Gaming news site Blue's News uncovered a BioWare announcement that states that the developer will soon release a beta version of the Aurora toolset that will come with Neverwinter Nights, its upcoming role-playing game. The release of the beta toolset is intended to give fans a chance to become familiar with the tools. Players will not be able to play or test modules created with the beta toolset, and any content created with the beta toolset may not work with the final game. BioWare will try to build a utility to let players convert modules made with the beta toolset for use the final retail game, but the company cannot guarantee this will be possible.

　　The beta toolset will be available from some retailers--including Electronics Boutique, Best Buy, and GameStop--as a special preorder bonus disc, and it will also be available as a large download. BioWare expects to release the beta toolset before the end of the month. We'll post more information about the beta toolset when it becomes available.

　　Neverwinter Nights is set in TSR's Forgotten Realms--the most popular medieval fantasy setting in the Dungeons & Dragons universe. The game will feature an innovative dungeon master system that will let players create and run their own adventures for up to 64 players per server, as well as a complete single-player campaign. Neverwinter Nights will be available in stores this summer. For more information, take a look at our in-depth previews of the game.