur's Gate Chronicles http://www.bgchronicles.com
Special thanks to Gamers Digest for hosting this meeting
http://www.gamersdigest.com  Session Start: Fri Jul 10 19:33:10 1998

DamocleS - IRC Relayer of Questions

ChrisatIP       - Chris Parker, Interplay Producer of Baldur's Gate
caspiar         - James Ohlen, Lead Designer of Baldur's Gate
Wordsmith       - Luke Kristjanson, Lead Writer of Baldur's Gate
Krys-IP         - Krys Card, PR Rep at Interplay
AndrewAtBioware - Andrew Nobbs, 'One of the QA death machines'
RayAtBio        - Bioware Joint CEO and Producer of Baldur's Gate
BenAtBio        - Assistant Producer of Baldur's Gate at Bioware
johngbio        - John Gallagher, Bioware Visual Concepts Engineer

<DamocleS> Ok. Here's how this works: You msg me your questions for the Baldur's Gate team. I'll relay those 
   into the channel. Msg me by typing "/msg damocles question here"

<DamocleS> <LeviticusBGC> Will the console that is used by the developers be left in the game. If so, will 
   it be disabled or will players have access to it?
<RayAtBio> It will be disabled.

<DamocleS> <Zaknafein> my question is about item duping in BG... if i join a multiplayer game with a +1 
   sword, and i get killed for it, i can still load my character's save game and he'll have it, and so will 
   the guy who killed me. Is there going to be some sort of... counter for this?
<RayAtBio> But we may put in cheats, in which case it could be turned on.
<RayAtBio> Yes, the DM can kick you both out for cheating.
<RayAtBio> Or take control of your characters and remove items.

<DamocleS> <LuminiareCandle> In a followup to Leviticus' question, are you planning on releasing an editor 
   for BG which relies on the Infinity engine for players to create mini add-ons ?
<RayAtBio> Not at present.  Maybe after the sequel.  (done)

<DamocleS> <SORUSS> is the DM also a player? Will he be able to take control of monsters in battle?
<RayAtBio> Not in BG, but we are working on an online RPG which will have some of these features.  We can't 
   say anything more about this at present however until it is officially announced by Interplay.

<DamocleS> <bob> question here Will Multi-class character be able to raise more levels in sequeals and 
   add-ons?
<RayAtBio> Yes. (done)

<DamocleS> <LuminiareCandle> how many projects are currently being worked on by Bioware ? Can you elaborate 
   on the ones we don't know about ?
<RayAtBio> Three, but unfortunately no, not until the other projects are officially announced by Interplay, 
   our publisher (done)

<DamocleS> <LeviticusBGC> If you do impliment cheats into the game, how will they be handled in mulitplayer? 
    Will the DM be in control of that, or will the cheats be restricted in a similar way?
<RayAtBio> Yes, the DM will have assign control of these as well. (done)

<DamocleS> <blahblah> will there be orcs and trolls in the game?
<RayAtBio> Not in this game.  But there are a lot of other monsters which are similar.  We chose to include 
   some lesser used monsters for more variety.

<DamocleS> <LuminiareCandle> Assuming a server for Multiplayer gaming on the net is established - Will game 
   be saved on peoples' HD or on the server ?
<RayAtBio> On people's HD's.  There won't be a formal server established, in the sense that it doesn't do 
   anything except allow for the exchange of IP addresses between people. (done)

<DamocleS> <Zort> Are you guys still on course for an aug/sept release?
<RayAtBio> We hope so. (done)  :)

<Wrath-gone> Roughly how large is the final version going to be?
<RayAtBio> It occupies five CD's, will take perhaps >100 hours to finish, and will have a min install of 200 
   meg.  Max install is as large as you want.
<DamocleS> <OGNREPORTER> As BG development continues, what exactly was the team at Bioware working on today? 
   EX: bugs/graphics/sound.
<RayAtBio> Bugs, scripting, balancing, inserting sounds. (done)

<DamocleS> <_ReDDoG_> Will BG support "Proxy" for people who play multiplayer through one?
<RayAtBio> No. You have to have your own copy of the game to be able to play multiplayer.  But I'm not 
   totally clear on what your question is, to be honest (done)

<DamocleS> <LuminiareCandle> How active will you (Bioware guys) be in the BG multiplayer ring ?
<RayAtBio> We'll be there :0
<BenAtBio> definitely

<DamocleS> <Zaknafein> About the different installs... Is there a way to install the most important files, 
   of all the cd's, to the hard disk to lessen load times? Can you tell us what kind in install will be 
   possible?
<RayAtBio> Yes, if you have 4 gig of space you can install everything.  Or that's the plan.  This will 
   decrease load times...to zero! (done)

<DamocleS> <ZarthBGC> Are there numberous monsters that haven't been announced yet, so we'll be surprised 
   when we see them?
<RayAtBio> Yup. 
<RayAtBio> Or at least a few (done)

<DamocleS> <OGNREPORTER> Has Baldur's Gate come upon any major obstacles of developments or is everything 
   right on track? =)
<RayAtBio> Oh, there have been problems.  We've had to change the release date planned several times, partly 
   due to new features, and partly due to poor planning on my part.  But we're on track now and the game 
   looks like it will be the game that we would want to play ourselves - i.e. it has to be damn good.

<DamocleS> <SORUSS> is it possible to spawn a version onto someone elses cpu so you can play with them, even 
   if they dont have BG (like Star Craft).
<RayAtBio> No, spawning isn't possible - you have to have the art resources, hence the install and CD's are 
   essential.  The game isn't tiled like StarCraft, hence the need to install.  It's prerendered (done)

<}^Wrath^{> Will multiplayer be smooth for people, such as myself, who have horrible 28.8 connections?
<RayAtBio> We haven't got a version set up yet for modem, but we plan to implement it.  It is less dependent 
   on lag than most other games.

<DamocleS> <Zaknafein> One last question from me :) I know Drizzt and Elminster and maybe Vole are in the 
   game, but are there other famed chars. or famed locations?
<BenAtBio> Many not so famous people are in the game.. if it's in a description in a sourcebook, he/she is 
   in the game.  Lords, blacksmiths, priests all from Volo's guides etc.

<DamocleS> <LeviticusBGC> Since there will be no official server or meeting place for Baldur's Gate, how do 
   you plan to help players find other people to play with? I think it will take a little more than a 
   message board personally...
<RayAtBio> We're planning on setting up a log in system.  We're currently exploring three different options, 
   all of them fairly well known connection services, all of which work fairly well (I've used one myself 
   for a well-known game which shall remain unnamed at present :)
<RayAtBio> How's that for vague!

<DamocleS> <Sage> with questions What do you guys feel will be the total production cost of this game once 
   it's all said and done?
<RayAtBio> Zoiks...don't ask questions like that.  Makes my stomach hurt.  <ow>
<ChrisAtIP> Sorry, we can't answer questions about the total cost of the game.
<ChrisAtIP> Its against the rules....  (done)

<DamocleS> <_ReDDoG_> Will we be able to play BG through a firewall?
<RayAtBio> I don't know.  Firewall...depends on the setup of the firewall 
<ChrisAtIP> That's usually not our deal.  Usually you need a catapult or permissions from your network admin 
   to get through a firewall.

<DamocleS> <SinReaper> How do you plan to make the game increase it's longevity? Assuming the tale is 
   straight forward, and that up to 6 people can adventure together; what will give each adventure new 
   excitement?
<RayAtBio> A lot of it will be the interaction between people.  Our model here is the pen and paper 
   roleplaying that we played when we were younger. 
<RayAtBio> Plus the mission packs and sequels will allow extendibility of the game (done)

<DamocleS> <ZarthBGC> Who's the current Baldur's Gate deathmatch champion, since I'm hearing half the time 
   everyone ends up fighting each other. :)
<caspiar> There's not really any deathmatch champion
<RayAtBio> Damn Mark B (the king of multiplayer programming - I think he cheats personally)
<RayAtBio> No, Mark B kills me every time we play actually James. :(
<caspiar> Ohh...I just never have much time to play that much multi player
<BenAtBio> He does.. I've watched

<DamocleS> <Star-Fyre> Are the critical hits ones which you guys made up or r they from Combat & Tactics
<RayAtBio> James? - Critical hits comments?
<caspiar> Critical hits will do triple damage and have a small percentage chance of instant kill 

<DamocleS> <Sage> with questions Not to compare BG to the old GOld Box games, but When they had sequals, 
   often many aspects of the game changed. In the Sequals of BG, do you guys perdict drastically different 
   art work, etc. or will the game be mostly similar as far as general design goes? (how's that for a 
   question! :c)
<RayAtBio> The sequels will have to be better, else we won't want to release them.
<caspiar> We'll all be much wiser when we're making the sequels

<DamocleS> <LuminiareCandle> How many non-NPC portraits are you final on, how many do you plan to release in 
   the future. +Will portraits from the sequel plug into the first game as well ?
<RayAtBio> There are about 25 total.  Yes, that is hoped.
<caspiar> Some N.P.C's will carry over to the sequel
<caspiar> Though only if you don't get them killed
<BenAtBio> heh like anyone will live with james designing the game
<BenAtBio> :)
<LukeAtBio> sequels will also impliment some of the perks that higher level D&D characters get

<DamocleS> <blahblah> will dvd version be issued? what extras will it give, if any?
<RayAtBio> DvD is planned.
<ChrisAtIP> Yes, we're doing doing DVD.

<DamocleS> <LuminiareCandle> This question is to the desginers and writers for BG - Have you found specific 
   Forgotten Realms novels to influence you while writing BG ? If so, which ones ?
<caspiar> Luke read the Drizzt books
<RayAtBio> I have to head out now unfortunately - thanks for coming everyone - CHris, Ben, Luke, James will 
   carry on...later!
<caspiar> I don't think he liked them
<LukeAtBio> stop makin' trouble you ass
<DamocleS> Cya Ray.<BenAtBio> Seeya Ray
<}^Wrath^{> Good bye Ray.
<LukeAtBio> by boss

<DamocleS> <Sage> There has been much talk about duel weapons on the BG post board, and I know you've talked 
   about possibly adding this feature in the sequals. REALLY, how much of a possibility is this, and have 
   you all really discussed this seriously?<caspiar> bye
<LukeAtBio> It is a serious possibility for the sequels...a definite fan favorite that we are sorry we 
   overlooked in the first place<BenAtBio> It's all about animation
<BenAtBio> With more time we can add more features.. Animation is all apart of that..(done)
<caspiar> We'll have higher requirements, so it'll probably happen

<DamocleS> <CraNBerrY> Where will the game be released first? Canada or US?
<BenAtBio> Interplay decides all of that stuff
<BenAtBio> Chris??
<ChrisAtIP> The game is supposed to be shipped everywhere at the same time.  There may be a day or two 
   difference between distributors....

<DamocleS> <Tristan> Hi guys@Bioware & Interplay. I've watch the developpement of BG from quite a while... 
   since the working title Iron Throne...then, almost nobody knew about the game...now, who do you feel 
   about the "phenomene" Baldur Gate? Are you tired of the eagerness of the fans! :)
<LukeAtBio> tired? naw, it's a rush
<BenAtBio> It's really amazing all of the positive people.  RPG of the show at E3, stuff like that...Wow!

<DamocleS> <gits> Will it be posable to import in your own images for the portraits?
<BenAtBio> Yes, you can import images for your portraits
<LukeAtBio> Sounds as well

<DamocleS> <Sage> What build are you currently on today?
<caspiar> 2009
<caspiar> 20.09

<DamocleS> <Zort> will the imported pics and sounds be transferred to everyone in the multiplay game?
<LukeAtBio> That is a feature I have asked the progs about...
<LukeAtBio> They have said that it may be possible...but it's a feature that they are waiting on...
<LukeAtBio> until they have more time...It's an "extra" that will get implimented if there is time
<LukeAtBio> short answer=not yet

<DamocleS> <bob> what was the reason for limiting up to level 7 on the characters?
<caspiar> The level limitation is there so that we can have the possibility of sequels
<LukeAtBio> not just sequels...
<LukeAtBio> AD&D characters change considerably after level 9
<LukeAtBio> we didn't want to represent those changes in a half-assed manner
<LukeAtBio> Back to level limits for a sec: don't think that you will hit the level limit and be forced to 
   player the game maxed out
<LukeAtBio> Count yourself lucky if you get anywhere near it
<caspiar> Well...that depends on how good you are
<BenAtBio> Check my quote on the web page

<DamocleS> <LuminiareCandle> If I can ask the people@Interplay, when are we going to get info on the upcoming PlaneScape game ?
<Krys-IP> Stay tuned, LuminiareCandle, probably in the next month or two
<ChrisAtIP> Planescape:  We will start to release information in about a month or so

<DamocleS> <BeoWolveBGC> Greetings...if you want to really drive the fans inot a frenzy....would there be 
   anyway to put a count-down or up on your site....as you rech completion to let people really know how 
   close your getting?
<LukeAtBio> Our fans are crazy enough now

<DamocleS> <Zort> will multiple cd drives be supported to reduce drive swappage?
<ChrisAtIP> Actually, you could use multiple CDs right now.  I am not sure the installer will support it 
   directly however.  That might be a small hack we will mention in the readme. (done)

<DamocleS> <Sage> What have been your favorite bugs you've found so far? Any really funny ones?
<LukeAtBio> Sage: the global killer spell is my fave
<BenAtBio> I'll keep a list of "odd" bugs on my web page
<LukeAtBio> fires a fireball at the intended target...then an additional one at all targets in range
<LukeAtBio> range = the whole map
<LukeAtBio> :P

<DamocleS> <LuminiareCandle> Everyone were excited with the recent site reinnovation, tons of new images, 
   GIFs etc. But since then - not updates. Are you planning a site update ? How about revealing some more 
   NPCs ? Like Xar etc.
<ChrisAtIP> We aren't going to do any more major site updates....
<LukeAtBio> Some NPC's it will be more fun to discover within the game itself...
<ChrisAtIP> We wanted to make one more big push to update the site before it shipped, and that was the last 
   update.

<DamocleS> <OGNREPORTER> Has there been any disasters? Such as a network crash/loss of data/ or so on?
<caspiar> Nothing that horrible
<BenAtBio> Nothing too crazy.. thats what backups are for
<BenAtBio> we lost power  a few times..months go tho

<DamocleS> <SilverdawnBGC> Are any more screenshots planned before the release of the game (besides after it 
   goes gold)?
<ChrisAtIP> From here on out, we just want to put up some new screens....maybe a new trailer or 
   something...and otherwise just textual updates.   (done)

<DamocleS> <Zort> Can you play thru the whole game now or are you adding and testing a few chapters at a 
   time?<ChrisAtIP> Both.
<BenAtBio> We are doing asweep from the start to the end
<caspiar> can't play through the entire game, but a large portion
<LukeAtBio> The chapters come faster because the lower ones have features that affect them all
<BenAtBio> chapter by chapter.. all of the data is entered.. now comes the time for spit and polish

<DamocleS> <OGNREPORTER> This question is for the Interplay reps, what steps will you take to advertise BG 
to consumers?
<Krys-IP> Advertising is not specifically my deal, but we have been putting ads in all major gaming and RPG 
   mags and of course we sponsor chats
<Krys-IP> And get journalists interested to write stories by sending out materials and screen shots,  etc.
<BenAtBio> There are the press tours, and magazines are coming up to do interviews and previews

<DamocleS> <ZarthBGC> I know the answer, but I may as well ask, any change the Interactive Demo will be out 
   before the game is complete?
<ChrisAtIP> The interactive demo is something we want to have released before the game is released.  As it 
   stands, the demo is second priority to that.  So maybe it comes out first, maybe not. 

<DamocleS> <BeoWolveBGC> Any chance of a surprise early release :)
<LukeAtBio> that WOULD be a surprise
<BenAtBio> We want the game to be as polished as possible
<LukeAtBio> :P
<BenAtBio> it's gotta be perfect
<BenAtBio> =not likely
<AndrewAtBioware> Positive thoughts Ben
<AndrewAtBioware> Please

<DamocleS> <OGNREPORTER> Will there be any more non-interactive demos???
<BenAtBio> No (done) hows that for short

<DamocleS> <Sage> Will the expansion packs be only one disc, or will they be big enought to warrant more?
<caspiar> one disk

<DamocleS> <SilverdawnBGC> What is the latest word on a Baldur's Gate contest?
<Krys-IP> Chris? Me?
<Krys-IP> There's a contest running in the August issue of Shadis Magazine - should be avail mid-July.
<Krys-IP> You can win copies of BG and other cool Black Isle Studios (RPG Div here @ IP) stuff

<DamocleS> <Cyric> How many hours of gameplay would you estimate the Expansion Packs would provide?? Sorry 
   if it's been asked already..I don't really keep up with the msg board.. heh
<caspiar> 20-30
<caspiar> or more

<DamocleS> <SilverdawnBGC> Krys or Chris..what about the BG contest ideas mentioned on the message board?
<ChrisAtIP> No plans that I know of
<Krys-IP> I'm not aware of anything - course that's from my marketing guys :)

<DamocleS> <XendarBGC> How big are the multi-player save games? 10 Meg?

<DamocleS> <Gage> when is ben going to update his website! :)
<BenAtBio> Hey!
<BenAtBio> um soon
<AndrewAtBioware> Ben never does that kind of stuff :)
<BenAtBio> I'm getting the materials tonight (right Lev) and it should be up by mondy
<BenAtBio> monday
<BenAtBio> :)

<}^Wrath^{> Has the mass hype for BG made you work slower to provide the quality the gamers are expecting? 
   Or, has it done the oppositte?
<johngbio> Its certainly enhanced a commitment to quality, but our speed ahs stayed relatively constant
<AndrewAtBioware> I think I have increased the amount of work I do. I don't know about the rest of the guys
<BenAtBio> Aww poor nobbs
<LukeAtBio> Ray is gone nobbs...
<AndrewAtBioware> So, no, I have not slowed down at all
<johngbio> The focus of my job has changed its direction 
<LukeAtBio> :P
<johngbio> I'm a bughunter and tilekiller now
<AndrewAtBioware> Thanks guys :P
<ChrisAtIP> I wouldn't say it enhanced the commitment.  I'd still be trying to make the best game known to 
   man even if there was no hype.

<DamocleS> <Gage> what about lag, such as we say with diablo in Multi-play.  I found several time i was 
   beating a team mate instead of a monster.  the positioning was displayed different on the two pc's?
<BenAtBio> the Multi is asyc.  so lag won't be as bad a problem

<DamocleS> <Sage> I hear you guys hang out at the bar after work....what are your favorite beers? :C)
<johngbio> here here
<caspiar> Who hangs out at the bar?
<caspiar> Must be some new guy
<AndrewAtBioware> Thats what I have been trying to do since I was brought onto BG
<AndrewAtBioware> Not the bar, I mean

<DamocleS> <BeoWolveBGC> Any talk of working on futuristic RPG's say...Alternity or the like?
<BenAtBio> We have many projects lined up, unfortunately i can't say anything...sorry

<DamocleS> <Sage> The inkeeper at the BG board said you guys hang out at some tavern across the street. 
   Maybe he's lying..:C)
<johngbio> the shiftless bums do...:
<AndrewAtBioware> That would be Devlin's
<Krys-IP> Ah zuh zuh zuh
<AndrewAtBioware> whatever John
<AndrewAtBioware> :P

<DamocleS> <Gage> has anyone thought of basing a CRPG off of Earthdawn.  I gm it and it has such a rich 
   story line it is incredible.
<AndrewAtBioware> is that FASA?
<BenAtBio> I don't think Inteplay has that licence

<DamocleS> <ZarthBGC> Will Dark Evles who choose the name Drizzt for their character still be punished 
   severely? :)
<LukeAtBio> ohhhhhh pleeeeeeeeeze
<BenAtBio> good idea! :b
<johngbio> yes they will be punished, along with anyone who uses lame names like Deth and Slayer :)
<AndrewAtBioware> Damn. there goes my names :)
<johngbio> LOL

<DamocleS> <Sage> Have you guys discussed possibly doing sequals with ocean travel?
<caspiar> yep
<BenAtBio> uh huh
<caspiar> sooner than you think

<DamocleS> <Ingwe> Will mages be the most powerful class in the game at high levels like in every other game? :) no offense intended
<BenAtBio> :)
<caspiar> yep
<BenAtBio> Mages are always powerful, I wish james would let me make a Mage.. Nudge  nudge
<caspiar> nope
<LukeAtBio> in PVP they would probably kick butt...
<BenAtBio> we will try to balance it as much as possible
<LukeAtBio> But monsters are best tackled bya  party with a good mix of character types

<DamocleS> Well guys, thanks for stopping by guys and answering the questions. I'll be taking moderation off now. =)
<DamocleS> Oh..also this log will be posted on gamersdigest.com tomorrow.