I've supported GOG for their DRM-free games, but I'll avoid buying again from them in the future. This combined with their 65% sale immediately before the release of BG:EE leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Almost any BG fan would support an official upgrade to the series.
And the mods don't always work well together or on every Windows version or in the same way. Support to get it to work isn't always easy to find online. I mean, the last time I had tutu installed, fog of war on my area maps wasn't working properly. I never could find a solution to that or other problems, so I just went back to vanilla with some minor tweak mods.
I wasn't going to bring that up/bring attention to it, but that's the other reason I won't buy from GOG anymore - that weekend sale just before the 18th held all IE games for roughly the same preorder price of BG:EE. Pretty underhanded. Or as Minsc would likely say, handed in some manner.
GoG isn't putting out anything new here. I have been playing heavily modded versions of Tutu, BG2 and the IWD Series for several years now. There are mod install lists all over sites like Sorcerer's Place, G3, Spellhold Studious, etc... Big effing deal Gog. I am NOT a modder and have found the install lists to be pretty simplistic, even for PC noobs like myself.
I don't like the calling out of another provider, but I'm also not hurt over it. I mean, GoG is a low cost way to replay old games. I use them for that when it suits me. It's not like they insulted my BFF. Overhaul owes me something (I prepaid), whereas GoG doesn't. 8-|
However - strictly in terms of content rather than mechanics - that's about all the EE can offer. We're all aware of the existing limitations: Beamdog can't change or expand existing NPCs, they can't use story-based mods that tie off loose ends (ie: Angelo recognizing Shar-Teel or Branwen actually reacting when you confront the man who petrified her), they can't even incorporate something as fundamentally essential as David Gaider's "Ascension". The only way that material can make it into the game is if the modding community adapts it for the EE - so you're still going to end up with a list of mods to run through.
This isn't to devalue Beamdog's work or to turn people against the EE; as I said, I'm buying it anyway. But I think it's going to be a much tougher sell than people here may think, particularly with GOG actively setting itself up as a cheaper alternative.
I guess in the end that's a matter of taste - me, I don't think the game needs much improvement (if at all) on the way of quests, NPC interactions and so forth. With the exception of Ascension, but I'll admit to be biased towards it, being made by someone who actually worked on the games and such. And of course, I do understand that a lot of players crave that kind of content, whether it's only for added replay value or not.
But even in that scenario, I still think BG:EE could be worth the extra dollars. If you are going to mod your game anyway, might as well go for the more streamlined/robust version. Compatibility with newer systems also comes to mind.
@Kilivitz There also hasn't been any direct confirmation that Ascension won't be implemented at that point, either. @PhillipDaigle pointed out in the AMAA that direct implementation of mods depends to some extent on whether or not they can contact the authors of the mods themselves. So Ascension would still require approval from the third parties because it's new content, but it's more likely than, say, The Darkest Day.
@Aosaw: IIRC, Phillip Daigle's exact words were "Doubtful, but we hope to make the mod available regardless." So rather than have it integrated at launch as an enhancement - quite possibly the only story-based enhancement ToB could have had, assuming the same contractual restrictions hold true for BG2/ToB - there's going to be a waiting period until "Ascension" has been adapted for BG2:EE (if the modding community manages to gain the necessary permissions to do so at all) and then we'll have to sit ourselves down and install it just like any other mod.
This is just to point out that from my POV, "ease of use" isn't much of a selling point, comparatively speaking - both versions require more than just buying->installing->playing.
I'm glad to see its only a few people are saying they are never going to buy from them again, this is essentially CD Project we are talking about here. The creators of The Witcher and The Witcher 2, which are arguable some of the best RPG's to come out in the last 6 or so years (but no one go spoiling The Witcher 2 for me because I have not yet played it ). Gog is both a brand and website that they obviously want to keep relevant, and even before this recent sale I would routinely see the BG games being some of their highest selling games. So I can't blame them for wanting to keep themselves as a more affordable option for gamers interested in this series.
Besides, its tough out there. On the digital distribution side of things, they and Beamdog are still competing against Steam, which we all know is relatively speaking a behemoth compared to either of them (something like 80% of all The Witcher 2 online sales came from Steam). Like I wrote earlier I'll still be buying from them, partly because they have games that work on my only functioning computer at present and partly because I don't have to download a client to play (or get) the games.
Theres nothing wrong with GOG putting on the special and theres nothing wrong with them having a dig (hypocritical really, considering how much Sh*t some people give OH on their on forum). End of story.
Money quote: "That's why some people would go a great distance modding and upgrading both those titles to combine them into one, seamless, visually updated game--an enhanced edition, if you will. We're well aware of a commercial project aiming to achieve that goal. Originally, actually, that was scheduled to release today. That didn't happen, unfortunately, but that does give us a great reason to tell you how to make your own enhanced edition of Baldur's Gate. It's very nearly hassle-free and (especially with the sale going on) it won't cost you much at all. There's one catch, though: you need copies of both Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate 2 in order to enhance your game. Let's see how! One of our users, GoJays2025, committed his time to write a comprehensive guide on the topic. We know not all of you dare to venture into our forums, so we thought that sharing this guide here, might be a good idea--even more so during our Diamonds of D&D where you can get both Baldur's Gate games for as little as $7!"
Does it work on an iPad? No huh? Hmmm ok, forget this.
I don't see this really cutting significantly into Beamdog's sales. Beamdog should mop the floor with them if you compare sales head-to-head. It will boost GoG's sales of this game a little, but that's it--which is all they can really expect, and from a business standpoint one can hardly blame them for seizing the opportunity. But is there really any question but that aficionados of BG will buy the Enhanced Edition once it's available?
I think the real sales battle will be between BG3 and Project Eternity.
This is just to point out that from my POV, "ease of use" isn't much of a selling point, comparatively speaking - both versions require more than just buying->installing->playing.
It is a selling point when today you need a couple of mods just to do fix bugs and add functionality that the EE will have by default. I don't think it's as simple as "if you're gonna install one mod, might as well install 3, or 4, or 5 on the cheapest version". It may be for you if you're experienced with mods, but I'd bet that the majority of players either doesn't care or won't trouble themselves with anything that's not official DLC or patches.
Also take into account that EE is meant to be a better platform for modding than the older versions, too. It's unlikely that that will go unnoticed by most modders.
Guys, you're looking at tihs wrong when gog pulls stuff like this, and bg:ee is still a success, all the better
if there was nothing competing against it, i wouldn't care much.
Besides, they probably knew that it would be delayed and thats why they had the sale, remember, they're in the business, and info is hard to keep secrect.
I don't see this anywhere near as negatively or underhanded as some of you seem to. They have every right to promote their titles. People that want the enhanced edition here will still buy it. People that don't want to still won't.
GoG (CD Projeckt) is a great company doing a wonderful service to nostalgic gamers such as myself. You know what? Overhaul is also a great company doing a wonderful service to nostalgic gamers such as myself. They both offer excellent products and I happy to support both.
I think the real sales battle will be between BG3 and Project Eternity.
Actually, I think it's the opposite.
Assuming that they don't come out in the same quarter, and assuming both games are good, the reaction will be: 'Damn, this kind of game is great! Where can I find another game out there like this? Oh, there's PE/BG3 coming out soon? Cool!'
I have a feeling that most of the mods that weren't addressed by the bugfixes in BG:EE will see an update, by one party or another. We might see some authors change, and probably a bug here or there, but overall the mod community will deliver some outstanding content as always.
I still get surprised by what people manage to get upset about, this is a business selling a product and advertising the fact with a bit of humour, And the sale was up before the delay was announced. This was covered way back on page 29 of the MEME thread just before the announcement from OH. You can never own to many copies of these games.
So all those people who have said they'll never buy a game from GOG again. I'd like to ask, where are you going to get your DRM free Project Eternity game from?
While the marketing of their 'enhanced' version of BG1 with mods is a little underhanded, I tend to think people are smart enough to figure out which version they would prefer.
1. An enhanced version of BG1 with extra content, new characters, new area, new updated parts of the game like the new updated world map, Widescreen compatible, over 400 bug fixes, etc and the most important part - the game just installs and works. And you have the option to have mods installed on it if you like but isn't necessary.
2. A GOG version where you have to buy 2 games to play BG1, Must go to websites to download mods and must have to go through 15 steps to install those mods. And even then, you have no extra new content like the EE, just to get it to a similar but clearly inferior product to the EE.
I think the real sales battle will be between BG3 and Project Eternity.
Actually, I think it's the opposite.
Assuming that they don't come out in the same quarter, and assuming both games are good, the reaction will be: 'Damn, this kind of game is great! Where can I find another game out there like this? Oh, there's PE/BG3 coming out soon? Cool!'
Yeah, I reckon you're right. CRPGers tend to be avid. They buy lots of games. Most will purchase both games (if they're good).
Gog users have been asking for mod support for the older games for quite some time so this is just gog stepping up to the plate. Besides all publicity is good publicity and it'll eventually be sold and promoted on gog as well.
I love GOG, I love CDPR, and I'll be sorry if this works out to hurt Beamdog.
Myself though, I have all the games in question, boxed and digital, and I've already pre-ordered BG:EE.
I've also recommended BG:EE to all of my gaming buddies, which is quite a few, and most of them (have already played BG series back in the day) have also already pre-ordered it.
Hopefully, Beamdog and GOG can co-exist and make each other strive to be better. DA:Origins, Witcher 2, Skyrim and Dark Souls kept my faith going in the genre despite such rubbish like Dragon Age 2 or ME3.
And between those games, Beamdog's (hopefully) rise with BG:EE and further on, and Project Eternity and Obsidian getting full artistic freedom for that... I'm very pumped for the next 2-3 years RPG-wise.
I trust Obsidian, Beamdog, CDPR, FROMSoft., Bethesda can go against the grain and succeed in showing that the way to sell more RPG games is to simply make better RPGs, instead of streamlining them, dumbing them down and turning RPGs into simplified, badly-done action-adventures/interactive movies. Which is what Bioware seems to be doing, even with DA3, even after the mess of DA2 and ME3.
Here's to deep, immersive, proper RPGs, that require skill, tactics and thinking, and may the companies making them thrive and make big piles of money for all their employees.
Comments
But even in that scenario, I still think BG:EE could be worth the extra dollars. If you are going to mod your game anyway, might as well go for the more streamlined/robust version. Compatibility with newer systems also comes to mind.
This is just to point out that from my POV, "ease of use" isn't much of a selling point, comparatively speaking - both versions require more than just buying->installing->playing.
Besides, its tough out there. On the digital distribution side of things, they and Beamdog are still competing against Steam, which we all know is relatively speaking a behemoth compared to either of them (something like 80% of all The Witcher 2 online sales came from Steam). Like I wrote earlier I'll still be buying from them, partly because they have games that work on my only functioning computer at present and partly because I don't have to download a client to play (or get) the games.
Does it work on an iPad? No huh? Hmmm ok, forget this.
I think the real sales battle will be between BG3 and Project Eternity.
Also take into account that EE is meant to be a better platform for modding than the older versions, too. It's unlikely that that will go unnoticed by most modders.
when gog pulls stuff like this, and bg:ee is still a success, all the better
if there was nothing competing against it, i wouldn't care much.
Besides, they probably knew that it would be delayed and thats why they had the sale, remember, they're in the business, and info is hard to keep secrect.
I wouldn't be surprised if they had a similar post prepared even if BGEE hadn't been delayed.
GoG (CD Projeckt) is a great company doing a wonderful service to nostalgic gamers such as myself. You know what? Overhaul is also a great company doing a wonderful service to nostalgic gamers such as myself. They both offer excellent products and I happy to support both.
Assuming that they don't come out in the same quarter, and assuming both games are good, the reaction will be: 'Damn, this kind of game is great! Where can I find another game out there like this? Oh, there's PE/BG3 coming out soon? Cool!'
You can never own to many copies of these games.
So all those people who have said they'll never buy a game from GOG again. I'd like to ask, where are you going to get your DRM free Project Eternity game from?
While the marketing of their 'enhanced' version of BG1 with mods is a little underhanded, I tend to think people are smart enough to figure out which version they would prefer.
1. An enhanced version of BG1 with extra content, new characters, new area, new updated parts of the game like the new updated world map, Widescreen compatible, over 400 bug fixes, etc and the most important part - the game just installs and works. And you have the option to have mods installed on it if you like but isn't necessary.
2. A GOG version where you have to buy 2 games to play BG1, Must go to websites to download mods and must have to go through 15 steps to install those mods. And even then, you have no extra new content like the EE, just to get it to a similar but clearly inferior product to the EE.
I choose option 1.
Myself though, I have all the games in question, boxed and digital, and I've already pre-ordered BG:EE.
I've also recommended BG:EE to all of my gaming buddies, which is quite a few, and most of them (have already played BG series back in the day) have also already pre-ordered it.
Hopefully, Beamdog and GOG can co-exist and make each other strive to be better.
DA:Origins, Witcher 2, Skyrim and Dark Souls kept my faith going in the genre despite such rubbish like Dragon Age 2 or ME3.
And between those games, Beamdog's (hopefully) rise with BG:EE and further on, and Project Eternity and Obsidian getting full artistic freedom for that... I'm very pumped for the next 2-3 years RPG-wise.
I trust Obsidian, Beamdog, CDPR, FROMSoft., Bethesda can go against the grain and succeed in showing that the way to sell more RPG games is to simply make better RPGs, instead of streamlining them, dumbing them down and turning RPGs into simplified, badly-done action-adventures/interactive movies.
Which is what Bioware seems to be doing, even with DA3, even after the mess of DA2 and ME3.
Here's to deep, immersive, proper RPGs, that require skill, tactics and thinking, and may the companies making them thrive and make big piles of money for all their employees.