I think the prequel concept works

[egervari2]

I'm in favour of this prequel concept. I know others don't like it because it's not really associated with the series but meh. BG1 was sort of an experiment. They didn't know it was going to be as huge as it was. Most of the developers and artists that made BG1 have never even made a game before then. While it was a great game, it had a bunch of problems with friendliness (like needing to have gems, rings, etc. to complete quests), not very refined graphics, somewhat aimless at times, etc.

In BG2, they got some money (and some experience) and fixed all of that. BG2 really is the first game, and then they did it properly from there: game expansions like ToB. In a way, BG should have been just 3 big expansions instead of 2 games and 2 expansions. But hey, BG2 really is a huge step up from BG1 is almost every way (but now all, I'll agree).

Still, BG2 is where it ends. Now BG means something more. It's not a game or a story, it's a concept - it's a brand. Face it, if they named it something else (which I'm sure crossed their minds), the gamers that play and love RPGs but do not participate in the community like this will have no idea what the heck it is. That's not good for you guys or the company that developers the game. As long as the game is true to the spirit of what BG1 and BG2 did for gamers, then it can be called and actually should be called BG3.

[Paranitis]

As long as the game is true to the spirit of what BG1 and BG2 did for gamers, then it can be called and actually should be called BG3.

Too bad they tainted this brand with Dark Alliance and Dark Alliance 2. They are nothing like the PC versions, but they used the brand to get higher sales.

DA/DA2 were decent games if you are into the arcade-type hacknslash, but it really had nothing to do with the bg title.

[egervari2]

I suppose, but in this case, I think "Dark Alliance" is the new brand name. Sure, it borrows from BG, but I still think if someone where to refer to it, they'd say something like, "I played Dark Alliance today". It's just like XP. When I say XP, you know I'm talking about Windows. I don't have to say "Windows XP", just like I don't have to say, "Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance". When I'm saying BG, I really mean BGI & BGII.

[Paranitis]

Shortly after DA2 came out I went to a D&D game..people were getting restless and went downstairs saying "I'm gonna go play baldur's gate, yell for me when it is my turn"..so when it was their turn I went downstairs and told them it was their turn..and I see they are playing DA2 on console.

So no, people don't immediately go with your thing of..

just like I don't have to say, "Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance". When I'm saying BG, I really mean BGI & BGII.

..because it's not the case. My stupid friend always brings these kinds of arguments to me too. Just because YOU would understand what is going on doesn't mean everyone, and probably not even "most" people would have a clue what you are talking about.

So there are people out there that don't have a clue that there is a PC line of games titled as "Baldur's Gate" but they have an xbox so they know that atleast XBOX has it..so you mention BG and they think of the xbox counterparts.

[Brynn]

Originally Posted by egervari2

BG2 really is the first game

And the last, I'm afraid. It was THE game, best of all times, I doubt so much that they'll be able to create another one that will bring players same (similar) experience I'm really pessimistic about it, so I'll just go and re-play BG I-II for the fourth time

I think if they were already working on BG III seriously, they would give out some info.

[Ellester]

Actually before Interplay folded, they lost rights to use Baldurs Gate in their Baldurs Gate: Dark Alliance games. What Interplay did get though was the franchise name of Dark Alliance. The owner said before they folded that a Dark Alliance 3 would be made, but it wouldn’t be d&d.

So, I think it’s both. Brand recognition for the consoles were the Dark Alliance name and the Baldurs Gate name.

Even though I never played the DA games, those two releases along with the new BG cell phone game are proving it's becoming more of a franchise.

Btw, I do agree with egervari baldurs gate is now a concept. BG3 doesn’t have to be a continuation of the story, or even a prequel , imo. What it does need to have though, it needs to be d&d, it needs to be set in Faerun, it needs to have the same gameplay of BG1 and BG2. And it must have references to the other games or the history must be mentioned at some point. This would make it a series and/or franchise rather than a sequel and that would be fine by me. I just want another game that plays like BG1 and BG2.

[Borja]

It was THE game, best of all times, I doubt so much that they'll be able to create another one that will bring players same (similar) experience

Definitely.
BG is the best game ever. It's been like five or six years ago when I started to play these games and I still enjoy them. Every year or so I spend some months of intense playing. Specially SoA with its expansion ToB. This game is a true masterpiece!
BGIII should have more connection with the other BG games than just the D&D rules and the same kind of playing... The plot should be slightly similar, with some old NPC's appearing in one way or another...
I wouldn't enjoy a game without my friends Jaheira, Viconia, Edwin, Jan Jansen...
I've spent so many hours with them!
I don't know, let's wait and see what happens... I remember that the first time I played BGII I felt a bit disappointed, as I thought the plot was just a bad imitation of BGI. I expected so much after having played so many times BGI... Now it is my favorite game. Hope that it happens the same with BGIII!!

[Ellester]

I too have probably had a game loaded at one time or another since 1998 when BG came out. Heck I’ve got about my 10th run through in BG2 going right now. Of course I’m still playing other games. Right now I have games of ToEE, Fallout and Warcraft3 going along with BG2. And Unreal2 waiting in the wings. I also will play Half-Life2 when released. But the BG games are always close at hand when I need my fix.

One thing though, I don’t know if I want Jaheria or Minsc, etc.. again. I’ve been playing with these characters for years and I’m kinda burned out on them.

[Adahn]

Originally Posted by Ellester

One thing though, I don’t know if I want Jaheria or Minsc, etc.. again. I’ve been playing with these characters for years and I’m kinda burned out on them.

Well if the option exists, and they exist, then don't take 'em. Just pray, oh god please PRAY! That they remain true to the story and their character's original personalities.

[Curry]

Originally Posted by Brynn

It was THE game, best of all times

BG2 is nothing compared to BG1, I hope they will make BG3 more similar to BG1 than BG2