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One thing I totally forgot to write about is that in the next release of OpenMW, the open source game engine for Morrowind, will finally have the 'Distant terrain' feature.

Distant terrain is one of the features missed from all the previous releases, so I am looking forward to the next stable release. Exactly as the name might suggest, it allows you to see a lot further which in a game like this really will help immersion.

You can grab Morrowind from GOG, install it with Wine and then point OpenMW to the data files. One of the few times I personally consider it acceptable to buy a Windows game, since it's being used to play with an open source engine.

If you've been on the fence about OpenMW, don't be, it's impressive. I actually tried OpenMW today and I was really impressed by how buttery smooth and complete the experience feels right now. I've been told you can actually play Morrowind through to completion on OpenMW which is fantastic. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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psi29a Apr 10, 2017
OpenMW doesn't necessarily need to be forked to support Oblivion or Skyrim, have a look at OpenMW in action here:
Oblivion assets with ragdoll physics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AfYltej0qI
Oblivion walk about town: https://youtu.be/U58gC1EAtMI?t=65
Skyrim Bleak Falls Barrow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCbiJsasdcU

Once OpenMW 1.0 is released, work will be spent in de-hardcoding, meaning that we'll be making OpenMW more game neutral and back to its roots as an "OpenEngine".

This is doubly true since we're also working on our own ExampleSuite (playable game) to help show off OpenMW in its own right, free of Bethesda IP. All work is currently under CC-BY-SA license with a bare-bone Template that people can use to make their own games or addons (mods). This is all done with our OpenMW-CS, a FOSS construction-set which is arguably the hidden gem of OpenMW.

Sooo.... if you're a developer (C++) or an artist (modeling and textures) and would like to help with some aspect of the OpenMW project, we're more than happy to get you up to speed. :)


Last edited by psi29a on 11 April 2017 at 6:35 am UTC
Dolus Apr 11, 2017
OpenMW is awesome; there's no denying it. I just wish other, similar, projects got more attention. Fallterguist, OpenTomb, and even long-lived projects like GemRB and Exult could use a little more love from the community.


Last edited by Dolus on 11 April 2017 at 1:37 am UTC
dmantione Apr 11, 2017
Quoting: rafebelmontThanks for that. Is there a way to see if a game on Steam is DRM-free? I usually only buy games on sale these days, you see, I would buy more often for the full price (not Bethesda games anyway), but having a baby at home with a low budget does not allow it :)

Unfurtunately there is no way you can see in the Steam store wether a game is using DRM, I believe Valve do this intentionally. Asking in the forums seems to be the best way to find out.
coeseta Apr 11, 2017
Quoting: dmantione
Quoting: rafebelmontThanks for that. Is there a way to see if a game on Steam is DRM-free? I usually only buy games on sale these days, you see, I would buy more often for the full price (not Bethesda games anyway), but having a baby at home with a low budget does not allow it :)

Unfurtunately there is no way you can see in the Steam store wether a game is using DRM, I believe Valve do this intentionally. Asking in the forums seems to be the best way to find out.

http://steam.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_DRM-free_games

Checking this wiki page would be a start though ;)
neffo Apr 11, 2017
Quoting: tmtvlPeople claim Morrowind is a better game than its successors, however I'd say it depends on what you're looking for in a game.

The combat system doesn't really work with the to-hit being a percentile roll calculated when your attack connects. That is combining the mechanics of a hack 'n slash game with the mechanics of a die-based RPG in the player's disadvantage.

There's articles on the web which go into greater detail, suffice it to say people have opinions.

I agree the combat is janky, I think it's probably better they had sword swings hit everytime and rolled for damage (and play different sounds based on how "heavy" the hit was).

I think the love of it comes from the fact it was, and maybe still is, really a really unique and weird world. And the narrative and world plays up to it. You're an outsider, after all. The weird systems kinda work because it is a weird world. Skyrim doesn't feel weird at all, yeah they polished the systems, but it's also not that strange a world. It feels more a rehash of tropes (Vikings + Braveheart + a Raymond E. Feist novel). Morrowind also takes itself less seriously (the naked guy who has had his clothes taken by a witch, not to mention the icarus boots, are pretty hilarious to come across).

Also, cliff racers are less annoying than the 30 different voice actors saying the same stupid line at you.
lidstah Apr 12, 2017
Quoting: ssj17vegetaOh. My. God. Absolutely can't wait !! :D

You can try it already if you build OpenMW from source ;) - it's not that hard and the build is reasonably fast (~2 minutes here (i7-4790) and ~4/5 minutes on the laptop (thinkpad x260, i5-6200U))

screenshot: link - some mods used
How to build OpenMW: openmw wiki
How to use distant terrain: openmw post about distant terrain - be sure to set the view distance at 66666.0, runs smooth on the x260 (intel GPU), or if you can, 666666.0 (smooth here on the i7 + gtx960)

Enjoy ;) - oh, and almost every quest works, so you can really finish the game, which I did some monthes ago
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