Neverwinter Nights The Witch's Wake

Witch's Wake Status Update
[Feb 28 2003] Check out the most recent status update from Rob regarding Witch Wake II: The Witch Hunters.

Witch's Wake Status Update
[Jan 30 2003] Rob has provided another status update regarding work on Witch Wake II: The Witch Hunters.

Witch's Wake Status Update
[Jan 29 2003] The latest status update discusses some further initial work on Witch Wake II: The Witch Hunters.

Witch's Wake Status Update
[Jan 17 2003] The latest status update discusses some initial work on Witch Wake II: The Witch Hunters. In other Witch Wake news, the Dungeon Masters Discussion forum has been removed, and DM's are encouraged to discuss Witch Wake in the official Witch Wake guild instead (which is currently over 1700 members)!

Witch's Wake Status Update
[Jan 8 2002] Rob Bartel has posted the first status update of 2003!

Witch's Wake DM's Guide Update
[Jan 8 2002] The DM's Guide for Witch Wake 1 has been updated, and now includes details on all the NPCs encountered in the Witches Wake I, Fields of Battle. Warning! This entire document is a spoiler! If you would prefer a spoiler-safe introduction to the module, please read the Player's Guide instead. Also, be sure to check out the Witch's Wake review at Silven Crossroads! Discuss.

Witch Wake 1 Development Template
[Dec 18 2002] The first Witch's Wake Template Module has been released for download! This module is a development template only and contains no playable content. It contains the various systems used in "Witch Wake 1: The Fields of Battle" and is intended as a plot-free foundation layer on which future modules in the series can be built. Feel free to use it, in whole or in part, as part of your own modules. Discuss.

Witch's Wake Logo Pack
[Dec 18 2002] A new Witch's Wake Logo Pack has been added as an additional download in the Neverwinter Nights Fan Site Kit section. The pack contains several versions of the Witch's Wake logo in gif and jpg formats, as well as the source logo in Photoshop format (a layered psd file). Discuss.

The Witch's Wake is Here!
[Dec 11 2002] After 3 1/2 months of development, the BioWare Live Team is pleased to announce that Part One of "The Witch's Wake," an official Neverwinter Nights module series, is now available as a free download. You can also get the module by simply updating your game using the NWUpdate program, and selecting the optional Witch's Wake download.

Integrating a number of fan-created components and drawing on extensive beta test feedback throughout its development cycle, "Witch Wake I: The Fields of Battle" offers a solid 2-3 hours of high-quality, story-intensive roleplaying. The best is yet to come, however, as the dark and complex storyline introduced here will be expanded on with each new module that gets released. To commemorate this release, we have updated the Witch's Wake section. As well, we have posted the DM's Guide, an updated Player's Manual, and a new wallpaper. Discuss Witch's Wake in the new Witch's Wake General Discussion forum and Dungeon Masters Discussion forum!

The Witch's Wake Coming Soon!
[Dec 6 2002] The pending release of the first Witch's Wake module Witch Wake I: The Fields of Battle is generating some buzz! IGN-PC has posted an extensive interview with The Witch's Wake creator Rob Bartel.

The Witch's Wake Player's Manual
[Dec 4 2002] Death and dying, experience, resting, looting, curious devices and more are discussed in the new Player's Manual for the upcoming Witch Wake I: The Fields of Battle module. The manual provides players with the background information and tips they need to fully enjoy The Witch's Wake. Discuss.

"Witchwork Series" Renamed to "The Witch's Wake"
[Nov 28 2002] In preparation for the upcoming release of the first installment of the module series, the original working title of "The Witchwork Series" has now been formally renamed "The Witch's Wake." The latest Status Update has the details!

Witchwork Status Update
[Nov 19 2002] Rob has added another Witchwork status update discussing the 1.27 BETA patch, experience, and more.

Witchwork Feature List
[Nov 13 2002] The Witchwork Series is an exciting, multi-module story arc to be released in free, downloadable installments. The opening module in the series, "The Fields of Battle," will soon be available, and this new Feature List provides the details on what is in store! Discuss.

Witchwork Update and Screenshots
[Nov 8 2002] Rob has added another Witchwork status update discussing the upcoming 1.27 patch, and there are more Witchworks screenshots for you viewing pleasure!

Witchwork Status Update
[Nov 1 2002] Witchworks is now Plot-Complete, meaning that it is now possible for the beta testers to play through the entire module from beginning to end! Read more in the latest status update.

Witchwork Screenshots and Status Update
[Oct 30 2002] Hallowe'en is just around the bend and we have some trick-or-treat Witchwork goodies just for you. Reach in and grab a screenshot from the bowl, or treat yourself to the latest status update, including comments from the BETA testers. Discuss.

Witchwork Status Update
[Oct 24 2002] Witchwork is progressing steadily, with a fairly even balance between bug fixes and new plot content. More details, including comments from BETA testers, on the Witchwork status page.

Profile: Hardcore Rules (HCR)
[Oct 23 2002] The fifth profile of fan-created content that will be used in the upcoming Witchwork Series looks at Archaegeo's Hardcore Rules (HCR). Originating out of a desire to create a more traditional 3rd Edition Dungeons & Dragons experience, what started as a small collection of tweaks and changes by Archaegeo quickly mushroomed into a large-scale team effort with fellow enthusiasts. Discuss.

Witchwork Status Update - BETA News
[Oct 18 2002] Response to the beta has been phenomenal and, at 250+ testers, we are now nearing capacity. As of midnight tonight (MST) we will be closing the BETA application process. You can read more on the BETA and initial comments from testers on the Witchwork status page.

Witchwork BETA Details
[Oct 16 2002] After a smooth and successful private beta, the first installment of the Witchwork Series is now ready to enter a more robust and open testing phase. Everyone who is interested is now welcome to join. The module isn't content-complete yet but series creator, Rob Bartel, is excited to involve more interested community members in its development. "Every piece of constructive criticism makes the module better," he insists. "We're lucky to have such a vibrant and insightful community building up around NWN, one that really breaks down some of the traditional boundaries between game owners and game developers. We're all in this together: I'm learning from them, they're learning from me. I can't imagine doing the Witchwork Series in any other way."

A note of caution, however: the Witchwork modules are designed as story-based experiences. As such, beta participants will be exposed to a lot of spoilers and will deal regularly with broken or unfinished plots, unbalanced combat and treasure, gamestopping bugs, and countless other oddities. Rob is inviting testers into the process a lot earlier than is typical because he feels that there's something to be learned from working in the mud and grit of an unpolished product. It's not for everyone so think hard about whether or not it's something you really want to get involved in. So where's the appeal of being a beta tester? For starters, it's a great opportunity for DMs to familiarize themselves with the module before their players have a taste of it. Module builders may also be interested in observing the development process of a professional designer. And, well, some folks just like to help old ladies cross the street and crazy Live Team members launch a daring new module series for NWN.

If this sounds like your idea of a good time, you can follow these easy instructions to become a Witchwork 1 beta tester:

1) Register your player profile in our NWN Guilds & Registry system.

2) Go the the Witchwork Guild site and submit a Request To Join. Your requests are processed manually so please expect a few hours delay before one of the guild officers can accept your request.

3) Once you are a member of the Witchwork Guild, enter the General Discussion forum and find a sticky thread entitled "Apply to be a Beta Tester Here." Post a message to that thread, indicating your desire to get involved in the beta test. Guild officers will track that thread and assign Tester status to anyone who posts there. Again, this is a manual process so please expect some delays.

4) Once you have been assigned Tester status, you will be able to see the guild's Beta Testers' Forum. Please read the sticky threads at the top of that forum, especially the ones entitled "Welcome Beta Testers..." and "README: Latest Version (Witchwork 1)." Instructions on how to join the Witchwork Beta Servers will be found there.

Discuss this in the News Forum.

Witchwork Status Update
[Oct 11 2002] The latest update to the Witchwork Series Status page overviews guild activity, the Witchworks beta test, and bug squashing. Discuss.

Profile: Inventory Spy
[Oct 9 2002] The fourth profile of fan-created content that will be used in the upcoming Witchwork Series looks at Georg Zoeller's Inventory Spy. The Inventory Spy allows a DM to examine a player’s inventory in an actual container, where the DM can then examine and modify the inventory before sending it back to the player. Discuss.

Witchwork Status Update
[Oct 7 2002] The latest update to the Witchwork Series Status page discusses elements of the intitial module that are currently under development. Discuss.

Profile: Improved Henchman and Battle AI
[Oct 2 2002] The third profile of fan-created content that will be used in the upcoming Witchwork Series looks at Pausanias' "Improved Henchman and Battle AI". These modifications will allow players to manage the inventory of their henchman, familiar, and animal companion, and it will make both friends and foes smarter in battle. Discuss.

Witchwork Status Update
[Sept 27 2002] Rob tempts us with an excerpt from the opening conversation... you can find it on the Witchwork Series Status page.

The Witchwork Guild
[Sept 25 2002] There is now an official guild for fans of the "Witchwork Series". The Witchwork Guild is a great place to form adventuring parties with fellow players and Dungeon Masters interested in the series. Aside from our public forums where all members can discuss the series and interact with its creator, we also provide private forums where Dungeon Masters can discuss their art and Beta Testers can help Rob Bartel shape upcoming modules. Discuss.

Witchwork Status Update
[Sept 24 2002] Rob discusses the opening sequence of the first Witchworks module on the Witchwork Series Status page. Discuss.

Witchwork Status Update
[Sept 20 2002] A new update for the Witchwork Series has been posted on the Status page, with some details about the Template module and Patch 1.25. Discuss.

Profile: Lootable Corpses
[Sept 18 2002] The second profile of fan-created content that will be used in the upcoming Witchwork Series looks at Emmanuel Lusinchi's "Lootable Corpses" system. This is a system whereby creatures’ bodies litter the battlefield after death and can be looted and bashed like any other container. Discuss.

Witchwork Status Update
[Sept 13 2002] A new update for the Witchwork Series has been posted on the Project Status page detailing a Template module that includes much of the content that will be shared throughout the series. Discuss.

Profile: The DM’s Helper
[Sept 12 2002] This first profile of fan-created content looks at "The DM’s Helper", a fan-created tool that will be used in the upcoming Witchwork Series. "The DM’s Helper" opens up a whole bundle of new abilities within NWN’s DM Client. Discuss.

Witchwork Status Update
[Sept 10 2002] A quick update for the Witchwork Series has been posted on the Project Status page regarding fan-created content and a custom death system. Discuss.

Witchwork Section Launched
[Sept 4 2002] Last week we announced the new multi-module story arc, "The Witchwork Series." This week we have added a new Witchwork Series section of the site that includes an updated FAQ and Project Status page so you can stay informed as development of the series continues! Discuss.

Upcoming Roleplaying Module Series
[Aug 28 2002] The Live Team has started developing a new multi-module story arc called "The Witchwork Series." Free downloadable adventures will be released one at a time through this official community site (dates to be determined). The first module, "Witchwork 1: The Fields of Battle," will be targeted towards first-level adventurers. Stay tuned for further updates as development on the series progresses! Discuss.