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Baldur's Gate - Enhanced Edition Revealed

Discussion in 'Game/SP News & Comments' started by Taluntain, Mar 15, 2012.

  1. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    [​IMG]The countdown is done and BaldursGate.com promptly crashed. What I can tell you is that Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition was revealed for Summer 2012, so great news. I'll update this post as soon as we get more information but, for the moment, I'll list some of the tweets from Trent Oster on the subject:

    We're happy to announce the Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition. Our servers are much less happy. #bgee #baldursgate

    I'm officially nicknaming Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition BGEE. Pronounced B-GEE-EEE​

    Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition is going to have new content for the game you love, made by some of the original team members​

    Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition is trending worldwide on twitter. #isometricRPGsFTW

    Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition will include the Tales of the Sword Coast Expansion​

    Keep checking back as I'll be updating this post with new tweets as they come.

    Update #1:

    @donnyvanzandt #bgee is a Beamdog exclusive. As for other platforms, tune is same time next week hopefully with 100% less explosions​

    Alberto Parra ‏ @SeriousSamurai
    @TrentOster What about past mods and compatibility? They are an important part of the reason this game lived so long... #bgee

    Trent Oster ‏ @TrentOster
    @SeriousSamurai We take mods seriously. (I led NWN after all) mods both current and future are important. More announcements to come​

    @waarg The music in Baldurs Gate is EPIC. Michael Hoenig set the bar for every other #bioware game #bgee​

    @riklaunim 1st rule of #bgee Don't break the fun. We're using the 2nd Edition D&D rules.​

    @Alvaromneto No, #bgee is a Beamdog exclusive [Ed. note: Not coming to Steam.]​

    Update #2:

    @powerfulally We'll be rolling screens out in the future. Same place, Same time next week. Hopefully less server fires. #bgee

    Michel ‏ @Noldofinwe
    @TrentOster In BG with Tutu I can play Wildmage (BG2 ToB package) will this also be possible in #bgee ? gotta love random magic :D

    Trent Oster ‏ @TrentOster
    @Noldofinwe Yes, Infinity Enhanced is based off the latest Throne of Bhall codebase. #wildmageFTW #bgee

    Matias Detorre ‏ @mat_detorre
    @TrentOster Is #bgee BG1+totsc only? or does it include BG2 + tob? Thanks!

    Trent Oster ‏ @TrentOster
    @mat_detorre There will be two games. Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition and Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition #bgee=BG+TotSC, bg2ee=bg2+ToB​

    Update #3:

    @Kazawsky We're really taking a look into supporting as many languages as we can. #bgee​

    Asthner ‏ @Asthner
    @TrentOster So, can we expect a similar level (in attitude, if not in scale) of support for modding BGEE as it was for modding NwN? #bgee

    Trent Oster ‏ @TrentOster
    @Asthner NWN was designed from the ground up as a moddable system. BG is much more spread out and less accessible. #bgee​

    @guysholliday @Asthner We're very interested in supporting the modding community and hopefully kicking off even more mods #bgee​

    @tcdale @pstinson42 Whoa. No need to go crazy with the pantaloons #bgee​

    @PeterGodsic If by today's graphics standards you mean lots of 3D rendering, no. We're 2D isometric all the way​

    @Ye_who_speaks There can be only one Boo. Cam says so and Minsc was his character in the P&P D&D campaign BG is based on​

    @qmichaelr We want #BG3 as well. #bgee is a part of the master plan.​

    Chris Browning ‏ @Menthro
    @TrentOster Will #BGEE work properly on higher end gpu cards and in W7? My old copies of BG and BG2 have ALOT of graphical errors

    Trent Oster ‏ @TrentOster
    @Menthro We've got the code! #bgee​

    Update #4:

    @Abriael We're going to stay with the BG model of only voicing some of the content. We feel it allows for more in-depth writing.​

    Bob Clark ‏ @TheBobHatter
    @TrentOster Big question. will BGE 1 have kits? I love playing a Swashbuckler starting at level 1. #BGEE

    Trent Oster @TrentOster
    @TheBobHatter We're using the latest code from BGII Thronw of Bhall as our base, so everything in BG II and ToB will be there + what we add​

    Drewcifer ‏ @selectstartdrew
    @TrentOster I'd love it if you could say, will #BGEE have an updated Multiplayer system work with modern connections easier?

    Trent Oster @TrentOster
    @selectstartdrew We're going to fix the broken bits.​

    @Cespe_ We've looked into a lot of the mods out there. We're trying to figure it all out. I troll gibberlings3 all the time​

    @PolishBGfan We're taking the language versions pretty seriously and examining the best way to support the fans with quality versions​

    @DiogoOrtigoso #bgee is 2nd Edition D&D. Our first rule is don't break the fun. Part of the appeal of BG was the depth of the rules system

    Jake Waltier ‏ @twentysides
    @TrentOster I hope you realize how insulting that is to everyone who has played a D&D game or derivative in the past decade. #bgee​

    Trent Oster‏ @TrentOster
    @twentysides Didn't mean to insult. Implementing the rules is very hard and we'd be hard pressed to do as well as BG did with the 2nd Ed.​

    Sam Bowman ‏ @S8mB
    @TrentOster How much new content do you expect to add? New quests in existing areas, or new areas altogether?

    Trent Oster ‏ @TrentOster
    @S8mB Take a troll back through my older tweets. I bought some software and I don't plan on baking cakes with it ;)

    @arzi42 We haven't changed the save game formats yet. Hopefully nothing comes up that forces that on us #bgee​

    @pstinson42 @Abriael 100% chance of new voice actors for new characters. #bgee​

    Update #5:

    @RyanDGrigg @abriael We are not removing any content, just not going to 100% VO for new characters. #bgee

    @JGScott1 we are trying hard not to break mods. #bgee

    @SwaggerJagneaux Current plans are for digital [release] only. #bgee

    @Ovocean we would never change the music. #bgee

    @mortenest #bgee will be all 2D. We're using the hardware for acceleration.

    @mavignon There have been great [cries?] for interface improvements since BG. #bgee will be getting some help in this area. #thefontistoodamnsmall

    @martin_hult We'll be talking more on platform in later weeks. Right now we're focusing on the PC #bgee

    @tcdale We'll try to draft a non-jerkbag way of getting the game to people with minimal BS. #bgee

    @DoomFree Our contract is structured around two products. #bgee​
     
    Last edited: Sep 19, 2015
    Marceror and hannibal555 like this.
  2. Marceror

    Marceror Chaos Shall Be Sown In Their Footsteps Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    I saw a note on Trent Oster's Twitter account that Enhanced Edition will remain with the 2nd Edition Ruleset.
     
  3. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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  4. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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  5. hannibal555 Gems: 9/31
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    It is a little bit a revival of old school, first the immense success of the Kickstarter projects
    Double Fine Adventure and Wasteland 2, then there follows BG Enhanced Version.
    All three game projects are led by veterans of game design.

    I like it ^^.

    edit:
    Oh, and thankfully no IPad port.
    A lot of worries gone :)
     
    Last edited: Mar 15, 2012
  6. Topken

    Topken Elven-dragon wizard

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    Cant wait for those promised screenshots honestly. Those will be the defining hurdle for these games.
     
  7. Marceror

    Marceror Chaos Shall Be Sown In Their Footsteps Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    I can deal with where this is going. It's going to be our beloved games as we remember them, but updated and expanded. Can't wait to learn more.

    Thank god it isn't the BG3 MMORPG work of evil and blasphemy!

    I hope for some new companions. New areas. BETTER PATHING!! Cool visual updates will be welcome. All the stuff modders couldn't do without source code access. Some expanded voice acting. This could be huge.
     
  8. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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  9. Blades of Vanatar

    Blades of Vanatar Vanatar will rise again Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    If its half-decent, I'd pay a hundred bucks for it. Seriously. A hundred. Easily.

    Now for my ramblings of hope.....

    New NPCs, but the old ones included as well. I couldn't play w/out Minsc n Boo.... oh boy... maybe a revised Boo, w/ Giant Space Hamster powers! Definitely more evil Clerics. And more good-aligned Mages... oh yeah, almost forgot... an enhanced IWD game as well....ok, I need to log-off or I won't be able to stop thinking about this....
     
  10. Death Rabbit

    Death Rabbit Straight, no chaser Adored Veteran Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    I'm surprised WotC is letting them get away with leaving the game in 2nd Edition D&D. This feels more like an ambitious mod project to me than an actual, legit re-release. But man I hope to be proven wrong.

    I'd like to think that based on the success of these they'll pitch themselves (credibly) as deserving the green-light for a Baldur's Gate III.

    Skull Cap of Skepticism +3 is currently equipped. (protects from criticals!)
     
  11. Trminator Gems: 3/31
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    I would like to emphasize this one update:

    @qmichaelr We want #BG3 as well. #bgee is a part of the master plan.

    OMGOMGOMG
     
  12. Marceror

    Marceror Chaos Shall Be Sown In Their Footsteps Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    I think that a lot of people who want to see BG3 happen realize that they are going to need to demonstrate that the series can still be a huge seller, hopefully, without breaking the rules of the original game to the point that the old school fans are alienated.

    So someone smart over at WotC, seemingly, realized that some concessions needed to be made on the usual WotC rules about using the current version. Get something out there that reuses as much of the existing as absolutely possible, which is sure to require a very low cost compared to an actual new game development... then prove that the formula for BG can actually work to bring in major, major bucks. Then the executives, hopefully, will be falling over themselves to see a BG3 made, and should give the developers strong creative license to make it what it needs to be (as opposed to applying the formula that sells best currently - e.g. console heavy, dumbed down games with over the top action and enemies that explode when they are hit with a broom handle).

    I think that this is the general strategy, based on what I'm seeing and my own intuition.
     
  13. omnigodly Gems: 17/31
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    Quoted because I was gonna say the same thing. :)
     
  14. Darion

    Darion Resident Dissident Veteran BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    The list/updates are quite a stimulating read!

    Would make my life complete if they enhance all infinity engine titles! :D

    PS, SP having server-woes as well?
     
  15. Dr_Asik Gems: 6/31
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    This is almost too much win for my brain to handle. Almost - it could have been 3D. Ah well.

    Just thinking out loud:

    - It'll be released Summer 2012
    - It's based on the latest BG2:ToB codebase. From what I understand it's not a new engine at all, it's merely a few improvements to the original. The old save games are going to be compatible so that's a huge tell. Based on that, I'm very curious what technical enhancements it will bring. What I'm most looking for here is technical enhancements personally, so the fact that they would take the Infinity Engine as a base sounds somewhat limiting (it's 11 years old for pete's sake). We'll see screens next week so that should answer that.
    - Following his Twitter right now you get a feeling that this is really the same game. Same rules, same classes, same engine... I'm actually a bit worried that it's not going to improve much of anything.
    - Latest tweet : "100% chance of new voice actors for new characters". So, at least there's new content. Hmmm... so this is basically the same game from a technical perspective, but with some additional content?

    Anyway, I can't wait for the damn screenshots.
     
  16. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    ^Fourth update in.

    And yes, the server's getting hit quite heavily due to this news and the Wasteland 2 donation drive going on at RPG Codex... it's a crazy week all around. We're going to work on improving the performance as soon as I get time to breathe.
     
  17. Eldular Gems: 10/31
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    The following link has a screenshot of the bgee website before it went down:

    PC Gamer
     
  18. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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  19. Marceror

    Marceror Chaos Shall Be Sown In Their Footsteps Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    ;)
    Hey, even without a 3D overhaul, there's still plenty of room to make characters look a whole lot better and more detailed. Really, part of the charm of BG, for me, always has been that it is 2D. I'm betting that the game will get a nice visual makeover in spite of the fact that it's still 2D isometric.

    Improvements to the engine, new content, visual updates... but still essentially the game we know and love... it's like, the dev team would really have to screw things up badly for this not to work out well.

    Us long time, die hard fans will get to reexperience BG and BG2 over the next year or so in a way that we never thought possible, and a whole new generation will be exposed to the franchise.

    Then, sometime after that we perhaps have a pretty good hope and a prayer to see BG3, and more than likely this is where we will see more significant changes made (3D, 4ED rules, etc), hopefully for the better and not for ill.

    I'm feeling surprisingly optimistic about all this, actually.

    The only issue I see for you Dr_Asik, is that your fans will be probably be looking for a new Baldur's Gate Let's Play!! :p :D
     
  20. Dr_Asik Gems: 6/31
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    I have a hard time seeing how it could look significantly better without significant engine changes, which would require re-drawing/rendering mostly everything - which they likely won't do... One can always hope, but... I sincerely doubt it's in their budget, that would be a huge task.

    Anyway, my point is there's only so much you can do when everything is designed for 800x600 resolution. You can increase the resolution, but that just makes everything smaller, it doesn't add detail - which is the one of the fundamental problems with 2D games. If you want more detail, then you have to go higher res, but unless you want everything to look smaller you have to re-render everything and that's prohibitively expensive. So you're stuck.

    https://twitter.com/#!/TrentOster/status/180398854049509377 :)

    I know... Not sure I'll actually LP anything else after what I'm doing now. Too many other projects requiring my time and dedication.
     
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