Baldurs Gate III

Aqua-chan · Post by **Aqua-chan** » Wed Jun 12, 2002 7:10 am

I read from somewhere (can't remember where for this life of mine) that there will be BG3, but it won't be about the Bhaalspawn saga.

I haven't the slightest doubt that's a hoax, actually.

I remember when the famous anime series, Gundam Wing, ended. People began claiming that there would be a continuation using new charactors and a new plot-line, but they said it simply because they didn't want to admit that fact that, yes, it was indeed, over. 'Could just be fans claiming they want more because they were dissapointed with the end at ToB (so was I, for that matter, and Icewind Dale games just aren't that much fun compared to BG series.)

No offence meant,and I hope none was taken.

fable · Post by **fable** » Wed Jun 12, 2002 8:02 am

Originally posted by Aqua-chan
I haven't the slightest doubt that's a hoax, actually.

99% of the time, it is. But that 1% will jump up and bite you in the butt when you least expect it.

Remember, Railroad Tycoon was for years a legend of a product, and every now and again somebody would say a successor was being made. Everyone laughed. Then, finally, many years later, a successor *was* made.

I think that sooner rather than later, a dev team will issue a BG3. It's all a matter of how expensive the rights to the name and AD&D structure are. Whether the game bears any internal resemblance to BG2 is another matter, entirely. My suspicion is, it won't. The industry is convinced that 2D RPGs are a thing of the past, and you'd have to convince some very hard-headed big company accountants that this is wrong.

But for a 3D RPG to work, the logistics of handling multiple characters in a party will have to be worked out. Signficantly, NWN is skirting the issue. Just my POV.

Aqua-chan · Post by **Aqua-chan** » Wed Jun 12, 2002 9:08 am

Fable does have a point, I admit. There is always that small chance that you can presume something and it will be wrong...

But that only applies/really happens when you announce it on huge forums like the GameBanshee site and in huge chatrooms.

Five years from now, I don't want people making fun of me because they *did* come out with BG3 and I said they wouldn't.

I like the Infinity Engine. To be honest, 3D graphics kinda make me sick in the stomach...

Krimmy · Post by **Krimmy** » Wed Jun 12, 2002 2:29 pm

SPOILER ALERT ! **********************

I mentioned this in another thread, based on the ToB endings I believe they're sequels you could make about Jahiera and Viconia. Viconia's sequel is easy, a story involving the PC and his son going against Lolth and the Underdark for the murder of Viconia. The end result could play a couple ways, Viconia acknowledging the PC and her child for what they did in her name and moving on, or better yet, the resurrection of Viconia! Nobody really dies for good in D&D

Jahiera, maybe something involving her homeland that was hinted at in BG2 and continuing plot with the cowled wizards and another baddie, I don't have more ideas for that one.

Aerie, although I'd love to play a sequel with her I have no ideas for her.

And I have no interest in Anomen.

Kekk · Post by **Kekk** » Wed Jun 12, 2002 2:54 pm

If I only could find the article...

Anyway, it the article seemed pretty official to me, not hoax(y?). There was this some guy who said that the series had been a success, and they wanted to make more Baldur's Gate games. Since, the Bhaalspawn saga story was over, a new story would be created, and the characters would start from lvl 1, and possibly old accointancies from BG 1 and/or 2 would be met. And that the game would be using the Infinity Engine and the 3rd edition rules. Just some glimpses that I remember.

And for the rumour part, I consider myself quite cynical, and plus the story _was_ on the net, so yes, it is very possible and even very likely that this isn't true, but I don't know.

But it wouldn't hurt if BG 3 came, yes ?

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 8:38 am

Not at all, @Kekk--you're quite right.

Please understand, though, that doubting is natural in such cases, especially since a) Interplay remarked several times off the record that the BG series was dead, and 2) we've had some rather...excitable people up here occasionally making claims of everything from BG3 in progress to Keldorn is Elvis. Well, maybe not the latter, but definitely the former.

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 9:19 am

Keldorn might not be Elvis, however, I remember a picture of the King hanging up in one of the taverns, although I don't remember if it was BG1 or BG2. I want to say it is in the tavern, second floor, bridge district (?) on the second quest for Aran Linvail. I know this is a ToB forum not SoA, however, some ideas can transcend forums.

Regarding a BG3: If the saga is over what's the point? What criteria would constitute a game being labeled BG3 vs. some other title as long as it took place in the Forgotten Realms. BG2 built on BG1, however, in SoA/ToB we spent no time on the sword coast and certainly no time in Baldur's Gate the city (did anyone leave anyone alive the first time through that city

)

Are people basing a BG3 game on the fact it will use the infinity engine? Given the locales of BG2, we could wind up in the Bloodlands fighting the wizards of Thay and they could call it BG3.

Rattman · Post by **Rattman** » Fri Jun 14, 2002 8:29 am

the simple fact of the matter is that there aren't any challanges left. What would the game consist of with a party of near god-like characters

They could end up fighting the gods them self

Good ol god o murder back fae the grave me thinks

then they could be gods them self!

a find ending

(Jan the god of useless storys)

Aqua-chan · Post by **Aqua-chan** » Fri Jun 14, 2002 8:54 am

Then there is the difference on how people ended thier BG2 experience and how it will effect them in BG3.

I played a female Paladin in my first game. She wielded the Carsomyr +6, was in the romance with Anomen, and denied her inheritance to the Throne of Bhaal.

The ending storyline was *quite* clear that she was mortal for the first time in her life, so what would be the point of trying to fight off gods if she didn't have any reason to? Unless she was trying to vanquish evil gods such as Cyric, but then wouldn't the game seem sort of...cheesy? I mean, running around, working for and killing various gods...I think the story line would just kind of flop.

Now, if they would start something else like Icewind Dale (Using a new PC) with NPCs this time (possibly bringing back originals from ToSC and SoA such as Kivan, Korgan, Jahiera and Anomen, for example) who told about thier adventures with a *former* candidate for the position of God of Murder, then I'd say sure, give it a try. Just don't revolve the story around the Bhaalspawn saga.

fable · Post by **fable** » Fri Jun 14, 2002 9:31 am

Now, if they would start something else like Icewind Dale (Using a new PC) with NPCs this time (possibly bringing back originals from ToSC and SoA such as Kivan, Korgan, Jahiera and Anomen, for example) who told about thier adventures with a *former* candidate for the position of God of Murder, then I'd say sure, give it a try. Just don't revolve the story around the Bhaalspawn saga.

I suspect they would do away with the Bhaalspawn angle but use the same universe, perhaps a bit later on, or earlier. If later, they could factor in very "brief guest spots" by various BG2 party NPCs, now grown old, who could give advice, quests, and rewards. If earlier, you could meet and hire the same party NPCs your Bhaalspawn did, at roughly the same level you originally signed them up.

The whole reason for "BG3" would be, as marketing types say, because the branding has positive recognition. You could count on a small but significant group of players who would buy the game, all other things being equal. And whatever anybody else may say in public, the game companies are ruled by their accountants.

Aqua-chan · Post by **Aqua-chan** » Fri Jun 14, 2002 9:49 am

Yeah, I think that the plot for the BG games was excellent, but the real question is this: saying that they did make a third game, would it be as in-depth as the originals?

Personally, I loved BG2, however, ToSC had the best plot (IMO) because you were doing tons of investigations and gathering clues that looked like they had no relation, but did.

SoA is pretty straight-forward, and you don't do as much digging around because you know who kidnapped you, you know where he is, and youknow who his alliances are and who you have to meet up with to find Imoen. Somewhat lacking in comparison with it's previous cousin.

The Icewind Dale games weren't that awe-inpsiring (IMO) because I live for charactor dialouges. I've never gotten past the Temple of the Forgotten God because it grew old quickly. I like NPCs, especially ones I am familiar with from previous games.

Once again, Fable's bringing out the unwanted truth (

) : the accountaints are at the top of the food chain on this one.

But still, it would be a welcomed gift if they could just bend-over backwards a little for us on this one... Too bad...

fable · Post by **fable** » Fri Jun 14, 2002 10:40 am

@Aqua-chan, the IWD games weren't even aimed at precisely the same market.

Those are dungeon crawls, like the M&M series, where you aren't interested in the characters you encounter, but only in battles, puzzles, etc. Sure, BG2 can be treated in the same way, but it was designed to get a larger potential audience by appealing to those who enjoy fiction and PnP games.

IWD was professionally done, but it lacked the compelling "must play it again and check out other NPCs" feel of BG2 for me. I played it through, and put it aside.

Fly Boy · Post by **Fly Boy** » Fri Jun 14, 2002 12:02 pm

Earlier in this post, somebody says that once you're a god there's no where else to go, no place left that's challenging. How bout this for a suggestion? Battle other gods... As in eliminating some evil (or good

) gods. Have it tie in with the other stuff you were thinking of.

Aqua-chan · Post by **Aqua-chan** » Fri Jun 14, 2002 12:25 pm

Originally posted by Fly Boy
Earlier in this post, somebody says that once you're a god there's no where else to go, no place left that's challenging. How bout this for a suggestion? Battle other gods... As in eliminating some evil (or good ) gods. Have it tie in with the other stuff you were thinking of.

Don't you think it would be somewhat dull? I mean, you're a god running around and killing other gods . It sounds like something you would dig out of a Greek storybook or something. Besides, if you killed off all other gods, then it would be just you left...where's the entertainment value in that? Got me stumped.

Think of it: the only god left is the one of muder and death. Sounds depressing, doesn't it? Eventually, priests of Helm, Lathander and Talos would be coming to get you anyway.

And if you played it this way, then you could never bring back the other NPCs! Remember, Imoen gave up her taint and Sarevok is partially *you* since you revived him with your own soul. Jaheira, Minsc, Anomen, Jan, Valygar, Keldorn, Korgan...the whole lot of them are mortal, so you'd be on your own for the rest of eternity...

That would stink.

Fly Boy · Post by **Fly Boy** » Fri Jun 14, 2002 2:09 pm

You're right. It definately needs work, but that could be the idea for them to build off of. I do however see the difficulty of continuing the story, but what about having BG3 take place between BG1 and 2 or something like that, before you are a god?

gnomethingy · Post by **gnomethingy** » Fri Jun 14, 2002 11:04 pm

You could do bg3... but as so many have stated it wouldnt be able to revolve around the bhaalspawn unless you wanted to take on armies of dragons for a sligh challenge.. and that if you DIDNT become a god

I rekon if it bore a true relation the original story in some way its very feasable, not only becouse it easy enough to rehash a story thats over but also becouse people like doing things over and over and over again...

How about someting along the lines of.. the bhaalspawn gave up godhood, moved into isolation and after the tragic death of his soa romance (make something up for the ones that dont die) and seeing his friends droping like flies around him ala keldorn, minsc ect he decides to take some sort of last hero style revenge against the gods before he finnally bites the dust

And somone has to stop him... something cheesy like that could work, think diablo. The hero of the first game is the villain of the second

I mean thats one example, and maybe its a bad one.. but its one of a million possible ways to beleivably rehash the bhaalspawn saga

Think about how amusing it would be, fighting your own character from tob... they could even have a funtion for importing your final save tob character so the villain is the same class, sex, race

Coot · Post by **Coot** » Sat Jun 15, 2002 9:28 am

Spoilerish:

If your pc romanced Aerie or Viconia you have at least one kid now. The BG3 story could be about him/her, the Bhaalgrandkid. Hm, no, that has a really wrong ring to it...

the_realmerlin · Post by **the_realmerlin** » Sun Jun 16, 2002 2:23 am

Cool

When i started this, i didn't know it'll be so successful. u know why? cause i kick arse!!

gnomethingy · Post by **gnomethingy** » Sun Jun 16, 2002 6:04 am

The bhaal grandkid, lol... I wonder, would he have innate drow like mr from vic?

sort of the blend the two stats and multiclass the two classes

It wouldnt be fair to the kid, if he ended up being a f/m/t/c... think about how long it would take to lvl!!

Aqua-chan · Post by **Aqua-chan** » Sun Jun 16, 2002 1:41 pm

Now, I'm just putting it into words because a friend of mine (who doesn't have/want an account) thought it might be an interesting idea.

The PC charactor either accepts or denies the Throne of Bhaal. It doesn't matter which, as either path ends up as the same plot anyways.

The three priests in BG2 all become High Priests in thier respective alignment: Aerie (Lathander), Anomen (Helm) and Viconia (Talos). Each priest recieves a prophecy from thier god about how some evil deity will come and kick everybodys' butts and take over Fearun. The Harpers also know about this because...well...they do.

Because your had to romance one of the Clerics (-or a Harper, just wait for that) you have a strong communicational tie with that Priest (Or Druid. That's why the Harpers conveniently know about this oncoming deity -- somebody has to be around to tell Jaheira!)

When your husband/wife tells you about this little situation, you have to rally up a team on NPCs (Including you and your spouse, obviously) to prepare for the attacks. This team will include new and old NPCs from the two beginning BG games.

If you decided to become a god, then you will have to enter the Forgotten Realms in the form of a mortal human (or elf, or whatever...) for plot reasons.

This will somewhat weaken your PC because you'll lose your special god-like abilities once you leave your Abyssle realm.

So, your armies are attacked (in a movie sequence, for time's sake) and you're all beaten down quite badly. Finally, the deity shows itself for a one-on-one match with you. Low and behold, it's *your* duplicate. (Betcha didn't see that coming.

)

Eventually, the fight ends with your enemy dissapearing and you're left fighting until the opposing army falls.

Something special - If your romance in Aerie or Viconia, you're bound to have a kid. Since he/she is old enough to battle now, then your duplicate can grab the child and vanish, just adding to the plot and making it so that you don't have to worry about hiring a babysitter.

The Rest of it: The rest of the plot depends on your romance. If you didn't romance anyone or are starting a new game, it will automatically pick one for you (I.E. You're a Lawful Good male human, so you'll romance Aerie. Nuetral? Jaheira. Evil is in favor to Viccie and all female PCs get Anomen (Unless you drag Kelsey into this which I wouldn't reccomend 'cause that'll probably screw things up.))

Romance:
Aerie or Viconia: You'll be pushed on simply because that idiot enemy of yours (Who is the dark side of you

) took your kid.

Jaheira or Anomen: These two will push you on simply because that's what they would do, no? Jaheira, woman of the balance would probably have your ass if you didn't go after this diety, and Anomen would do it simply because you guys need to spend some "quality time" together in the form of banishing evil.

It's an idea to build off of, I guess. I don't care for it because it's a stupid idea that popped out of the head of a nobody.

(**runs away from her friend who is trying to smack her outside the head**)

Lata