Cryptic Studios' free-to-play massively multiplayer online game Neverwinter will reward user-generated content creators with unique achievements and a Dungeon Master level, CCO Craig Zinkievich revealed at GDC Europe today.
Folks who create levels and quests using Neverwinter's robust Foundry toolset will be able to complete tasks tied to the creation and promotion of their user-generated content, such as publishing a certain number of quests, or earning the highest review rating for their levels. These achievements will increase the player's Dungeon Master level, which in turn unlock further rewards, like unique forum titles and aesthetic in-game costumes.
It's one of the many ways Cryptic is hoping to draw players into the game's UGC offerings. Zinkievich described the plan for creator retention, which includes dedicating a portion of the live team to creating new features and assets for the platform, and spotlighting highly-rated or trafficked quests. Authors will be able to effectively create their own in-game blog, which players can follow to keep track of when that author has created something new. Those followers can even donate in-game currency to the creators they like the best.
We're checking out Neverwinter later this week at Gamescom, and will let you know how Cryptic's take on the classic role-playing franchise is shaping up
by Griffin McElroy
AWESOME NEWS
http://www.theverge.com/gaming/2012/8/13/3239120/neverwinter-to-reward-level-authors-with-achievements-dungeon-masterhttp://www.theverge.com/gaming/2012/8/14/3234236/gamescom-2012-schedule-events
cryptic PWE listed in little guns
Players can also choose to subscribe to a particular level maker, browse for the best reviewed levels and they can even donate in-game cash to those creators they like best to support their future projects.
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Gamescom-2012-Neverwinter-and-a-Bounty-of-User-Generated-Content-286682.shtml
Comments
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edit- as 'abuse' is often a concern, they could always make xp/treasure considerably lowered, and not have any BiS gear in player made dungeons- but, with high ratings/most played dungeons, have a team that'll review and test out that player made content on PW's end, see if it isn't exploitable and then give a better loot/xp table.
Or, build in a data taking program- quests that are being finished in two minutes without any deaths don't get anything, while quests that are regularly taking half hour to clear, have several parts where deaths are common, etc... might get something better rewarded to it.
ie- if after a hundred clears, quest a is being cleared on average in 5 min with 0.05 deaths per run, give a reward adequate for an easy, five minute quest (50gp and a chance at a +1 weapon).
Quest b is being cleared on average in 45 min with 2.5 deaths per run and 10% of attempts end in not finishing the quest due to difficulty. Give a reward for a hard, 45 min quest (1000gp, a +2 weapon/armour and a chance at a ring of protection +3 or equivalent wondrous magical item.) Continue to take data and alter the rewards as completion times fluctuate.
I'm glad they are sticking to the NW spirit. I've said it before but here it is again, NWN was a mediocre game at it's initial release but it survives even to this day for no reason other than the simple fact it made user generated content no only possible but the norm.
With news releases such as this it sounds like we can expect to enjoy NW for years to come.
I do hope well rated UGC mods will get additional limited drops as a reward like they do with the STO games ATM.