Neverwinter Nights: The Umber Hulk

Interplay has released a new batch of information on and screenshots from its upcoming Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game Neverwinter Nights. BioWare and Black Isle Studios are developing the game, which will use the recently released 3rd Edition D&D rules. In addition to an extensive single-player campaign, the game will feature a powerful multiplayer mode that will support up to 64 players per server and will allow multiple servers to be linked together. Extensive dungeon mastering and level building tools are also included. For more detailed information about this ambitious game, take a look at our collection of previews, movies, and screenshots.

The information released today focused on the umber hulk, one of the many classic Dungeons & Dragons monsters that will appear in the game. According to the announcement, umber hulks are subterranean creatures that look like a cross between a giant ape and a beetle. Their great strength and rugged armor-like exterior lets them tear through rock and dirt with ease. A huge pair of mandibles capable of biting through armor or exoskeletons protrudes from their rounded heads. In addition to being a worthy adversary because of its great strength and ferocity, the umber hulk is also intelligent enough to outsmart many of its enemies. We've posted several screenshots showing different views of the monster above.

Neverwinter Nights is scheduled for release in mid-2001.