Poll: Who is going to buy BG:EE at time of release

[Gaear]

Originally Posted by henkie

It seems to me that if you want to support modding, donating to the people who are doing the modding is a much better and directer way.

Mods can't profit from the property they're modding. So if you want to donate indirectly to keep a website afloat or something, that's one thing, but no money will ever go into a modder's pocket for modding.

Being as people generally mod games because they love them, financially supporting that game and thus keeping it alive for modders is a nice gesture, and it's about as close to paying them as you're going to get. About all you can really do for modders is support the game, support their website or host, play their mods, and say thanks. And though there are always exceptions, most modders don't want anything more than that.

So +1 to Blades - unless you're really financially strapped, $20 doesn't seem like such a large amount to contribute toward those ends, at least to me.

[Marceror]

Originally Posted by henkie

Funny. I don't buy it on principle. You buy, but also on principle.

If rehashing is all you want, then this is a great development, I suppose. But rehashing is generally just cashing in and does not lead to original thought. I would not expect this rehashing stuff to lead to anything but rehashing. The whole business model of the guys that are making BG EE is based on remaking old games. In this case, just cashing in on nostalgia with minimum effort.

@omnigodly, if your friends didn't like the orginal games because of graphics, then they won't like this much either. Graphically, not much has changed. And there's a lot of fixes, but there's generally only need to install the one G3Fixpack.

The thing that we have to keep in mind is that there are a sizable number of Baldur's Gate fans that have an unending fascination with this game. Truly, this game is considered by many to be the gold standard for what a CRPGs should be, and fans of the series can be a tad cultish in their devotion to it. From that perspective, I'm betting that an official release that included improved fecal matter graphics in the game and nothing more would actually sell a good number of copies.

I was originally in the "I'll buy anything BG related that you want to give me without a second thought" camp, but one of my big caveats even before BGEE was announced was that it better not be a mobile or console port. Then BGEE was announced and there was no mention of mobile anything, and for a bit I was beside myself with elation that I was going to get something at least as good as improved fecal matter graphics, probably better, and I was ready to pre-order a dozen copies on the spot – I mean, why buy one when you can get 12 for 12 times the cost, right? The logic seemed sound to me, at least.

Then the mobile announcement was made a week or two later, and it became clear that was the primary focus of BGEE. This fact, and how I felt... (okay, I still feel) that I sort of got suckered into getting excited about this release before I had been told the whole story really served to dampen my enthusiasm. So while I fully expect that I will buy the PC version game (hey, I'm one of those cultish diehard fans, after all), my short-lived donning of the "Glasses of Rose Color +1" have since been replaced with my usual "Lenses of the Cynic +5." But even still, I realize that I'm going to be getting plenty more than fecal matter updates to the original BG engine, so I would be hard pressed to say that I'm not going to buy. I'm just waiting, standing on some admittedly odd principle that the whole experience is somewhat tarnished because of the mobile platform component... even if I understand that this was likely a required selling point to get the project off the ground with the number crunchers.

So take that devs! I'm going to buy your BGEE update... but not for a few weeks!! Fear the mighty roar of my hesitation, and weep at the lost potential to earn some extra interest income from my purchase!!

[Nakia]

I am another of those hardcore, churlish BG fans. Just the other day on another forum some of the people mentioned BG and how much they liked it and I found myself feeling very superior to them. I realized I considered them fly by night fans and not true fans. I didn't even bother to respond to the post. I know I am being narrow minded but Baldurs Gate I and II are the gold standard of CRPGs. No other game comes close to it in its entirety. The interrelationship of the members of your party alone are worth the price.

Yes, I will buying the game. I will be playing the game. If they mess it up I will be loudly complaing.

[Marceror]

Hey Nakia! You're definitely my kind of gamer!

I somehow picture myself in 30 years, nearly at age 70, still playing the Baldur's Gate Triple Enhanced Edition (or similar) on some antiquated PC sitting next to a neglected modern PC, explaining to my bewildered grandchildren that this is what a computer roleplaying game is supposed to be. Of course, they'll laugh at their out of touch grand dad and happily go back to playing their 4D virtual reality MMORPG, which will no doubt have an unbelievable amount of flash but a questionable amount of soul, and will be powered by an uber powerful mobile device no larger than the size of a quarter.

And of course, I'll still be holding out some small, tiny shred of hope that one day Baldur's Gate 3 will make it to market, but to no avail.

Yes... I can see the future....

[Nakia]

Marceror, You will also be coming back to BoM to talk about the game, Tal will be holding fort for all those old hardcore fans. My ghost will mosey by to check out what is happening. All will be well.

Long live the Bhaalspawn! Isn't that right, Boo?

[Erod]

I was going to buy this game when I first heard about it but not anymore. The so called enhancements are simply too few. $20 for three NPCs, one adventure and blurred graphics? Thanks but I will pass. Besides the original game still works like a charm.

[Myrkul]

I will probably buy it. I always wanted BG1 to be updated and be more like BG2, so for me BGEE sounds like a pretty great update. At least this way I won't have to download TuTu or a widescreen mod. Plus the new npc's sound pretty interesting. One is a monk, the other the new blackguard class, and the last a wild mage. I'm mostly excited for the monk npc. The DLC also sounds like a plus since it'll keep them game alive until BG2EE. I do feel like 20$ is a bit of a stretch for such an old game, but I don't mind supporting the developers.

[henkie]

Originally Posted by Marceror

The thing that we have to keep in mind is that there are a sizable number of Baldur's Gate fans that have an unending fascination with this game. Truly, this game is considered by many to be the gold standard for what a CRPGs should be, and fans of the series can be a tad cultish in their devotion to it.

Well, I wouldn't call myself a fan of anything - my brain just isn't wired that way. So perhaps that's my problem in understanding the reasoning behind people just buying this game.

Erod sums my thoughts on this subject up quite well:

Originally Posted by Erod

Besides the original game still works like a charm.

[Marceror]

Henkie, your post earns you the cynic of the month award! Not a fan of *anything* - that's bloody brilliant.

I think we're starting to zero in on why this is worth it to some but not to others.

[henkie]

Glad to have been of some amusement for you

Aside from the fandom thing, I would say there's also the fact the original is enough for some and a remake just doesn't add much.

Most of my cynicism is reserved for the idea that anything good will come of this. Ok, the zoom and higher resolution support is quite nifty, but supporting this in the hope that someday, somewhere you will see a BG3 appear? The story of the BG series is finished, there's no room for a sequel and a prequel wouldn't be nearly as interesting.

[Marceror]

At the end of the day, I just want to pay someone $20 for something new(ish) that says Baldur's Gate on it. It's been far too long since I've had the pleasure of doing that.

[Blades of Vanatar]

I have to say that I am a little bit peeved at the Dev team right now. I pre-ordered. The "promise" was that those that pre-ordered would receive an e-mail with a link to pre-download the software, making it easy to autoplay on the day of release. They promised it a week or two before the release. Well, it's the 14th, it releases on the 18th and we still have not rec'd the e-mail as of yet. Where I think it won't affect my game in itself as long as it releases on the 18th, I prefer them to keep their word as I feel if someone can't keep their word about one topic, they usually don't about others as well. My Beamdog trust meter just spiraled downward a few points....

[Darion]

Judging from some comments here and on different boards, the Pre-Download is littered with hardship and wonky servers.

I hope it sorts out for you guys...I want to see some first impression threads.

[Blades of Vanatar]

I will be palying tonight. I will post tomorrow about what I think. Graphics-wise, I could care less, though the wider view is nice I guess. I am more interested in content, dialogue and the new NPCs in general. From the Screenshots Tal posted it looks like Dorn has 14 Con and wields a Two-hander. Kind of makes him like another Shar-Teel. Don't see the need for duplicate-like NPCs. I am looking forward to trying the Monk and Wild-Mage NPCs, as they should be fragile at lower levels and but worth the effort later on. Hopefully they will carry these new NPCs over into BG2:EE.

[Harbourboy]

I'm pretty sure that I won't be buying it.

[Dr_Asik]

Originally Posted by Blades of Vanatar

Hopefully they will carry these new NPCs over into BG2:EE.

That's the plan.

Official forums are down currently, probably due to the sudden rush of traffic.

[argento-dtw]

I won't buy it either, at least for now, even if a part of me feels the nostalgia to buy something with "Baldur's Gate" written on it :P

And now I just read above the word "DLC". The total opposite of what the "gaming conception" of Baldur's Gate was. Damn, they are following Bioware's path with that Mass Effect/Dragon Age thing.

I'd never encourage illegal software download, but sometimes software houses just deserve it.

[Nekator]

Originally Posted by argento-dtw

I won't buy it either, at least for now, even if a part of me feels the nostalgia to buy something with "Baldur's Gate" written on it :P

And now I just read above the word "DLC". The total opposite of what the "gaming conception" of Baldur's Gate was. Damn, they are following Bioware's path with that Mass Effect/Dragon Age thing.

I'd never encourage illegal software download, but sometimes software houses just deserve it.

True... 20$ for a updated 15 year old game (most of which updates are free to get anyways) and the few new things are sold extra as dlc? come on...

[Blades of Vanatar]

I didn't pay for any extras yet, just the Enchanced Version. I don't get what you guys are talking about.

So far, I have to say I am pretty impressed. The wider view is excellent, more portrait choices, more NPCs, BG2 Engine, more quests and the menus are a bit different but you adjust right away. The Zoom feature ONLY works with a mouse wheel, they will have to fix that in an update/patch.

There are little touches that are realy nice. I noticed when buying Throwing Axes for Kaigan in Beregost at the Smithy, there was another type of throwing axe that does d6+2 damage for sale. Monty has ** each in Shortswords and Slings, which is fitting for a halfling IMO. The creature placement is nice. When entering the crossroads south of the FAI, I spoke with Elminster and then I wasn't attacked by Xvarts or Gibberlings. So far, I have only encounterd single creatures when finding random creatures in the wilderness. The set encounters of 3 Hobgoblins were still there on the path surrounding the FAI. I created an Evil Skald. Added Monty and Xzar, then Viccy, Kaigan.

Spoiler!

I want to add Dorn, but he doesn't just join, he tells you to get lost. I will have to see where that goes

. There is more, but I don't want to give it all away.

The location of the 3 new NPCs are...

Dorn -

Spoiler!

Found him in the FAI, but is not joinable, yet. TBD...

Meera the Wild Mage -

Spoiler!

Beregost, I 'll let you find her...

Rashaad -

Spoiler!

Nashkel, as soon as you cross the bridge, he is located immediately to the south, surrounded by commoners, teaching them about being a Sun Soul Monk. Very simple dialogue options to get him to join your group.

[Trminator]

I bought it, as I have several friends who bought it as well, (they never played the original before) and we intend to try out some multiplayer action before christmas.