Baldur's Gate 3...it's official (almost)

So what do you think Tal? Nervous about Atari? I know I am slightly. They do not have a proven D&D track record. However, if they stick to proven classic fantasy, a D&D game can almost write itself. Personally, I hope they go for more of an open-ended style similar to BG1 rather than the tighly constrained pathway of ID2. I also hope they stick to the top-down perspective of the previous BG's, although I imagine they must as it is such an integral part of the franchise. Well, I hope they release enough information to let us know what they are planning.

 

The only thing I hope is that Atari won't rush the game. They do it to often (TOEE), if they want baldur's gate to have a decent sequel they will have to do it right.

It's like fallout 3, both games long in the running, both games extremely popular with the hardcore rpg community.

 

I believe it only when I see it, and the reviews are good too. All in all, that blurt could had been anything; a simple mistake from the emplyee's part, or just some hype to boost AD&D sales.

 

Perhaps you are right. Few days ago (almost the same time that the bg3 rumours appeared) an administrator in the Obsidian forums announced that they have signed with a publisher for their second game, which now is in full pre-production and has the code name "Project Pennsylvania". Maybe it is just a coincidence but who knows.

 

Since I consider Balders Gate I & II the best RPG games that I have played --if they make a BG that has the quality of the originals I would be in RPG players heaven. At the moment I am off playing city building (which I love) and RPG games from China. The Chinese games are fun but aren't BG.

 

But then they would decide it has to be in full 3D on Doom3's engine.

"Minimum requirments Pentium X 100 GHz with SplatForce FX-TI 1 Gb DDR." And looking like current PSX games after a few years.

 

Wirhe, you're such a pessimist. This is fantasy land. Let me fantasize (sp).

 

I can't; I have a needle and popping bubbles is fun.

I mean, how big are the chances that a new team will keep the line the previous one started? Just look what happened to Thief 3.

 

Don't hold your breath yet, usually when companies strugle to survive they sell crappy games. Think of it as drowning, you care to stay afloat, not the swimming style, therefore you swim like if you had no idea how, but with no grace at all... Same with the gaming industry.

That is IF this is true... PC Gamer has proven wrong most of the time. As an oracle they certainly suck.

@sirus:

You are the exception that confirms the rule.

 

Hi i dont post here often, but I just wanted to mention bg2 is the rpg of all time and my favourite game. I felt comfort in playing IWD2, and felt it nearly caught up to bg2, just lacking an excellent story and characters as such.

I saw months ago rumors of bg3, and it was dismissed as a failed project, plus I didn't want a 3rd to wreak the series. Having said that, I spent ages trying to find an RPG to equal black isle's greatest, I tried NWN, morrowind, TOEE and finally Lionheart. NWN was nothing compared to the bg2 giant, (or so I personally thought, but others love it), I failed to see why people liked Morrowind at all! It lacked story, and if you want a free roam game, why not go play gta?

When I saw toee was 3d and had nothing at ALL in comon with what I liked with blackisle games, i was disapointed again. I felt a bit better after playing the 1st 1/4 of lionheart, (Kevin Michael Richardson is back! Sarevok's voice actor), but when it became hack and slash, i was shocked, the only good hacknslash rpg ever personally has been diablo2.

Finally the idea of bg3 does not sound back after all, but with the black isle breakup, I dont think it will be the same...or really even close. But being the child of Viconia, Jaheira or Aeire sounds good to me, if done right. Personally I dont like Atari's games, sorry to say so.

Having said that, I don't know anything about what has happened to Blackisle, from what I gathered right after the disperse, only 2 developers were left on what was still "Blackisle Studios" and the rest were sacked. I would like to know which developers are doing what now. And who is left with Interplay/Bioware.

 

I'm in two minds about BG3 - I think if it was set some time after the Bhaalspawn saga and the PC was a child of the Bhaalspawn who defeated the Five, or in the immediate wake of the Bhaalspawn War, it could work. I've not played ToEE, Iv'e heard it's great fun but buggier than a service station hot dog machine.

If what you folks are saying is true, and the same developers (for ToEE) are behind it, then I think I'll just disavow the third instalment. It hurt to do that with Master Of Orion 3, but some things just have to be done.

 

I just hope they do not make BG3 with consoles in mind. Consoles make smart games dumb.

 

Back in April a rep from Atari, Brandon Smith, is quoted as saying that 'there may be some truth in the rumour that BGIII will be in development'.

Yeah, pretty ambiguous, but why say such a thing if there's nothing in it?

There's massive scope for it to continue. BG 2 had nothing to do with the city of Baldur's Gate itself so the name is irrelevant; bringing along the 'son of' or even 'grandson of' the child of Bhaal is perfectly feasible; or even a completely new saga.

For my penny's worth, it's on the way, and probably next year as I reckon they're further down the track then: 'WILL be in development'.

Like other posters above I just hope it has nothing in common with console games or even the 3D of games like Dungeon Siege. Seeing as what Atari have done with ToEE I reckon they'll stay true to the format and we'll be pleasantly surprised.

Wishful thinking maybe? Nah.

 

It just won't be the same without the infinity engine.

 

BGIII is never going to happen and if it is it wont be made by the same crew as made the BG1 and 2. therefore it will suck a donkey's nuts. plus if its called BGIII then it would be stupid to not have it be part of the series and if its part of the series it will be stupid because you cant bypass the ending of ToB.

 

That's that sorted out for us then.

[ August 01, 2004, 09:35: Message edited by: Sheriff of Nothing ]

 

BG3...its going to be crappy.

It smells too much like a desperate attempt by Interplay/Atari to make money off the BG license.

 

Maybe you're right, but give them a chance at least. I'd rather see it out there than not.

...the quality of the original BG games has all ready been wrecked by the Dark Alliance games, so let's just wait and see.