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Neverwinter Nights

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games

This page is for the 2002 game. For its enhanced edition, see Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition. For the 1991 game, see Neverwinter Nights (1991). For the 2013 game, see Neverwinter.

Neverwinter Nights
Neverwinter Nights cover
Developers
BioWare
Shadows of Undrentide Floodgate Entertainment[1]
Publishers
2002-2003 Infogrames
2003-2018 Atari
2018-present Beamdog
OS X MacSoft
Retail (Japan) Sega
Retail re-release Sold Out Software
Engines
Aurora
Release dates
Windows June 18, 2002
macOS (OS X) August 5, 2003
Linux June 20, 2003
Reception
Metacritic 91
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase, Expansion pack
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Bird's-eye view
Genres RPG
Themes Fantasy
Series Neverwinter Nights
Neverwinter Nights on HowLongToBeat
Neverwinter Nights on IGDB
Neverwinter Nights guide on StrategyWiki
Neverwinter Nights on MobyGames
Neverwinter Nights on Wikipedia
Neverwinter Nights
Subseries of Dungeons & Dragons
Neverwinter Nights (1991) 1991
Neverwinter Nights 2002
Neverwinter Nights 2 2006
Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition 2018

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).

Neverwinter Nights is a singleplayer and multiplayer bird's-eye view RPG game in the Neverwinter Nights series.

Premium Modules from the BioWare Store required an Internet connection at launch[2], however the authentication server has been shut down as of 2011; Use Premium Module Offline Authenticator Generator. Diamond Edition and Enhanced Edition modules do not require this.

General information

GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
GOG.com Support Page

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
CD key
SecuROM 4 DRM.
Patch 1.66 removes the DRM.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
GOG.com
DRM-free
CD key
Diamond Edition; bundled with Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition. Serial keys for multiplayer are shown in the game library entry; requires manual input via SerialTool.exe.
Windows
A free demo is available from Archive.org.

Version differences

The Gold Edition includes the base game and the Shadows of Undrentide expansion.
The Platinum Edition includes the base game, Shadows of Undrentide, and Hordes of the Underdark.
The Diamond Edition includes the base game, Shadows of Undrentide, Hordes of the Underdark, and Kingmaker.
No retail or digital releases included premium modules by default.
The Linux version was not released in a boxed format.

Monetization

DLC and expansion packs

Premium Modules were previously only available through the BioWare Store (excluding Kingmaker, Shadowguard and Witch's Wake).
BioWare Store DLC is not available on OS X.
Name Notes
Shadows of Undrentide Expansion (Included in Gold, Platinum and Diamond Editions).
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
Hordes of the Underdark Expansion (Included in Platinum and Diamond Editions).
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
Kingmaker Premium Module (Included in Diamond Edition).
Windows
Linux
Shadowguard Premium Module (Included in Diamond Edition).
Windows
Linux
Witch's Wake Premium Module (Included in Diamond Edition).
Windows
Linux
Pirates of the Sword Coast Premium Module (Only available as DLC for the Enhanced Edition).
Windows
Linux
Infinite Dungeons Premium Module (Only available as DLC for the Enhanced Edition).
Windows
Linux
Wyvern Crown of Cormyr Premium Module (Only available as DLC for the Enhanced Edition).
Windows
Linux

Essential improvements

Skip intro videos

Edit nwn.ini[3]
  1. Go to the installation folder.
  2. Open nwn.ini.
  3. Go to [Display Options]
  4. Add the line Disable Intro Movies=1
  5. Save the 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]

NWN Community Patch 1.72

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.

Community Enhancement Pack

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.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\[Note 1]
macOS (OS X)
Linux
It's unknown whether this game follows the XDG Base Directory Specification on Linux. Please fill in this information.

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\saves[Note 1]
macOS (OS X)
Linux

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
Not natively implemented; see here if save files disappear.[4]

Video

Video settings.
Video settings.
Video settings.
Video settings.

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
[5]
4K Ultra HD
UI designed for 800x600 and does not scale, rendering game essentially unplayable. UI Scaling for 4k is available in the Enhanced Edition
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
See Windowed.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
AutoHotkey method reported working.[6]
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Default amount is 4x, higher levels can be forced through nvidia/amd control panel.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
2x, 4x or 8x MSAA
Vertical sync (Vsync)
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
No frame rate cap.
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Windowed

Running the game in windowed mode may make the game work significantly better.
Windowed[citation needed]
  1. Open nwn.ini in the installation folder.
  2. Set FullScreen to 0
  3. Make a new line and enter AllowWindowedMode=1
  4. Save the changes and close the file.

Notes

Toggling windowed mode with Alt+ Enter may crash the game or cause other strange results.

Input

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Limited. Cannot rebind hotbar keys for example. Best workaround is autohotkey scripts.
Mouse acceleration
Follows windows settings. Called "Enhance pointer precision" in windows
Mouse sensitivity
Follows windows settings as long as Enable HardwareMouse=1 is on in nwn.ini. (It is by default)
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Controller types

Audio

Audio settings.
Audio settings.

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Sound Effects, Voices and Music.
Surround sound
Up to 7.1. DirectSound 3D restoration software may be necessary to prevent stuttering.[7]
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
EAX support
A3D 1.0 and 2.0. EAX 1 - 3.[8][9]
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
German
Italian
Polish
Brazilian Portuguese
Fan translation
Russian
Included in Community Patch Project
Spanish
Fan translations by Clan Dlan:

Network

Online play requires a CD key; for the GOG.com version see Multiplayer on the GOG.com version.

Multiplayer types

Type Native Notes
LAN play
Online play
The official GameSpy service is offline;[10] see Online play.

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP
Use Direct Connect button or +connect and +password parameters.[11]

Online play

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]

VR support

3D modes State Notes
vorpX
G3D
User created game profile, see vorpx forum profile introduction.

Issues fixed

Crash on start

Try the following if the game won't start for some reason, or crashes shortly afterwards.
Run nwnmain.exe as administrator[13]
Run nwnmain.exe with the +TestNewModule "123456" command line argument.[14]

Multiplayer with the GOG.com version

As of the December 2, 2016 update, the GOG.com version includes the CD Key Changer Tool.
Use SerialTool.exe[15]
  1. Go to the installation folder.
  2. Open SerialTool.exe.
  3. Follow the steps to replace the default product keys with the unique ones listed on the My Account page.
  4. Run the "premium modules re-installer" from the My Games bonus content to restore access to the premium modules.

Videos do not play, or only sound is played

Edit nwn.ini[16][17]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open nwn.ini.
  3. Change SafeMovie=0 to SafeMovie=1.
  4. If that does not work on ATI cards, rename binkw32.dll to binkw32_ati.dll and download this dll replacement.

Issues with dual-core or multi-core processors

Set core affinity[18]
  1. Open nwnplayer.ini in <path-to-game> in a text editor.
  2. Locate Client CPU Affinity and change the value to 1 (or whatever other number determined to give the best performance on a given system).
  3. If a problem with stuttering audio when playing video cutscenes appears, it can be resolved by setting the "CPU affinity" to "All cores". To do so, set the Client CPU Affinity value to -2

Nvidia-specific issues

There may be an issue rendering cloaks and bowstrings that causes low frame rates.
Edit nwnplayer.ini[citation needed]
  1. Open nwnplayer.ini in <path-to-game> in a text editor.
  2. Find Visible Cloaks and change the value 0.

AMD/ATI-specific issues

Edit nwnplayer.ini[citation needed]
Disabling/turning down the Catalyst AI in the Catalyst Control Panel's 3D settings may increase performance.
  1. 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.
  2. Under Texture Filtering, set "Texture Filtering Quality" to "Performance" and "Surface Format Optimization" to "Off."
  • This may make the character disappear, which is fixed by going to the in-game video options and disabling "Environment Mapping on Creatures".

Other general performance issues

Disable "Shiny Water" from the in-game video settings[citation needed]
Reduce dynamic lighting setting from the in-game video settings[citation needed]
Set the process priority of nwnmain.exe in the Task Manager to at least Above Normal.[citation needed]

Can no download Premium Modules

The original BioWare Store has been shut down. Previous owners can still download the Premium Modules manually.[19]
Use the zip links for Linux; either will work for Windows.[2]

Direct links

If above links fail, use the mirrors at NeverwinterVault.org.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
OpenGL 1.2 Shiny water requires NV_register_combiner, a Pre 1.4 Shader extension.
ExecutablePPC 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
macOS (OS X)
PowerPC only.[20]
Linux

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Multiplayer GameSpy

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 98, ME, 2000 SP2, XP
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium II 450 MHz
AMD K6 450 MHz
System memory (RAM) 96 MB (98, ME), 128 MB (2000, XP)
Hard disk drive (HDD) 1.2 GB
Video card (GPU) TNT2-class
16 MB of VRAM
OpenGL 1.2 compatible
DirectX 8.1 compatible


Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).

References

  1. BioWare and ATARI announce Neverwinter Nights™: Shadows of Undrentide - last accessed on 2016-6-17
  2. 2.0 2.1 Neverwinter Nights premium modules--net connection required?
  3. NWN bug - Can't skip intro, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com - last accessed on May 2023
  4. All progress lost WTF?, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com - last accessed on May 2023
  5. Neverwinter Nights (2002) supports 21:9 - and is currently free on GoG : ultrawidemasterrace - last accessed on May 2023
  6. Windowed Borderless Fullscreen NWN - Escape from Uncertainty: Revelations Forums - last accessed on May 2023
  7. Neverwinter Nights and Corsair VOID RGB USB 7.1 headset, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com - last accessed on May 2023
  8. EAX 3.0 vs A3D 2.0 в плане позиционирования звуков - Конференция iXBT.com
  9. EAX Featured Game: Neverwinter Nights - EAX.CREATIVE.COM - last accessed on May 2023
  10. 10.0 10.1 GameSpy's New Owners Begin Disabling Multiplayer Without Warning - Slashdot
  11. Direct connect - NWNWiki, the Neverwinter Nights Wiki - your guide to the game of NWN - last accessed on May 2023
  12. Discontinued Gamespy support information, and a unified list for alternatives to the master server list - Forum - GOG.com - last accessed on May 2023
  13. NWN Won't start - GameBanshee Forums (retrieved)
  14. NWN Won't start - GameBanshee Forums (retrieved)
  15. Verified by User:Garrett on December 13, 2016
  16. Campaign videos / cutscenes not playing right - GOG.com Forum - last accessed on May 2023
  17. Does anybody have the updated binkw32.dll file? - GOG.com Forum - last accessed on May 2023
  18. How do I set default CPU Affinity to "All"? - GOG.com Forum - last accessed on May 2023
  19. UNOFFICIAL links to redownload previously-purchased Premium modules: - General Discussion - The BioWare Forum (retrieved)
  20. Inside Mac Gaming - No Lion Patch For Neverwinter Nights - last accessed on May 2023