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Beamdog taps the Infinity Engine for new Baldur's Gate entry
Beamdog, developer of the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition and Baldur's Gate 2: Enhanced Edition remakes, has announced plans to return to turn-of-the-century Dungeons And Dragons adaptations with a new game it describes as a link between those two roleplaying classics. Currently known only as "Adventure Y," the game will use the same 16-year-old Infinity Engine that powers Beamdog's Enhanced Edition games as well as their original, late-90s incarnations. There's no information available on gameplay, plot or the presence of any miniature giant space hamsters, but it's probably safe to assume Adventure Y will feature the same three-quarters overhead, pseudo-turn-based combat that remains a hallmark of all games built on Infinity Engine technology. Beamdog promises more information on Adventure Y will reach the adorably-titled Beamblog at some point in Spring. [Image: Beamdog]
Baldur's Gate 2: Enhanced Edition out now on iPad
Go for the eyes, Boo! Baldur's Gate 2: Enhanced Edition finally reached the App Store this morning, after spending over a month in Apple's review process. Overhaul's re-release of BioWare's D&D classic is available to iPad owners for a saving throw of $15. In addition to remastered artwork, gameplay tweaks, and more accessible multiplayer, BG2:EE features the Throne of Bhaal expansion, four new party members, and another venture into the Black Pits for some arena-based combat. Going by Creative Director Trent Oster's tweets, we can expect the long-overdue Android version of the first Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition in the near future, too.
Baldur's Gate 2: Enhanced Edition should roll onto iPad 'soon'
Beamdog and Overhaul Games' Enhanced Edition of Baldur's Gate 2 isn't too far away from reaching the iPad finally, after being stuck in Apple's review process for the last month. According to a tweet posted yesterday by Beamdog Creative Director Trent Oster, the RPG re-release has had its in-app purchases approved, and "should hit soon." The iOS and Android versions were originally due to arrive shortly after the game hit PC and Mac last November, so it's been a bit of a wait for mobile heroes-to-be. Considering Android has yet to receive Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition, let alone the sequel, we suspect that version won't hit so shortly. We've reached out to Beamdog to see if we can gather some more info. Baldur's Gate 2: Enhanced Edition, priced $25 on PC and Mac, brings a number of additions including four new heroes for your party, higher-def graphics, remastered artwork, and enhanced multiplayer. It also features the Throne of Bhaal expansion, and a follow-up to the first game's Black Pits arena-based campaign.
Baldur's Gate 2: Enhanced Edition encounters a release date
Come November 15, Baldur's Gate 2: Enhanced Edition will make its debut on the PC, Mac, iOS and Android platforms. That date appeared this morning on the game's official website, where developer Overhaul Games has also added a pre-order link. Overhaul Games seems to be adding many of the same features found in its previous Baldur's Gate remake to Baldur's Gate 2: Enhanced Edition (higher-definition graphics, simple multiplayer options, new characters), though this game has a $25 price tag. On the other hand, Baldur's Gate 2: Enhanced Edition should offer more content than its predecessor, as it includes both Baldur's Gate 2 and the Shadows of Amn expansion pack.
Baldur's Gate 2: Enhanced Edition back on track for PC, Mac
Overhaul Games' rejuvenated Baldur's Gate 2: Enhanced Edition will be available for PC and Macs on November 15, the company announced today on its official forums. Android tablet and iPad versions "will follow soon afterwards." Meanwhile, the Mac and PC versions are already available for pre-purchase at $24.95 through Beamdog. Baldur's Gate 2: Enhanced Edition includes recreations of the original Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn and its expansion pack, Throne of Bhaal. Additionally, four new characters (and their associated quests) are included in the PC/Mac releases, but iOS/Android users will need to download this content as DLC. Whether this DLC comes at a price, however, was not specified, but we're checking. Update: Beamdog's Trent Oster has informed us that these four characters will be paid DLC on the mobile versions, but that the iOS/Android releases of the game will have a lower cost of entry as a result.
Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition returns following Atari contract issues
Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition is once again available to buy through the App Store and distributor Beamdog's site, two months after its removal from those locations at Atari's request. Producer Phillip Daigle confirmed the RPG remake's return. An email apparently sent out by Beamdog CEO Trent Oster, posted on Reddit and sent to us by a reader, says "all outstanding issues with our publishing partner have been resolved." Oster had previously identified the issue-having "publishing partner" as Atari, who requested the game's removal because of contract matters, a month before Atari Inc. auctioned its assets. The email also mentions a "major" BG:EE patch, as well as details on the unreleased Android version of BG:EE. We've reached out to Beamdog to confirm. In our deja review, we said Enhanced Edition was a careful, if not colossal, rework of the BioWare classic: "BG:EE's tune-ups, additions, and even its graphical tweaks aren't there to dazzle, but simply to enhance. If Baldur's Gate is the seminal face of BioWare's RPG beginnings, then Enhanced Edition is its graceful make-up, and Overhaul the doting stylist straining to make sure it all blends in." [Thanks Jochem, Jason!]
Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition pulled from Beamdog, App Store
Beamdog abruptly removed Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition from sale on both the App Store and the company's own portal yesterday, as the studio works to "resolve a number of contractual issues." The removal, made at the request of an unnamed publishing partner, apparently doesn't extend to Steam, where the remake of BioWare's RPG remains on sale. "We are unable to discuss details of the complex legal matters surrounding this issue at this time," Beamdog said in an FAQ section related to the announcement. "Please be aware that we are extremely unhappy with the situation and are doing our best to work past it. We have put a lot of hard work into this series, and are eager for fans to see it." Until those contractual issues are ironed out, the situation means the launch of Baldur's Gate 2: Enhanced Edition is on hold. Hopefully things will be resolved with as little delay as possible, lest whatever's getting in the way desires the holy wrath of Boo.
Baldur's Gate 2: Enhanced Edition also in the works (plus bonus BG:EE details)
Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition hasn't even been an official thing for 24 hours, and yet its sequel is already in the plan, according to the above tweet from Beamdog's creative director Trent Oster. Beyond the fact that it exists, precise information regarding Baldur's Gate 2: Enhanced Edition is even slimmer than what we've got on Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition.What we do know, however, is that both games will also include their respective expansion packs: Tales of the Sword Coast for Baldur's Gate and Throne of Bhaal for Baldur's Gate 2. The team at Overhaul Games is correcting issues with Baldur's Gate's multiplayer, and there may even be a chance that your original save file could still work.
