Summary

Hello Neverwinter Nights players!

This release was developed for personal enjoyment and out of goodwill for our fellow players and creators by unpaid software engineers from the NWN community:

- clippy, Daz, Jasperre, Liareth, niv, shadguy, Soren, Squatting Monk, tinygiant, virusman

To our fellow community:

Thank you all for keeping this shared adventure alive.

Highlights

• New HDR-bloom postprocessing effect accumulates overlapping effects more naturally and makes intense colors bleed into the surrounding pixels.
• Improvements to the gameplay UI, such as toggling object highlight by double-pressing TAB.
• Significant performance improvements across the board, both on servers and clients.
• Many new and improved scripting functions, including support for synchronised audio playback and improvements to the scriptable UI.
• Over a hundred bugfixes, including several notorious 20-year-old bugs, such as area objects sometimes showing up too late.
• Script compiler is now open source and available as a standalone tool at https://github.com/niv/neverwinter.nim.

See https://nwn.beamdog.net/docs/ for
the full list of over 300 changes.

Patch Notes

[88.8193.36-12] - 2024-02-23

Fixed

• Fixed client AoEs sometimes adding duplicate objects.
• Fixed a bug where the client objects appear to be frozen in place until the game is restarted.
• Fixed learning a stacked scroll making the remainder of the stack unusable.
• Fixed a crash that happens after several loadscreens on some Linux systems.
• Fixed the bug report message pointing at the wrong URL.
• Fixed the MacOS binaries not containing the aarch64 build.
• Fixed screen capture tools like OBS and Steam not being able to read the full framebuffer content.

Changed

• Improved the AV warn message.
• Reverted movement teleport fix because it was resulting in jerky WASD movement for some players.

[88.8193.36-11] - 2024-02-06

Credits

This release was developed for personal enjoyment and out of goodwill for our fellow players and creators by unpaid software engineers from the NWN community:

• clippy, Daz, Jasperre, Liareth, niv, shadguy, Soren, Squatting Monk, tinygiant, virusman

To our fellow community:

Thank you all for keeping this shared adventure alive.

Highlights

• New HDR-bloom postprocessing effect accumulates overlapping effects more naturally and makes intense colors bleed into the surrounding pixels.
• Improvements to the gameplay UI, such as toggling object highlight by double-pressing TAB.
• Significant performance improvements across the board, both on servers and clients.
• Many new and improved scripting functions, including support for synchronised audio playback and improvements to the scriptable UI.
• Over a hundred bugfixes, including several notorious 20-year-old bugs, such as area objects sometimes showing up too late.
• Script compiler is now open source and available as a standalone tool at https://github.com/niv/neverwinter.nim.

You are cordially invited to join our developer Discord, here: https://nwn.beamdog.net/discord/

Kindly report issues you find at https://github.com/Beamdog/nwn-issues by following the instructions provided there.

Added

• Added HDR-bloom postprocessing effect.
• You can now lock object highlighting by double-tapping TAB instead of holding it down permanently.
• Added Debug UI panel to view Sound system details.
• Added a set of console commands (perfstats*) to get performance data.
• Added game setting for VSync, including support for adaptive VSync.
• Added -noaliases CLI arg, which ignores aliases in nwn.ini and always uses the default values.
• Added setting to tweak the minimum Z (height) offset used by keyholing.
• Added support for custom damage visuals for ammunition.
• Added support for loading/saving script sets in the Toolset Area Properties dialog.
• Added a Direct Connect button directly in the Multiplayer menu.
• Added nwscript support for raw string literals: r".." and R"..", which can also span multiple lines.
• Added new GUI events: GUIEVENT_CHATLOG_PORTRAIT_CLICK and GUIEVENT_PLAYERLIST_PLAYER_TELL.
• Added new cachedmodels.2da that lists all models that will always be kept loaded in memory. Use with care.
• Loadscreen hints are now displayed in chatlog.
• Mouse cursor scaling can optionally be set independent of the UI scale chosen (Game Options -> UI -> Mouse Cursor Scale Override).

30 New VM functions

• SetEffectCreator(), SetEffectSpellId(), SetEffectCasterLevel()
• SqlGetColumnCount(), SqlGetColumnName().
• GetSpellAbilityCount(), GetSpellAbilitySpell(), GetSpellAbilityCasterLevel(), GetSpellAbilityReady(), SetSpellAbilityReady()
• JsonObjectSetInplace(), JsonObjectDelInplace(), JsonArraySetInplace(), JsonArrayInsertInplace(), JsonArrayDelInplace()
• SetAreaGrassOverride(), RemoveAreaGrassOverride(), SetAreaDefaultGrassDisabled()
• SetAge(), JsonToTemplate()
• GetAttacksPerRound(), EffectEnemyAttackBonus()
• SetAreaTileBorderDisabled(), GetAreaNoRestFlag(), SetAreaNoRestFlag()
• StartAudioStream(), StopAudioStream(), SetAudioStreamPaused(), SetAudioStreamVolume(), SeekAudioStream()

See nwscript.nss for documentation.

New NUI features

• Added image_region property for image button widgets.
• Added window title text coloring.
• Added window size and edge constraints.
• Added support for binding array data in draw lists (except inside list views).
• Added support for _RECT type in draw lists.
• Added text and number transformation parameter support to binds (e.g. render a int as hex).
• Added support for custom fonts for whole windows, layout groups, and individual widgets.

New ruleset.2da entries

• TURN_RESISTANCE_AFFECTS_PCS
• SKILL_SET_TRAP_DURATION
• SKILL_FLAG_TRAP_DURATION
• SKILL_DISABLE_TRAP_DURATION
• SKILL_RECOVER_TRAP_DURATION
• SKILL_EXAMINE_TRAP_DURATION
• SKILL_OPEN_LOCK_DURATION
• SKILL_LOCK_DURATION
• SKILL_HIDE_IN_PLAIN_SIGHT_COOLDOWN
• SKILL_TAUNT_COOLDOWN
• SKILL_PICKPOCKET_COOLDOWN
• SKILL_ANIMAL_EMPATHY_COOLDOWN

Changed

Gameplay

• Game now shows a descriptive error message, instead of crashing if file access is blocked (e.g. by antivirus software).
• Object popup information will now update dynamically, for example when taking damage.
• The game now allows logins from private network addresses (LAN only) even if the masterserver is currently unreachable.
• NWSync will keep data marked for deletion, that has been written recently, a little while longer (default: 14 days).
• Module buttons in the New Game browser now have the same height as Campaigns.

Graphics

• Implemented use of OpenGL renderbuffers and framebuffer targets.
• SSAO now runs at half resolution but with additional smoothing.
• PLT-on-GPU generation now uses custom offscreen framebuffer target. This means the output texture size is no longer limited to screen resolution.
• Mouse cursors can be any resolution, and scale at non-integer values.
• Added validation of compiled models upon first load to fix invalid normals and tangents.

VM functions

• GetHasFeat() now has bIgnoreUses parameter.
• SetObjectTextBubbleOverride() now works for items in inventories.
• ActionCastSpellAt{Object,Location}() now have nClass and bSpontaneousCast parameters.
• ResManGetFileContents() can now return binary data in base64 or hex encoding.
• TemplateToJson() and JsonToTemplate() now also support RESTYPEs: DLG, UTS, IFO, FAC, ITP, JRL, GUI, GFF.
• SqlPrepareQueryObject() temporary databases are now entirely in-memory (:memory:).
• FloatingText{String,StrRef}OnCreature() now have bChatWindow parameter.
• GetLastSpellCastClass() now returns the AOE creator's class in AOE scripts.
• EffectDamageResistance() and EffectDamageReduction() now have a bRangedOnly parameter.
• GetEffectType() now has a bAllTypes parameter.
• NuiCreate() and NuiCreateFromResRef() now have a sEventScript parameter.
• GetItemPossessor() now has a bReturnBags parameter.
• GetResRef() now works with encounter objects.
• EffectDispelMagic() made consistent with new caster level calculations and will always utilize stored caster level of effects.
• Area of Effect objects now consistently store and retrieve their caster level and spell ID.

See nwscript.nss for documentation.

Script Compiler

• For loops can now take non-integer expressions in the first and third part of a loop statement. (e.g. floating point values now work).
• Parser now understands floating point values such as 0f, .0 and .42f.
• const declarations can now contain any constant expression (such as arithmetic), including previously defined consts.

Logging

• Changed "Error:" messages in client log to clarify they are related to the sound subsystem.
• Updated a log message regarding bad PWK use nodes to provide more explicit feedback.
• Will print 2DA load failures to log instead of just crashing the game.
• In case of module corruption, game will now print the relevant area resref to the log.
• BIC gff validator no longer prints a pointless log message every time a file successfully validates.
• Corrected crash dialog message URL.

Misc

• nui_skin.tml can now specify an array of fonts, with their properties, to bake into the font atlas.
• NUI can now load DDS images, which are only used if no other texture format of same name is found.
• Caster level calculations are now made consistent across the engine including using the Caster Level Multiplier for spells.
• You can no longer give gold to placeables that have no inventory enabled.
• Updated Sqlite3 implementation to 3.42.0.

2DA changes

• MemorizesSpells=0 with SpellbookRestricted=0 combination in classes.2da is now valid.
• damagetypes.2da has a new DamageRangedProjectile column.
• ammunitiontypes.2da has new AmmunitionType and DamageRangedProjectile columns.
• packages.2da now allows values over 255.
• vfx_persistent.2da now allows values over 255 for mobile AOEs.

Removed

• Removed legacy code for reading pre-EE encrypted premium modules. All premium modules shipped with EE are in default MOD format and not affected by this change.
• All rules-related internal checks on expansion pack availability have been removed from the game client and server.
• All engine code for deprecated and nonfunctional multi-byte lang support has been removed.

Fixed

Crash Fixes

• Fixed a server crash on area load due to bad GFF data.
• Fixed a server crash due to a player having outdated automap data.
• Fixed a server crash that could happen if a creature died during the EffectRunScript interval script.
• Fixed a client crash related to models with no or corrupt faces.
• Fixed a client crash when decoding some mp3 files.
• Fixed a client crash caused by missing bone weights in model skinmeshes.
• Fixed a client crash when enabling the PLT-on-GPU setting and loading PLT textures with an uneven number of texels per row.
• Fixed a client crash when loading a module with a missing movie.
• Fixed a client crash when using NUI scrollbars in a group with many elements.
• Fixed a client crash that could happen when applying a gamma modifier to an image.
• Fixed a client crash when loading a corrupt TGA file.
• Fixed a client crash that could happen when exiting a module that used custom shaders.
• Fixed a client crash that happened if server gave info about a baseitem client does not know about.
• Fixed a client crash caused by bad custom content related to customized damage type 2das.
• Fixed a rare client crash when trying to select a race and Human is not a playable race.
• Fixed a rare client crash on game shutdown if music was still playing.
• Fixed a rare client crash when trying to spawn a ranged projectile.
• Fixed a very rare client crash when handling inventory items.

Gameplay

• Fixed aura VFX not being rendered after an area change.
• Fixed a race condition where a PC would teleport to the wrong part of the map after an area transition.
• Fixed a race condition that could lead to objects being invisible for a client.
• Fixed VFX on placeables not fading out when the placeable is destroyed.
• Fixed an issue where special attacks that missed still caused damage to target's defensive effects.
• Fixed issue where Entangle and other effects stopping movement sometimes left dexterity on 3.
• Fixed stat gains that affect skill points not being validated correctly at levelup.
• Fixed Effect Icons getting removed from the top bar if there are icons from permanent effects still in effect.
• Fixed buffer stutter when resuming music playback.
• Fixed not being able to cast automatic silent spells if predecessor feats were missing.
• Fixed incorrect attack bonus vs X data shown on charsheet.
• Fixed custom two-handed/offhand weapon strength modifiers not showing correctly on the character sheet.
• Fixed some visual effects (like visibility) not properly updating when updated or reattached.
• Fixed journal entries not being retained after relogging on a server.
• Fixed area lighting still appearing even when under the blindness effect.
• Fixed damage color regressions from 8193.35.
• Fixed click to move not respecting modified ruleset.2da stealth/detect mode movement penalties.
• Fixed effect caster level not being included in save games.
• Fixed polymorph making every subfeat in the quickbar change to "Cancel Polymorph".
• Fixed nwsync repository modules unable to progress to the next module/chapter.
• Fixed clientside objects not being properly cleaned up, leading to degraded performance as play session progressed.
• Fixed Defensive Stance getting cancelled without notifying the clients.
• Fixed a bug where party members standing at elevation over 2m could cause information about other objects to be lost.
• Fixed a regression with Leave Lootable Corpse where generated remains were clickable on clients.
• Fixed incorrect total weight carried calculating when using stacks of items with weight property.
• Fixed a rare issue where a malformed tile walkmesh would cause levitation.
• Fixed critical threat roll displaying incorrect totals if attacks are made with a penalty.
• Fixed vsync negatively affecting (un)load times of very large areas.

Toolset

• Fixed structures passed using the ?: operator causing a bad compiler state.
• Fixed toolset clobbering module UUID, when the author has manually embedded one with a GFF editor.
• Fixed toolset not preserving scriptset changes after loading a scriptset into a Trigger instance.
• Fixed armor parts over 255 not working in the toolset.
• Fixed PLT textures not updating correctly when the color is changed.

Graphics

• Fixed PLT-on-GPU not properly loading custom palette textures.
• Fixed using custom palettes for PLT in combination with the generate-PLT-on-GPU setting.
• Fixed regression where beams were rendered with wrong width/thickness.
• Fixed Material Shader Uniforms not refreshing when a creature's appearance changed.
• Fixed keyholing not always applying properly on some geometry.
• Fixed model tangent generation unable to handle faces with zero area.
• Fixed the weather density shader uniform not always going to 0 at the end of the transition when setting weather to clear.
• Fixed flat model planes generating invalid normals when both sides of the plane shares smoothing group.
• Fixed model part combining not taking into account materialname fields being different between nodes.
• Fixed an issue with texture displacement that would cause warping when texture was viewed from steep viewangles.
• Fixed a memory corruption when using procedural texture distortion if the image dimensions exceed 256x256.
• Fixed a minor memory leak related to PLT-on-GPU generation.

Scripting

• Fixed a memory leak in the RandomName() nwscript function.
• Fixed ItemPropertyCustom() returning a valid itemproperty if a required parameter was -1.
• Fixed GetAreaLightDirection() causing scripting errors.
• Fixed GetAssociate() to honor the nAssociateIndex parameter for Dominated Associates.
• Fixed DecrementRemainingFeatUses() to work correctly on NPCs using feats with successors when they don't have the some of the intermediate feats.
• Fixed SetWeather() causing the weather effects to disappear if setting the type to the already current.
• Fixed EffectModifyAttacks() not recalculating total bonus attacks when being applied.
• Fixed LongJmp() incorrectly modifying some passed return values.
• Fixed SetCreatureBodyPart() erroneously modifying equipped armor.
• Fixed SetCreatureBodyPart() changes only being seen by a single client in multiplayer.
• Fixed SetCreatureBodyPart() failing to update some armor appearances if no skinmesh was used.
• Fixed SetMaterialShaderUniform*() calls not propagating to head/wing/tail/cloak models.
• Fixed SetFacing() not sending updates to clients for changes of less than 20 degrees.
• Fixed SetCreatureAppearanceType() not updating all appearance related variables.
• Fixed CopyItem() not copying the hidden when equipped field.
• Fixed SetObjectUiDiscoveryMask() while holding TAB not taking effect until release.
• Fixed EffectDamageReduction() not always being checked on placeables and doors when other effects are applied.
• Fixed PCs not being searchable with GetObjectByTag() after relogging.
• Fixed sqlite database transaction rollback not working correctly in DelayCommands.
• Fixed the encounter object support in ObjectToJson(), CopyObject(), SqlBindObject(), StoreCampaignObject().
• Fixed effect links not being retained after relogging on a server.
• Fixed traps created by nwscript not being detectable until after a save/load cycle.
• Fixed a visual corruption when modifying armor that is hidden.
• Fixed ActionUseFeat() with an invalid target to queue a combat feat against the current target the creature is attacking.
• Fixed SetShaderUniformVec()'s 4th float parameter clobbering the 3rd float parameter when saving as gff.
• Area of Effect scripts now use the spell ID and caster level that was stored when the AOE was created.

Misc

• Fixed cutscene camera settings to use 1.69 values that existing cutscenes expect.
• Fixed traps without a key tag set getting destroyed by a creature carrying an item with no tag set.
• Fixed clients leveling up in a 4th class on a server running version 8193.34 or earlier.
• Fixed ELC only validating domain feats for last chosen class.
• Fixed dynamic area light fade timers not resetting properly upon changing area.
• Fixed baseitems.2da line IDs over 255 giving bad feedback messages when pickpocketing or acquiring unidentified items.
• Fixed Shou Disciple allowing for 2d20 unarmed damage in some cases.
• Fixed GetName() description in nwscript.nss.
• Fixed SetObjectUiDiscoveryMask() description in nwscript.nss.
• Fixed SetBaseAttackBonus() description in nwscript.nss to properly describe how it works on PCs.
• Fixed News panel on main menu showing ".. 0 more .." with exactly 5 unread news items present.

Performance Improvements

Scripting

• Optimized instruction decoding in the nwscript VM.
• Optimized instruction counting in the nwscript VM.
• Optimized how strings are pushed and popped on the nwscript VM stack.
• Optimized how string and json constants work in the nwscript VM.
• Added a second pass over the generated bytecode to meld some redundant instructions together.
• Where possible, expressions are now evaluated at compile time (instead of runtime).

Graphics

• Optimized internal quaternion math.
• Low level optimizations to how shadow edges are built.
• Improved PLT shader generation performance by reserving mipmap storage in advance.
• Various low level optimizations to the renderer.
• No longer do distance sorting of particle emitters that have no particles.
• Optimized away memory allocations and copies in BSP scene management.
• Optimized computing keyholing dissolve in some cases.
• Several minor optimizations to emitter/particle rendering.

Misc

• Optimized loading times for areas with many placeables.
• Sped up area unloading by up to 10x.
• In singleplayer, if struggling to hit 60fps, some server logic will yield to favor rendering instead.
• Optimized away most of the unnecessary string copies.
• Optimized how object updates are calculated by the server.
• Reduced some performance overhead related to visual transforms.
• Optimized ruleset.2da entry lookup.
• Reduced memory and performance footprint of triggers and encounters.

Security

• Updated bundled OpenSSL.
• Fixed an exploit that allowed hacked clients to teleport anywhere in an area.