Joystiq

Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition now on iPad

Sinan Kubba — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 15:30:00 EST

Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition rolled onto the App Store today, with the remastered BioWare RPG now available on iPad for $9.99. Trent Oster, head of developer Beamdog, revealed the current version is limited to iOS 6.0, although iOS 5.1 support is in the works.

Beamdog released Enhanced Edition for PC last week, with the Mac and Android versions still to come. While BG:EE comes in $10 cheaper on iPad than on PC, certain new inclusions such as Neera and Dorn II Karn are only available as in-app purchases.

The game's multiplayer is in beta at launch, but Beamdog said cross-platform multiplayer is coming to the game, meaning iPad rangers will be able to fight alongside PC druids, Mac paladins, and Android thieves. Other combinations will also probably work.

Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition now on iPad originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Dec 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BioWare was working on a spy game, 'Agent,' in 2009

Jessica Conditt — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:30:00 EST

Way back in the olden days of 2009, BioWare co-founder Trent Oster started work on a new, PS3-exclusive spy game called Agent, which "failed to survive the recession," Oster told Eurogamer. Agent was a mix of Jason Bourne and 007, Oster said, though we detected a hint of Deus Ex in his description as well:

"The concept was to do the other half of GoldenEye," Oster said. "The idea being that James Bond isn't just a gun that walks around the world and shoots people. He's a suave manipulator, he's a talented martial artist, he's a secret agent. We wanted to cross that 007 with Jason Bourne, where he's been modified in some way; you're not sure what, but he's definitely deadly.

"We really wanted to push the acting side, the digital acting. We really wanted to be very high drama, very intense scenes. I always think of the scene in the second Bourne movie where Jason Bourne's choking the guy out with a book and he's right in his face and it's this very intense moment. That was one of the key things we wanted to carry off."

No, Agent didn't have anything to do with the PS3-exclusive game that Rockstar announced in 2009, also dubbed Agent. EA "didn't believe in the concept" for BioWare's game and Agent was sent off on a mission from which it'd never return: counting all the grains of sand on a windy beach. Or just the recycle bin.

BioWare was working on a spy game, 'Agent,' in 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Indie Speed Run' online game jam judged by Kellee Santiago, Ron Gilbert, Notch, et al

Jordan Mallory — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:30:00 EST

Indie Speed Run, despite the name, is surprisingly not what we call the Friday nights we spend practicing our no-death VVVVVV runs. It is, however, the name of a new online game jam, one which runs from now until January 6.

The way it works is pretty straight-forward: Developers visit the official website and register as a participant. Once enrolled, each contender (and/or team of contenders) has 48 hours to create a game using two secret elements given only to them, and while those 48 hours must be consecutive, they can occur anytime between now and when the event ends in January.

Once the event does end, every game created during its span will be made freely available on the official site. Meanwhile, a star-studded panel of judges (Kellee Santiago, Ron Gilbert, Notch, Dino Patti, Trent Oster, Jason Rohrer and Vander Caballero) will determine which team is most deserving of Indie Speed Run's $2,500 grand prize and will announce a winner February 5.

'Indie Speed Run' online game jam judged by Kellee Santiago, Ron Gilbert, Notch, et al originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA - Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition arrives on PC today, other platforms soon

Sinan Kubba — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST

Beamdog's Enhanced Edition of Baldur's Gate and its expansion Tales of the Sword Coast launches on PC today, at 3PM ET (12PM Pacific, 8PM Brit-time) to be precise. It's currently going for a pre-order price of $19.99, and can be pre-loaded before its release.

Beamdog says its update of BioWare's seminal RPG includes over 400 improvements on the original game, including new characters, quests, and voice sets. The Enhanced Edition also offers native support for high-res widescreen, and nifty-looking cross-platform multiplayer.

On the subject of other platforms, Beamdog chief Trent Oster recently disclosed that his team can't control the timing of iOS, Mac, and Android releases. Speaking on Twitter, Oster said a game-stopping bug means the iOS version should hit next week, with Mac and Android versions expected after it.

PSA - Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition arrives on PC today, other platforms soon originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition closing in on new target of Nov. 28

Sinan Kubba — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 11:00:00 EST

Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition is still on course to unlock this month, with a new target release date of November 28. The revision, tweeted by Beamdog head Trent Oster, is admittedly only two days different from the former November 30 target. Nonetheless, given the meaty delay endured in September, a slight bump forward is encouraging.

While Beamdog is aiming for a cross-platform launch, Oster admitted his studio can't "100% control the release date on iOS, Mac, and Android." What Oster did do was confirm the revamp is compatible with first-generation iPads. So even grandma and grandpa can play on their old-timey tablets, although they've got a few more weeks to wait yet.

Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition closing in on new target of Nov. 28 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Nov 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GOG shows you how to 'enhance' old Baldur's Gate games

Sinan Kubba — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 19:30:00 EST

Following the delay of Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition, GOG.com swooped in with a guide for how to make your own enhanced versions of Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate 2. While the dow noted the delay to the update from Trent Oster's Beamdog, the distributor saw that as an opportunity to post the step-by-step guide to enhance the games' graphics. Credit goes to GOG.com forum user GoJays2025 for putting the guide together.

For the record, the enhancement requires six mods, and both of the games. It's convenient, then, that GOG.com has them on sale at $3.49 each. Meanwhile, Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition is scheduled to hit November 30.

GOG shows you how to 'enhance' old Baldur's Gate games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition pushed to Nov. 30

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 16:00:00 EST

It looks like fans will have to wait for Baldur's Gate to swing open once again, as Beamdog head Trent Oster has revealed that Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition has been delayed. Writing in the Baldur's Gate forums, Oster noted that the overwhelming response to the project - and the resulting influx of volunteers, additions and fixes - has lead Beamdog to push the project back from September 18 to November 30.

In other words, it sounds as if the project has grown larger than Beamdog originally intended. "The suggestions, fixes, and translations continue, and more volunteers keep joining," wrote Oster, adding that Beamdog has delayed the project to provide "the best possible product on launch."

Oster asks for patience from fans, promising "something a little extra" is in the works for those who have already pre-ordered.

Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition pushed to Nov. 30 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Sep 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Baldur's Gate teaser site gets a countdown and a soundtrack

Mike Schramm — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 02:15:00 EST

BaldursGate.com just appeared back at the end of February with naught more than a poem and a rumor, and it's lain dormant since then -- until now. Just this evening, a countdown has appeared on the site, along with a tune (more on that in a second), both that seem to be hinting at a big reveal coming up in just about twelve hours from now, at 11am Pacific on Thursday morning.

The music, which is reminiscent of the theme from the legendary singleplayer RPG (and sounds great) is indeed linked to a file on Beamdog.com, which is former BioWare designer Trent Oster's website, and has previously published an enhanced remake of BioWare's MDK2. Considering that the sound file is actually located at "files/overhaul/theme.mp3," it's probably a good bet that the announcement is some sort of Baldur's Gate remake from Oster's studio, Overhaul Games.

For exactly what platforms however (PC, iOS, or even consoles), we'll have to wait until the official word arrives. The good news is that there's not too long to wait. If you hurry, you can listen to the minute-long theme music about 720 more times before the big reveal arrives.

Baldur's Gate teaser site gets a countdown and a soundtrack originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 02:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Baldur's Gate site teases Beamdog-developed franchise project [Update]

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST

What's going on at BaldursGate.com? We're not 100 percent sure, honestly, but it sure looks like a teaser site for some form of new entry in the BioWare franchise. And Game Banshee seems to know more, claiming to have solidified news that the site was put together by former BioWare designer Trent Oster and his cohorts at Beamdog. "We're not related to the Steam Complete Edition," Oster said, referring to a recently discovered Baldur's Gate Complete Edition. "I can tell you that much. Other than that, we're hoping to announce something soon."

What that "something" is remains to be seen, but from the various Baldur's Gate accoutrement on the teaser site, it sure looks like a Baldur's Gate something is in the works over at Beamdog. Considering that Beamdog handled the HD port of BioWare's MDK 2, it stands to reason that an HD port of Baldur's Gate could be in the works. Regardless, we've yet to find out for sure.

An adorable little poem was also found in the site's source code, which we've dropped after the break. And hey, do us a quick solid -- if you're way into the Baldur's Gate franchise and spot something especially notable on that site, don't hesitate to shoot us a note.

Continue reading Report: Baldur's Gate site teases Beamdog-developed franchise project [Update]

Report: Baldur's Gate site teases Beamdog-developed franchise project [Update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MDK2 HD arriving 'this September' on Beamdog, former BioWare dev's service

Christopher Grant — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:26:00 EST

Roughly a year after being announced, and just 4 months after parachuting onto WiiWare, the PC re-release of MDK2, titled appropriately enough MDK2 HD, has a release date of "this September." The port of BioWare's classic sequel is being handled by former BioWare co-founder Trent Oster's Beamdog outfit, under the name Overhaul Games. The release itself will be hosted on the Beamdog digital distribution service, which beams (dog?) games to your computer, with no installation needed.

This HD-ification is being handled by Oster and other "BioWare veterans" like Cameron Tofer, Russ Rice and Sean Smailes, "who were all heavily involved in the development of the original." Oster says, "MDK2 HD really is a labour of love for us. We've spent a lot of time improving the visuals and gameplay, and we can't wait to see what people think!" To that end, the developer is looking for suggestions from fans on what they'd like to see improved.

Don't have any suggestions? Never played the original? That's okay. Tofer, COO at Overhaul Games, says, "We think MDK2 HD has the sort of visuals, humor and great gameplay that can draw in not only existing fans of the game, but a brand new audience that just wasn't able to experience its magic the first time around." You can find out this September, for $14.99.

Gallery: MDK2 HD

MDK2 HD arriving 'this September' on Beamdog, former BioWare dev's service originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MDK 2 dropping into WiiWare, 'HD' version targeting PC

JC Fletcher — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Interplay is continuing its bizarre WiiWare resurrection of classic franchises with BioWare's beloved MDK2. The action-shooter-puzzle-adventure game, a sequel to an equally well-remembered game by Shiny, is being planned for release on WiiWare sometime this winter.

Following that, a new version of the game, called MDK2 HD, will be released on PC via the Beamdog distribution service -- which happens to be have been founded by Trent Oster, formerly of BioWare. If you don't want to wait for whatever remastering will be done, you can get the original MDK2 (and its predecessor) at Steam or GoG.

[Via GoNintendo]

MDK 2 dropping into WiiWare, 'HD' version targeting PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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