GLU Mobile bought GameSpy, disabled multiplayer listings for NWN

[Tails1879_]

http://games.slashdot.org/story/12/12/07/2250252/gamespys-new-owners-begin-disabling-multiplayer-without-warning

At least there's still IP connection support for NWN, but this does not bode very well. Right now, the server browser will no longer display the servers being hosted, instead returning a blank screen.

Well... I guess it was about to happen someday. Bleh.

EDIT: I had a quick chat with Ehye_Khandee about it. Sounds like Neverwinter Connections might be churning out a server browser/search engine in the next 30 - 60 days, so... hanging on!

[Sakes]

I noticed I wasn't able to get a list of the servers....

Well, this is pretty bad.

[Neutral_Zone]

For dedicated players like ourselves, its not much more than an annoyance. A big one, though.
The biggest problem I see, however, is that with GameSpy down, the influx of new players is going to be much, MUCH smaller.

As for the actual listings themselves, if someone can somehow emulate the GameSpy server listing for NWN on a private server, all we need to do is edit our HOSTS file so that the GameSpy URL redirects to the private server.

[Tails1879_]

When there's a will, there's a way. I know the Freelancer community managed to dodge around the server list issue by setting up their own and taking advantage of the LAN menu (No Hamachi or Tunngle systems required), so I do think the NWN community can manage something.

I've been taking a look around the BioWare Social Network and turned up some alternatives. For example, Visavant is apparently working on an EXE patcher to handle some redirects and get a server list going. At least BioWare had the foresight to put in a direct connect system that didn't rely on GameSpy.

Just to state, though, for those confused, the direct connect feature still works for connecting to servers! What is affected is the server listing, not the connection to them.

[AelrynBloodmoon]

Use this. neverun.com/nwnserverlist/

[Wids]

I'm a bit late to the party, but I thought I'd mention that I found LotN through http://www.nwnlist.com/ .  So there's that too.

NWN isn't dead yet, despite EA's repeated attempts to kill it.  Hang in there, everyone.

[Tails1879_]

After backing up and patching my nwmain.exe with NWNCX, the server browser managed to pull that same list of servers, making it easier to browse for servers again. The patcher also disables that annoying, "Cannot connect to the master server" error, too, which makes it connect to the browser much faster than before.

NWNCX: http://www.neverwinternights.info/nwncx.htm

I don't use all the features with it, like the new weapon effects (disables them for most weapons if they just used 1d6 fire or whatever!) nor the completely unlocked camera (Hey look, my camera's upside down!), but that's all a matter of taste. Either way, this is how I get my server listing, now.

[TheMadPoet]

I've used it for awhile now. Works great. No bugs that I've noticed.