GameBanshee Forums

[QUOTE=Beamdog]"Baldur's Gate 3 has been our long term goal. We have a lot of things to put in place before such a project can be launched. So currently there is no such project but that's the one we want to do. Our thoughts have been that Enhanced Edition for BG 1 and 2 just make sense before there's any Baldur's Gate 3."

"We're totally thinking Kickstarter. It just makes so much sense and solves so many problems. I think what Brian [Fargo] is doing with Wasteland is very interesting."[/QUOTE]

For the first time in a long time it looks like this game might be more that just theoretical. At the very least there's a team out there who think it might be worthwhile. Cross your fingers everyone.

I'm crossing my fingers that they'll come to their senses and forget the whole stupid idea!

galraen wrote:I'm crossing my fingers that they'll come to their senses and forget the whole stupid idea!

I agree. The story is over. If they resurrect the franchise, at the very least it should have no relation whatsoever to the old games.

I think that if there will be BGIII it will have another story, something like Icewind Dale II or i hope so because making another game about Bhaal spawn would be ridiculous.

I can only hope that it's some different event. Technically, if you think about it, the last two games shouldn't even bear the name, since we've left the Sword Coast behind and haven't seen what transpired in Baldur's Gate after the war has been avoided.

It isn't so much as Baldur's Gate 3 that excites me - it's the ressurection of the Infinity Engine, upon which the greatest RPG games were built. Hell, I'd be fine with a brand new title that used 2E rules and ran IE at the core.

Crenshinibon wrote:I can only hope that it's some different event. Technically, if you think about it, the last two games shouldn't even bear the name, since we've left the Sword Coast behind and haven't seen what transpired in Baldur's Gate after the war has been avoided.

It isn't so much as Baldur's Gate 3 that excites me - it's the ressurection of the Infinity Engine, upon which the greatest RPG games were built. Hell, I'd be fine with a brand new title that used 2E rules and ran IE at the core.

+1




To Sellsword:

Altering is one thing, a new game for profit is an entirely different "animal". There are the rights to the engine (Bioware/Atari) and the rights to the D&D franchise (Wizards of the Coast.. pretty sure Atari's license has expired from them), and unfortunately both are substantial hurdles and from two separate sources (..which compounds the problem).

I guess the "short" of it is:

"..don't hold your breath waiting."

Crenshinibon wrote: It isn't so much as Baldur's Gate 3 that excites me - it's the ressurection of the Infinity Engine, upon which the greatest RPG games were built. Hell, I'd be fine with a brand new title that used 2E rules and ran IE at the core.

100% agreed on this point.

As I've stated, I don't really want to see a sequel to BG2/ToB. However, there's no reason why they couldn't set an entirely new title somewhere like Kara Tur or Rashamen (to name just a couple of choices). It could be BG in spirit, even include references to events in Amn or the Sword Coast, but rather than a continuation of those stories, I'd like to see the birth of something new. If I had my druthers, I'd want a game with new personalities, different locales, and a completely fresh saga that retains the soul of its BG/BG2 origins.
I realise that rights and legalities could be an issue, but if they are making noises about a third game, maybe there is reason to believe some sort of resolution may be in the offing.

Scottg wrote: There are the rights to the engine (Bioware/Atari) and the rights to the D&D franchise (Wizards of the Coast.. pretty sure Atari's license has expired from them), and unfortunately both are substantial hurdles and from two separate sources (..which compounds the problem).

If it looks like making money, they will find a way.

galraen wrote:If it looks like making money, they will find a way.

That's not the question (..making money or not).


The question is can all the parties agree upon a licensing scheme that is actually *viable*?


What's worse is that going to the public for support money will only cause both licensors to basically say:

"hey, I've seen what you've raised", with either:

"..it's not enough to support our licensing when considering all other costs", or

"..pretty good, will require x (amount) PLUS"..

-that second scenario is your typical rapacious greed at work, enough greed to "sink" the deal.


It reminds me of the troubles with getting a new Battlestar Galactica produced - and there the licensing was only from one party and it took more than a decade for that to work out.

I never was a fan of Battlestar Galactica, so can't comment on that, I'll happily take your word for it.

My point was, that if it can be shown to be profitable to all parties concerned, they'll make it; if not theywon't.

As far as I can see there's only two companies involved, and I'm not sure if even that is true. Wasn't the infinity engine only ever used for D&D games? If so that would indicate to me that Hasboro/WoC probably own the rights to the IE, not Bioware.

PS Just had a quick check, and evidently Bioware licensed the engine to Black Isle/Interplay. Not sure what's happened as far as their license goes. Could Hasboro have obtained it?

galraen wrote:I never was a fan of Battlestar Galactica, so can't comment on that, I'll happily take your word for it.

My point was, that if it can be shown to be profitable to all parties concerned, they'll make it; if not they won't.

As far as I can see there's only two companies involved, and I'm not sure if even that is true. Wasn't the infinity engine only ever used for D&D games? If so that would indicate to me that Hasboro/WoC probably own the rights to the IE, not Bioware.

PS Just had a quick check, and evidently Bioware licensed the engine to Black Isle/Interplay. Not sure what's happened as far as their license goes. Could Hasboro have obtained it?

The manipulation for D&D in the engine doesn't matter with respect to ownership. I think the engine either stayed with Bioware or was "sold" to Atari (..when they owned Bioware).

The original D&D license was definitely "sold" to Atari, but I doubt that they still own that license (..it's probably expired by now). Which puts it back with WotC/Hasbro.


The issue with the engine though may be moot if it's essentially a different engine and isn't patented as a particular process. (..i.e. copy-rights are moderately easy to "get around" as far as coding is concerned - just use different if similar code.)

I sincerely hope it won't be a continuation of the story, however, a fresh one with the same engine would be sweet.

And suddenly it's real