This page is for the 2002 game. For the enhanced edition, see Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition. For the 1991 game, see Neverwinter Nights (1991).
Warnings
- The Mac OS X version of this game does not work on Mac OS X Lion (version 10.7) or later due to the removal of support for PowerPC apps.
- GameSpy online services have been shut down (see Network for solutions).
Key points
- Premium Modules from the BioWare Store require an internet connection at launch[2] but the authentication server has been shut down; use Premium Module Offline Authenticator Generator.
General information
- GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
- GOG.com Support Page
Availability
- Free demo is available here.
Version differences
- There is no complete edition of the original game; the Diamond Edition is the most complete. The enhanced edition includes all official content, and more.
- The Linux version was not released in a boxed format.
DLC and expansion packs
- Premium Modules from the BioWare Store require an internet connection at launch[2] but the authentication server has been shut down; use Premium Module Offline Authenticator Generator. Diamond Edition and enhanced edition modules do not require this.
- BioWare Store DLC is not available on OS X.
| Name |
Notes |
|
| Shadows of Undrentide |
Sold as an expansion or in compilations (Platinum, Gold, Legends, 3-Pack). |
|
| Hordes of the Underdark |
Sold as an expansion or in compilations (Platinum, Legends, 3-Pack). |
|
| Kingmaker |
Included in compilations (Platinum, Kingmaker). Previously sold on the BioWare Store. |
|
| ShadowGuard |
Included in compilations (Platinum, Kingmaker). Previously sold on the BioWare Store. |
|
| Witch's Wake |
Included in compilations (Platinum, Kingmaker). Previously sold on the BioWare Store. |
|
| Pirates of the Sword Coast |
No longer sold (only available as a DLC for the Enhanced edition). |
|
| Infinite Dungeons |
No longer sold (only available as a DLC for the Enhanced edition). |
|
| Wyvern Crown of Cormyr |
No longer sold (only available as a DLC for the Enhanced edition). |
|
Essential improvements
Skip intro videos
|
Edit nwn.ini[3]
|
- Go to the installation folder.
- Open
nwn.ini.
- Go to
[Display Options]
- Add the line
Disable Intro Movies=1
- Save your changes and close the file.
|
Patches
NWN Critical Rebuild 1.69
- NWN Critical Rebuild 1.69 updates the game to the latest version.
- The GOG.com version indicates it is patched to 1.69 but often has issues which the actual 1.69 Critical Rebuild will fix.[citation needed]
- The NWN Community Patch is a collection of miscellaneous tweaks/fixes/adjustments above and beyond the official 1.69 patch. It mainly aims to fix various small mistakes that persist in the game even past the final official patch, so it can be suggested (though isn't absolutely necessary) for anyone. Many of the fixes work on their own with the base game, and as such do not require any additional modules/addons to see a benefit, though there are many usability adjustments that help with extended modules.
- The Community Enhancement Pack adds a wide variety of new items, clothing, and features, such as rideable creatures. Note that these are mostly used for building new modules/content, or used in conjunction with downloaded fan-made modules that require this content. As such, there is little if any reason to download and install this pack if you aren't interested in expanded modules. As of 10/25/2021, the latest version is 2.67 and is available here.
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
- It's unknown whether this game follows the XDG Base Directory Specification on Linux. Please fill in this information.
Save game data location
| System |
Native |
Notes |
| GOG Galaxy |
|
Not natively implemented; see here if save files disappear.[4] |
Video
- Running the game in windowed mode may make the game work significantly better.
|
Windowed[citation needed]
|
- Open
nwn.ini in the installation folder.
- Set
FullScreen to 0
- Make a new line and enter
AllowWindowedMode=1
- Save your changes and close the file.
Notes
- Toggling windowed mode with Alt+↵ Enter may crash the game or cause other strange results.
|
Input
Audio
Localizations
Network
- Online play requires a CD key; for the GOG.com version see Multiplayer on the GOG.com version.
Multiplayer types
Connection types
VR support
| 3D modes |
State |
Notes |
| vorpX |
| G3D
User created game profile, see vorpx forum profile introduction. |
The GameSpy master server is offline.[10]
Alternatives:
Servers can also be connected to manually using the Direct Connect button. These websites list public servers:[12]
Issues fixed
Crash on Start
- Try the following if the game won't start for some reason, or crashes shortly afterwards.
|
Crash on Start[13]
|
- Go to the installation folder.
- Make a shortcut to
nwmain.exe somewhere convenient.
- Add the following to the end of the Target:
+TestNewModule "123456"
- Click OK and use this shortcut to run the game.
- Alternative: If the above does not work in XP SP3, making a copy of nwmain.exe in the installation folder and renaming it to something else may work (make a new shortcut or modify the existing one to target the new copy).
|
Multiplayer on the GOG.com version
- When you initially download Neverwinter Nights Diamond from GOG.com, it does not initially support multiplayer as it does not come with a valid multiplayer CD key.
- The 2nd December 2016 Update includes the CDKey Changer Tool.
|
Use SerialTool.exe[14]
|
- Go to the installation folder.
- Open
SerialTool.exe.
- Follow the steps to replace the default product keys with the unique ones listed on the My Account page.
- Run the "premium modules re-installer" from the My Games bonus content to restore access to the premium modules.
|
General Fixes for Poor Performance on Modern Systems
Neverwinter Nights does not run well on modern hardware and systems, and you may experience crashes or stuttering without properly preparing your game. Here are a list of fixes you may want to try. These were all tested on Windows 7 64-bit but may work for other systems.
Errors or crashes when starting game
|
Errors or crashes when starting game[citation needed]
|
- Make sure that NWN is not in the C:\Program Files (x86) folder as there may be a problem with permissions. Instead try installing it to its own folder, like C:\Games\NWN.
- You may have to set the compatibility setting of nwmain.exe to Windows XP SP2 or SP3.
|
Videos don't play, or you can only hear sound
|
Videos don't play[15][16]
|
- Go to the configuration file(s) location.
- Open
nwn.ini.
- Change
SafeMovie=0 to SafeMovie=1.
- If that doesn't work, you might try this (for ATI cards only). Download this dll. Open your nwn folder. Rename the file binkw32.dll that is in your nwn folder to binkw32_ati.dll (don't just append .BAK or something because the new dll makes a call for this dll). Place the newly downloaded binkw32.dll from mediafire in the folder. If you've changed SafeMovie, open
nwn.ini and make sure SafeMovie is set to 0. This might not work.
|
Dual-core or multi-core processors
|
Dual-core or multi-core processors[17]
|
- NWN was not meant to run with more than one core. If you have a multi-core system, you can set the game to run on only one core.
- Open Task Manager with NWN open, rightclick nwmain.exe, Set Affinity on one core. If it gives you an error, click the button "Show Processes from All Users" at the bottom. You can experiment to see which core gives you the best performance.
- To avoid having to do this every time you play the game, open
nwnplayer.ini in the main NWN folder. Locate Client CPU Affinity and change the value to 1 (or whatever other core you determined gave you the best performance in the first step).
- If you have a problem with a stuttering audio when playing video cut-scenes, it can be cured with setting your "CPU affinity" to "All cores". To do so, you'll have to set the
nwnplayer.ini setting for Client CPU Affinity to -2
|
For Nvidia cards
|
Nvidia cards[citation needed]
|
- For some reason there may be an issue rendering cloaks and bowstrings that causes low frame rates. To disable cloak graphics, open nwnplayer.ini in your main NWN folder and locate Visible Cloaks. Change the value from 1 to 0. To disable bowstrings, google for a patch.
|
For AMD/ATI cards
|
AMD/ATI cards[citation needed]
|
- You may find increased performance by disabling/turning down the Catalyst AI in your Catalyst Control Panel's 3D settings. In the newer VISION Engine Control Center, this can be accomplished in the advanced view by creating a new profile for nwmain.exe under Gaming - 3D Application Settings, then, under Texture Filtering, setting "Texture Filtering Quality" to "Performance" and "Surface Format Optimization" to "Off." For some reason this may make your character disappear. To make your character reappear, go into the ingame video options and disable Environment Mapping on Creatures.
|
Other general performance issues
|
Other general performance issues[citation needed]
|
- Right click
nwmain.exe and go to Compatibility. You should be running the game in an XP compatibility mode and with Disable Desktop Composition checked. Disable Visual Themes might be helpful as well.
- Disable "Shiny Water" from the video settings in game, should definitely increase performance.
- NWN may have issues with sound. Disabling sound outright may significantly reduce stuttering. You can disable sound completely in nwconfig.exe. If you don't want to go that far, experiment with the sound providers in the ingame options.
- For most modern computers, the options in the video settings have negligible effect on performance. A high level of Dynamic Lighting, though, may lag your system when many dynamic lights are created (many magic spells create dynamic lights).
- Increasing the process's priority positively effects frame rates. You can do this by opening Task Manager, right clicking
nwmain.exe, and setting Priority to at least Above Normal.
|
Can't download Premium Modules
- The original BioWare Store has been shut down. Previous owners can still download the Premium Modules manually.[18]
- Use the Zip links for Linux; either will work for Windows.[2]
If above links fail use neverwintervault.org (Download Page)
Other information
API
| Executable | PPC |
32-bit |
64-bit |
Notes |
| Windows | |
|
|
|
| macOS (OS X) | | |
|
PowerPC only.[19] |
| Linux | | |
|
|
Middleware
|
Middleware |
Notes |
| Multiplayer |
GameSpy |
GameSpy has been shut down. The Enhanced Edition has updated multiplayer with a server list hosted by Beamdog. It's recommended as it retain compatibility with the vast majority of servers. Some alternate solutions are posted above if you wish to continue to use the old version. |
System requirements
| Windows |
|
Minimum |
Recommended |
| Operating system (OS) |
98, ME, 2000 SP2, XP | |
| Processor (CPU) |
Intel Pentium II 450 MHz
AMD K6 450 MHz |
Intel Pentium III 800 MHz
AMD K6 800 MHz |
| System memory (RAM) |
96 MB (98, ME), 128 MB (2000, XP) |
128 MB (98, ME), 256 MB (2000, XP) |
| Hard disk drive (HDD) |
1.2 GB |
2 GB |
| Video card (GPU) |
TNT2-class
16 MB of VRAM
OpenGL 1.2 compatible
| Nvidia GeForce 2
ATI Radeon |
Notes
References
