A New HAK for The Vast?

[Algernon's Ghost]

We've been looking at some of the really great custom content available for NWN, and think some of it may fit in with the server really well. We would also be able to make some of the oldest areas look nicer and fit better visually with the geography of the region.

If we did this, it would require a second HAK package download in addition to CEP. All extra files needed would be packaged together in one download. The custom HAK combo for The Vast would make it very easy to add additional content at any time as well, but would require all players download a new copy to replace the current install.

What do you all think about this? Here's your chance to voice your opinion, discuss, and ask any questions you might have.

[AtraAngelis]

Do it..
Its simply replacing files.

[Thorned Rose]

Oooh yeah! More pretties!

[driver_1740]

I think the only down side to this is it makes it harder to get new players to stumble upon the server due to the fact that they will need a Vast specific hak instead of the community standard (CEP).

But given the fact that gamespy is gone this might not be too much of a concern.

As far as the content that will be added, I'm sure we are all anxious to see exactly what the DM team has to add. Just with CEP the server is exponentially more interesting as well as visually appealing. I'm all for it.

Can't wait to see the new improvements.

[Algernon's Ghost]

But given the fact that gamespy is gone this might not be too much of a concern.

This was our thought. Any new players finding servers now will have to search them out online, or through one of the modified clients that lists servers. If searching online, then they'll know about needed HAKs when they find us. If using a modified client, then they're probably not a new player, and already know all about HAKs.

[TheOneBc]

In All for new content!

[archimedes 13]

I was leery and resisted the CEP, but I've since been won over

[Algernon's Ghost]

I was leery and resisted the CEP, but I've since been won over :)

Hehehee, we resisted any HAKs for the server all those years, but the landscape of NWN has changed so much, and most of the concerns from back then are no longer valid. The temptation of so much high quality content is now too much.

Mostly we'd be using additional HAKs for tileset mods and additions, possibly the odd placeables here and there.

[Hungry Crow]

I am all for new content as well. Just tell me where to find em.

[Toro]

Soon we won't even need to worry about it. There's an auto down loader coming soon.
There's actually one out there already. I'm on phone, I'll post more details later.

*later*
So for those interested in things to come:
Neverlauncher looks very promising:
http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic ... x/15594279

Worldgate has been out for awhile, released for NWN2 but works with NWN. I havent used this one but I suspect it's a little technical, hence why it never caught on maybe...
http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=nw ... tail&id=29

[Algernon's Ghost]

We are still slowly working on getting together stuff for a Vast HAK.

Something we're considering is a HAK that allows players to color their character's eyes and lips. It also automatically matches the eyebrows to the hair color you choose.

There is a slight, potential downside to it though. It works by using the tattoo colors, one for the eyes, and the other for the lips. This would mean that if you apply tattoos to your character, you would be restricted to colors that work for eyes and lips. Do you see this as a problem, or do you want to have actual eye and lip colors?

We have the appearance mirror on request for those of you who'd want to make retroactive changes to the tattoo colors, or remove body tattoos. Since the details are hard to see at character creation, we would probably add a place you could go from the Lobby to edit the colors anytime for the first few levels.

This is the HAK:
nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=Hakpaks.Detail&id=6930

[Timgood1]

Just let us know when to download and we will.

[Algernon's Ghost]

Update - Toro's Rural HAK:

The rural tileset will be getting the most attention in the upcoming HAK set for The Vast. We will be using Toro's Rural HAK for this, which is nearing completion. You can read about its history here: http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/191/index/14803789/1

Toro has done a fantastic job updating and expanding the rural tileset, and I'm looking forward to working with it in the module. There will be a few minor changes to some of Toro's HAK as it is used in The Vast, but 90%+ will be used unmodified. Notably, I'm still fussing with the grass color, and deciding whether to use the bioware grass or Toro's.

Once he's finalized his HAK, I will begin finalizing its integration into The Vast's custom HAK compilation set.

Please ask any questions you might have.

[Toro]

AG, I appreciate the vote of confidence. I'm basically done. Now I'm just looking for a few extra features to include, whip up a few minimaps, and go bug hunting.
If you have followed my thread on the bio boards, you might be aware that I wanted to replace those 4 large towers made by one of the greats , Velmar. Hope you weren't planning to use them.
Anyway, here's what I replaced them with:

[Algernon's Ghost]

Toro, I had no plans for towers at all, just waiting to see what you did. Those are four good choices. If you have a link you can email me to a download, I can pop the hak in a little test module and look it over too, and let you know if I find any bugs. I'm pretty excited to see it.