Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition Announced

[Bateluer]

I wish they would do a new complete version with new story ie Icewind Dale 3 . . .

Sadly, if that ever happens, it'll likely be F2P, supported by P2W mechanics and micro transactions. We already see the cancer of IAPs in the EE. Its hard to tell the publisher that dicking people over with MTs is a bad move; doubly hard when you'll see customers actually try to defend them as a good thing.

 

[Dannar26]

I rather like the consolidation one receives by steam. Besides, I can't chase down the highly scratched discs that have been scattered to the 4 corners of the earth by my (then very) little brothers.

 

[Anteaus]

Give us new storyline ,new characters etc not rehashes of old stuff which is virtually the same old version.
I just feel by doing Icewind Dale Enhanced version they are not really offering anything new and asking you to pay for it,it's really a real shame if I'm being honest.

I'm not sure your actual beef is. Do you object to all "updates for profit" in principle or is it because Baldur's Gate is somehow "above it"? It's not like they are charging full price. They are taking 12-15 year old games and updating them to properly run on todays hardware for a measly $20 convenience fee. I think I would agree with you if we were talking about games were recently released (i.e. metro), but these are old games.

In spite of what you say, the modded versions of the original games are not equivalent. Content wise they are, but they don't run near as well. With the EE versions you can zoom in and out and pan with ease. The original, modded versions chug on current drivers and widescreen is an afterthought that requires compromise. Until you've experienced the buttery smooth scrolling from the EE versions, I can definitely see why someone would stand by their mods.

Of course no one is forcing you to play the EE versions, but disavowing them due to profiteering is silly. The originals weren't developed pro bono. As long as Black Isle gets a piece of the action then I'm totally on board.

 

[Mem]

I'm not sure your actual beef is. Do you object to all "updates for profit" in principle or is it because Baldur's Gate is somehow "above it"? It's not like they are charging full price. They are taking 12-15 year old games and updating them to properly run on todays hardware for a measly $20 convenience fee. I think I would agree with you if we were talking about games were recently released (i.e. metro), but these are old games.

In spite of what you say, the modded versions of the original games are not equivalent. Content wise they are, but they don't run near as well. With the EE versions you can zoom in and out and pan with ease. The original, modded versions chug on current drivers and widescreen is an afterthought that requires compromise. Until you've experienced the buttery smooth scrolling from the EE versions, I can definitely see why someone would stand by their mods.

Of course no one is forcing you to play the EE versions, but disavowing them due to profiteering is silly. The originals weren't developed pro bono. As long as Black Isle gets a piece of the action then I'm totally on board.

My beef is they really offer little over what you can do free mod wise and as you know plenty on the net for BG etc,gamers and RPG fans like myself would rather pay full price for a proper new game like for example Divinity Original Sin,we really don't need EE versions of old games IMHO not matter how good they are.

I do consider myself a PT,BG,Icewind Dale fan but would never pay for EE version that offers little IMHO.

Have some developers forgotten how to make new games and must rely on cheap EE games for their income?


Btw I got given the EE version of BG a few years years ago as a present,I was really disappointed with it ie content and all the bugs,patches etc ,very poor show,so I'm speaking from EE side and mod side.

 

[Bateluer]

I'm not sure your actual beef is. Do you object to all "updates for profit" in principle or is it because Baldur's Gate is somehow "above it"? It's not like they are charging full price. They are taking 12-15 year old games and updating them to properly run on todays hardware for a measly $20 convenience fee. I think I would agree with you if we were talking about games were recently released (i.e. metro), but these are old games.

In spite of what you say, the modded versions of the original games are not equivalent. Content wise they are, but they don't run near as well. With the EE versions you can zoom in and out and pan with ease. The original, modded versions chug on current drivers and widescreen is an afterthought that requires compromise. Until you've experienced the buttery smooth scrolling from the EE versions, I can definitely see why someone would stand by their mods.

Of course no one is forcing you to play the EE versions, but disavowing them due to profiteering is silly. The originals weren't developed pro bono. As long as Black Isle gets a piece of the action then I'm totally on board.

I'd also add that these games end up on Steam Sales for 5 bucks before too long.

 

[Anteaus]

My beef is they really offer little over what you can do free mod wise and as you know plenty on the net for BG etc,gamers and RPG fans like myself would rather pay full price for a proper new game like for example Divinity Original Sin,we really don't need EE versions of old games IMHO not matter how good they are.

I do consider myself a PT,BG,Icewind Dale fan but would never pay for EE version that offers little IMHO.

Have some developers forgotten how to make new games and must rely on cheap EE games for their income?


Btw I got given the EE version of BG a few years years ago as a present,I was really disappointed with it ie content and all the bugs,patches etc ,very poor show,so I'm speaking from EE side and mod side.

Fair enough. I do appreciate the existence of the EE versions but I respect your right to avoid them. We may not "need them" as you say, but all gaming is voluntary and therefore "not needed". Truthfully, I would think you would applaud the movement. A worst it can merely serve as a reminder of the legacy of these games. At best, it brings new players into the fold and perhaps help energize developers into making more games like them.

 

[Mem]

Fair enough. I do appreciate the existence of the EE versions but I respect your right to avoid them. We may not "need them" as you say, but all gaming is voluntary and therefore "not needed". Truthfully, I would think you would applaud the movement. A worst it can merely serve as a reminder of the legacy of these games. At best, it brings new players into the fold and perhaps help energize developers into making more games like them.

As a gamer I would rather see new RPG games rather then EE version,I think a lot of gamers would also agree,for example if you did a poll for EE game or new sequel to that game for example ie Icewind Dale 3 we all know which one would be more popular.

Divinity Original Sin has shown new RPGs are far from dead and you don't need to go or fall back on EE versions not matter how cheap.

I'm sure plenty of RPG gamers out there would love to see completely new Planescape Torment 2,3,4 etc rather then rehash with added EE,that's my point.

 

[Anteaus]

As a gamer I would rather see new RPG games rather then EE version,I think a lot of gamers would also agree,for example if you did a poll for EE game or new sequel to that game for example ie Icewind Dale 3 we all know which one would be more popular.

Divinity Original Sin has shown new RPGs are far from dead and you don't need to go or fall back on EE versions not matter how cheap.

I'm sure plenty of RPG gamers out there would love to see completely new Planescape Torment 2,3,4 etc rather then rehash with added EE,that's my point.

It doesn't have to be either/or. The existence of the EE versions doesn't displace any real sequels. The company that is producing the EE versions isn't the same company that would produce real sequels therefore they aren't in conflict. For Baldur's Gate that means Bioware and for Icewind Dale and Planescape that means Black Isle, and as of now neither company is interested in making real sequels. So in short, you might call it a rehash, but I would say that the EE games actually help make the case for the development of real sequels by their respective home developers. I would go further to say that the windfall profits that these developers are probably seeing via Beamdog's efforts could be directed toward IP related projects.

Divinity Original Sin is a great game and I'm happy it's around, but one game does not a trend make.

 

[ibex333]

This is great news. I loved the original Icewind Dale and beat the whole thing. Never played ID2 though... But I bet it will be the one to follow later.

I wonder if Icewind Dale will include Trials of the Luremaster with updated resolution...

Also waiting for Planescape: Torment enhanced.

 

[Red Storm]

I wonder if Icewind Dale will include Trials of the Luremaster with updated resolution...

The expansions will be included.

 

[xantub]

Though I loved BG1 and 2, and PS:T, I bought the complete IW box (1 and 2 plus expansions), and I just couldn't get into it. While the others had a deep and interesting story, plus NPC interactions and towns, Icewind Dale was just pretty much removing all that stuff and just leaving a D&D combat engine... battle after battle after battle with almost nothing in between.

But hey, if you like it that way then go for it.

 

[Veliko]

As a gamer I would rather see new RPG games rather then EE version,I think a lot of gamers would also agree,for example if you did a poll for EE game or new sequel to that game for example ie Icewind Dale 3 we all know which one would be more popular.

Divinity Original Sin has shown new RPGs are far from dead and you don't need to go or fall back on EE versions not matter how cheap.

I'm sure plenty of RPG gamers out there would love to see completely new Planescape Torment 2,3,4 etc rather then rehash with added EE,that's my point.

It's not much of a point really as the gaming industry is big enough to do both.

 

[Mem]

It doesn't have to be either/or. The existence of the EE versions doesn't displace any real sequels. The company that is producing the EE versions isn't the same company that would produce real sequels therefore they aren't in conflict. For Baldur's Gate that means Bioware and for Icewind Dale and Planescape that means Black Isle, and as of now neither company is interested in making real sequels. So in short, you might call it a rehash, but I would say that the EE games actually help make the case for the development of real sequels by their respective home developers. I would go further to say that the windfall profits that these developers are probably seeing via Beamdog's efforts could be directed toward IP related projects.

Divinity Original Sin is a great game and I'm happy it's around, but one game does not a trend make.

EE don't really offer that much new IMHO especially if you have the full originals with expansion packs like I do(yes mine are modded max and on my Win8.1 PC right now).
Sure you can argue good for those that not played the originals,so EE offers a lot more value and new gaming experience for them.

I know EE versions are made by different companies but that's not my beef.
I just would like to see more new RPGs rather then EE rehashes.

At least we have DA-I in November and Lords of Fallen(soon) , Witcher 3 early next year, at least new RPGs are far from dead.
I could say if I was being cynical we have dumbed down console ports and EE rehashes so what's next?...I know dumbed down EE enhanced console ports.

 

[Worthington]

Don't forget Wasteland 2 will be out in 2 weeks. And you don't need to wait for Planescape EE as you'll have Tides Of Num. coming.

 

[pathos]

Though I loved BG1 and 2, and PS:T, I bought the complete IW box (1 and 2 plus expansions), and I just couldn't get into it. While the others had a deep and interesting story, plus NPC interactions and towns, Icewind Dale was just pretty much removing all that stuff and just leaving a D&D combat engine... battle after battle after battle with almost nothing in between.

But hey, if you like it that way then go for it.

Well, yeah, that was pretty much the point of these games.

Where as BG1, BG2, and Planescape were touted for their stories as well as combat, the Icewind games were designed as pure dungeon crawls. That's how they were advertised, way back in the day. Just enough plot given to get you into the dungeons, and from there on out, it was pure combat driven.

10 years later, it might not be quite so evident, since there is no big marketing campaign, or what not. But, there is only 1 reason to play the icewind dale games, and that's for the combat. If that's not enough for you, then I'd stay away.

 

[Ancalagon44]

I really hope they also do an IWD2 EE. I never really got into IWD1 because it was a little too dated for me when it came out (although I did finish BG1).

An IWD2 EE with more feats and more moddability would be awesome!

But I'll try out IWD1 EE if they can modernize it enough. I mean, as far as I can remember, IWD1 did not support dual wielding.

I wonder if they have the source code for IWD2?

 

[Mem]

I really hope they also do an IWD2 EE. I never really got into IWD1 because it was a little too dated for me when it came out (although I did finish BG1).

An IWD2 EE with more feats and more moddability would be awesome!

But I'll try out IWD1 EE if they can modernize it enough. I mean, as far as I can remember, IWD1 did not support dual wielding.

I wonder if they have the source code for IWD2?

Plenty of free mods inc widescreen mod here for ID2,BG etc...http://forums.gibberlings3.net/inde...ort_by=Z-A&sort_key=last_post&topicfilter=all


Off topic,but looking forward to Wasteland 2 (new RPG)in a few weeks time,got mine pre-ordered.

 

[you2]

Are they improving the textures/graphics resolution ? It was my vague understanding that they did not for BG 1 but they did make some improvements for BG 2.

 

[Anteaus]

Are they improving the textures/graphics resolution ? It was my vague understanding that they did not for BG 1 but they did make some improvements for BG 2.

No. It's the original assets. They update the engine to run on current systems and add a few conviences like zoom and scaling. However, in the EE versions of BG and BG2 they also added some optional content like new NPCs and quests. My guess is it will be the same for IWD.

 

[ControlD]

Btw I got given the EE version of BG a few years years ago as a present,I was really disappointed with it ie content and all the bugs,patches etc ,very poor show,so I'm speaking from EE side and mod side.

If you got it a few years ago you must be talking about a different product than the rest of the people here. I don't think BG:EE has been out for even two years yet, much less in its' current patch state.

Don't forget that these versions are also available to play on more than just PCs. Part of the interest for me was being able to (easily) play on a mobile device.

 

[Mem]

If you got it a few years ago you must be talking about a different product than the rest of the people here. I don't think BG:EE has been out for even two years yet, much less in its' current patch state.

I've BG:EE with latest patch on that is dated 1.2,here is a screenshot to prove I have it(note todays date in taskbar),don't know why some people don't believe me.

Anything else want to know about BG:EE,btw it was purchased direct from Beamdog on 12th Sept 2012(so two years more or less).

 

[ControlD]

I've BG:EE with latest patch on that is dated 1.2,here is a screenshot to prove I have it(note todays date in taskbar),don't know why some people don't believe me.


.

Wasn't trying to say I don't believe you, just making sure we were talking about the same thing. I applied the standard English definition of "a few years" which gave me pause.

 

[Mem]

Wasn't trying to say I don't believe you, just making sure we were talking about the same thing. I applied the standard English definition of "a few years" which gave me pause.

Two years can be a few years ,it's not yesterday,anyway I'm looking forward to the new RPGs coming out soon .

 

[rivethead]

This is surprising. All the rumors I had heard were that they were working on PS:T EE after BG2.

This is awesome!

 

[rivethead]

I'd also add that these games end up on Steam Sales for 5 bucks before too long.

BG1: EE has been $5.

BG2: EE has not quite made it that low (that I've seen).

BG2: EE is on my Steam wishlist and I'll pull the trigger when it hits $5. I've got plenty of other things to play in the meantime......