To say Baldur's Gate 1 is the primary reason that computer RPGs were raised from the dead is a major understatement. Many professionals and players point to that game as providing a wide open field for new computer RPGs to come along.

It has been my observation that due to the setting of BG1,2, Icewind Dale series, and Never Winter Nights computer games set in the Forgotten Realms, that this world has been priviledged to having been exposed to people who never heard of D&D but are now hooked on the concept. In fact, I believe it is because of those games that a new generation of Paper and Pencil players have been born and those who left the P&P version are coming back. In various forums I see people inquiring about the P&P version and where they can find the manuals, a DM, a group to play in, etc. A side result is that FR is continually before people. My observation was further confirmed when I talked to several 20-something paper and pencil players last night who said that it was the BG series, et.al., that had them seek out and find a paper and pencil setting. They now like it better than the computer offerings though they will still play the latter.

So my theory and hope is that the ToEE can do for Greyhawk what BG, etc. has done for the Forgotten Realms. In addition, as Kohvlis' inquiry about Greyhawk in his thread points to, could there be a rise in interest in Greyhawk and an interest for paper and pencil forays into that world? What do you think the ToEE will tigger? Thanks ahead of time.

I think the world of Greyhawk is not flashy enough for the majority of today's gamers. Greyhawk is the core setting for the 3e manuals and this didn't spark any more interest in the world that I could notice, so I don't know if ToEE could.

But then again, Planescape: Torment was a brilliant proof of how a great CRPG can introduce thousands of people to a relatively unknown setting, and make them its fans forever. We'll see if ToEE can do at least as much.