Something is happening with Baldur's Gate! *Update* Ipad *cough*

[sigurros81]

I didn't build my last desktop in order to play Baldur's Gate on it. But I play BG on it anyways.

I didn't buy the newest iPad in order to to play BG, but I surely will once this updated version is released.

Seems to me you are doing a lot of speculating here based on some very questionable assumptions.

No kidding, every posts this guy makes is pretty much the same ramblings regurgitated in a different way. Seriously, who cares, I'm just glad developers are recognizing the potential of an iPad and pushing the device into serious gaming territory. This little fella is just grasping at thin air to support some sort of agenda he has against BG being released on iPad, LOL.

 

[thespyder]

No kidding, every posts this guy makes is pretty much the same ramblings regurgitated in a different way. Seriously, who cares, I'm just glad developers are recognizing the potential of an iPad and pushing the device into serious gaming territory. This little fella is just grasping at thin air to support some sort of agenda he has against BG being released on iPad, LOL.

You just can't help some people.

 

[thespyder]

Been watching this (with some dismay I might add) and am trying to figure out what they are doing "Extra" that is taking the time (and hopefully going to make it worth the money).

Now they have added a new Art designer and they are saying something about "new art design for new adventurers and companions" or words to that effect. From what I have read, they are doing one extra companion. Are they redoing the load screens? If that is all they are doing, again with the "Hardly worth the effort".

Anyone have any clues or speculation?

 

[Kalmah]

I don't understand why they are adding content to an already HUGE game. For the most part this is really turning out to be a repackage it seems. Yeah, new character with some new areas related to that character. This game is already huge, this isn't what it needs.

I want a game engine re-build, not just a re-skin. I would like it to appear like a modern game but with EVERYTHING still in tact. They need to tell about how they are fixing old bugs, broken skills, broken classes etc...

I also have a feeling this isn't going to be out this summer. At first they said early summer, now they are saying late summer. lol.

 

[WelshBloke]

So have any of you actually played BG on a tablet?

 

[thespyder]

So have any of you actually played BG on a tablet?

really not a huge point to do so in my opinion. For me, 'Tablet' games are short attention span stuff that I can play for 10-20 mins inbetween surfing. Baldur's gate (to me) is a thoroughly engrossing, suck away hours of game play, type of game. And tablet touch screen and portability are not what I consider to be condusive to that type of game.

 

[WelshBloke]

really not a huge point to do so in my opinion. For me, 'Tablet' games are short attention span stuff that I can play for 10-20 mins inbetween surfing. Baldur's gate (to me) is a thoroughly engrossing, suck away hours of game play, type of game. And tablet touch screen and portability are not what I consider to be condusive to that type of game.

Yeah that's my experience of it on a tablet and I loved the PC versions.
Now I know that they will (presumably) polish up the touch interface but BG is a game that needs huge amounts of time invested into it. I really can't see it being more than a niche game on a tablet.

 

[Fenixgoon]

I don't understand why they are adding content to an already HUGE game. For the most part this is really turning out to be a repackage it seems. Yeah, new character with some new areas related to that character. This game is already huge, this isn't what it needs.

I want a game engine re-build, not just a re-skin. I would like it to appear like a modern game but with EVERYTHING still in tact. They need to tell about how they are fixing old bugs, broken skills, broken classes etc...

I also have a feeling this isn't going to be out this summer. At first they said early summer, now they are saying late summer. lol.

IIRC there were a lot of unfinished quests in both BG and BG2 that were left out of the game, but the data was still there.

 

[WelshBloke]

IIRC there were a lot of unfinished quests in both BG and BG2 that were left out of the game, but the data was still there.

Some of the unfinished quests really added to the atmosphere. It made it feel like there was a secret world going on without you.
What was the secret door you needed a rogue stone to open and when you did you promptly got thrown into one of the hardest fights of the game?

 

[QuantumPion]

I want someone to make a NEW D&D 2.5 game in the same vein as Legend of Grimlock. Updated modern high-end graphics but exactly the same gameplay.

 

[PrayForDeath]

really not a huge point to do so in my opinion. For me, 'Tablet' games are short attention span stuff that I can play for 10-20 mins inbetween surfing. Baldur's gate (to me) is a thoroughly engrossing, suck away hours of game play, type of game. And tablet touch screen and portability are not what I consider to be condusive to that type of game.

You may not be interested in playing deep games on an ipad, but theres certainly a market for those kinds of games. Some examples would be Ravenmark, Starbase Orion, Avadon, Avernum, Aquaria, Bard's Tale, etc.

 

[thespyder]

You may not be interested in playing deep games on an ipad, but theres certainly a market for those kinds of games. Some examples would be Ravenmark, Starbase Orion, Avadon, Avernum, Aquaria, Bard's Tale, etc.

Absolutely for each his/her own.

But let me ask you, have you played any of these games? For any extended period of time? And is the interface conducive to it? Arm didn't get tired. Battery didn't die on you? holding the table while playing didn't get old or tiring? Maybe none of these things occurred. Just asking.

And for me, particularly when I can lose 3-5 hours at a stretch playing Baldur's gate, And considering how tactical some of the combat can get, I just don't see the game playing out to any significance or rigor. Not without serious replumbing (meaning gutting) the engine.

but I am prepared to be wrong. And hope to be so as this looks like the last ditch Hurrah attempt at finally getting a BG3.

 

[Martimus]

Just read this article about the updated game:
http://penny-arcade.com/report/editorial-article/baldurs-gate-on-the-ipad-omg

It seems the main differences are rewriting the engine to accept different resolutions which we pretty much already knew, and updating the UI so it is more streamlined. That second part is nice, because there was plenty about the UI I hated in BG. Especially the micromanagement of inventory when characters were full on inventory or close to full. The inability to equip an item directly was a pain since I would often have to drop something in inventory first, then grab the new thing to equip, equip it, then grab the item I just dropped. I HATED that!

 

[PrayForDeath]

But let me ask you, have you played any of these games? For any extended period of time? And is the interface conducive to it? Arm didn't get tired. Battery didn't die on you? holding the table while playing didn't get old or tiring? Maybe none of these things occurred. Just asking.

Yea, I actually own most of the games I just listed, and I play them frequently.

Arm doesn't get tired because I rest the ipad on my lap/pillow/w.e when I play for extended periods, I don't hold it in the air. It's actually more comfortable to play these games lying on your back on a couch/bed than it is to play them hunched over your desktop.

 

[thespyder]

Yea, I actually own most of the games I just listed, and I play them frequently.

Arm doesn't get tired because I rest the ipad on my lap/pillow/w.e when I play for extended periods, I don't hold it in the air. It's actually more comfortable to play these games lying on your back on a couch/bed than it is to play them hunched over your desktop.

And would you rate the complexity of gameplay to be equal to Baldur's gate in terms of real time tactical combat vs. a large number of opponents where it isn't one button to attack? I ask because I haven't played these games you list.

 

[PrayForDeath]

And would you rate the complexity of gameplay to be equal to Baldur's gate in terms of real time tactical combat vs. a large number of opponents where it isn't one button to attack? I ask because I haven't played these games you list.

I havent played any of the baldur's gate games sadly, so I can't say (i have bg2 installed, planning to play it soon).

I can say though that Avadon is a port of a 1990s PC game, and it offers a fullfledged rpg experience complete with a large explorable world and engaging story. Definitely not your average 1-button angry birds clone that you have in mind.

Ravenmark and Starbase Orion are iOS exclusives (as far as I know), and they're both extremely deep strategy games (one is a 4X, the other a turn-based game with an epic campaign story)

 

[thespyder]

I havent played any of the baldur's gate games sadly, so I can't say (i have bg2 installed, planning to play it soon).

I can say though that Avadon is a port of a 1990s PC game, and it offers a fullfledged rpg experience complete with a large explorable world and engaging story. Definitely not your average 1-button angry birds clone that you have in mind.

Ravenmark and Starbase Orion are iOS exclusives (as far as I know), and they're both extremely deep strategy games (one is a 4X, the other a turn-based game with an epic campaign story)

Cool. I look forward to your impressions of BG on the tablet. I am prepared to be wrong.

 

[Bateluer]

Just to clarify, baring a complete track wreck, there isn't a single person in this thread who isn't going to buy BG:EE.

 

[Kalmah]

Just to clarify, baring a complete track wreck, there isn't a single person in this thread who isn't going to buy BG:EE.

Probably true. I'm already disappointed in it though. They really havn't announced anything that is significant. It's just being 'fixed' and packed for sale it seems to me... unless they are saving some surprises for later.

I guess what I really want is a new game engine entirely. Then have them develop some sort of algorithm to transfer the game over, followed by broken parts of the original being fixed/tweaked and a bit of new content.

 

[PrayForDeath]

Probably true. I'm already disappointed in it though. They really havn't announced anything that is significant. It's just being 'fixed' and packed for sale it seems to me... unless they are saving some surprises for later.

I guess what I really want is a new game engine entirely. Then have them develop some sort of algorithm to transfer the game over, followed by broken parts of the original being fixed/tweaked and a bit of new content.

After reading the article mentioned above, I believe this will be much more than just a repackaging of the old game. They wouldnt have fought for over a year to secure the rights if its just a minimal repackage.

Expect to hear more details on the changes when we get closer to release.

 

[thespyder]

Just to clarify, baring a complete track wreck, there isn't a single person in this thread who isn't going to buy BG:EE.

That isn't true. I for one already own a full copy of the BG series that is perfectly operable. On the face of things as they stand now, I see no additional value to the product to warrent an additional purchase.

I am all for supporting continuing endeavors surrounding the march towards BG3, but not to the point where I will purchase another copy of the same game.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I'm really looking forward to BG:EE on the mac. Just wish it was coming out in the next week or so. Need something light weight to play on MBP while traveling.

 

[Via]

Just to clarify, baring a complete track wreck, there isn't a single person in this thread who isn't going to buy BG:EE.

I don't think I will.

 

[motsm]

I'm really looking forward to BG:EE on the mac. Just wish it was coming out in the next week or so. Need something light weight to play on MBP while traveling.

http://www.gemrb.org/wiki/doku.php?id=start

:Edit: Might take a bit of effort to install, never tried it myself.

 

[ControlD]

After having spent the last couple of days tinkering with the original Baldur's Gate on my iPad (via Gemrb) I think I would be willing to pay for a native iPad version of the game. Gemrb runs the game quite well (no noticeable slowdowns that I have noticed, even on a first generation device) but the interface is pretty rough around the edges and combat is downright frustrating. Interestingly enough, BG (via Gemrb or Parallels) turns my Macbook Pro into a toaster, but then again what doesn't.