The only one I would probably resist is having a series of familiar summoning spells, I think it would be better to have one familiar which continually improves, especially if you integrate it into the party with its own mini-portrait. The only drawback of that, is that it might be too late in the day to make such an extensive enhancement.

I agree, I'd much rather it be quest-related; and it probably is too late to make these kinds of changes (for BG1, anyway). That being the case, I would at least like to see these sorts of changes being level-based as your mage character gains levels. Maybe it only increases your familiar's abilities to a certain point (say, level 7) - which would give the developers a bit more time to add familiar-centric quests to BG2:EE.

Of course, this gives yet more fun things to do for mage characters (with regard to their strongholds), and doesn't add anything for thieves or bards. But that's for another day, I think. :)

Will BGEE be available in hungarian language?
BG and IWD games were my favs when I was a teenager and I wanna show them to the next generation but some of them don't speak english.

I purchased the old icewind dale and baldur's gate off of gog.com and am currently rolling characters. One thing that sorta bothers me is the amount of time spent creating characters. I wish there were more premade characters available.

If premade characters were offered during character creation I would probably take one of those and run with 'em. That way I could feel the abilities of the character are up to snuff in relation to the difficulty of the game. Otherwise, if I have to make my own character, I'm going to keep rerolling until I get 18/00 str + 18 scores in other abilites.

Hi Jorkan,

character creation is part of the fun :)

Otherwise, if I have to make my own character, I'm going to keep rerolling until I get 18/00 str + 18 scores in other abilites.

enable cheats, then press (if memory serves) CTRL+8 when you're about to roll your stats to have everything maxed out.

The hotkey is Ctrl+Shift+8. I stopped using it after the first time, mainly because I felt guilty - but rolling over and over again to get the three 18's in those top three scores kind of has the same effect. ;)

I myself wouldn't mind a few tweaks to the character generation method. How about a "random" button for when you just can't choose for the umpteenth time? Also, how about the ability to reorder the generation method - I always wanted something like Race > Roll Stats > Class > etc. Would be more akin to real life - you are born wih natural talents and choose a class in line with them.

Hi Aosaw,

The hotkey is Ctrl+Shift+8. I stopped using it after the first time, mainly because I felt guilty

me too, though I always reroll until I get to have an 18 in all the relevant stats the class I'm picking LOL Powergaming habits die hard.

I always wanted something like Race > Roll Stats > Class >

That would be really awesome - can see it as a new "hardcore" mode/playthrough - Choose your name and race then work through with what what the I.Engine gods gave you - no rerolling or shuffling abilities (would be player integrity, not game controlled)

(also would be better for character generation from the get go)

Its one of the good things of IWD2's character creation, no re-rerolling, you have a set amount of stats to work with and that's it.

A quick question relating mods. Which mods are going to be included? I read on twitter that they are thinking about included 1pp pending legal details. Have they mentioned any other mods they are thinking about?

The problem with fixed numbers is that from an RP perspective it doesn't reflect that individuals can be extraordinary and they can be very much ordinary. Fixed stats is a balanced way of dealing with it, but I think a lot of people like the idea of being able to roll their stats to their satisfaction.

It might be viable as an 'advanced options menu' option, seeing it genuinely is a matter of preference.

I agree with HeroicSpur. In fact, I like being able to roll my stats. Having point buy as an option would be nice, though: the more options, the merrier :-)

As for mods, I believe for now 1PP is the only one that has been mentioned for inclusion, though I have no idea how they can tackle legal issues seeing as the author is nowhere to be found. I agree with the inclusion of 1PP as it makes the sloppy BG2 art look significantly better, but apart from that I'd rather see them work on exclusive new content rather than to include mods I can already freely download (and it seems to me that new content is exactly what they're working on right now).

Speaking of mods: please, oh please ensure compatibility with the mod Generalized Biffing. It makes the game run dramatically smoother on pretty much any computer, and it is especially friendly for older/slower machines.

I agree with HeroicSpur and Andrea C. on stat rolling: it's just something inextricable from BG's unique character creation process and an obvious attempt during those earlier cRPG days to replicate 2e DnD die-rolling which you don't get at all in later games, particularly ones like NWN based on DnD 3E fixed stats. I've never used any cheats to get good BG scores, but I've often told myself that I'm wasting my time rolling so much given that my powergamer side will never let me accept low stats and thus I should just cheat it to save time. But I could never bring myself to do so because the character would feel artificial. Instead I've just persevered- sometimes upwards of hours- the first hour being to roll excellent scores, and the second hour to try to roll just as excellent scores after I'd clicked the "STORE" button instead of "REROLL" by accident lol... But when I finally get a great set of stats for the character, starting out its existence with extraordinary abilities, it feels more "real" given that I actually did "procure" them by struggling to find that truly needle-in-a-haystack stat count. The excellent set that comes soon is a precious rarity. It's just totally part of the BG experience, whether or not fixed stats are arguably better or more reasonable for gaming purposes, and really it's not as if one can't cheat fixed stats. >:-) That I've done...

pacek's idea does sound good though as a sort of alternate character creation method based on the same BG system, and would add a great extra dimension to it. However, it would require losing BG's established system (which I'd rather not do) or adding more required option-selection at game start whereby one can either roll a character the "old-fashioned" BG way or do it in the "stats-determines-class" way. It'd be fine for me since it's just a single CC option I'd click through to do my usual BG rollfesting.

The only thing I'd prefer changed on BG's account is either larger font or a different font for the numbers in the stat rolling window. Several numbers look like each other if viewed from a distance, so I end up having to lean into the screen to discern them, and when flipping through them quickly, it makes all the difference if that was a 10 you saw or an 18...

Andrea C...
I'd rather see them work on exclusive new content rather than to include mods I can already freely download (and it seems to me that new content is exactly what they're working on right now)

I've already mentioned this, but it bears repeating more briefly that there are many BG players- present or pending- who cannot "freely download" mods, much less install them properly, so any content or tweaks presently accessible in BG only through mods which is not ultimately adopted in BGEE will remain inaccessible to them, regardless of any BGEE mod-friendliness; and those modded options lend plenty to replay value. Moreover it just makes game setup profoundly better when such modded options no longer require the tiresomeness of mod installation hassles, and given that incorporating mods also removes bugs, adds game support, and adds a professional level to their execution, this provides BG a very "new" feel, even if it's otherwise "old" material (for some).

*drum beat continues*

Mind you, the entirely new content is also very welcome...

Hi Bhryaen,

there are many BG players- present or pending- who cannot "freely download" mods, much less install them properly, so any content or tweaks presently accessible in BG only through mods which is not ultimately adopted in BGEE will remain inaccessible to them

How so?

Well, anyone who's coming from an iPad or platform other than PC is already at loss, though Mac users may get a smaller number of Mac mods. So that's a physical barrier. Take further that language may keep some from accessing English-based mods who nevertheless will have a BGEE in their own language.

Then there is the difficulty of the modding process itself which many never learn about, much less master. I fell in that category last year, finding it hard to get back into BG given how "done" BG felt even despite still having such strong memories of it. I had no idea what mods were out there beyond the early buggy version of DSotSC, but I was able to find the BG threads on Bioware's forum and get a lot of help learning the ropes of modding. Not everyone finds their way to such a venue, and apparently us internet-savvy gamers are already the minority. (Judging by the Beamdog BGEE thread there are only about 50 BG fans total to account for.) And you know that with all the various factors involved in modding it's not something everyone will be able to do, particularly not in depth. You and I may have managed it fine (well, you at least- was quite the learning experience for me)- at least to the extent that the mods work properly- but even then it's a major time-consuming hassle reinstalling with every change in mods or components or mod order, getting right any mod version updates, install quirks, order and conflict issues, hotfixes, etc etc., plus the troubleshooting. And I've even managed to simplify my installs with a .bat installer, but it still requires gobs of time and wrangling that most are likely not going to endure. So if modded options can be made available in-game for customizing purposes to the average BG player, so much the better, and that would indeed make for a very new and accessible BG....

I can only speak for myself, but BG mods are basically scattered among a few websites and you have to constantly deal with incompatibility issues or strange stuff getting broken. In my last BGT installation when I reached the Windspur Hills somehow one of the mods made the Greater Wolfweres immune to all weapon damage regardless of the enchantment on the weapon.

Like Bhryaen also said, its a hassle to be constantly installing mods. The more options they can add to BG where I only have to tick a box in the options menu the better.

Kind of, off topic here. I consider Beamdog the part of Bioware that was not corrupted... I loved bioware before so I want to believe Beamdog is the "spiritual successor".
For now, some things are clearly still very "beta" but I quite like the client and the website.
[As long as it doesnt datamine like EA(origin) does] I guess I can have Yet another Client.

I'am trully happy to understand that BGEE is still using 2ed rules and that devs are really remaining faithful to the game.
The only thing I'am sceptic about its the "mac/ipad" port, I think it's kind of useless, but at the same time so many ppl is burning money with ipads that it is a potential market.
I just think a game like this will never be "casual like" or do great in a touch pad.

What are everyones options about adding achievements to BG:EE? I understand it isn't even close to top of the list of important things that need to be accomplished, but I think it would be a fun little feature that would add a bit of satisfaction to the game.

There are no words to express how pants-shittingly giddy I am right now. I've been playing this series over and over since it came out, something about it's charm and appeal never ever died for me, and the modding community has definitely helped keep that alive. When this releases, be sure I will be one of the first in line to purchase it.

Here are some of the things that are important to me as a future buyer:

1) A hard-copy. My internet connection has never been able to handle Steam or any of it's cousins. :( I am perfectly willing to pay more for a hardcopy box of the game. If you can't mass-release a hardcopy version, perhaps allow a special pre-order hardcopy?

2) Make it mod accessible. Since I discovered them, I have not once played a game of baldur's gate or it's sequel without any mods. In fact, I usually have twenty or more; they've added a lot to the game atmosphere and I would be very, very sad to not be able to incorporate them into the enhanced edition(s).

3) Unfinished Business: There are mods for most of the IE games that attempted to finish and implement cut content; for the most part, it'd be badass if your team did something similar.

* There is also a mod by the G3 called BG2 Tweaks; Some of the tweaks included in that pack would be excellent as just plain ol' menu options.
* I second what someone on the first page said about updating the sprites and prerendered backgrounds.
* I am 100% against any 3D. Please do not move towards it for any future games.

Can't wait for the adventure!

Addendum: Somebody mentioned the skewed nature of the resting system in dungeons and how it's a free pass to do badly in fights because if you survive all you have to do is rest successfully and everyone is back to 100%.
Well, you could possibly have someone stand watch, and that person doesn't get anything back upon a successful rest because they were too busy being awake. Just a thought.

Eh, then you'd just rest two times instead of once.

I am very strongly opposed to achievements. I feel that they break the immersion completely. Seeing something like 'night assassin' (perform 50 backstabs at night), seems utterly ridiculous to me. The very essence of the BG games, especially BG1, is that you can play them your own way. That is, with your own party, your own tactics, and your own style. Achievements to me are just an incentive for people to contrive their playstyle just so they can tick a box.

I believe that ultimately achievements should exist within the context of the game itself. That is, you are rewarded for what you actually do in ingame terms.

When I think "Baldur's Gate with Achievements", I think "Emerald City - helped Prism to complete his statue", or "Rogue's Gallery - Cleared the demiplane in the Bridge District".

Basically, I imagine subplot-related achievements, designed to encourage players to play the game more than once. The only gameplay-related achievement I can think of that wouldn't feel utterly contrived would be various difficulty-related milestones: "Completed the game on Core difficulty without any NPCs being killed", or "Completed the game on Hard difficulty without the Player Character being killed".

With the number of mods available, those milestone achievements would be easy to abuse. But the plot-point achievements would be a good way to track your progress. You'd be able to see, "Okay, I've done everything I can with this play-through, and...oh wait! There's still another 20% of secrets I haven't found! Looks like I'd better roll up a new character!"

Look at the screenshots of this game: https://www.herokon-online.com/de/media/screenshots-ingame-grafik-bilder (even though it's German)

That's the way BG 3 could look like, in my opinion.
I mean in terms of 2D and isometric.

Call me whatever, but I like the looks of the Infinity Engine better. Probably I've grown fond of it over the years and old favorites are hard to let go :-)

I think they're both good in their own way. The dark eye screenshots reminded me a lot of Temple of Elemental Evil. If ever a game was in need of enhancement, that's it. Superb core mechanics, but shockingly incomplete game.

Also looks like no plans to enhance familiars at this time :(
Looks like we'll have to make our backpacks comfy.

Finally got my new keyboard (the 1st one got lost in the post, so they sent a second one free of charge!).

Re the tabbing:

If you are so against it don't press it.

You already know what I think of that argument if you read the earlier parts of this thread. I'll just say that I'm speaking broadly on behalf of anyone when I make these arguments; I know now not to press tab to keep some of the fun (and recognise and respect that some people would prefer to press it), but,

speaking on behalf of someone playing the game anew, my view as a gamer is that it's possible to cheat onesself of a challenging experience but only know after the fact of beating the game that it had had that affect--all you were doing at the time is using the tools given to you. As you can see, the "you don't have to press it" argument isn't applicable to this example. If I were a game designer I'd be very dilligent on this point; to manage the difficulty of the player and thus his whole experience, rather than have him manage it. Such is the purpose of limits.

I'll give an example.

A game that was criticised for being too short by the media and consumers alike was Tomb Raider: Legend (I know that comes out of left field, but it happens to be the game that serves this example best). When I got the game, purely spotaneously and without knowing anything about how the game would be, I elected to not to use any health packs for the entire duration of the game. The health packs were liberally spread throughout the game and you were expected to use them.

The result I got from not doing so, was that I had to replay a lot of the sections far more than anyone else would, found a lot more depth in the game and its mechanics, ways to trick the AI, etc. Particularly the motorbike section, where I took it even further and tried to beat the level without getting my vehicle shot once, which took me about 5 hours (would have taken about 5 minutes with health packs). The end result was getting about 30 hours of gameplay out of the game, and a lot more enjoyment (and hair-pulling frustration); I turned the mass-appeal difficulty level into Dark Souls difficulty level.

I'm not saying that all games should do whatever the nearest equivilent would be of taking health packs out of that game; I don't think games should be elitistically difficult. I'm just trying to illustrate a point: that if I hadn't micromanaged the difficulty level for my tastes, I would have gotten far less out of that particular game and found it to be a far more mediocre experience. And my preference would be for developers to err on the side of manage the difficulty for me in advance, by giving me less choice, so that, if I had not made the choice to not use health packs in that game, I would have had to subsist on fewer of them and had to push myself harder to beat the game, and gotten more out of the game as a result.

As I said, the no-health-pack playthrough was completely arbitrary on my part, I had no idea if it would make things way too hard or what. Similarly, to bring this point around to where we started, to never use tab would also be arbitrary on the part of a newcoming player.

I don't feel strongly about tabbing, though, it's the abstract point of difficulty management on the part of developers and gamers that I wanted to get across. I'll admit on the grand scale tabbing is comparitively not impactful on the game difficulty, and that there are far more important things that need addressing and retuning (like the earlier discussed resting).

I can also see without seeing any more replies that i'm not going to win the debate on tab-removal, and I don't really care about that.

What I will suggest though is something that I think is a fair compromise: engine should support being able to flag clickable items that are intended by design as being difficult to find, as not revealable with tab. Even if the game doesn't utilize it I think the game should have such a feature or it should be programmable into the engine by modders if the game logic has been made sufficiently data-driven.

Things like the Ankheg armour and ring of wizardry, which I view as easter eggs, part of what made those special was the difficulty of locating them, and I would view it as cheesy and spoiling the whole point of things like that to be able to tab-locate them. I don't know if any other content should have such a flag applied to it, but these at the very least should have it done to them.