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

[StinkyPinky]

I don't think I will.

I wont either if it's just a resolution update and a few tacked on quests. The original game is already huge.

 

[thespyder]

So what gets me is they keep on updating with a new artist and now a new writer. How much extra do they intend to be doing that warrants the need for all of this extra talent?

I am still figuring that it will be hideously disappointing, but they are doing a great job in keeping me in suspense.

 

[thespyder]

Bump.

The site hasn't updated anything in a while. Anyone hear anything at all? I would have thought that, whatever they are planning, they could easily have done that in the 5 months since we started hearing stuff. Particularly if all they are doing is porting it to the Ipad.

 

[Martimus]

I forgot about this update. I just started a new game on BG with the widescreen mod. That mod makes the game far easier to play, but any update to the UI would still be welcomed. I just got into Baldurs Gate this weekend before I had to pick up my daughter. I will probably wait until this update is released to continue the playthrough on BG2.

 

[StinkyPinky]

When I try and read the news on the website, it asks me to log in?!

 

[Dahak]

When I try and read the news on the website, it asks me to log in?!

huh, that must be new, because the last time I looked ( last week?iir) it did not have that. kinda a bummer

 

[Qbah]

http://baldursgate.com/

Comes out in September.

http://kotaku.com/5928997/baldurs-g...ters-dungeon-coming-september-18?popular=true

PC / Mac version for $20. Comes with some goodies. iPad one for $10 - apparently the extra stuff will be as "DLC" on the iPad.

 

[CPA]

They added widescreen support, but I thought they were going to spruce up the graphics. From the screenshots, it looks pretty much the same.

 

[thespyder]

Really NOT liking the new cartoony look to the art of the characters. Nor the dollar price point for the PC version. yeah, I figured that it was going to be a non-event for fans who already had a version.

 

[rivethead]

Really NOT liking the new cartoony look to the art of the characters. Nor the dollar price point for the PC version. yeah, I figured that it was going to be a non-event for fans who already had a version.

Agreed. I had my hopes up. I was foolish. I'm a traditionalist who thinks BG is pretty much perfect. All it needed was some updating (widescreen, hi-res textures).

Oh well, I got the original, I got mods.

 

[Dkcode]

Not played the Baldurs Gate series so i'll probably pick this up instead of buying the releases on GoG.

 

[CPA]

Really NOT liking the new cartoony look to the art of the characters. Nor the dollar price point for the PC version. yeah, I figured that it was going to be a non-event for fans who already had a version.

Not sure what you're seeing, but the characters and graphics look the same to me.

 

[Kalmah]

Really NOT liking the new cartoony look to the art of the characters. Nor the dollar price point for the PC version. yeah, I figured that it was going to be a non-event for fans who already had a version.

Well, to be fair it's most likely going to be just the portrait. If I recall correctly the actual sprites didn't have enough detail to amount to much.

Also to keep in mind, this is the release of bg1, not bg2; a $20 tag on bg1 is a bit steep, enhanced or not. Hopefully the additional quest will make up for it. Honestly I'm not sure how to take this... yeah it is the beginning to one of the best rpgs ever, but even 'enhanced' it has a big price. I'm feeling that 90% of the playerbase is going to be people who have already played it!

All things considered, I feel spoiled that they are doing this so that I can play these games again, and reluctant to pay so much at the same time. I want to buy it out of generosity but feel that I'm getting ripped at the same time. It doesn't feel like a mutual arrangement. lol

Also, BG2 is the real meat and potatoes of this series, I feel compelled to wait for a bundle pack once it all has been released.

 

[Bateluer]

From the screen shots, it looks like the backgrounds have seen some attention, but the character models look unchanged to me.

Still will buy it for a couple reasons. 1) BG is probably one of the best games ever made. 2)I want to support devs who give attention to classics. 3) To avoid the hassle of trying to install, mod, and run 'classic' BG on modern computers.

 

[Kalmah]

From the screen shots, it looks like the backgrounds have seen some attention, but the character models look unchanged to me.

Still will buy it for a couple reasons. 1) BG is probably one of the best games ever made. 2)I want to support devs who give attention to classics. 3) To avoid the hassle of trying to install, mod, and run 'classic' BG on modern computers.

Yeah, they specifically stated that nearly all of the original art assets have been lost... and to update one sprite would mean it would be glaringly obvious as to its differences from old models. If they updated one, they would have to update everything, including monsters etc. Since the original art has been lost, I'm guessing this would involve recreating the art from scratch.

Looking through their forum, it seems that they are unable to alter anything from the original gameplay(npc scripts, voice overs etc) because of legal issues. The only thing they seem to be legally allowed to do is add to the game and not change the game.

 

[thespyder]

Not sure what you're seeing, but the characters and graphics look the same to me.

go to the baldursgate.com site and see the latest post. They list three new characters and a new adventure. If you look at the art for the characters, they are very cartoony. And no, they are no where near like the art for the previous characters like Imoen and Minsc.

From the screen shots, it looks like the backgrounds have seen some attention, but the character models look unchanged to me.

but since the character models are so low res, you really want the portraits to be done right as that is how you actually SEE the character (IMHO).

Still will buy it for a couple reasons.

1) BG is probably one of the best games ever made.

Totally agree.

2)I want to support devs who give attention to classics.

I prefer to support intelligently. If I thought this might lead to BG3 ultimately, I might agree with you. But I am not going to throw good money after bad on a project that I feel is doomed to fail. I would rather the same money go to support a project with more of a future. And considering that I can get all three (BG1-BG2 and ToB) for $15 whereas the "Enhanced" version of JUST BG1 costs $20, doesn't seem like a fair distribution of funds.

3) To avoid the hassle of trying to install, mod, and run 'classic' BG on modern computers.

I run BG 1-2 on my Quad Core Win7 machine with very little problems. And installing it was simplicity itself. Install BG1. Install BG2. Install TOB. Install BG TuTu. Install Degreenifier. Install unfinished business. Done.

 

[PrayForDeath]

Where are you guys seeing screenshots? All I found on the official website was some character art and a list of features.

 

[Kalmah]

Music samples from the new quest expansion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imca73o350k&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4_hLiXUKm8&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3u4IGKZ0IXY

Sounds right in line with what I would expect from a BG game.

 

[gothamhunter]

go to the baldursgate.com site and see the latest post. They list three new characters and a new adventure. If you look at the art for the characters, they are very cartoony. And no, they are no where near like the art for the previous characters like Imoen and Minsc.

Really???

MAYBE Neera, but they all look pretty similar in art style...

 

[motsm]

Looking through their forum, it seems that they are unable to alter anything from the original gameplay(npc scripts, voice overs etc) because of legal issues. The only thing they seem to be legally allowed to do is add to the game and not change the game.

Which is unfortunate, because it wouldn't be much work to upscale the rendered sprites and put them through an anti aliasing filter, and then sharpen if needed. Probably wouldn't be much more work to interpolate the animation frames either, so we could run the game at 60 frames per second without being all turbo.

 

[StinkyPinky]

Very underwhelming to be honest.

 

[Qbah]

Music samples from the new quest expansion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imca73o350k&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4_hLiXUKm8&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3u4IGKZ0IXY

Sounds right in line with what I would expect from a BG game.

Man, those sound AWESOME!!! Especially 1 and 3. Can't wait

 

[thespyder]

Really???

MAYBE Neera, but they all look pretty similar in art style...

those are not the images that are shown on baldursgate.com. The ones on their home page are MUCH more cartoony.

See what I mean? Much more cartoony.

 

[DucatiMonster696]

those are not the images that are shown on baldursgate.com. The ones on their home page are MUCH more cartoony.

See what I mean? Much more cartoony.

Go back to the site and check again. The portraits linked are the same as what was linked by gothamhunter. The images you are referring to are website pics introducing the characters and not in game portraits. In the end however changing portraits probably won't be a big issue if you are not happy with the portraits below.

http://baldursgate.com/rasaad.en.html

http://baldursgate.com/neera.en.html

http://baldursgate.com/dorn.en.html

 

[thespyder]

yeah, I saw that. Which really makes me wonder why they even posted the more cartoony ones on their home page.

In any event, I guess we will see one way or the other in September.