[ Updated: We have received clarification from MacSoft concerning the shipping date, which will be sometime during the Fall of 2002. The story below includes the corrected information.]
In a spot of good news for Mac gamers and fans of the D&D franchise, MacSoft has announced that Neverwinter Nights will be coming to the Mac. Neverwinter Nights was developed by BioWare, the same folks that developed Balduris Gate (published for the Mac by ), as well as Balduris Gate II and Icewind Dale (published for the Mac by MacPlay). Neverwinter Nights takes the D&D computer experience to a new level by delivering the ability for dungeon masters to make their own Neverwinter Nights adventures. Game play is also enhanced with online playing that can include up to 64 players in one game.
Neverwinter Nights was originally set to be a simultaneous release from BioWare for Mac, Linux, and Windows. The announcement today marks a change in that policy, much to the chagrin of members of the Neverwinter Nights online community. Neverwinter Nights went Gold for Windows yesterday, and MacSoft says the title will ship for the Mac during the Fall of 2002. From MacPlay:
MacSoft today signed an agreement with game developer BioWare Corp. to bring Neverwinter Nights to the Macintosh. Neverwinter Nights is based on the wildly popular Dungeons & Dragons game published by Wizards of the Coast.
"We are thrilled to bring a product of this caliber to the MacSoft lineup," said Al Schilling, product manager for MacSoft. "The Macintosh community is already eagerly awaiting Neverwinter Nights because of its dynamic single player story line, advanced graphics technology, revolutionary on-line multiplayer capabilities and the new "Dungeon Master" feature".
"Neverwinter Nights will provide limitless adventure and Macintosh gamers will have unprecedented game play options as they join the existing Neverwinter Nights community," said Trent Oster, BioWareis Neverwinter Nights producer. "Due to the player options, this game builds excitement as the first complete role-playing system, allowing players to step into the shoes of the Dungeon Master to tell and create their own stories and adventures."
The iofficial campaign,i which can be played in single or multi-player, will thrust gamers into a deep, enriching fantasy world with over 90 hours of game play across four engrossing chapters. Players will enjoy a fast-paced adventure, revolving around an epic story of faith, war and betrayal. The intuitive user interface was designed to be accessible to new RPG gamers as well as the hard core fan base.
In a gaming first, Neverwinter Nights allows gamers to design, build, and share their own Dungeons & Dragon role-playing modules using the "BioWare Aurora Neverwinter Toolset." Gamers can take the role of online "Dungeon Master," creating and presenting their challenges to the Internet community with support for dozens of players.
Online gamers will be able to enhance their Neverwinter Nights experience with an exclusive community that will foster the development of new adventures and offer resources for Dungeon Masters, module builders and players.
The game is expected to retail for US$59.99. You can get more information on Neverwinter Nights at the online community site. The title is expected to ship for the Mac in the Fall of 2002.