Summary
The huge success ofBaldur’s Gate 3has been one of this year’s biggest surprises in the eyes of many gamers, especially when considering its placement in the overall series. Its BioWare predecessors were released over 20 years ago, butBaldur’s Gate 3has emerged in a totally different era of RPGs, with many having largely lost hope in the franchise. As Larian Studios’ revival of the once-dormant series has brought it to new heights of popularity, some fans have become aware of what occurred during such a long hiatus.
Larian’s third entry has been well-received by new and old fans alike, butBaldur’s Gate 3was originally a completely different project. Shortly afterBaldur’s Gate 2, production on a follow-up by a different developer would begin and last for what was likely years. The original concept forBG3would obviously never see the light of day, but looking back at the story of what could have been offers an important insight into the past ofBaldur’s GateandForgotten Realms adaptationsas a whole.
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The Troubled Development of Baldur’s Gate 3: The Black Hound
Baldur’s Gate 3 Would Have Come From the Developers of the Original Fallout
Known for its work on the first twoFalloutgames,Planescape: Torment, andIcewind Dale, Black Isle Studios was a team with a clear passion for CRPGs that managed to contribute some of the most prolific releases of the entire genre. Approaching theBaldur’s Gatelicense with the same level of dedication it gave to other projects, Black Isle was rumored to have been 75% complete before the game was unceremoniously canceled by publisher Interplay Entertainment.
Licensing Issues Halted Development of The Black Hound
Despite an alleged quantity of beautiful art, a high number of environments utilizing the title’s new 3D engine, and what was essentially a complete narrative revolving around the tragedy of an evil cleric and the titular spectral creature, the project now known asBaldur’s Gate 3: The Black Houndwas axed due to a licensing dispute Interplay had regarding its prospectiveDungeons and Dragonsgames. A casualty of unfortunate business choices from a company that itself would face financial issues for years to come, the originalBG3had the potential to be a surprisingly fresh RPG before it was scrapped.
The Next Baldur’s Gate Was Originally Intended as More of an Icewind Dale Sequel
It may have been set in the Forgotten Realms and followed a similar CRPG formula, butThe Black Houndwas never meant to be aBaldur’s Gategame when it was conceived. Taking place in the Dalelands in the north of Faerun away from the titular city and focused on a far more isolated threat, it was actually seen as more of a sequel toIcewind Dale. In a 2018 interview withPCgamesN, RPG designer Chris Avellone spoke about what he felt was the downside to the game’s departure from its predecessors:
“In the end, when Baldur’s Gate 3 got cancelled, I felt bad for the amount of work that was put into it. It had some gorgeous art and some great level design. But I didn’t mourn the loss of the engine, and I didn’t mourn the loss of the design content, narrative and otherwise. I didn’t think it would have measured up to what made the original Baldur’s Gate special, unfortunately – Black Isle just didn’t have the same focus BioWare did, or the same heart for the series”
Considering that it wouldn’t have featured any of the characters or continued any storylines of the previousBaldur’s Gategames, it makes sense thatThe Black Hound’s status as the third entry was a decision made after development was well underway. WhileThe Black Houndlikely would have been a strong release for the wholeCRPG genregiven the effort that lead Josh Sawyer put into it, there’s no telling how fans of the BioWare originals would have felt about the changes that Black Isle made.
Baldur’s Gate 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCEChoose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPICForged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian’s next-generation RPG engine.
