Luke's Chat Log (followed main chat) - December 8, 1998 6 pm PST 
Edited by Silverdawn@bgchronicles.com  from http://www.bgchronicles.com

Held at irc.worldirc.net #baldursgate

LukeAtBio is the Lead Writer of Baldur's Gate

<LukeAtBio>   fire away, keep the personal windows down though PLEASE!
<Infrared->   Does anyone know if BG will come out on DVD as well?
<JohnGBio>   Infrared-NO
<`hulkster>   only ? i want answered is when is it going gold is bioware close like have it in thier hands
<JohnGBio>   HUlkster--just a few more sleeps
<Calin{UTK>   hey Luke@bioware did you get an email about a name on a cow?
<LukeAtBio>   Calin: yes. you are not getting a cow's ass of your own...yeesh :)
<LukeAtBio>   Shogun: no idea, sorry. we'll probably announce if we do though.
<KevAtBio>   3.2...
<`hulkster>   well after release dates thats come and gone almost as bad as daggerfalls i just want it to be as bug free as possible
<LukeAtBio>   `hulkster: as do we all
<EyoreAtHome>   Hehehehe, I think I was told there is close to 500,000 lines of code in BG, that's a lot of house to clean and they are doing a remarkable job
<Moriarty>   I'm worried BG is going to miss the XMas season
<LukeAtBio>   Moriarty: bite your tongue
<MadMaligor>   Luke, can you tease us with a yes or no on the visit to the Hall of Wonders.  I was reading the V guide and was interested if it was in the game?
<LukeAtBio>   MadMaligor: we have most of the important landmarks in BG
<oakenshield>   BIOWARE TEAM : if you could had to name the untimate selling factor for BG, what would it be, and how does it set BG apart from other RPG (past / present)
<LukeAtBio>   oakenshield: AD&D to the core. we have maintained the spirit, if not the exact letter, of as many rules as we can. It's a true "party" experience, even in single player.
<Stryder>   Is the artwork being done in house at Bioware, or done by TSR (WOTC)??
<LukeAtBio>   Stryder: here at bioware, though we have permissions to use anything from TSR materials and some familiar scenes may be apparent on ingame paintings in buildings and such
<Joram>   Luke: does the multiplayer game creator ALWAYS have to start the game, (if characters are saved)?
<LukeAtBio>   Joram: yes, unless he sends the saved game to someone else
<Quentin>   BIOWARE: Without range checks, what is the difference between the longbow and shortbow other than speed and weight?  It would seem that the shortbow has an absolute advantage if there is no range calculation (same ROF, slightly faster, less weight, same damage).
<Bioboy>   easier to hit with the long
<LukeAtBio>   Quentin: shortbow is faster, longbow has +1 to hit
<Vike>   I actually have a developer - related question.  How does reputation work?  If a thief in the party doesn't get _caught_ does it still impact rep?
<LukeAtBio>   Vike: no
<PJ>   Luke: can you mention new features in the first expansion pack?
<LukeAtBio>   PJ: no, we have not decided on them yet
<JohnGBio>   later all...thanks everyone and enjoy BG!
<JohnGBio>   cause its worth the wait
<Kutter>   It has been said that a "scenario editor(s)" (adventure creator's) will not be released because most people wouldn't be able to figure out your in house editors.  Is there any chance that you'll release them under a "we don't support it but go ahead and use it if you want" like the Quake people did? (A less complicated game by far but the only comparison I can think of)
<LukeAtBio>   Kutter: editors are not in the cards for BG. We've heard the demand though, and will be looking intot he area soon enough :)
<Tinman_W>   LukeAtBio: PLEASE give the editor idea a good run. This would make BG a legendary game!!!!!
<LukeAtBio>   Tinman_W: we're looking itno it, but not for BG. We don't do anything halfway :)
<LukeAtBio>   Tinman_W: and everyday it gets more "solid" there is a difference between playable and bugfree. Keep your shorts on, it'll come and it'll be the quality we demand :)
<Joram>   Luke:  seriously, aren't you the same company that released Undermountain?
<LukeAtBio>   Joram: that was Interplay. We are Bioware.
<Nevermore>   DID THEY SAY ANYTHING ABOUT A RELEASE DATE?????????????
<LukeAtBio>   Nevermore: REAL REAL SOON :)
<LukeAtBio>   I may start drinking NOW in fact :P
<Sage>   Hey Luke: check out the Developers corner!! someone posted a link to a company that claims Interplay said it is going gold by this weekend. You guys know anything about that?
<LukeAtBio>   Sage: they said release info was available elsewhere...I can neither confirm nor deny
<Stryder>   So Luke are you a P&P player?  If so has this game really cut into your game time?  :)
<LukeAtBio>   Stryder: I still play occasionally. I'm in a Champions campaign right now.  been with the group for a year or two
<Shogun>   Bio guys : Edmonton party from Bioware?  New engine for sequel?  Is that special deal for Canada via pre-order only?
<LukeAtBio>   Shogun: no idea, probably not, no idea(but it sounds like it)
<Tinman_W>   LukeAtBio: Are you able to comment on this-> Is IP still going over the Release Candidate? If its approved, is it then just shipped to the duplicators?
<LukeAtBio>   Tinman: no I cannot because I do not know the specifics. REAL SOON. They have said it WILL be out before christmas and it takes a week to two weeks to burn and ship. DO THE MATH PEOPLE :)
<tcease>   >LukeAtBio: Math? Math: I cant do math, only play rpg games!
<LukeAtBio>   tcease: then roll a couple of d4's  ;)
<Will>   Thanks, may the force be with you :)
LukeAtBio glares at will "don't make me break my foot off in your "darkside""
<MadMaligor>   Kev/Luke...with the exp cap as is, and the 9th lvl not far away (ie...new ground for the sequal to expand on), will the expansions keep the same cap and expand on content and "want to see items" ie...two handed weapon use rather than add any new exp limit?
<LukeAtBio>   MadMaligor: the expansions will raise the cap, though probably not more than a level or so
<LukeAtBio>   a level's worth, I mean
<Dreaderus>   Anyone at BIO: When you do alot of damage is that Exploding character thing in the preview going to be still there?
<LukeAtBio>   Dreaderus: yep
<ShdwPnthr>   LukeatBio: Why only one more level?
<LukeAtBio>   ShdwPnthr: because one more level from 7 to 8 or 8 to 9 is more than all the experience in thegame already
<KevAtBio>   I have a DVD-ROM...
<ShdwPnthr>   LukeatBio: Are there enough encounters in BG to reach the 89,000 xp limit?
<LukeAtBio>   ShdwPnthr: sure, after about 140-160 hours of play
<ShdwPnthr>   LukeatBio: How are throwing weapons dealt with?  Do you have to have all in quick access, or 1 in quick access & rest in inventory?
<LukeAtBio>   ShdwPnthr: there are quickweapon slots for stacks of weapons. certain weapons stack more than others, and certain classes have less weapons lots than others.
<Ian>   bioguys and gals do you plan on having character kits in the expansions?
<LukeAtBio>   Ian: possibly, though the basic classes will alway take priority. There's a lot we can add to higher level classes. Kits will be a consideration though
<MadMaligor>   Luke/Kev...there were some concerns about weapon proficiencies and dual class on the board.  an issue was brought up about the warrior specialization bonus as well as prior proficiency use in the new class.  Will players who dual from a warrior class be able to use their bonus before or after they pass the warrior level, and for example will a thief who is proficient with a dagger then duals to a cleric, passes his thief level and has a be
<LukeAtBio>   Gotta run folks
<LukeAtBio>   MadMaligor: you cannot use your warrior benefits until AFTER you are higher in the new class.
<LukeAtBio>   once you are higher, it uses whichever is better
<LukeAtBio>   Later people
<LukeAtBio>   been a blast
<MadMaligor>   If I understand correctly you are saying that proficiency is not class based.
<LukeAtBio>   MAdMaligor: what?
<ShdwPnthr>   LukeatBio: Can a dual class 5/6 Fighter/Mage use a sword?  How about a 5/6 Fighter/Cleric?
<LukeAtBio>   ShdwPnther: fighter mage yes, fighter cleric no
<LukeAtBio>   MadMaligor: In dual class it uses whichever is better once you are a level higher in your new class
<ShdwPnthr>   LukeatBio:If the Fighter/Mage wants to cast a spell, does he have to drop or unequip his sword/armor?
<LukeAtBio>   ShdwPnther: his armor yes, his sword no
<ShdwPnthr>   So he can cast his spell with sword in hand...hmmm
<LukeAtBio>   ShdwPnther:he autoremoves and replaces
<LukeAtBio>   ShdwPnther:but not for armor
<LukeAtBio>   K, I reeeeeealy gotta go now :P
