June 11, 2008
Neverwinter
Nights 2: Storm of Zehir Brings Bold New Adventures to The Forgotten Realms
Second Expansion for Atari’s
Renowned Role-Playing Opus Scheduled for Worldwide Release Q4 2008
Atari, Inc. alongside Wizards of the
Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. announced today that Neverwinter Nights 2:
Storm of Zehir is currently in production. Developed by Obsidian Entertainment,
one of the premier independent development studios in the world, the second
expansion to Neverwinter Nights 2 will deliver an engrossing DUNGEONS & DRAGONS
experience in the tradition of the Neverwinter Nights franchise and is scheduled
for worldwide launch Q4 2008.
Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir
hearkens back to the days of the Baldur’s Gate and Icewind Dale franchises by
including full party customization, dungeon crawling, and free exploration of a
non-linear game world via an Overland Map. The gripping storyline foreshadows
the events that will take place in the Forgotten Realms with the coming release
this June of the Fourth Edition of Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game.
In the aftermath of the defeat of
the King of Shadows, the Sword Coast is in the midst of an uneasy economic
recovery. Trade syndicates have sprung up to exploit the post-war confusion for
their own ends and the players’ party will wade into this uncertain environment.
In order to increase their own fortunes, they can either ally with a syndicate
to create a trade empire, or cut their own path through Faerun by preying upon
caravans and selling the goods on the black market. As they attempt to extend
their influence, players will become aware of a new faction working behind the
scenes: the evil, shape-shifting, serpentine Yuan-Ti.
In addition to trading and economic
manipulation, the Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir Overland Map allows
players to explore the Chultan Peninsula and Sword Coast in a non-linear manner
never before seen in any of the Neverwinter Nights games. Exploration will take
players from well-known locations, like Neverwinter and Crossroad Keep, to more
exotic areas, such as the xenophobic jungle nation of Samarach. Groups of
highwaymen and monsters populate the Overland Map and the farther from
civilization the player roams, the more difficult the encounters become. The
15-hour campaign in Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir is also packed with new
classes, spells, creatures, and playable races.
Fans of the compelling multiplayer
features of Neverwinter Nights 2 will also be able to take advantage of new
improvements to the multiplayer experience, while modders will be able to take
advantage of the power and flexibility of the Overland Map and Trading System
features along with other world-building enhancements.
Game Features:
-
Travel the Sword Coast and
Samarach using the open-ended exploration of the new Overland Map. Use skills
like Spot and Survival while on the Overland Map to avoid ambushes and even
find hidden locales and lost artifacts. -
Create your own full party of
adventurers. Devastate your foes with a squad of fireball-flinging Sorcerers,
form a solid wall of steel with a party of Fighters, or strike the perfect
balance in your party by spreading out the classes you choose for your
characters. -
Improved party gameplay including
streamlined party conversations, a new Teamwork Benefit System, and powerful
party feats. -
The world’s economy reacts to your
adventures and choices. And, through trading and quests, you can expand your
merchant company into a massive trading empire.
More information about Neverwinter
Nights 2 can be found at www.nwn2.com.
