Obsidian Entertainment - Formspring Interview with George Ziets about how He Would

George Ziets, Creative Lead on Obsidian's Mask of the Betrayer, has been asked on
Formspring about his ideas for a BG3 game. Here's his take on how the game could have begun, hypothetically speaking that is:

Initially the player may just be staving off imminent disaster as Cyric and his friends move quickly against the player - several strong deities against a relatively weak one. I could imagine the player being forced to abandon the Throne of Bhaal and going on the run across the planes. The player's goal would be to gain followers (faith=power), usurp the divine portfolio of another god, and carve out a base of power in the wider multiverse.

In the commens he clarifies that they were planning a reboot of the series:

…….It had been about 10 years since the BG games, which may have been too long for a direct sequel. I know we were planning a reboot of the series that could appeal to gamers unfamiliar with the franchise.

More information.

Planescape: Usurper?

Sounds cool. There's a few old classics I wouldn't mind seeing rebooted.

In a divine-level planar campaign, the player might stir up a civil war on Mount Celestia, conquer a layer of the Abyss, or assemble an adventuring party of divine avatars. Ultimately you’d take back the Throne of Bhaal, smack down Cyric and his friends, and establish a place for yourself among the pantheon of gods.

I'm glad they didn't end up going that route. It sounded like another high-level campaign similar to Throne of Bhaal. I didn't care for the gameplay as much once you reached very high levels in 2nd or 3rd Edition D&D.

Just give me a party of low-level adventurers with leather armor, thank you. You can keep the "divine-level" gameplay.

Sounds good to me. To bad I doubt there will ever be another game in the series despite Beamdog's and Obsidian's attempts. Hasbro seems content to license there IP to make F2P mmo's.

Originally Posted by JDR13
..

Just give me a party of low-level adventurers with leather armor, thank you. You can keep the "divine-level" gameplay.

As in the start of BG, Oh no a wolf!
I like making my character as powerful as possible but after a while its not just fun anymore. So give me fear of the wolf!

I donīt like the DnD ruleset, but isn't it established that they work best around level 7-14? (2:nd ed.)

What is Ziets doing now?
Mask of the Betrayer is one of the top rpg experiences.

C

Originally Posted by Crilloan
What is Ziets doing now?

He is working on project eternity there was stretch goal to bring him on board.

Originally Posted by Nameless one
He is working on project eternity there was stretch goal to bring him on board.

Right!
Forgot about that.

C

He is practically already working on Baldur's Gate 3 since Project Eternity is what you get when you want Baldur's Gate 3 but don't have the license.