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"If the player trusts you enough, they are not going to savescum": Why the makers of some of the best RPGs on PC want you to get used to failing
Several RPG developers discuss the concept of player failure in digital versus tabletop role-playing games. They explore how game design can encourage players to embrace failure as a narrative tool rather than something to be avoided through savescumming, emphasizing trust and agency.
Another BioWare veteran steps forth to say a Dragon Age remaster isn't impossible, but that doesn't mean it will happen: "In no means a trivial exercise"
BioWare co-founder Trent Oster believes that remastering the original Dragon Age games is possible, though it would be a complex undertaking. However, Mark Darrah, who co-directed Dragon Age: Origins, expressed skepticism, citing a lack of current BioWare staff familiar with the old engine and publisher Electronic Arts' tendency to keep IPs dormant.
David Gaider will never play Dragon Age: The Veilguard because he'd be 'wincing' the whole time: 'EA really did a number on them in terms of setting them up to fail'
Former BioWare lead writer David Gaider expressed that he would never play Dragon Age: The Veilguard, feeling that publisher Electronic Arts set the studio up for failure. Gaider, who considers the Dragon Age series his 'baby,' cited behind-the-scenes issues and EA's business practices as reasons for the game's struggles. He also touched upon his own studio's challenges with its game Stray Gods launching near Baldur's Gate 3.
Hasbro should stop looking for a Baldur's Gate 4 studio and take a leaf out of Larian's book by trying…
This opinion piece argues that Hasbro should not pursue a Baldur's Gate 4 and instead take inspiration from Larian Studios' approach to game development. The author suggests that the immense success and unique development path of Baldur's Gate 3 make it nearly impossible for any studio to replicate its quality or meet player expectations for a sequel. Instead, Hasbro should focus on nurturing talent and developing new IPs within the Dungeons & Dragons multiverse.
Planescape: Torment 2 could've happened, Baldur's Gate 2 veteran says – but Wizards of the Coast didn't want to fund the RPG even though "they were really into what we were doing"
Beamdog CEO Trent Oster revealed that a sequel to the acclaimed RPG Planescape: Torment was discussed with Wizards of the Coast, but the company ultimately declined to fund external development. Despite initial interest, Wizards of the Coast cited a lack of funds for external projects, and the studio was unable to secure funding from other sources, leading to the cancellation of Planescape: Torment 2.
Best Android RPGs – Updated!
This guide rounds up the best RPGs available on Android devices, focusing on premium titles with all content accessible out of the box. The list includes classics like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2, Neverwinter Nights, Dragon Quest VIII, and Chrono Trigger, alongside modern favorites such as Pascal's Wager and The Banner Saga.
Planescape: Torment 2 was greenlit by Wizards of the Coast, 'they were really into what we were doing', but it refused to fund the sequel, and nobody else was interested
Beamdog and former BioWare writer David Gaider pitched a sequel to Planescape: Torment, titled Planescape: Unraveled, to Wizards of the Coast. While Wizards of the Coast was initially receptive to the concept, they declined to fund the project themselves, and no other investors were found. The sequel was ultimately shelved by the end of 2016.
Forget this GTA 6 stuff, Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 just got a hot new update
Beamdog has released patch 2.7 for Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition, Baldur's Gate 2: Enhanced Edition, and Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition. This update introduces crucial quality-of-life improvements, including functional Steam cloud saves and native support for Apple Silicon Macs. The patch also adds new community-translated languages and various mobile-specific enhancements.
The best D&D videogame you've never played is one guy's outsider art, personal Baldur's Gate saga
The Neverwinter Nights mod campaign, Swordflight, is highlighted as a masterfully designed, challenging RPG experience created by a single developer over many years. This fan-made module for BioWare's classic game offers a deep Dungeons & Dragons 3E adaptation, emphasizing strategic planning and resource management, and is praised for its reactive storytelling and unique moral system.
Baldur's Gate 3 from the OG devs didn't happen despite years of trying because the money people thought "It's a single-player RPG, it's not going to do that big in numbers"
Former BioWare developer Trent Oster revealed that his team's attempt to secure funding for Baldur's Gate 3 years ago was rejected by investors who doubted the commercial viability of single-player RPGs. Oster's vision for the game was a smaller, $20 million project, in contrast to Larian Studios' eventual massive success. He notes that even after Baldur's Gate 3's triumph, the perception of what constitutes a successful RPG has shifted to require larger budgets and more extensive features.
BioWare's co-founder fought to make Baldur's Gate 3 for over a decade, then Larian did it instead: 'I…
BioWare co-founder Trent Oster discusses the long and difficult journey to get Baldur's Gate 3 made, with multiple studios like Black Isle, Obsidian, and Beamdog attempting and failing to secure funding over two decades. Beamdog, led by Oster, pitched a version to Wizards of the Coast but ultimately could not secure the necessary $20 million budget, leading them to pursue other projects. Oster reflects on Larian Studios' success with Baldur's Gate 3, acknowledging their greater capital and ability to execute their vision at a high scale.
The Baldur's Gate remakes should scrap the original combat system and fully embrace superior turn-based fights
This opinion piece argues that upcoming remakes of Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate 2 should adopt the turn-based combat system popularized by Baldur's Gate 3, rather than retaining the original real-time-with-pause mechanics. The author believes turn-based combat offers a superior, more strategic, and authentically Dungeons & Dragons experience.
Embracer is splitting in half again, sending Fellowship Entertainment on its merry way
Embracer Group is splitting into two segments, creating a new company called Fellowship Entertainment to house major IPs like The Lord of the Rings and Tomb Raider, with an IPO planned for 2027. This move aims to better communicate Embracer's diverse operations and unlock the potential of its undervalued assets. The company has undergone previous splits and significant layoffs following financial difficulties.
Embracer Group’s Game Development Arm is Being Spun-Off Into Fellowship Entertainment
Embracer Group is splitting into two publicly listed companies: Fellowship Entertainment and a streamlined Embracer Group, with Fellowship Entertainment expected to list on Nasdaq Stockholm in 2027. Fellowship Entertainment will focus on game development, publishing, and licensing, retaining IPs like Tomb Raider and The Lord of the Rings. The move aims to provide more focused management and unlock the potential of each business.
Infinity Engine open source remake GemRB 0.9.5 gets Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition playable
The open-source Infinity Engine remake project GemRB has released version 0.9.5, significantly improving compatibility for classic RPGs like Baldur's Gate, Planescape: Torment, and Icewind Dale, including their enhanced editions. This update brings enhancements to audio, input handling, pathfinding performance, and adds EE-like zoom functionality across supported games.
These are my 20 RPG freak pick must-plays for $10 or less in the Steam Spring Sale
This guide highlights over 20 role-playing games available for $10 or less during the Steam Spring Sale, focusing on less obvious but highly recommended titles. It includes games like Arx Fatalis, Deus Ex: Invisible War, and Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, detailing their developers, release years, and unique selling points.
On Sale
Humble Bundle is offering a "RPG Masters" bundle featuring games from Beamdog and Owlcat Games, including Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous and Baldur's Gate 3. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to charity.
The latest Humble Bundle packs 9 CRPGs, including some of the best to ever do it, for a little over $20
The latest Humble Bundle, titled 'RPG Masters', features nine CRPGs and three expansion packs for just over $20. The bundle includes classics like Baldur's Gate, Planescape: Torment, and Icewind Dale, alongside modern titles such as Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous and Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. An outlier in the bundle is Mythforce, a first-person shooter roguelite developed by Beamdog.
The OG Baldur's Gates are freshly patched, and you can pick them up with 500+ hours of other CRPGs for $23 right…
Beamdog has released a surprise 2.7 beta patch for its enhanced Infinity Engine games, including Baldur's Gate 1 and 2, adding Apple Silicon support and new languages. This coincides with a Humble Bundle offering these and other CRPGs like Pathfinder and Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader for $23.
Get Power Rangers And 7 More Retro-Inspired Games With Humble's New Charity Bundle
Humble Bundle has launched a new 'Cartridge Chaos' charity bundle featuring eight retro-inspired indie PC games, available for $22 or more, with proceeds going to NPower. The bundle includes titles like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind and Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider, all redeemable on Steam. A smaller selection of four games is also available for $10.35.
