I read on another website that IWD 2 will be the last game using 2D bioware infinity engine. Is this true and if so why would they not continue the IWD and Baldurs Gate 2D engine seeing as it is EXTREMELY popular??

It's true. At least, if we are to believe BIS. And you can thank Feargie for that. This guy has said before that the future of RPG's is 3D and real time (without pause) and they are creating a game, called Lionheart, so that they can shove it down our throats aswell.

I do have to disagree with your statement about the engine. I found it to be not that great.

"I read on another website that IWD 2 will be the last game using 2D bioware infinity engine. Is this true and if so why would they not continue the IWD and Baldurs Gate 2D engine seeing as it is EXTREMELY popular??"


It is as you said, supposed to be the last of its kind BUT it wont be. This is nothing but a hunch really, a mix of logic and intuition but i'm almost sure there will be more 2d Infinity Engine games released by Bioware. Their official take on this is simply "Not at the moment". Think of how successful Baldurs Gate was...do you realize how much money that made them?
Yes the 2D infinity engine is certainly ageing....but it's ageing with style.
If it comes down to it heres the truth : these games still sell. As long as they do they'll keep making them. The harsh truth of any business, but for those of us who love Icewind Dale it's good news :D

At this stage it will be the last game - I think that the Infinity Engine may be in its death throes as far as Bio is concerned. They see the future in 3D and the Aurora engine used in NWN.

I have a hunch that before too long, when the IE is retired, that it may become Open Source eventually and the onus for creating/developing any additions may shift to the modding/customizing community. That's just my opinion, though... ;)

I believe you may be right Memnoch. The fact is that Bioware definitely wants to move into 3D gaming. I myself have not played Neverwinter Nights and have heard both good and bad reviews of the game. Personally, I love the Infinity Engine. It may be old, but what does that matter? As long as good games can be made from it, that is all that counts. While flashy graphics do help, they don't make the game. The only 2D Infinity Engine games will now be left for the modding community to create.

Infinity started showing signs of being overstretched when BG2 came out. TO keep on improving the engine and keep some kind of pace with modern games they likley need a complete overhaul. Very expensive.

Open Source though would be Very Cool. That would mean Linux BG. Mac ToB without waiting for Bioware to get around to it. And lets face it, they never will.

All kinds of neat stuff. More companies should go open source.

I have to agree with SpiritWarrior on this: so long as it sells it's likely to keep selling - if you see what I mean. I imagine that they may make a final "farewell" add-on to IWD2, though this is mere speculation. As for it going to the community, this can only be a good thing surely?

As for saying that 2D is dead, well it's horses-for-courses as far as I'm concerned. Hell, I still enjoy a game of Might and Magic now and again. Personal taste I guess. As for me, I can't wait for IWD2 and it's ageing engine. I'm just envious of you blighters that will get it before the land of good Queen Victoria!

I can sense the envy as Lord Brass speaks!! Why, because he knows that I just quit my Icewind Dale II game a few minutes ago to come see what a few of you yahoo's think about it! It's definitely keeping my attention. But as far as the IWDII add-on. That is a no brainer. Every other one has had an add on so why be different for this one.

You devilish sw1ne. I GRrrrrr at you in envy!

As for the add-on, I don't think that it's all that certain. With NWN and...Lionheart is it...they may just decide to forgo the pleasures of a pack and go straight for the swan song. Shame if they do though.

PS:TR didnt have an expansion. But if it sells theyll probly do one. The cost of doing it being so low for a pretty much garaunteed return.

As far as an expansion for IWD 2 is concerned, see what J.E. Sawyer (lead designer on IWD2 has to say in the official site:

IWD 2 is the last IE game that's for sure.

As far as Lionheart BIS are not the ones actually doing the design www.reflexive.net is.

The BIS team (including those who finished working on IWD 2) are busy working on a secret, as of yet, unnanounced project, codenamed "Jefferson" it is either a 3rd edition game with a new engine or... Fallout 3 IMHO.

Fallout 3? Dream on! [img]smile.gif[/img]
Rumors of such a miracle have been squished to death by every developer.

BIS has confirmed that there will be no expansion for IWD2 (make it "NNNOOOO!!! expansion"). Too bad...I sure hope the IE source will become available, but i doubt Interplay will ever do so. Or they'll do like sierra and wait 10 years to release a once-good engine for the real nostalgics.

Still stinks!! I understand wanting to move on and develop bigger and better things but the engine has been popular (evident by this website alone) and seems a waste to give up a good thing.

well the real problem behind the infinity engine:

i don't know why, but we as player set engine = graphic engine
the infinity engine is more - it contains most of the AD&D Rulez
and if u exaime IWD2 closer -

it must be incredible hard to "overrule" this part of the engine

and so i think this is the real bottleneck of the engine

it isn't possible to code things like stacked abilities or dual wield with this engine