Neverwinter Nights 2: Interview @ GameBanshee

“GameBanshee recently had the opportunity to chat with Obsidian Entertainment’s John Morgan, Ferret Baudoin, and Chris Avellone about their upcoming Neverwinter Nights sequel. In the interview, the three developers discuss the game’s storyline, multiplayer enhancements, follower system, and even hint to the fact that they have indeed purchased the rights to the Icewind Dale franchise! An excerpt:

“GB: Do you intend on making any changes to how henchmen will work in NWN 2? Any plans to use any of the henchmen from the original?

CA: We tried to make the companions more player-friendly, giving the player the option to directly control them or not – and when not being controlled, they will act accordingly to their personalities, which can lead to all sorts of fun combat and non-combat situations. We aren’t using any of the henchmen from previous games (but expect some cameos!), and considering the amount of effort that’s been placed on making the companions part of the critical path, with side quests, vision quests, and more, we don’t even call them henchmen anymore – they’re more like other players you’re adventuring with. We also made an effort to transfer over and expand the influence system from Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords, giving the player the option of how deeply they want to delve into a companion’s personality – or how much they want to grind their lives beneath your heel until they can’t take anymore.”

Check out the full interview at Game Banshee.