14 DAY TRIAL // The development team at Overhaul Games, with full official support from both publisher Atari and Wizards of the Coast, have announced that some of the members of the team who have worked on the original titles are now working on the Enhanced Editions for the two Baldur’s Gate games and that new content will be included in the summer re-releases.
The official statement from the team states, “Overhaul Games has assembled a talented team of artists, programmers and designers to enhance this timeless classic. To remain true to the spirit of the game, the team includes original Baldur’s Gate developers.”
Trent Oster, who is leading the development process on the Enhanced Edition, has also offered information about the new game via Twitter, saying that new content for the game will be seamlessly integrated into the experience.
The two official expansions, Tales of the Sword Coast and Throne of Baal, will also be part of the Enhanced Editions.
It seems that the team is also looking at the best mods, both linked to gameplay and to extra content, and is trying to offer support for them.
The 2nd Edition Dungeons & Dragons ruleset will be used without any changes, which means that the combat experience and the various rolls will be the same as in the original Baldur’s Gate video games.
The graphics will remain isometric, even if the actual look of the game will be overhauled, and the Infinity Engine will be significantly modified to take advantage of modern technology.
Gamers who have saved games from the original games might be able to use them in the Enhanced Editions, although that could change before launch.
There are also plans for new characters to meet and recruit, with new actors doing the voice work.
Oster also believes that, if the Enhanced Editions are successful, there’s a possibility that Atari would be persuaded to allow work to start on a third full game in the series.