There are those who believe math is the universal language of the, um… universe. Some of these people can use complex math equations to explain why some games turn out good, why some games fail, and why Luke and Laura broke up on General Hospital. Because of my admiration for such people, I offer an explanation for how a game like Icewind Dale is first created:
Quick Peek:
An AD&D RPG using the BioWare Infinity engine (Baldur's Gate) and being developed by the people who brought us Fallout. Bless them.
Release Date:
2000
Developer:
Black Isle Studios
Publisher:
Interplay
Homepage:
Icewind Dale
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Black Isle, the company that fathered such test tube products as Fallout, Fallout 2, and other games I can't remember right now, decided to dip into two separate gene pools for a new game idea. They took a little bit of Baldur's Gate for an intense, story driven game using an AD&D 2nd Edition ruleset, and they combined it with the addictive dungeon exploration and hack and slash action of Diablo to set in motion the creation of this latest offering, a game known as Icewind Dale.
On the surface, Icewind Dale looks like a Baldur's Gate rip-off. It uses the same engine (the BioWare Infinity engine), takes place in Forgotten Realms, and it uses the AD&D 2nd Edition rules, as did Baldur's Gate. So why should we even pay attention to this game? Isn't it clearly an imitation of Baldur's Gate? No way! In truth, Black Isle is taking many steps to ensure a playing experience quite different than that of Baldur's Gate, proving yet again a game can't be judged by its screenshots. No matter how pretty they may be. Or how similar to another game. Or how ugly. You get the idea.
Icewind Dale is going to feature many improvements over the BioWare Infinity engine, including 3D acceleration. Although no new character classes or races are planned, Icewind Dale will distinguish itself from Baldur's Gate through its use of large enemies and dungeon combat/exploration. There will be over 50 new enemies, and among them some rather large, demented looking creatures, as well as over 50 dungeon levels to explore.
If you were anything like me in playing Baldur's Gate, after beating the game once (or perhaps before that) you decided to play "solo multi-player" and create six unique characters for your adventuring needs. Icewind Dale is built from the ground up to accommodate such people, as at the beginning of the game you have the choice of creating six of your own characters or choosing pre-made parties.
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