View Full Version : Baldur's Gate 3?
Link (http://baldursgate.com/) to the homepage(?).
Link (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/02/29/new-baldurs-gate-website-suggests-remake-sequel/) to RPS article.
Now if you'll excuse me, I must go try and sleep while still shivering with excitement over this...
I can't get too excited - not only because there's not a lot to go on in that webpage, but also because the originals were so good it's hard to see them being improved on and because they were also essentially complete, so a story-based sequel makes less sense. However, I will keep an eye on it.
The wave of nostalgia this provoked, and reading the speculation you linked, started me wondering about getting the anthology of the Infinity Engine games now available, apparently patched to work with Windows 7:
http://www.gamersgate.co.uk/DDB-DBAMC/dungeons-and-dragons-anthology-the-master-collection
At £5, it's hard to argue with the price.
My speculation (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?108641-The-Gaming-News-Thread&p=2053427449&viewfull=1#post2053427449) is a rerelease with an updated version of the IE engine. Improved graphics and interface, at least up to IWD2 levels, and possibly with 3.5 rules. I wouldn't be surprised if they combined the entire thing into a single continuous game as well. That's been done by mods (as has the port to the IWD2 engine), so it shouldn't be too hard to do it with the real game.
Vladimir
03-01-2012, 13:58
I hope it's my long awaited continuous (and updated) game. An AI similar to DA:O would be nice as well as the ability to use both third and first person.
We'll see.
Wait, Is Infinity only top down? Well, as long as I can get to squad-style combat again...
Wait, Is Infinity only top down? Well, as long as I can get to squad-style combat again...
Yes, the Infinity Engine is strictly isometric. It was used for both BG games, Planescape, and both Icewind Dale games. The final and most 'advanced' version was used in Icewind Dale 2. The engine that followed it was the Aurora Engine, which started with Neverwinter Nights. It, and updated versions of it, was used for all NWN, KOTOR, NWN2, KOTOR2, and Jade Empire.
Personally, I prefer isometric for party-based games. Party management has never been good in any Bioware game since they left the Infinity Engine, and they only made it bearable by significantly reducing the size of the party. I think the best isometric (and party management) engine that was ever created was whatever was used for The Temple of Elemental Evil. That engine was truly superb, even if the game itself had some significant issues.
Vladimir
03-01-2012, 14:17
Oh well...
Reading the news articles I get an impression that it may just be a mobile port. Decent enough for tablets I guess.
Unrelated but I posted server news in the Minecraft thread.
LeftEyeNine
03-01-2012, 21:16
HOW DO YOU HOOMANS SLEEP ?
Scienter
03-01-2012, 21:17
A rerelease would be awesome! I love Baldur's Gate, but can't play it anymore because of the graphics and the old rules.
Vladimir
03-01-2012, 21:49
I've lost track of the progress but I remember an attempt to remake Planescape with DA:O or NWN2...something like that.
Crazed Rabbit
03-02-2012, 04:09
That music brought me back. I'd definitely buy a updated re-release of BG.
CR
Yes, the Infinity Engine is strictly isometric. It was used for both BG games, Planescape, and both Icewind Dale games. The final and most 'advanced' version was used in Icewind Dale 2. The engine that followed it was the Aurora Engine, which started with Neverwinter Nights. It, and updated versions of it, was used for all NWN, KOTOR, NWN2, KOTOR2, and Jade Empire.
Personally, I prefer isometric for party-based games. Party management has never been good in any Bioware game since they left the Infinity Engine, and they only made it bearable by significantly reducing the size of the party. I think the best isometric (and party management) engine that was ever created was whatever was used for The Temple of Elemental Evil. That engine was truly superb, even if the game itself had some significant issues.
I dunno about this.
The Infinity engine'd games are pretty much all legends and deserve their well earned status in the history of great gaming, and I enjoyed the ones I played.
But I absolutely loved the Aurora engine as implemented in NWN1. It was essentially everything I wanted in a D20 game. Pretty good gfx, outstanding interface and controls, and it still kept all the wonderful D20 rules and calculations safely under the hood and operating smoothly as a well oiled machine. KOTOR1 was also outstanding. KOTOR2's interface suffered, NWN2's interface was horrible (xiahou and I agree violently about this one), Jade Empire was boring.
To me, NWN1 was and remains the pinnacle of D20 gaming engines.
I dunno about this.
The Infinity engine'd games are pretty much all legends and deserve their well earned status in the history of great gaming, and I enjoyed the ones I played.
But I absolutely loved the Aurora engine as implemented in NWN1. It was essentially everything I wanted in a D20 game. Pretty good gfx, outstanding interface and controls, and it still kept all the wonderful D20 rules and calculations safely under the hood and operating smoothly as a well oiled machine. KOTOR1 was also outstanding. KOTOR2's interface suffered, NWN2's interface was horrible (xiahou and I agree violently about this one), Jade Empire was boring.
To me, NWN1 was and remains the pinnacle of D20 gaming engines.
Yes, but those games allowed you control of, at most, the PC and one NPC. And in many cases it was just the PC solo. If they had tried to stuff 6 characters into that, like in the IE engine, it would have been very difficult to manage. The post-IE Bioware game that has best managed party NPCs is Dragon Age 2, and even there they only felt confident enough to pump it up to a 4 member party.
I'm not saying the Aurora engine, or any of the other post-IE engines, have had bad interfaces. Many were pretty decent. However, they were not as good for large parties as IE. Hence my lack of enthusiasm about using those engines for a BG remake. BG was a great game not only for the story and the pseuod-open-world freedom, but also for the combat. The combat could be highly sophisticated and difficult, and success often required good timing of multiple actions by multiple characters, as well as micromanagement of character positioning. That could not be replicated in any of the post-IE games, at least not with a party of 6.
I like the remake idea because the originals are just too old for me to enjoy to be honest.
I want a Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix kind of deal: 1080p quality sprites and interface, new voice acting, etc. but the exact same game otherwise.
It is Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition, due out this summer. The main site is overloaded, but info via other sites indicates that it will include a graphical overhaul, mechanical overhaul, and new content written by some of the original creators. I'm certainly intrigued.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/116352-Atari-Reveals-Baldurs-Gate-Enhanced-Edition
I'm excited for that. The original is just too old and decrepit for me to enjoy I'm afraid.
I have no problems with the aesthetics of the old game but I would like to see it updated for a newer version of DnD rules. With a full party wielding composite or short bows, I tended just to mow down everything machine gun style. I also didn't like the temptation to keep re-rolling or min-maxing stats at character creation. The NWN/IWD2 era rules seemed generally better; I am not up to date on 4.0.
I'm only interested in BG if it's a new Dark Alliance game. The PC game sucked.
I'm only interested in BG if it's a new Dark Alliance game. The PC game sucked.
Oh no you didn't just say that
EXCELLENT news these a landmark games, rpg-gaming just doesn't get any better. Fallout as well please kthx. Not that I don't like the new Fallout games but...
Sarmatian
03-16-2012, 11:00
He did. Virus was to destroy his computer automatically.
Vladimir
03-16-2012, 14:30
I agree with the infinity combat aspects. I really enjoy that type of squad level combat where bows rocked.
I really, really hope they update it to full 3.5 rules. 2nd Edition is really obsolete and inflexible, and it's a pain to go back to it after this long. I haven't played with 4th edition personally, but I listen to a lot of podcasts about it and it doesn't seem like it would fit well with the BG series. 3.5 seems to be the best fit. I would love to be able to replay the BG series as an armored mage.
Sarmatian
03-16-2012, 15:11
I like 2nd edition better. Sure, it's inflexible but that's part of the fun.
When I see examples of characters builds for NWN 2, I cry a little inside - 16 Pale Master/5 Fighter/3 Broken Fist/6 Red Dragon Disciple/2 Clean Sock/15 Alice in Wonderland.
Give me good ol' inflexible 2nd edition over that any day of the week.
johnhughthom
03-16-2012, 15:20
I prefer 2nd edition myself, too much flexibilty in RPG character creation nowadays! Still, at least 3.5 is not Bethesda's roleplaying experience where you can't really roleplay a character with well defined strengths and weaknesses. Yes, I know a party based game has more scope to allow for that, but I find it difficult to enjoy playing a character who can do everything in RPGs.
I prefer 2nd edition myself, too much flexibilty in RPG character creation nowadays! Still, at least 3.5 is not Bethesda's roleplaying experience where you can't really roleplay a character with well defined strengths and weaknesses. Yes, I know a party based game has more scope to allow for that, but I find it difficult to enjoy playing a character who can do everything in RPGs.
IMO, lack of flexibility stifles roleplaying. It's one thing to give people bonus for playing a 'preferred' method and penalties for creating characters that do odd things with their classes, but it's another thing to directly block characters from taking an alternate route if they want to. 2E actively hurts roleplaying IMO, because of some of its ridiculous restrictions. Why only blunt weapons for clerics? Really? A cleric is going to be excommunicated if they use a blade? Are you seriously telling me those flanged maces and spiked morning stars don't cut people? Why can't a wizard cast a spell in leather armor? Sure, maybe he has a higher chance of spell failure, but a total inability is ridiculous. 2E makes me play a character that the creators of the game designed, not that I designed myself. It's got about as much class variety in it as Diablo 2.
Gregoshi
03-16-2012, 16:04
It is Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition, due out this summer. The main site is overloaded, but info via other sites indicates that it will include a graphical overhaul, mechanical overhaul, and new content written by some of the original creators. I'm certainly intrigued.
I'd like a shot at an updated BG2. Years ago (a few years after it came out), I gave the sibling game Icewind Dale a try and struggled greatly with the interface mechanics so much that I gave up in frustration. So I figured that any possibility of trying the legendary BG2 would be equally futile.
Oh no you didn't just say that
EXCELLENT news these a landmark games, rpg-gaming just doesn't get any better. Fallout as well please kthx. Not that I don't like the new Fallout games but...
I did. You know how I'll never play an RPG on the PC. There are 3 reasons 1. Baldur's Gate 2. Neverwinter nights 3. Fallout 3, all the proof I needed that a keyborad/mouse it not to be used for an RPG game.
Also this isn't a new game it's a compilation of BG 1 and 2.
Gregoshi
03-16-2012, 17:24
...all the proof I needed that a keyborad/mouse it not to be used for an RPG game.
It is a matter of personal preferences. I find using a controller inconvenient in just about every possible sense - especially for an RPG or shooter.
For a shooter you could argue that. But not for an RPG.
Also this isn't a new game it's a compilation of BG 1 and 2.
I don't think they're being compiled. From the description, it appears that they will be released Enhanced Editions of both BG1 and BG2, but as stand-alones.
For a shooter you could argue that. But not for an RPG.
He can't argue that he finds it more inconvenient? I think the fact that he has just done so disproves your point. I also agree with him.
For a shooter you could argue that. But not for an RPG.
It depends on what you grew up with. I stopped using gamepads when I got bored with Contra and haven't since used anything other than the keyboard and mouse for my games.
I cannot imagine playing any game without them.
I did. You know how I'll never play an RPG on the PC. There are 3 reasons 1. Baldur's Gate 2. Neverwinter nights 3. Fallout 3, all the proof I needed that a keyborad/mouse it not to be used for an RPG game.
Also this isn't a new game it's a compilation of BG 1 and 2.
I am oh so totally ok with that. It's the mana of the gods
The Wizard
03-20-2012, 17:05
I still have BG2 installed and play it at irregular intervals. I don't see what the problem is with its interface. I guess I'm sort of interested in a BG1 redux, mostly because the last time I tried installing the original it didn't work, and I'm too lazy for bgtutu (the mod that installs both games as an integrated whole on the BG2 engine). Also, I last played it seriously as a kid and never managed to get beyond Cloakwood Forest (I know, I know, hang my head in shame).
At least they didn't go for a sequel. That would've invited disaster.
johnhughthom
03-20-2012, 18:44
When did you try to play tutu, Wizard? There have been different versions released and the newer ones are much easier to install, for me the only confusion comes after installing tutu, when I'm adding other mods.
More details (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/116361-Beamdog-Boss-Reveals-More-About-Baldurs-Gate-Enhanced-Edition).
It turns out that there will actually be two games, BGEE and BG2EE, also known as the Baldur's Gate 2 Enhanced Edition. The first game will include the original Baldur's Gate plus the Tales of the Sword Coast expansion; BG2EE will include Baldur's Gate 2 plus the Throne of Bhaal expansion. It's the whole shebang, in other words, plus new content including new characters with new voice actors.
But Oster also made it clear that all the important bits will remain untouched. All the original voice files are in the game, so everyone will sound like they're supposed to, and the game will be entirely isometric 2D. It will also continue to make use of the 2nd edition ruleset, as the original Baldur's Gate games did, and the music is being left as-is because it's already so epic.
A few other details of note: The game is being built on the "Infinity Advanced" engine based on the last Throne of Bhaal build, meaning that all the enhancements from that game will be included in this one. It will be a digital-only release through Beamdog, although the studio is "putting some thought into" a Steam release as well, and while it's currently a PC exclusive, Oster hinted that other platforms could be announced next week. The studio is "trying hard not to break mods" and at this point the save game formats are the same, so you might even be able to make use of those old saves you've kept lying around for the past decade. You still have those, right?
Imports from BG1 to BG2 will be supported, controllers will not be supported - this is mouse-and-keyboard only, as it should be - and if you want a truly authentic BioWare experience you can play with just the original content and ignore all the new stuff, although I think that'd be kind of silly.
Bah... 2E. Bah.
The Wizard
03-21-2012, 17:01
So it's basically just bgtutu only you pay money for it? :dizzy2:
When did you try to play tutu, Wizard? There have been different versions released and the newer ones are much easier to install, for me the only confusion comes after installing tutu, when I'm adding other mods.
At least 5 years ago, admittedly. I might give it another try, then. Though that last bit you mentioned is a bit of a problem to me, because I do so prefer to have DungeonBeGone installed for BG2. If only for the hilarious fanmade (and spoken!) dialogue.
Vladimir
03-22-2012, 01:24
What? No. This isn't tutu, it's newnew and I'm so excited.
easytarget
03-22-2012, 02:53
I did. You know how I'll never play an RPG on the PC. There are 3 reasons 1. Baldur's Gate 2. Neverwinter nights 3. Fallout 3, all the proof I needed that a keyborad/mouse it not to be used for an RPG game.
RPG's on a console, oh my. It's as if you're oblivious to where the genre started.
So? RTS games started on consoles. And Gort was a text based game. Doesn't change the fact that the keyboard and mouse is the wrong way to play an RPG
So? RTS games started on consoles.
Uh... no.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real-time_strategy
One game on the Intellivision with a few RTS-style designs is not the same thing as starting a genre. All significant early RTS games were on computers.
ReluctantSamurai
03-22-2012, 23:54
Doesn't change the fact that the keyboard and mouse is the wrong way to play an RPG
Beating a dead horse again? Just add that it's the wrong way for you, and everything would be cool. And btw, RPG games started with a cardboard dungeon map, small pewter figurines, a Dungeon Master, and for real 1d4 to 1d20 dice! [yes, I'm that old to have played D&D that way:laugh4:]
My biggest question for BGEE/BG2EE would be: do they make all the myriad changes and tweaks that were needed (and done mostly by folks at the G3) or will all the glitches, oversights, and incompletion's be carried over, as well?
Beating a dead horse again? Just add that it's the wrong way for you, and everything would be cool. And btw, RPG games started with a cardboard dungeon map, small pewter figurines, a Dungeon Master, and for real 1d4 to 1d20 dice! [yes, I'm that old to have played D&D that way:laugh4:]
If I believed that I'd say that. I mean it's the wrong way for everyone.
And we're only talking video games.
Uh... no.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real-time_strategy
One game on the Intellivision with a few RTS-style designs is not the same thing as starting a genre. All significant early RTS games were on computers.
That entry is wrong. The Sega Genesis game is the first RTS game. It has all the basic elements, and isn't clearly another type of game
An rpg that was made for the console like (the incredibly awesome) BG:DA is of course better with a controller. For pc-rpg's having more buttons means better gameplay. Basta.
Incidentally, it's coming to the iPad (http://www.tomshardware.com/news/iPAd-Baldur-s-Gate-Enhanced-Edition-RPG-App-Store,15095.html) as well.
That entry is wrong. The Sega Genesis game is the first RTS game. It has all the basic elements, and isn't clearly another type of game
It's arguable as to whether or not Herzog Zwei is the first "true" RTS title; it lacks a key convention of most modern RTS games, which is the ability to control multiple individual units. I've always felt HZ to be more of a forerunner of the genre, rather than its "father" ("grandfather", perhaps?).
That entry is wrong. The Sega Genesis game is the first RTS game. It has all the basic elements, and isn't clearly another type of game
Even if I agreed that all the games that came before Herzog Zwei were meaningless, which I don't, I don't see how that makes the origin of RTS games to be the console. The vast majority of the games that pioneered the elements of RTSs were on PC of various kinds. Once the elements came together, there were a few releases of that kind on consoles and a few on PCs, before Westwood and Blizzard popularized the genre entirely on PC. Even the first Herzog game was a PC game. The one constant in the history of RTS games is the PC. Consoles are an aberration wherever they appear.
Personally, I've always considered Dune II the first true RTS. Everything before it was still building towards the genre, but hadn't gotten there yet.
gaelic cowboy
03-23-2012, 13:24
Dune 2 = Comand and Conquer = Red Alert = fun fun fun fun fun fun
Apart from graphical upgrades I dont there think there has being any real innovation in the genre since.
I stopped buying RTS games mainly cos I hated having to build a base and research/build infantry after I had unleashed a nuke in the previous map. (thats one of the reasons I think Total War took over in the 2000s) Course even they still in my view commit the cardinal sin of forcing you to build forge-foundry-cannon maker-artillery factory even after you did it before.
I mean come on has my society forgotten how to make a rifle cos were in a different province, surely if you conquer a province you should start further up the tech tree with buildings if you already know it.
Dawn of War is the only significant title to try develop new styles of play and even then most of it has been seen before.
The Wizard
03-31-2012, 16:20
I think Warcraft III was pretty innovative in the way it made some subtle but significant changes to unit management and army building by using a more significant hero unit as a central element in the gameplay. I mean, it was traditional in almost any other way, but the hero did make it significantly different from most other RTS games (with the possible exception of its forebear, Starcraft).
Kinda lost interest in the genre after Starcraft. Starcraft was perfect, what a nightmare it must have been making the game so balanced.
The Wizard
04-02-2012, 15:12
Actually, I forgot about three titles that were definitely very different from the Westwood/Blizzard/Ensemble mold: Homeworld, Sacrifice, and Ground Control. Personally I regard Homeworld as the greatest RTS of all time (though Sacrifice is my favorite).
And, never to forget: Myth.
Actually, I forgot about three titles that were definitely very different from the Westwood/Blizzard/Ensemble mold: Homeworld, Sacrifice, and Ground Control. Personally I regard Homeworld as the greatest RTS of all time (though Sacrifice is my favorite).
And, never to forget: Myth.
Shut up and kiss me, Sacrifice is without a doubt the best strategy-game ever made. I want, no, DEMAND a sequel. Not only is it a blast to play, it is also incredibly funny.
Homeworld was also awesome, especially the gardens of kardesh.
The Wizard
04-02-2012, 15:44
"What is a life... without strife?"
"Peaceful. And that ain't so bad in my book."
"I didn't know you could read!"
I can quote half a dozen dialogues verbatim from that game. God I miss Shiny.
Beating the game with Charnel is the funniest
'Charnel, death isn't the answer to everything'
No, torture also has it merits
'Exactly'
gaelic cowboy
04-02-2012, 16:29
Actually, I forgot about three titles that were definitely very different from the Westwood/Blizzard/Ensemble mold: Homeworld, Sacrifice, and Ground Control. Personally I regard Homeworld as the greatest RTS of all time (though Sacrifice is my favorite).
And, never to forget: Myth.
Ah Homeworld I had forgotten about that one yes indeed a worthy addition to the genre.
No one ever made a simmilar one after though, I wonder why surely twould have been so easy to use it for sea battles from ww2 or ww1.
Gregoshi
04-02-2012, 18:17
Baldur's Gate 3....discuss. ~;)
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/118241-Beamdog-Already-Planning-Paid-DLC-for-Baldurs-Gate-Overhaul
If you've been waiting with bated breath for the release of Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition this summer, you'll apparently have some more of the game to look forward to in the form of downloadable content. Overhaul Games' Trent Oster, who founded its parent company Beamdog, announced that the game would be supported with paid DLC after release. In a tweet this morning, Oster stated, "We'll be doing free feature improvements and existing content improvements as we go, but we are also planning some paid DLC."
Oster clarified that the content in the paid DLC will be brand new, stating that it would include "new BG storylines" and "new characters" in a follow-up tweet to the original announcement. He didn't reveal any more specifics about the planned add-ons, but he did take some time to reassure fans of Overhaul Games' commitment to being faithful to the original Baldur's Gate games. If the studio needs to add any lines for the characters Irenicus and Minsc, for example, Oster promised to "try to pull" David Warner and Jim Cummings, the original voice actors of the popular NPCs. By mentioning Irenicus, the antagonist of the sequel, Oster may be implying that the studio plans to use him in the DLC - or he may simply be referring to Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn as the obvious next game for the developer to bring into the modern era.
Announced back in March, Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition is an overhaul of the classic AD&D-based RPG originally developed by BioWare over a decade ago. The aim of the new game is to faithfully port the original to new devices, updating the graphics and particularly bringing the multiplayer up to speed so it can work without third-party tools. So far the game has been confirmed for PC, Mac OS X, and iPad. The studio is aiming to release the game before the end of September, although the date has not been set in stone.
Bah, sounds to me like all of the 'new' content will be DLC-only. The EE itself will just be a modern-polish game, and you'll have to pay extra (and wait longer) for new content. I'm growing increasingly skeptical of this. It's better than the incredibly-poorly-named BGT (http://www.spellholdstudios.net/ie/bgt/) how?
Ah Homeworld I had forgotten about that one yes indeed a worthy addition to the genre.
No one ever made a simmilar one after though, I wonder why surely twould have been so easy to use it for sea battles from ww2 or ww1.
Garden of Kardish, the most awesome thing.
Vladimir
07-05-2012, 18:27
I'm happy enough with the updated version and look forward to the BG II version. I'd rather have a DAO-style POV with BG formations but I'm still excited.
Lots more info on the first release:
http://kotaku.com/5928997/baldurs-gate-is-back-new-characters-dungeon-coming-september-18
If you've been getting the urge to replayBaldur's Gate, you might want to wait til this fall.
The classic role-playing game will see new life on September 18, when developer Beamdog releases Baldur's Gate: Extended Edition, an enhanced remake with new characters and a new adventure that the company says will take you six hours to play through.
PC and Mac versions of the game will run you $20 unless you pre-order, in which case they'll be $18. They'll come with three new playable sidekicks: half-Orc Blackguard Dorn (whose head is pictured below), half-elf Wild Mage Neera, and human monk Rasaad.
Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition will also feature a new dungeon called The Black Pits, set within the Underdark, that tasks you with fighting your way through fifteen levels of arena-style battles.
The iPad version, which Beamdog is hoping to release around that same time in September, will cost $10. The interface for this version will be totally retooled so it's pleasant to play on your tablet. However, new characters Dorn and Neera will be sold separately as downloadable content for the iPad edition. Additional voice sets and portraits will also be DLC. The new Black Pits adventure is included with the game.
This version of Baldur's Gate will also feature the classes, kits, and races that were available inBaldur's Gate II. It squashes a whole bunch of the original version's bugs and also offers cross-platform multiplayer among all versions.
The Black Pits:
"Rouse yourselves, you lice-laden layabouts. Stand and salute your new master, Baeloth the Entertainer!"
Across the realms, individuals of great power and prestige receive a scroll via magical means. Unfurling it, they discover that they have been selected as one of the very few to enjoy the finest forms of entertainment in all creation...
Come one, come all! Baeloth the Entertainer cordially invites you to the greatest spectacle the realms have to offer - mortal pitted against mortal in a desperate bid to survive! Thrilling combat, scintillating magic, and the grim spectre of death lurk above this, the greatest of all shows! All this and more can be enjoyed within... THE BLACK PITS!
Deep within the Underdark where few dare to tread, the mad drow Baeloth has used his extensive mastery of magic to force a duergar colony into creating an entertainment complex of his own design. He has invited guests from across the realms, from Maztica to Menzoberranzan, and they will readily attend - Baeloth is known to be an excellent showman.
—
The Black Pits is one of the enhancements that make up Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition that allows you to create a full party and battle through fifteen hellish battles in a desperate bid to escape. Difficult challenges, unique battles, and a bizarre cast of characters await you within the Underdark!
A stand-alone adventure set deep within the Underdark
Fifteen levels of arena-style combat challenges
Full control and customization of up to six party members
Over 6 hours of additional gameplay
The Black Pits are your new home... enjoy your stay while you can!
NPC Dorn:
"Do not annoy me with such simplistic notions of morality."
Born in the Spine of the World, Dorn fled to Luskan with his human mother when a rival tribe annihilated his father's savage people. In that northern city, Dorn's ruthless strength soon won him a deadly reputation and the attentions of a band of mercenaries whose wickedness exceeded even Dorn's. Imprisoned for the crimes of the entire group, Dorn made a fiendish bargain granting him even greater power and the promise of revenge.
A Blackguard of few words, Dorn is only too happy to ally himself with a child of Bhaal and cut a bloody swath across the Sword Coast with his black greatsword, as long as that path continues to lead him to the traitors he has sworn to destroy.
—
Dorn is a half-orc Blackguard whose otherworldly patron grants him terrible powers in the form of his black sword and unholy spells. Add him to your Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition and inflict evil to the last corpse.
Dorn adds the following Enhancments to Baldur's Gate:
The Blackguard Dorn II-Khan, a new NPC to join your party
Up to four hours of additional gameplay
The Blackguard kit to create your own champion of evil
Betrayed by his former companions, the half-orc Dorn Il-Khan lusts for revenge and glory in equal measure.
LeftEyeNine
07-26-2012, 20:46
I was... I was confused... I was.. As I gazed into the abyss... It also gazed into me... It cost me $18...
I was... I was confused... I was.. As I gazed into the abyss... It also gazed into me... It cost me $18...
That's a steal it must cost a fortune to update such on old game, I would be willing to pay full retail of a AAA title
The thing that tears me up the most is that I want it on BOTH the PC and the iPad. I wish the iPad version came free with the PC version. I suppose there are worse things in the world than funding a company that's spending time updating and adding new content to BG...
The thing that tears me up the most is that I want it on BOTH the PC and the iPad. I wish the iPad version came free with the PC version. I suppose there are worse things in the world than funding a company that's spending time updating and adding new content to BG...
Oh just cough it up, it's outragiously cool to have a remastered game of this scope in the first place, even cooler if you can play it on tablet. I can't imagine how hard this must be for the guys working on it
All kinds of info pages up now at the BG website with the new content. Definitely worth reading them.
http://www.baldursgate.com/blackpits.en.html.
http://www.baldursgate.com/rasaad.en.html
http://www.baldursgate.com/neera.en.html
.http://www.baldursgate.com/dorn.en.html
http://www.baldursgate.com/enhancements.en.html
Vladimir
07-27-2012, 14:30
The Underdark gives me The Fizz. So into this!
LeftEyeNine
07-30-2012, 14:29
Pre-load is said to be towards the end of August.
ReluctantSamurai
08-12-2012, 18:17
Here's the rub....for anyone who still plays BG (and that includes me) is this going to be any better than the heavily modded version I now play? I don't play Baldur's Gate for pretty graphics. I play because dragons can, and will, kick your a$$ and battles with liches can take a half hour or more to win, if you CAN win. It's a chess match where every one of your characters has a role to play in the battle, and having the proper equipment is vital.
If the updated version also does not correct all the bugs that were present in the original, well...have fun with that. Apparently, the devs are considering using some of the fix-packs and mods created by programmers over at G3. You can catch some of the discussion here:
http://forums.gibberlings3.net/index.php?showtopic=24075
Original and updates only
ReluctantSamurai
08-14-2012, 21:44
A short list of what won't be done in the remake:
http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/1588/bgee-please-read-list-of-things-that-cant-be-done
The modding team at G3 is actively working with Beamdog, so hopefully at least some bug-fixes and other game-enhancing modifications will be included in the final release.
A short list of what won't be done in the remake:
http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/1588/bgee-please-read-list-of-things-that-cant-be-done
The modding team at G3 is actively working with Beamdog, so hopefully at least some bug-fixes and other game-enhancing modifications will be included in the final release.
So...what exactly we'll be paying for?
johnhughthom
08-15-2012, 11:57
So...what exactly we'll be paying for?
Pretty much my view too. I'll be sticking with my tutu version.
So...what exactly we'll be paying for?
A HD version of Baldur's Gate! It must be a nightmare job to make a HD version, heck I'll pay two times retail to replay this in HD. Planescape Torment as well please, even better than Baldur's Gate imho.
Vladimir
08-15-2012, 12:51
Pretty much my view too. I'll be sticking with my tutu version.
Men playing computer games while wearing tutus are silly looking. You silly looking person.
Bring on Bhaal!
A HD version of Baldur's Gate! It must be a nightmare job to make a HD version, heck I'll pay two times retail to replay this in HD. Planescape Torment as well please, even better than Baldur's Gate imho.
Actually, that's precisely what you won't be paying for. They can't do anything with the art or animations, so everything will look exactly the same as it did before. Presumably the game will support modern resolutions, but that itself starts to become an issue if you scale up so high that you can't see what you're doing anymore. That's not really so bad. I've played BG2 in modern widescreen with mods before and it worked fine, but it's still a long way from being an HD version.
It's ok with me, screens I saw looked pretty nice
Yeah, while the BG modding community sites seem very upset that the art assets were lost, that's not really a big deal to me. In fact, I think the IE games hold up pretty well simply because of the superb 2D art that was done on them the first time. The big things for me are bug fixes, GUI improvements, and more content, and all of those things are being done. I hope that the project is successful, as I can see it spinning into similar EE versions of IWD and PST. It would also be much easier to make a proper IWD3 than it would a sequel to BG or PST, simply because it's not really a narrative-based series. There's plenty of room in the world for another IWD game IMO. Been far too long since I had a nice party-based isometric dungeon crawl.
Vladimir
08-15-2012, 16:36
I was a little confused as to what they meant by "lost." How do you loose something that was so fundamental to the brand?
I was a little confused as to what they meant by "lost." How do you loose something that was so fundamental to the brand?
The stuff that was lost were art assets that were created for use with the game, but they weren't in the actual game files themselves. For example, high-res versions of the background, portraits, and models. Those assets had to be significantly scaled down in size and quality to fit into the game at release, and the files that are in the game itself are these scaled down versions only. The full-scale versions were presumably retained on the servers and computers of the dev team and/or publishers. While Bioware is still around and a going concern, the game was published (and the rights owned) by Black Isle and Interplay, both of which went under a long time ago (though Interplay continues to lurch on as a corporate shell and logo to this day). The rights to the BG games were then transferred to Atari. The process of studio disintegration tends to be a chaotic one, and little of the actual development files survived the transition. Those things were lost through deletion or a fire-sale of the computer hardware. They probably were not considered important things to save anyway, as the games were finished and were not going to get any further development, so it's unlikely that much care was given to ensure their preservation.
I have a friend who was a dev with Big Huge Games when it went bust a few months ago. His accounts of the final days explain very easily how stuff like this gets lost. Essentially, when the layoffs hit, people grab whatever personal possessions they have (and whatever corporate property they think won't be missed) and leave the building, never to return. The building sits empty for a while, with the computers and servers just gathering dust until the lawyers and corporate shell figure out how to dispose of the remaining property. At that point, workers come in and haul the computers away, possibly for resale or maybe even for scrap. If you're lucky, there are a few dev people left to gather and organize the important files to transfer with the IP rights, but they're not going to comb through hundreds of hard drives looking for files created by other people and whose purpose they aren't entirely sure of.
Vladimir
08-15-2012, 20:55
That's a shame. I hoped that someone with long-term financial savvy and a casual approach to intellectual property rights would retain information like that.
Edit: Wait, yes, I know. Let's ask the Chinese for them back!
Vladimir
09-18-2012, 16:58
I wonder if the Blaclguard will join a party led by a Paladin? Who should my mage be?
Oh, yes. This is a shameless bump for those in the Dragon Age 3 thread who want squad combat. Those who like chess will enjoy the combat as well.
Unfortunately, we won't know until November now, as it's been delayed (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/119610-Baldurs-Gate-Enhanced-Edition-Takes-a-Little-Longer). On the positive side though, it looks like the delay is because they want to make more changes and fixes than they originally intended, rather than being unable to accomplish their goals by the original release date.
Vladimir
09-18-2012, 17:46
Unfortunately, we won't know until November now, as it's been delayed (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/119610-Baldurs-Gate-Enhanced-Edition-Takes-a-Little-Longer). On the positive side though, it looks like the delay is because they want to make more changes and fixes than they originally intended, rather than being unable to accomplish their goals by the original release date.
That was on my mind as well. I am perfectly content to wait.
ReluctantSamurai
09-19-2012, 21:48
I will not be holding my breath as I simply cannot see that the game will be more enjoyable than the one I now play. However, at the price they will be asking for it, a copy will certainly make its' way to my archives to be played when I get bored with everything else....
I wonder if the Blaclguard will join a party led by a Paladin? Who should my mage be?
Judging from past experience, I would think not. Recall the lethal relationship between Viconia and Keldorn in the original....
If you play a 'goodie-two-shoe', then Imoen is really the only choice (for an unmodded game), and if you walk the dark side then Edwin is your man (again with an unmodded game).
Vladimir
09-20-2012, 13:14
I'm not holding my breath either, but, like you said, the price convinced me. The new additions are nice as well.
I never brought the Drow into my party because I used to play Mr. Two Shoe in my younger years. Also, 2nd edition rules wouldn't let me play the type of character I enjoy in 3rd. What I recall from playing the rather vanilla party is that party "reputation" is what would cause party members to leave. I always maxed reputation because it got me more things more cheaply than an "evil" reputation. In effect, I was more evil and manipulative playing the god guy.
Having a Paladin lead worked out well in the BG series. Keeping reputation to a point where the blackguard is uncomfortable, but compliant, should work. If he'll even join the party in the first place, he should stick around as long as he is allowed to complete his quest line.
I'll add party management as an element of fun. I also enjoy breaking game dynamics away from where the developers intended.
I don't know if this (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/obsidian/project-eternity?ref=home_popular) deserves a new thread but IMHO it can be called a new BG too.
Side/related note: GOG.com has all of the Infinity engine series + NWN on sale for ~ 30$. I couldn't resisit. http://www.gog.com/en/promo/hasbro_stacking_promo
I reinstalled BG1 last night after seeing this thread.
ReluctantSamurai
09-20-2012, 17:02
Having a Paladin lead worked out well in the BG series. Keeping reputation to a point where the blackguard is uncomfortable, but compliant, should work.
Not necessarily. In the original, there were some combinations you couldn't have for long no matter your reputation. Keldorn-Viconia, Korgan-Aerie, Minsc-Edwin, Anomen-Aerie (if Anomen fails his test). All of those will end up with the NPC's fighting each other to the death, at some point. I mentioned Keldorn-Viconia because that's as close to a paladin-blackguard as you can get from the original.
I never brought the Drow into my party because I used to play Mr. Two Shoe in my younger years.
You can have Viconia (THE best cleric in the game, IMHO) in your party even as a good aligned character....you just cannot have her and Keldorn at the same time.
Having a Paladin lead worked out well in the BG series. Keeping reputation to a point where the blackguard is uncomfortable, but compliant, should work. If he'll even join the party in the first place, he should stick around as long as he is allowed to complete his quest line.
That may well be, but I'm thinking it won't happen based on the original.
You can have Viconia (THE best cleric in the game, IMHO) in your party even as a good aligned character....you just cannot have her and Keldorn at the same time.
Yep, you can even change Viconia's alignment to neutral if you make the right choices. 'Reforming' her is a perfectly valid choice for a good oriented party. I also find that the Viconia and good-aligned PC romance to be the most interesting one in the game.
ReluctantSamurai
09-23-2012, 15:12
you can even change Viconia's alignment to neutral
I thought it was a flip to a good alignment? Since I've never opted for that route, I would wonder if flipping her alignment changes what type of cleric pin she receives at lvl 25?
I also find that the Viconia and good-aligned PC romance to be the most interesting one in the game.
Ahhhh..... you haven't tried Tyris Flare then, I presume?
Ahhhh.....then you haven't tried Tyris Flare then, I presume?
Honestly, I've never liked a single mod NPC. Even the most well developed fan-favorites seem to be very poorly written to me, often with a heavy dose of Mary Sue.
ReluctantSamurai
09-24-2012, 18:48
You didn't answer my question:wink3:
Tyris was created by Grim Squeaker, one of the top modders at G3. he spent well over a year getting her ready for presentation, had a voice actor do the audio, and takes the time to remove any bugs that have cropped up.
I too, am not impressed with many of the user-made NPC's, but Tyris has quickly become one of my favs. Seriously, if you haven't tried her out, I think you're missing one of the better NPC's out there:shrug:
Vladimir
09-24-2012, 19:23
Still not better than the wingless, virginal avariel. Just get past the girlie drama and POW!
ReluctantSamurai
09-24-2012, 20:12
I'd have to respectfully disagree. In an unmodded vanilla BG, Aerie is adequate. But in the modded version I play (Tactics & Ascension mods both amongst a few others), she is far too weak. Tyris gives you that added punch in the front lines when you need it, or she can stand off and cast spells to support your mage. I suppose much depends on your party composition but for me, Aerie just doesn't cut it.
Vladimir
09-24-2012, 20:17
Yea, I tended to play melee and ranged-heavy parties. My mages were for taking down liches and prefer druids. It suited my playstyle without being too convoluted.
Love me some flail of the ages.
LeftEyeNine
11-23-2012, 13:19
Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition is getting pre-loaded as of today. \:smoking:/
Oh wowowow & wantwantwant http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-23-baldurs-gate-enhanced-edition-gameplay-trailer-shows-off-improved-infinity-engine
I can't see this singing on the failpad but gawd I want this
LeftEyeNine
11-25-2012, 20:51
I've recently started to think that I've overpaid for such a game, despite it being related to Baldur's Gate. :/
I've recently started to think that I've overpaid for such a game, despite it being related to Baldur's Gate. :/
Even with the lack of significant upgrades in a lot of areas, I think this is a great project and I will be happy to pay $20 for it. This alone will re-ignite the BG modding community and will hopefully give us many more years of fun with one of the greatest RPGs ever made. That's worth the (modest) price IMO.
LeftEyeNine
11-25-2012, 21:01
That's exactly what I'm worrying about: The additions do not look to suffice one would pay for something new on top of another.
Vladimir
11-26-2012, 15:05
I've recently started to think that I've overpaid for such a game, despite it being related to Baldur's Gate. :/
$20? That's a week's worth of Starbucks, or a month of feeding a starving child in Africa. It seems quite reasonable for a reworked and improved classic computer game.
LeftEyeNine
11-28-2012, 15:21
Only 5.30 hours left. :smoking:
LeftEyeNine
11-28-2012, 15:25
$20? That's a week's worth of Starbucks, or a month of feeding a starving child in Africa. It seems quite reasonable for a reworked and improved classic computer game.
Drawing comparisons of computer games prices against other irrelevant worldy matters does not sound rational, mate, sorry.
Drawing comparisons of computer games prices against other irrelevant worldy matters does not sound rational, mate, sorry.
I tend to compare game prices with movie prices. As I see it, both are entertainment expenses and are thus somewhat equivalent. I then compare the amount of entertainment per hour that I get with both. With movies, I tend to pay $20 (with concessions) per movie, for an average of $10/hour of film entertainment. For games, the price per hour of entertainment is much lower. Even though I paid $60 for Skyrim, I've already gotten 100 hours of entertainment out of it, and will likely get more in the future. That works out to $0.60/hour of entertainment for Skyrim, which is a really good deal. When I look at it that way, nearly all computer games give good entertainment value for money.
ReluctantSamurai
11-28-2012, 19:31
I couldn't even begin to calculate how many hours I've spent playing BG (waaaay to many, I'm sure). It would probably work out to be a fraction of a penny/hr......
Even if the remake turns out to be only so-so, if it can be modded, it will be, and that will be worth every penny of 20 bucks.
For me, just having it on my shelf will be just fine if it only gets played once.
ReluctantSamurai
11-28-2012, 19:35
Frags.....how'd I end up with your mug-shot on my account?:laugh4:
And why can I not edit my own posts anymore?
Frags.....how'd I end up with your mug-shot on my account?:laugh4:
And why can I not edit my own posts anymore?
I see different avatars for you and Fragony. If they appear to be the same to you, please take a screenshot and post this issue in the Watchtower. Same with the editing issue.
Review! http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-12-03-baldurs-gate-enhanced-edition-review
LeftEyeNine
12-04-2012, 13:59
From the review Frag mentioned right above this post:
If you're not much of a tinkerer, then sure. If you want a horde mode, definitely. Otherwise, be aware that the original Baldur's Gate is cheaper and, with a little savvy, can be modded to up the resolution, add some of the same extras and even to include a few (unofficial) fan-made adventures. Unfortunately, this new edition doesn't appear to be compatible with those mods, so be aware that you'll be excluding them.
Exactly why the 20 bucks of price made me thinking over an "enhancement" of a game I've loved indeed, only second to Fallout.
Ah, a Viconia fanboy myself.
I played BG2 last night, it works fine on my windows 7 machine, even with the widescreen patch on i can see half the district on my monitor. I'm playing with the difficulty patch on so it's a bit slow, but very reawrding. I can't wait for this re-release! I actually started on the series with IWD2, but BG2>TOB are by far my most favourite.
I think I'm going to wait to buy BGEE until BG2EE has been released. At this point, I consider the entire saga one long game and if I'm going to play it again I want to play it from level 1 to godhood.
HopAlongBunny
12-04-2012, 22:35
Never played this one. I started with games like this with the original D&D (pen/paper/miniatures), C&S, HARN, Empire of the Petal Throne...etc. While ADD2 is not my choice for "best system evah!" it's always more about the story. So, is the story the game takes you through any good? Is it tightly bounded? Open-ended? Interesting?
Never played this one. I started with games like this with the original D&D (pen/paper/miniatures), C&S, HARN, Empire of the Petal Throne...etc. While ADD2 is not my choice for "best system evah!" it's always more about the story. So, is the story the game takes you through any good? Is it tightly bounded? Open-ended? Interesting?
IMO, considered as a whole (both games with both expansion packs) it is the best RPG ever made. It has a very long and interesting main plot, while still being very open with hundreds of side quests and areas to explore. They aren't open-world games in the style of the Elder Scrolls games, but they are still extremely open and you are free to explore and find things that are not at all relevant to the main quest. There are many companions and many of them are have a great deal of depth and personality to them. Their stories become long and interesting in their own right, particularly in the second game (it is a continuous story, your character from the first game can be imported directly into the second). On the main quest itself, you're generally going to follow the same path each time, though there are many different choices that can be made along the way depending on your chosen alignment, style of play, class, etc. Above all, it's the greatest hero's journey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monomyth) in the history of gaming. The combat is also very good and it's one of the better tactical combat games out there.
The main disadvantages are come from the fact that it is very dated at this point. The graphics, even in the EE version, will be actively bad. In addition, it uses D&D 2E rules, which are easily some of the most confusing and inflexible ever made. If you can deal with those drawbacks, I highly recommend it. If you plan on playing it, do yourself a favor and don't read any articles or reviews about it because the game is so old it's been spoiled to hell and back a thousand times. I would pay a great deal of money to be able to go back and play the saga again for the first time without any fore-knowledge. If you can take advantage of that now, you should do so.
LeftEyeNine
12-05-2012, 08:00
Baldur's Gate ?
I remember myself once having prepared my party for half an hour before encountering a group of wizards after my nth time attempt at taking them down.
That pretty much summarizes its strength on the player.
From the review Frag mentioned right above this post:
Exactly why the 20 bucks of price made me thinking over an "enhancement" of a game I've loved indeed, only second to Fallout.
Perhaps if you are a pc-gamer, but I want this on my failpad. Totally worth the money. Upscaling resolution and reworking resolution aren't the same thing, it must have been a nightmare to do this and I'm glad they did.
LeftEyeNine
12-05-2012, 12:03
Perhaps if you are a pc-gamer, but I want this on my failpad. Totally worth the money. Upscaling resolution and reworking resolution aren't the same thing, it must have been a nightmare to do this and I'm glad they did.
Of course, porting BG is worth the bucks. It's because theoretically a "new game" that you're paying for.
Of course, porting BG is worth the bucks. It's because theoretically a "new game" that you're paying for.
Right. PC version is worthless for just about anyone who has the original.
johnhughthom
12-05-2012, 23:56
I've just started my yearly Baldur's Gate trilogy play through, and there is nothing I can see in the Enhanced Edition that tempts me to buy it. I doubt I'll even be tempted if they do a BG2 EE.
Where are people getting the game from?
HopAlongBunny
12-06-2012, 03:47
Good question.
I tried it from their site but after downloading the BeamDog client I just get in an endless log-in loop. So I can't purchase and the client just runs in the background doing bugger all.
Got it to work; another client that will no doubt do helpful things, whether I want it to or not...er Yay!?
HopAlongBunny
12-07-2012, 02:31
So far a waste of money.
Tutorial is interesting but I didn't get far; supposed to follow Bend upstairs but game just dead-ends at top of stairs. Pretty limited real estate.
So far a waste of money.
Tutorial is interesting but I didn't get far; supposed to follow Bend upstairs but game just dead-ends at top of stairs. Pretty limited real estate.
If you're familiar with D&D, you shouldn't need the tutorial. The game itself has an easy opening area that essentially acts as a more subtle tutorial anyway. The tutorial is just some add-on thing from the EE edition, it's not part of the original.
HopAlongBunny
12-07-2012, 09:03
Ok, it's official.
I am a dumb Bunny. It's truly amazing how much the game opens up if you left-click from time to time :p
Quite enjoying myself now exploring :)
Proletariat
12-08-2012, 17:34
Anyone else here playing on the iPad? I'm having trouble figuring out how to access tool tips whatsoever, there doesn't seem to be a right click or hover function.
Edit: Just getting in and out of doorways and map entrances is a nuisance as well. Clicking on NPCs and treasure requires complete zooming in every time and a rat I've now trained with digits small enough to hit the reticle.
HopAlongBunny
12-09-2012, 01:46
Really quite happy with it now. Even this late in the curve it's a victory of content over "pretty".
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