Karl i got to admit that your right,and maybe this/those new series might be (i hope alot)something in DragonLance,that would to damn cool,but then again losing BG does suck

Thanks for the update!

We can import our BG characters into NWN, right? I'm optimistic there will be plenty of NWN modules built to accomodate us. They needed to do an engine upgrade (I'm an ex-EQ player, I love BG more but I miss the true 3D graphics of EQ), this seems to be the best time to make the transition.

I've got faith in Bioware's ability to put out a great product (in NWN) that I'll be playing until my hands fall off

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Just to update you on what I've learned from browsing some gamesites and also hanging out at the BGDungeon. This info came courtesy of monte carlo who until recently used to moderate at the BGDungeon (if anyone knows otherwise please advise!)

1. There will be *NO* BG3

2. The 'Throne of Bhaal' BG2 expansion will complete the BG saga, it is the default BG3. This is due to many external factors, not least the D&D licencing agreements

(For info on the expansion click here.)

3. There will be NO MORE Infinity Engine games

4. The main Bioware *D&D* project is now NWN which uses a 3D (but not FP) engine

5. Black Isle are currently working on *THREE* 'secret' projects, one of which is a fantasy CRPG using a new variant (prolly non turn-based) of the Lithtech (sp?) engine used
in Fallout 2

6. Bioware will prolly be too involved in NWN and the new Star Wars CRPG to do any more BG stuff

7. The future of BG is now in the hands of fans who make their own mods, like TeamBG and Council of Mystra

So the bad news: No more BG

The good news: Lots of CRPG's on the horizon. D&D CRPG's are (now) thanks to Bioware & Black Isle a viable and profitable genre. I *cannot* see the new owners of the franchise (Infogrames) screwing up by not developing new titles.

Will keep everyone posted on this.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THANK YOU Memnoch!! This is exactly what I've been wondering about, but haven't searched on. I appreciate you posting this! Thanks very much.

(*mutter* *mutter* damn manufacturers --- building a fan base then dropping us like hot potatoes!)

Thank you for keeping us informed Memnoch
Now if you guys will excuse me I'll go and find a quiet spot to cry my eyes out....

Ah well, I guess the upcoming games you mentioned will be good as well...and otherwise we can always keep re-playing BG2 and posting on this Forum for all eternity

Ambrosia for eternity? What have I done to deserve this??

I'll drink to that

'Ere, Memnoch, on finishing Jon off when he was the Slayer, how quick did he die? I think I've got a glitch in my system, since for over the last hour the whole party has been bashing him and sleeping, he's still at near death. By the way I didn't locate the Crom whatever does this make a difference, otherwise I can't see me getting the expansion never mind the mirage BG3!

Cheers

Z'hdhunn

That's a documented bug. If you haven't got the patch already, go to Bioware's site and download it. I'm afraid you'll probably have to do a reload.

Does that mean like start again arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

WHAT THE HELL ,NO BG3 ,THAT'S IT
PEOPLE I SAY WE STORM THE DOORS AND SET THIER HEADS ON PIKES
(scratches head,thinks to himself,,,now if we kill them who could you get to make the game...hum ..what to do..

Well this news is not very welcome. Figures- they have a good thing and let it go. Who knows, maybe we'll like the new stuff as much, stranger things have happened.

Thanks for keeping us up to date Memnoch. I'm gutted, but it's best to know on which side the bread's buttered I suppose. I was so hoping for a BG3...Oh well.

Gutted from London.

Too depressed to post.

Also you forgot to mention my team memnoch.

DAMMIT!!!

Thanks Memnoch anyway, I sure hope NWN and the other games can make one as happy as BG has! sniff

Now, to ensure that this never happens again I've summoned a few 'helpers' who are to 'persuade' the developers to change their minds...

and his little brother

There, that should do the trick!

*sigh* I just hope that the expansion pack is large and inviting to all the players...good god...why are they letting go of the series?! WHHHHYYYYYY!?!?!?!?!

KKKKKHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!

To be honest, I think it's a good thing. How much more can they do with the series anyway? Yeah, yeah, there could be a lot, but you finish BG2 with a 17th lvl Mage. Any more levels, and you'll have access to all the available spells. There really aren't too many more powerful magic items on the caliber of Staff of the Magi, Crom Faeyr, and Holy Avenger.

A beholder, mind flayer, or vampire you can smack around with one fighter. That dragon at the end of the BG2 was a joke! To make the game at least somewhat interesting, the developers have to pitch at you constantly with liches, dragons, demons, celestials, and high level mages to provide at least some challenge. If they do, it'll just be another dull hack and slash on par with Diablo 2.

It's a good idea that they're going to start from scratch with a new storyline.

At last we can hope that the expansion will be very big and will include some new cooler features, such as new monster and better weapons (where's my bastard sword +4?).

As for constantly battle liches and dragons, that is certaintly fun, but the main reason that I like BG2 and BG over IWD is because you get to battle other parties of enemies with fighters, archers, mages and clerics, and that requieres MORE strategy than simply fighitng horde after horde of mindless monsters. Sure, fighting monsters is FUN, but you don't always want to be battling mindless monsters.

At last we can hope that the expansion will be very big and will include some new cooler features, such as new monster and better weapons (where's my bastard sword +4?).

As for constantly battle liches and dragons, that is certaintly fun, but the main reason that I like BG2 and BG over IWD is because you get to battle other parties of enemies with fighters, archers, mages and clerics, and that requieres MORE strategy than simply fighitng horde after horde of mindless monsters. Sure, fighting monsters is FUN, but you don't always want to be battling mindless monsters.

[color=acdcfcI have to admit that bg2 is going a bit overkill so i understand the not coming out of BG3
it's to bad though
but NWN will be a great game i'm sure of that
let's not let our head down

Yep, my words rikard, gotta get a Geforce or something before the relase... and when is that???

I'm guessing it may come out, wait, jsut remembered there is a movie in the BGII directory..hold on a sec

Memnoch: Casts "Bad News" on Larry
Larry: Weeps like a baby for 100 rounds

Doh, the movie didnt say, its a nice one, though, look in your BGII folder...I'm guessing probably..Feb. 2002, I could be far off, though

Accord's 2001 X'mas wish list:
1) Install NOS into his car
2) Get new tires
3) BG3...wait....there aren't going to be any....wahhhhhhhhhhhhh
To be honest, the fact that an expansion comes out is excellent news, and perhaps like some others have mentioned, ending the series might be a good idea.......we hate to see any sequel not able to meet its expectations. Perhaps developers should consider developing a game that continues the whole Bhaal thingy with the current PC's child, and have him/her start at lvl 0. But then again, they probably know better than I do. *sign*

November 2001 in Holland

So in October in the USA is normal
other european countries could be later because they translate it to their own languege
something the Duth never do (i even know a game critsized for translating)

Hm sme other news completely off-topic
Games top 10 PC Gameplay 2000

1 Baldur's Gate 2
3 Diablo 2
6 Vampire Remdemtion
10 Icewind Dale
11 Planescape Torment

5 RPG's in the top 11

Why are we even complaining??????

I dont even consider this as bad since i got enough of being able to kill 2 dragons at one time with out even being dammaged. I think that bg2 was all to much overkill.

No BG 3? Just as I was getting attached to the personality... er... traits of my character!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. That makes me unhappy.

ouch!!!!

I liked the games but on a different level(MAYBE). The story line is okay but what really matters to me is being able to continue character development. I can't stand starting new games where your character has no cash, weapons, or armor and regularly gets killed fighting monsters with 2 hit dice. My only hope is that someone comes out with some new twists that allow importing. I could even stand losing five or ten levels and forgetting some spells and losing some items, but to start all over bothers me. I originally bought these games becasue they allowed the continued advancement of characters. I play raistlin from dragonlance and if youhave read it you know he is on a quest to be a god. Obviously i can't get there from here.

yes,i read DragonLance and like Raistlin,you don't quite get there,i don't like it that you play this charcter and have to stop a SERIES but in thery you can continue in NWN at who knows maybe you'll finaly face Takhisis,then again maybe we'll see something from DragonLance instead of pretending

Well as sad as I am for these news I can understand it. And well Baldurs gate have been well adventured by most of us here for awhile and a new setting could prove to just as entartaining, maybe even better. Anyone rember the feeling when you started out Baldurs Gate for the forst time?(Or BG2 if that was your first game) Mine was:
1. Damn, this is big!!!
2. Oh my god, it´s good, I have to lay yet one more hour, one more...

So, hopefully they wont abandon us Roleplayers out here and continue to give us more interesting games. Personally I would like a "free" game in the Dragonlance or Ravenloft world. Or perhaps something completly new with DoD 3:ed rules..

BG3 or 'only an expansion': one things keeps me interested: at the end of BG2, there is a variable stored in your save-game as well as in your exported character file:

HADPEOPLEBEFOREHELL=1

this seems at least to indicate that the story (unlike TOTSC) will continue PAST Irenicus' demise.

what about an expansion that does extend into other/higher planes/realms? I just dug out my Unearthed Arcana and Deities & Demi-Gods books (last ones i bought playing pnp). Chars on a quest for saint/godhood would needs the celestial planes bestrode to search out for fight/favor of their particular pantheon. Loosing a fight with or favor of a deity has almost never resulted in outright oblivion for the luckless looser, nicht wahr? recall this line, done many ways and times- I'm not going to kill you, that would be too easy and just end your suffering. Oh no, you must be ALIVE to truly suffer the full extent of your fate.... POOF!!, big puff of smoke, and the up-to-now indestructable 27lvl mage with every magic goody has become a frightened hafling one step ahead of the hungry kobolds in some backwoods somewhere. Quest back from that one, buddy! That would certainly test your strategizing muscle. Or is that just way to deaux ex machina (sp?). Whaddya think? doable? playable?

For some intresting previews of other RPG's due this year click here. Don't forget to vote for your most eagerly awaited RPG in their poll. Hopefully this will lessen the blow!

I hope they'll at least make more Forgotten Realms RPG's...