NWN2: Mask of the Betrayer - Interview @ IGN

Feargus Urqhart chats with IGN on Mask of the Betrayer in a new interview they have online:

IGN: In your mind, what's the most important aspect to deliver to fans of D&D games like this? Immersion? Strong tactical elements? A wide array of gameplay options such as classes and races?

Feargus Urquhart: I think you've hit on the difficulty of making D&D games, because the answer to your question is "Yes". More seriously, the answer is probably that the greatest D&D games focus on immersion in the world of D&D through having tons of classes, races, spells, items and creatures, plus a huge number of gameplay options, strong tactical elements, an engrossing story - all capped off with memorable characters. That's what makes D&D games such a challenge. You have to focus on every element of what it means to play D&D and not just on a single one of them. You can't let the story overshadow the gameplay or the fun of killing monsters won't be there. You can't let action win out over tactics, because the party based nature of D&D can get lost. And, you can't just focus on immersion in the world and not put time into the D&D game system, or the type of character the player expects to play won't either be there or won't work the way they expect. That may all sound like we would rather shoot ourselves in the head than make D&D games, but the truth of the matter is that it is a challenge and when we get it right - it is really rewarding.