Josh Sawyer Interview

GameZone Online has conducted an interview with Black Isle’s Josh Sawyer, lead designer on the recently released Icewind Dale II. In it, Josh answers questions about what elements of the game proved difficult to implement, how combat has been changed over the original Icewind Dale, which areas of the Forgotten Realms the sequel takes place in, and more. Here’s something to get you started:

Q: While there are legions of fans used to this genre and style of play, what does the game offer to newcomers to the series and/or genre? Does the AI evolve as newcomers become more adept at the style of gaming? How should newcomers prepare for the experience and depth of play of a game like Icewind Dale 2?

A: (For newcomers to the series, it offers the chance to make the largest, most diverse group of 3E PCs in a CRPG to date. The overall game play should be familiar to people who have played the Icewind Dale or even Baldur’s Gate series of game. But, if our fan discussions are any indication, people really love making parties and parties and oh, more parties.

(Newcomers to the genre might find IWD2 somewhat daunting. Even though the 3E rules have been streamlined in comparison to the 2nd Ed. Rules, there are still a lot of nuances. And, when you have so many options in character creation, it can be kind of overwhelming. There’s a lot to keep track of.)