Can you alt-tab while playing NWN?

[ExileStrife]

For so long I have wanted to add rich media to nwn and efu, primarily pictures or illustrations, but even possibly little movies, pictures, or even mini-games.  We've always gotten by with using the forums to post images that are relevant to the setting, but it's never been ideal in my mind.

I was thinking about this a little more again and realized one thing would need to be covered before any more thought could go into a project like this.  Most of my ideas swing on the ability to be able to alt-tab out of the game and then be able to get back in (when you are finished viewing or interacting with the special content) without crashing.  I know some people can't do this...I know my old laptop can't.  That's the reason for the poll.

Chances are this will also serve as a thread to discuss this idea's applications and worth, so I'll also mention a few ideas that have come and gone...

Purely for flavor.  Walking around in the world, you might come to across a poster or some litter or a stange design.  Then you could actually see this picture on a web browser.  I would absolutely love for people to produce their own drawings IC'ly and submit them OOC'ly for this too.

Possibly for plot?  You come across a strange code or unfamiliar markings.  Actual pictures give us a lot more freedom instead of having to describe it in a description field.  Maybe we could have a strange sound recorded that's unique to the area and serves a purpose that you might have to come across and identify again.

Quest related?  A java-game block puzzle for opening a door perhaps.  A set of dynamically generated images you piece together for a passcode.  It definitely brings up the concern about being alt-tabbed in areas where monsters could spawn, but quest builders could possibly take that into consideration.

Another thing...would this break immersion?  Would it enhance it?  I can imagine arguments either way so I'm also interested in hearing what other people have to say.

Sky's the limit for all this, and it could be as simple or as complex as it is decided.  This alt-tab problem might be a glaring issue though that puts a stop to it right away.

[Gippy]

I would add: I play in window mode already and this would be great!
And: I play in window mode but I am not sure about this.

[lovethesuit]

Windowed mode sir.

[Tyrael]

Windowed mode indeed. Windowed mode cripples my ability to take screenshots, but it allows me to multi-task, which is great because I can have IRC open on my second monitor while NWN'ing on my primary screen.

[Snoteye]

If you run in windowed mode pick one of the first three.

[Kiaring]

Funny you should mention this. I have been doing this for quite some time now, for the purpose of flavor. I planned to move on to a project that develops a closer bond between an image on a web browser and the IC world - in fact, I am doing this even as we speak (I had a meeting today in which the alt-tabbing was used pretty much in the way you're describing it here), with the last glyph I made for my current character's journal. I encourage everyone to use this resource, if it works for them and the people they're trying to reach.

That being said, I think that in no way this resource substitute a good IC description. Text is and will always be a huge part of online roleplaying. No graphic engine, no matter how powerful or flexible, will ever compare.

[Letsplayforfun]

When i alt-tab, it's fine to access another application, but getting back to NWN is a pain: i usually loose control of the keyboard, or crash.

How do you "window mode"?

[Snoteye]

In nwn.ini:

Code Select Expand

[Display Options]
AllowWindowedMode=1
FullScreen=0

To add my own thoughts, I'd fully support something like this as long as it grants access to purely optional content, so as to avoid players who are unable/unwilling to do it suffer negative consequences.

[Garem]

I already sort of do this. When I send people letters that I want to discuss IG, I alt-tab and literally read it, then alt tab back in to discuss. It's simpler than what you're saying, but I think that if we do that already (and a whole lot of us do), then why not just take the next step and apply it to pictures, audio, and other sorts of media? I think this could produce some cool stuff.

Or, if done without restraint, this could lead to a lot of useless pictures, sounds, etc that slow down the in game interaction process. And I'm sure there's a host problems that we're just not forseeing.

And yea, Snoteye is right too.

Can NWN be modded to accomodate something like this? I'm a know-nothing when it comes to programming-- I mean an overhaul, not just your typical NWN scripting. Or perhaps a supplementary program that is used exclusively for EfU for the rapid sharing of small bits of media?

[ScottyB]

When I alt-tab out and back in, my framerate acts up. I have to alt-tab a second time to restore it. Somewhat bothersome, and in rare cases my mouse control gets locked out.

[Szgk]

My graphics sometimes glitch when I alt-tab back. The whole screen flashing green or stuff like that.

[Snoteye]

When I alt-tab out and back in, my framerate acts up. I have to alt-tab a second time to restore it. Somewhat bothersome, and in rare cases my mouse control gets locked out.

I had this until I updated my (nVidia) drivers from 9x.xx to 16x.xx.

Also, the game client cannot be modified in any way.

[Cluckyx]

Dual Monitors sir.

[Cruzel]

A third party overlay which shimmies it's way into the openGL of the nWN window is possible. Examples; Xfire.   By making a similar such program (Not easy, btw) one could have it interact with the server, completely eliminating the need for alt+tabbing altogether. by making an additional+optional Overlay.

Eh?

(I am not willing to make this. I do not know enough about OpenGL programming to comfortably do this.)

[The Beggar]

consider as well that a portion of the server may not be present to vote on this as well, placing mandatory alt-tab to gain insight IMO would lock people out of the experience and create an "elitism" for those that know about it and can use it vs. those that do not / can not.