Realms of Trinity is a persistent world for the Neverwinter Nights 2 video-game. It was released on September 6, 2008. The project includes two separate campaigns, both, based in the Forgotten Realms setting and Taking up over two hundred Years After the events of the core Neverwinter Nights 2 campaign.
While it is not a standalone product (requiring the purchase of Neverwinter Nights 2 and its two expansions for play), it runs on a player support alone [3] [4] with donations allowing for such a player. [5] According to the makers, Trinity wants to focus on the experience and the value of Neverwinter Nights 2 to the community. [6]
Gameplay
The project is itself a hybrid between action and role play, [7] catering to both playstyles. [1] Experience is gained in both ways and passively through the presence in the gameworld. [8]
Players have various options to customize their characters, such as factions, custom classes and custom level progression. Gameplay consists of “chapters” which the player and his companions unlock the race of the campaign. These include different areas and challenges based on Dungeons & Dragons sources. Dungeon Masters selected from the base are available for related events. [6] [9]
Chapters were designed to be completed in limited time spans from 45 minutes to 1 hour. [1] Quest areas are instanced. [8] [10] Through the Neverwinter Nights Extender , a MySQL database stores player progress and allows dynamic enemy spawning. [1] [11]
Plot
The first volume of Realms of Trinity, The Dark War of Trinity , takes place on the coast of Sembia and Trinity, long after the events of the Spellplague. After a two-year period of peace, new troubles and old enemies arise and a call to heroes goes out. [6] [12]
The second volume, The Wailing of the Planes , takes place nearly two years after. This time, the heroes are to face an even more reaching threat. [11] [13]
The Cormyrean Expanse is rooted in Suzail, Cormyr and occurs after the destruction of Trinity. [14]
Development
The project went live on September 6, 2008 with the 7 beginning chapters of The Dark War of Trinity . It was finished in 2009, with development on the Wailing of the Planes starting in the same year.
The second campaign, Cormyrean Expanse , was rolled out from late 2012 (volume one) to early 2013 (volume two). It is fully separated from the first campaign and intended to be more play-centric. [8] A third volume is scheduled for spring 2014. [2]
Reception
- The Three Hour Tour acclaimed Realms of Trinity for its scope and design. [9]
- It was inducted to the NWN2 Hall of Fame [15] and holds second place in Top Gameworlds as of October 2013. [16]
- Support for Realms of Trinity was added to the popular NWN2 Character Builder as of September 20, 2013. [17]
References
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d “NWN Podcast Episode 122” .
- ^ Jump up to:a b “Realms of Trinity 5th Year Anniversary” . 2013-09-06.
- Jump up^ “NWN2 EULA, p.40” (PDF) .
- Jump up^ “Modmode: Beyond Vanilla” .
- Jump up^ “Donations & Player Services” .
- ^ Jump up to:a b c “NWN Podcast Episode 110” .
- Jump up^ “Realms of Trinity NWVault” . 2013-09-01.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c “NWN Podcast Episode 173” .
- ^ Jump up to:a b “Three Hour Tour” . 2010-01-22.
- Jump up^ “Area Instancing and Timed Runs” .
- ^ Jump up to:a b “NWN Podcast Episode 140” .
- Jump up^ “The Dark War of Trinity” .
- Jump up^ “The Wailing of the Planes” .
- Jump up^ “The Cormyrean Expanse” .
- Jump up^ “NWN2 Hall of Fame” .
- Jump up^ “NWN2 Gameworlds” .
- Jump up^ “Builder Update v2.0.9” .