Sirtech - What's New - Wizardry FAQFrequently Asked Questions About
Wizardry 8
See the Screenshots
Release Date and System Requirements.
Story.
Characters and Role-Playing.
Graphics.
Combat.
Magic.
What is Wizardry?
Miscellaneous.
1. Release Date and System Requirements.
Q: When will Wizardry 8 be released?
A: When it's ready. At this time, we expect to release Wizardry 8 in
Fall, 1998.
Q: What are the system requirements for Wizardry 8?
A: No system requirements have been set yet, though requirements are
expected to be similar to other major '98 releases. (So yes, it will be
Windows 95; no, it won't run on a 486.)
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2. Story.
Q: Does the story carry on from the last Wizardry?
A: Yes, though you don't need to have played any previous Wizardrys to
play Wizardry 8.
Q: Does the story take place on Lost Guardia?
A: No . . . but you can expect to see many of your favorite creatures
and characters from Lost Guardia in Wizardry 8. You'll encounter the
T'rang, the Umpani and, of course, the Dark Savant. There will be many
new characters, as well.
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3. Characters and Role-Playing.
Q: Is Wizardry 8 a single-character game or a party-based game?
A: You will control a party of six characters in Wizardry 8. In
addition, NPCs may join your party from time to time, leading to a
maximum party size of eight characters.
Q: Has character creation changed?
A: Yes. We've revamped the role-playing system to give experienced
role-players more options and control, while at the same time allowing
new players to jump in easily. (For example, Wizardry 7 players will be
happy to learn that you can cancel character creation at any time in
Wizardry 8.) More on these changes later.
Q: What's this I hear about changing the way Personality works?
A: We've greatly expanded the role of the Personality attribute. Instead
of just being a minor statistic that affects bargaining with NPCs,
Personality in Wizardry 8 will make your characters come alive. No
longer will your party stay stone-silent during your adventures.
Instead, theyíll comment on each other and the world around them.
Whether itís the sarcastic asides of a sophisticated Lord or the
ramblings of a gruff Lizardman with a box of rocks for a brain, the new
personality types will bring a whole new dimension to the characters.
Q: Are there new character classes and skills?
A: Yes. There is one completely new character class, and several new
skills. All character classes have been tweaked to improve play balance,
add new abilities, and generally make them cooler.
Q: Are all the character races from Crusaders of the Dark Savant in
Wizardry 8?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I import my characters from Crusaders of the Dark Savant or
Wizardry Gold?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I import my characters from Bane of the Cosmic Forge?
A: Your humble scribe currently has no information on this matter.
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4. Graphics.
Q: What sort of graphics will Wizardry 8 have?
A: Wizardry 8 will feature a state-of-the art 3D engine. This
high-resolution, true-3D engine allows incredibly complex environments
and astonishing lighting effects. More importantly, this engine allows
our talented artists and level designers to create the most visually
stunning role-playing game ever. Trust usyour jaw will drop and your
eyes will pop.
Q: A 3D engine? Does that mean Wizardry 8 will be an action game, like
Quake?
A: No. See the Combat section.
Q: Are the graphics in Wizardry 8 more like those in Nemesis: The
Wizardry Adventure or more like those in Wizardry Gold?
A: Neither. Wizardry 8 uses a completely different graphics engine.
Q: Where can I see a screenshot of Wizardry 8?
A: Check our screenshots page. Screenshots have also appeared in recent
issues of Computer and Net Player, PC Gamer, and Computer Gaming World.
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5. Combat.
Q: Is combat in Wizardry 8 real-time or turn-based?
A: It's next to impossible to accurately command six characters in real
time. While you're helping your mage cast a complicated spell, your
fighter may be bludgeoned to death by a pack of vicious varmints. To
give you better control, Wizardry 8 uses a phased (not turn-based)
combat system.
Of course, if you think a bit of time pressure adds to the excitement,
we have options for that as well.
Q: Phased, turn-based . . . what's the difference?
A: In a nutshell, turn-based systems are "your characters go, then my
characters go." In a phased combat system, which characters move when
depends on a character's intitiative and other factors. (If you've
played Wizardry 7, you're already familiar with phased combat.)
Q: In Wizardry 7, monsters popped up out of nowhere. Is that how it
works in Wizardry 8?
A: No. You can see and attack monsters in the distance in Wizardry 8.
This has led to several exciting new changes in the combat system.
Q: Like what?
A: Alas, I cannot reveal them at this time. Let's just say there will be
more strategy involved!
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6. Magic.
Q: What is the magic system like?
A: The system is generally similar to the one in Wizardry 7. However,
the spells themselves are being completely reworked, with new spells and
new effects.
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7. What is Wizardry?
Q: So what is this Wizardry game you keep going on about?
A: Wizardry is one of the most successful, longest running series of
computer games in the world. In a Wizardry game, you create a party of
customized characters and take them off on epic adventures in a fantasy
world. The series began in 1981 with Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord
for the Apple II computer. There are currently seven official
installments of the series, along with various spin-offs, enhanced
versions, and the like. (In Japan, there are even Wizardry animated
movies, sound track albums, and playing cards.)
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8. Miscellaneous.
Q: Will there be an automap?
A: Yes.
Q: I heard from someone on the Internet that Wizardry 8 had been
canceled/delayed! Is this true?
A: No. There are people on the Internet who claim that Bill Gates has
bought the Vatican, that aliens control the government, and that Elvis
is alive and well and selling insurance in Florida. The rumor about
Wizardry 8 being canceled/delayed is in the same category.
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