The Bard's Tale returns! I think I'm going to explode

[calthaer]

http://www.gamespy.com/previews/september03/bardstalemulti/

I don't know whether to be overjoyed that a classic RPG like this is reborn or dismayed at the fact that buying this game will mean I have to give EA money...

[IntvGene]

Thanks for the link.

But, after reading it, it sounds like they are making a new game, and slapping the Bards' Tale on to it. They talk more of breaking conventions than actually returning to anything that worked.

Well, what really kills me for it is that you control only one character. I enjoy controlling a party (micromanagment can be fun!). And, I am sick of single person taking on the world idea that is so common these days. I also wished that they would at least keep the combat turn based, but it doesn't seem like they will. :/

[calthaer]

You're right, it's not the original or even a remake or sequel to it. It's much more of a game that follows the ideas from the Bard's Tale novels that were written sometime in the late 80s / early 90s.

BUT - Brian Fargo is involved, even if there's pretty much no chance of them getting Michael Cranford into it again.

[Kid Fenris]

Yeah, it won't really seem like the Bard's Tale without an entire party to control, but Fargo's credentials from Wasteland and Fallout are impressive, and I like the idea of an RPG mocking genre clichés. Killing rats is indeed lame.

Fans of the Bard's Tale should also check out Devil Whiskey (http://www.devilwhiskey.com/main.html#), which was apparently inspired by the classic RPG.

[Tritoch]

Only slightly off-topic, has anyone else read The Bard's Tale book series written largely by Mercedes Lackey? Those made up the majority of my leisure reading in my last year of college. :D

[Jorpho]

Mercedes Lackey? Most video game novelizations do not get such high-profile writers, if I am not mistaken.
________
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[Tritoch]

Mercedes Lackey is high profile? I wasn't aware that she was that well known...I only found the series because I worked in the library during college and noticed the video game related title. :)

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0671721933.01._PE_PIdp-schmoo2,TopRight,7,-26_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0671721623.01._PE_PIdp-schmoo2,TopRight,7,-26_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0671721259.01._PE_PI_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[Raedon]

Anyone else remember the new Pool of Radiance game from 3 years ago? *SHUDDER*

[Mayhem]

BUT - Brian Fargo is involved, even if there's pretty much no chance of them getting Michael Cranford into it again.

A pity yes... I still have an interview I did with Brian Fargo from 7-8 years ago sitting on my HD somewhere... mentions his initial relationship with Michael and how they came to work together on the first two BT games...

[KJN]

And it looks like Wasteland will make a comback as well. Brian Fargo posted this on a board:

"Yes we have acquired the rights to Wasteland but it has not been officially announced. Due to the trademark offices it became public knowledge which is why I'm willing to discuss it at all.
...
you will be happy to know that it will be very much an old school RPG that uses the skill systems, open ended nature of design, and puts the player into a world that is not black and white but shades of grey. This Wasteland will be darker in nature in the first one...



Well, what really kills me for it is that you control only one character. I enjoy controlling a party (micromanagment can be fun!).
Apparently the rest of the party will be made up of summoned creatures. Worked great in Geneforge (http://www.spiderwebsoftware.com/geneforge/index.html).

[Keir]

I think it looks like a great game, and I will probably get it when I finally get a PS2 (sometime after the PS3 comes out :) ). However, if I want a modern game with an authentic "Bard's Tale" feel, I'll be playing Devil Whiskey.

[IntvGene]

I know this title is doomed now.

ACCLAIM!@ is now releasing it. The kiss of death.

Source:
http://www.ferrago.co.uk/story/2457

[calthaer]

Gamespot only mentioned that they were publishing it in Europe...

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/thebardstale/news_6081659.html

The real question is whether Brian Fargo's touch can counteract Acclaim's venemous fangs.