The thing I dislike about the inventory is they've seemingly removed detailed stat breakdowns and replaced them with a single number that's not all that informative.
For example, in the current BG:EE version you can see that you have a 1 base AC from full plate mail, -4 AC from Dexterity, -1 AC from Helm of Balduran, and -2 AC from Ring of Protection. Next to all that it prints out your total AC: -6. In the new, "improved" UI you only get a single total: -6. That's not even nearly as helpful to me.
And I would guess this change is irreversible, since it removes UI elements from your inventory, and I find it hard to imagine you could mod back in something that's been completely removed from the UI. I might be wrong, though.
That's awesome, but don't expect that to put a stop to our bitching, because now we know said bitching might actually have an effect on the game! Mwahahahaha!
@Pecca I consider myself a "veteran" of Infinity Engine games, given that I bought them when they were first released, and have played them many times since then, in various incarnations. So try not to lump everyone under the same moniker =D
For me, the EE series isn't just "same ol, same ol, re-release" but more a chance to make "enhancements". After all, we have the original games still available for purchase for the people who want to keep it old school.
I am hopeful the new UI will be an overall improvement. I like that I will be able to see the spell descriptions next to the icons in a list for example, as long as the list is easily navigable. I agree that the current information needs to be retained (the stat breakdown is very handy).
Lets hope for enhancement, which the "lack of" is one of the main complaints I see about the EE's since they launched.
I hated that my fighter/thief was stuck with the fighter model, and I know many people complain about the kensai/mage also being lumped with the fighter model.
hey any news about the game? what about translations? when at last will it be released? Beamdog after all this waiting and timer thing just announce the game and that's it? will we get another timer again?
@wojtek About translations, I quote Philip Daigle:
We’re currently waiting for word from some publishing partners regarding the possibility of translating Siege of Dragonspear into languages other than english. For news on that front, keep an eye on the forums. As soon as we have translation plans confirmed, we’ll let everyone know there.
Was there anything in Pillars of Eternity that made you say "That's great! We want that in our game!" such as a game mechanic or a UI or QOL improvement?
A suggestion for @Amber_Scott: it might be worth considering taking a page from n-Space's book (https://swordcoast.com/characters) and using the Beamblog as a space to promote story content for SoD: character profiles for Glint, Schael, M'Khiin, Voghiln and the Shining Lady, maybe some behind-the-scenes info on how they were created and designed; maybe your thoughts on returning characters and how you see them in SoD versus how you experienced them in BG1 all those years ago, etc.?
I like that idea a lot. Obviously there's some stuff I can't talk about yet, but I think we'll be able to share that sort of content with you at some point leading up to the SoD release.
@wojtek About translations, I quote Philip Daigle:
We’re currently waiting for word from some publishing partners regarding the possibility of translating Siege of Dragonspear into languages other than english. For news on that front, keep an eye on the forums. As soon as we have translation plans confirmed, we’ll let everyone know there.
If there is no Dothraki version, I'm not buying the game
I hated that my fighter/thief was stuck with the fighter model, and I know many people complain about the kensai/mage also being lumped with the fighter model.
That's the kind of stuff EEKeeper is made for.
Yes, but I don't see it being a difficult change and with SoD introducing a vast array of new UI and character appearances that are getting backported it would be the perfect time to add raw support for it.
But if it isn't included then EEKeeper is the next port of call.
While slowly returning to the state when I'll be able to be here as usual, I've gathered a few details available from the Devs from rpgcodex.net.
1. a mod (maybe BGT) has a cutscene that connects the two games were Mae'var is the one in charge of the operation. I don't know if it's official or not.
!It's not! That cutscene was created by the BGT mod author.
Bioware had their own notes on how this encounter played out. We're using that.
2. The sprite outline smoothing is new to Siege of Dragonspear and affects all sprites in the game if it's turned on. That feature wasn't present in the previous EE games.
I don't think there were any changes to the player character sprites. However, a few individual monster sprites may have been adjusted.
4. - How much of Beamdog is old IE modders now? More than 5 less than a dozen. The majority work as Technical Designers.
- I'm the Project Manager on Siege of Dragonspear but I also do a bit of technical design in my spare time. Mostly AI scripting, item design and combat balance.
5. - Did they mention how they want to address the problem of all the experience and stuff that you gather in this adventure and how it affects the balance of BG2?
- We do care, and we're taking measures to ensure that the game will remain balanced for characters that are imported from Siege of Dragonspear. As Trent has already said, BGII:EE will be patched around the same time that Siege of Dragonspear is released to ensure a smooth transition. We had extensive design discussions about the XP cap for Siege of Dragonspear and I think the end result will reflect that.
Lastly, as a reminder, in Baldur's Gate 2 (and of course BGII:EE as well), most quests in Chapter 2 and later already scale to a certain extent in order to account for higher character levels. As an example, you get more trolls and also some tougher troll varieties in De'Arnise Hold if you go there with a character who is above a certain.
8. We have an XP cap just like BG1 and BG2 did. Certain classes may be able to reach level 12 under that cap, others will end up lower than that. And this is provided that you do everything that's possible in the game.
/blinks Why is it whenever I visit the rpgcodex site it's filled with such negativity?
Well I had a rant about them a while ago To put my opinion short: They prefer hardcore game that don't hold your hand and instead try to push you of a cliff. If a game isn't frustratingly hard it is bad. Also, nostalgia is huge in there forums (and this is coming from a guy that abondoned wrpgs because nothing could realy live up to BG2 standart ;-) )
Did you notice the "Doesn't scale to your level" at the top of the page?
RPGCodex is a place where people can complain about RPGs (modern ones, in particular) without being shouted down by apologists as being "Too old!" or "Can't accept change!" or any other such phrase. So yes, the tone is one of overwhelming negativity and cynicism.
I don't go there myself - too much stink of Chan culture about the place - but I do sympathise with their perspective a bit.
Comments
For example, in the current BG:EE version you can see that you have a 1 base AC from full plate mail, -4 AC from Dexterity, -1 AC from Helm of Balduran, and -2 AC from Ring of Protection. Next to all that it prints out your total AC: -6. In the new, "improved" UI you only get a single total: -6. That's not even nearly as helpful to me.
And I would guess this change is irreversible, since it removes UI elements from your inventory, and I find it hard to imagine you could mod back in something that's been completely removed from the UI. I might be wrong, though.
For me, the EE series isn't just "same ol, same ol, re-release" but more a chance to make "enhancements". After all, we have the original games still available for purchase for the people who want to keep it old school.
I am hopeful the new UI will be an overall improvement. I like that I will be able to see the spell descriptions next to the icons in a list for example, as long as the list is easily navigable. I agree that the current information needs to be retained (the stat breakdown is very handy).
Lets hope for enhancement, which the "lack of" is one of the main complaints I see about the EE's since they launched.
@Adul: If they keep these information tabs in the gui file then it can be easily restored.
About translations, I quote Philip Daigle:
We’re currently waiting for word from some publishing partners regarding the possibility of translating Siege of Dragonspear into languages other than english. For news on that front, keep an eye on the forums. As soon as we have translation plans confirmed, we’ll let everyone know there.
Khal Boo ahhas arakh
Yes
But if it isn't included then EEKeeper is the next port of call.
1. a mod (maybe BGT) has a cutscene that connects the two games were Mae'var is the one in charge of the operation. I don't know if it's official or not.
!It's not! That cutscene was created by the BGT mod author.
Bioware had their own notes on how this encounter played out. We're using that.
http://www.rpgcodex.net/forums/index.php?threads/beamdogs-baldurs-gate-siege-of-dragonspear-interquel.96369/page-23
2. The sprite outline smoothing is new to Siege of Dragonspear and affects all sprites in the game if it's turned on. That feature wasn't present in the previous EE games.
I don't think there were any changes to the player character sprites. However, a few individual monster sprites may have been adjusted.
http://www.rpgcodex.net/forums/index.php?threads/beamdogs-baldurs-gate-siege-of-dragonspear-interquel.96369/page-20#post-4020465
3. Chris' feedback was taken very seriously.
For reference, he wasn't only provided with a build of the game. He also had access to all relevant design documents.
http://www.rpgcodex.net/forums/index.php?threads/beamdog-announce-baldurs-gate-siege-of-dragonspear-with-chris-avellone-onboard.101204/page-8#post-4020705
4. - How much of Beamdog is old IE modders now?
More than 5 less than a dozen. The majority work as Technical Designers.
- I'm the Project Manager on Siege of Dragonspear but I also do a bit of technical design in my spare time. Mostly AI scripting, item design and combat balance.
http://www.rpgcodex.net/forums/index.php?threads/beamdog-announce-baldurs-gate-siege-of-dragonspear-with-chris-avellone-onboard.101204/page-6#post-4017466
5. - Did they mention how they want to address the problem of all the experience and stuff that you gather in this adventure and how it affects the balance of BG2?
- We do care, and we're taking measures to ensure that the game will remain balanced for characters that are imported from Siege of Dragonspear. As Trent has already said, BGII:EE will be patched around the same time that Siege of Dragonspear is released to ensure a smooth transition. We had extensive design discussions about the XP cap for Siege of Dragonspear and I think the end result will reflect that.
Lastly, as a reminder, in Baldur's Gate 2 (and of course BGII:EE as well), most quests in Chapter 2 and later already scale to a certain extent in order to account for higher character levels. As an example, you get more trolls and also some tougher troll varieties in De'Arnise Hold if you go there with a character who is above a certain.
http://www.rpgcodex.net/forums/index.php?threads/beamdogs-baldurs-gate-siege-of-dragonspear-interquel.96369/page-14#post-4016397
6. What that means is: you need to work hard in order to reach the XP cap in Siege of Dragonspear. We do not hand out XP awards easily.
But if you do manage to complete every single quest and kill every single opponent, you should feel a bit more powerful at the start of BGII:EE.
http://www.rpgcodex.net/forums/index.php?threads/beamdogs-baldurs-gate-siege-of-dragonspear-interquel.96369/page-14#post-4016410
7. You can toggle health bars on/off from the Options menu.
http://www.rpgcodex.net/forums/index.php?threads/beamdogs-baldurs-gate-siege-of-dragonspear-interquel.96369/page-15#post-4016610
There is no level cap.
8. We have an XP cap just like BG1 and BG2 did. Certain classes may be able to reach level 12 under that cap, others will end up lower than that. And this is provided that you do everything that's possible in the game.
http://www.rpgcodex.net/forums/index.php?threads/beamdogs-baldurs-gate-siege-of-dragonspear-interquel.96369/page-21#post-4025834
Why is it whenever I visit the rpgcodex site it's filled with such negativity?
To put my opinion short: They prefer hardcore game that don't hold your hand and instead try to push you
of a cliff. If a game isn't frustratingly hard it is bad. Also, nostalgia is huge in there forums (and this is
coming from a guy that abondoned wrpgs because nothing could realy live up to BG2 standart ;-) )
RPGCodex is a place where people can complain about RPGs (modern ones, in particular) without being shouted down by apologists as being "Too old!" or "Can't accept change!" or any other such phrase. So yes, the tone is one of overwhelming negativity and cynicism.
I don't go there myself - too much stink of Chan culture about the place - but I do sympathise with their perspective a bit.
I love the new Start Screen, and the animation too!!!!!!!
Will BGEE, BG2EE and IWDEE have a new Start Screen using this news features and design??
Very good job guys!!!!!