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Atari's Bankruptcy and the Future of BG:EE

WigglesWiggles Member Posts: 571
in Archive (General Discussion)
So, as most here on the forums know, Atari filled for bankruptcy a few weeks ago. I'm quite unsure about all of the details however. I have heard the filing is just so they can split from their French parent company, but that's not offical and I overheard it from someone. My point being, if Atari is filing for bandruptcy and the company will exist no longer, (US, France, both?) does that mean Baldur's Gate will no longer technically 'owned' by anyone? Now I'm in no way knowledgeable in economics or business law so bear with me. :P

I bring this up because if so, Beamdog/Overhaul could in fact snatch up the rights to Baldur's Gate and thus do anything they want content wise for BG:EE & BG2:EE patches. They could change something that the Atari contract wouldn't let them previously do and there would be no one to stop them (though maybe WotC?). Want Minsc to actually be a beserker instead of a ranger? Changed! Want the intro dungeon in BG2 to be skipable? Changed!

TL;DR
%$@# your contract Atari!!

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/01/24/atari-s-bankruptcy-filing-ends-video-game-pioneer-s-gradual-decline.html
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Comments

  • TJ_HookerTJ_Hooker Member Posts: 2,438
    TrentOster said:

    We are watching the scenario unfold and we have expressed interest in the remaining BG rights

    -Trent

  • KirkorKirkor Member Posts: 700
    Yeah, but I doubt they would re-enhance BG1 again... :(
    Unless DLCs...
  • SchneidendSchneidend Member Posts: 3,190
    TJ_Hooker said:

    TrentOster said:

    We are watching the scenario unfold and we have expressed interest in the remaining BG rights

    -Trent

    I love it when Trent talks dirty to us. Possibly the sexiest sentence I've ever heard.
  • TomeTome Member Posts: 466
    Would they be allowed to make a kickstarter? I can imagine a lot of people willing to put money into getting those rights into the hands of someone who can do something with them.
  • atcDaveatcDave Member Posts: 2,387
    I think WotC will continue to be a big issue. But obviously, it does simplify things a little if Atari can be removed from the picture.
  • SamuelVargSamuelVarg Member Posts: 598
    There is a sucker born every minute...and Throne of Bhaal was right on time!

    If they can change the story I hope they change that sucker.
  • DarkDoggDarkDogg Member Posts: 598
    Wiggles said:

    does that mean Baldur's Gate will no longer technically 'owned' by anyone?

    I think all assets belong to the creditor by a court decision on bankruptcy (or vendue).
  • OurQuestIsVainOurQuestIsVain Member Posts: 201
    BD would have to go through and make a BG:EE:EE including all the stuff we've always wanted added or changed...I would snatch that up even if they charged $60 for it.
  • WigglesWiggles Member Posts: 571
    Aosaw said:

    Yeah, except that they'd have to go through a strenuous approval process to make sure that Beamdog is okay with the changes Beamdog wants to make...

    Oh, wait.

    Icwatudidthar.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 3,675
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • ErgErg Member Posts: 1,756
    Bhaaldog said:

    OurQuestIsVain said:

    BD would have to go through and make a BG:EE:EE including all the stuff we've always wanted added or changed...I would snatch that up even if they charged $60 for it.

    I think it would actually be more complicated than that because judging by the content of this forum, people appear to have very different ideas on what they want or do not want in the game.
    I for one wouldn't want changes to gameplay or original content unless they are implemented through an optional mod. I'm a little less concerned about new content, but even in this case I would prefer if it was optional.
  • LemernisLemernis Member, Moderator Posts: 4,318
    I think it is wise to leave the game mostly in it's original form, but to offer DLCs that open it up tremendously...

    ...Like adding professionally voiced banters! Lots of 'em. With sometimes surprising relationships (eg, Edwin and Alora). And to amp up the occurrence of existing banters and interactions, which occur all too rarely in the vanilla game. Don't get me wrong, I'm fond of the BG1 NPC project. (Love it in fact.) But I also want to see it done by a crack team of pros.

    I'd also like to see all quests given by an NPC in the game or a tavern rumor (either hearing a rumor or someone actually mentioning that so-and-so needs such-and-such, rather than by invading a home unbidden).

    But anyway, those are the sorts of things that can be done by DLC mods.
  • styggastygga Member Posts: 467
    If they got the rights, they'd be able to actually finish the loose end quests that were cut and or left incomplete.
  • PadentonPadenton Member Posts: 48
    Surely there've been mods allowing you to skip the BG2 intro dungeon for years
  • nzdawghausnzdawghaus Member Posts: 8
    edited March 2017
    -meh-
    Post edited by nzdawghaus on
  • IecerintIecerint Member Posts: 431
    Erg said:

    Bhaaldog said:

    OurQuestIsVain said:

    BD would have to go through and make a BG:EE:EE including all the stuff we've always wanted added or changed...I would snatch that up even if they charged $60 for it.

    I think it would actually be more complicated than that because judging by the content of this forum, people appear to have very different ideas on what they want or do not want in the game.
    I for one wouldn't want changes to gameplay or original content unless they are implemented through an optional mod. I'm a little less concerned about new content, but even in this case I would prefer if it was optional.
    Why not just buy the original game, then? O.o
  • ArcalianArcalian Member Posts: 359
    I've never understood the hate for TOB, I like it better than SOA. I don't want it changed. Added to, maybe. Some more Bhaalspawn to fight, and always, always more NPCs of course, but not changed.
  • ArcalianArcalian Member Posts: 359
    nzdawghaus said:

    I might be wrong, but I think no matter who ends up with Atari's rights, WOTC would still have to sign off on any changes to the game. IIRC that was part of all the NWN2 delays.

    This.

  • DazzuDazzu Member Posts: 950
    Padenton said:

    Surely there've been mods allowing you to skip the BG2 intro dungeon for years

    There's more than one? Why does that need to be?

  • HeinrichHeinrich Member Posts: 188
    I'm hoping the team grabs the rights. The BG:EE that was released months ago has already formed the foundations, now all they need to do is keep building upon it and I would definitely not mind getting more content through patches or DLC's.

    And if they ever release a boxed version (as Trent said it would likely be a collector's edition) I can expect it to be a game with all the patches and content rolled in one package, truly making it an enhanced edition.




  • ErgErg Member Posts: 1,756
    Iecerint said:

    Erg said:

    I for one wouldn't want changes to gameplay or original content unless they are implemented through an optional mod. I'm a little less concerned about new content, but even in this case I would prefer if it was optional.

    Why not just buy the original game, then? O.o
    @Iecerint

    See my reply to a similar question here:

    http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/comment/259291/#Comment_259291
  • IkMarcIkMarc Member Posts: 552
    edited February 2013
    Wiggles said:

    My point being, if Atari is filing for bandruptcy and the company will exist no longer, (US, France, both?) does that mean Baldur's Gate will no longer technically 'owned' by anyone? l

    No, the digital rights on Baldur's Gate and the brand name would remain being treated as an asset of Atari and would in all likeliness be transferred to another company in case of a takeover or it would be sold in order to pay off remaining creditors during the bankruptcy process.

    In the latter less likely case, it could potentially be an option for Beamdog to acquire the rights for a relatively low price. It is however more likely that a larger party such as EA would buy it. Another further complicating factor could be the rights and contracts with Hasbro on D&D, Forgotten Realms etc. but I am unsure about that.
  • WigglesWiggles Member Posts: 571
    @IkMarc That makes sense, sadly. :( How would the contract with Hasbro/WotC be involved? I'm not following you there.
  • IkMarcIkMarc Member Posts: 552
    Wiggles said:

    @IkMarc That makes sense, sadly. :( How would the contract with Hasbro/WotC be involved? I'm not following you there.

    Hasbro holds the rights over D&D and Forgotten Realms. I think that might restrict an owner of Baldur's Gate in creating new content or a sequel using D&D and Forgotten Realms material.

    Once again, I don't know the ins and outs of the contracts and terms of use of all parties involved, so it might very well be different.
  • IkMarcIkMarc Member Posts: 552
    @TrentOster
    Could you clear up this mystery in a nutshell?

    (If I am wasting your time or spamming you, you may give me a digital kick in the nuts)
  • ScytheKnightScytheKnight Member Posts: 220
    Still, in that case you're only dealing with the company who holds the rights to D&D and Forgotten Realms, and taking out a middleman of someone else who holds the rights to the game itself.

    But yes... sadly someone like EA is much more likely to pounce on it. *shudders in horror*
  • LemernisLemernis Member, Moderator Posts: 4,318
    I would think that the rights to the game (and then the franchise) is a fairly hot property. Hard to imagine WotC giving up it's stake in it. But if Beamdog can end up the sole computer game developer in partnership with Wizards that'd be awesome.
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