I just wanted to say...

Nonnahswriter

...that I support Beamdog.

I support Beamdog's choices. I don't always support the way in which these choices are implemented, and I will always have critique to share, but I will always applaud their efforts. I support @AmberScott and all of the writers who worked with her. I support the devs and the mods for always keeping these forums friendly and safe.

I thank Beamdog for making such a wonderful game and sharing it with us. I'm eagerly awaiting my collector's edition to arrive in the mail. I hope to see them make more games in the future. I hope they will continue to stay true to who they are as a company and not allow a bunch of bullies to dictate what they should and should put in their work.

I am a proud member of the Baldur's Gate community, and I will always have their back.

Now I'm gonna go play some Dragonspear!

Southpaw

I concur.
Nobody is going to like and support everything, every little piece of the game. That should not be the point anyway.
I for one like the new writing. Funny, serious, witty, charming. Not everything. There are a few instances, when it's not entirely perfect, few instances, where it is a bit rough and against my tastes, but there are quite rare. That's life, isn't it?

One thing, that I really admire is something else though. The dedication and will to make the games not only good, but great. We're getting a crapload of updates, new UI and functionalities we've waited for 18 years years after the original BGEE game was released. I've seen one too many development studios to release a flawed game and just leave the community to deal with the bugs. (Or not)
Continuous support really does give a good impression.
I pre-ordered the last 3 games (I think. Don't remember it anymore) and probably will do the same with their next game.

Nonnahswriter

Southpaw said:

We're getting a crapload of updates, new UI and functionalities we've waited for 18 years years after the original BGEE game was released.

Right!? After eighteen years you can FINALLY have bows and shields equipped AT THE SAME TIME.

I finally have a journal that lets me SCROLL AS I WRITE!

There's a storage item to put all your keys in that isn't a bag of holding--THE KEY RING!

Not to mention the new UI is freaking beautiful, the backdrops for the areas are gorgeous, we have new voicework with most of the original cast, including FOUR new voice sets for our Charnames... I'm not even out of Baldur's Gate yet, and I'm in love with this game.

I want more love! C'mon, all, share your love for Dragonspear with me!

BelgarathMTH

I love the new UI so much I am not going to want to ever play again without it. I also find the new sprite rendering to be much clearer on my big-screen TV than the old sprites were. I play without the black lines for now, but I think the sprites without the black lines look *much* better than before. The colors are so clear and sharp! And, oh, how I love those expanded color menus! My party looks more fabulous onscreen than ever!

As for SoD, I can't comment on it yet, but I am looking very much forward to it. I am currently building my Cleric of Tyr (Yay, new cleric kit!) that I am taking through BG:EE, and I will eventually move on into SoD with him.

I like to take my time and enjoy new games at my own slow pace, and in the meantime, I am trying to avoid spoilers for SoD. I couldn't help but notice and read through all the threads telling about the apparent controversy firestorm that's going on, so I know that's there, but I won't let it bother me, and I refuse to let it spoil my enjoyment of the first new BG game in 18 years.

I can't wait for my next day off (can't play today because of work, unfortunately)! I thank Beamdog for giving me a sense of optimism, excitement, and a feeling of having things to look forward to. I haven't been this happy in a long time, and that's just based on playing BG:EE 2.0 .