Dave Gross joins as writer for Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition
For those of you following the progress of the new Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition, I just wanted to share the word that Dave Gross has joined their team.
Dave’s a fantastic writer. He has several published novels and I encourage you to check them out. He’s also a skilled editor.
More importantly — to me :) — is that Dave is also the first editor to buy something from me! Over a decade ago he purchased an article I had written “Give Them Pidgins” for Dragon Magazine. It was my first published work.
So I’m very pleased he’ll be working on this project.
Brent Knowles
Former lead designer at BioWare (Dragon Age: Origins, Neverwinter Nights). Creator of Raiders of the Serpent Sea.
18 Comments
Laurie Tom
That’s wonderful news!
Robert
Brent – have you any thoughts about kickstarter? I’m sure your name alone could get a few million for something like BG3 / DA2 (proper). With these funds, could you not write a great universe like Dave did, and then find some guys who would code it into existence in the fun atmosphere of a small studio run by you?
Brent Knowles
Indeed! Curious how this project will turn out.
Brent Knowles
Robert,
I’ve certainly considered it. But until both kids are in school fulltime I’m not really looking to get back into the industry. Too busy hanging out with them.
I also don’t think I have the name power to get the funds that would be needed! Judging by sales of my game design books and other measures I’d be shocked if I could raise anywhere near that amount. I’m just not well known enough.
We’ll see how things change over the next couple of years though.
Mordi Peshkess
Awesome. I am very excited for this project. I’ve read somewhere, Don’t remember where, that there’s also gonna be an enhanced edition of BG2 and if those 2 games are gonna sell well then Atari might consider making a third one.
If that happens would you reconsider getting back to video games if they ask you to join them?
PS: Did you get to watch moon?
Mordi Peshkess
Hello again. Sorry I am double posting. I’ve been meaning to ask you this for the longest time and I keep forgetting.
I would very much like to know what’s your personal taste in games? Obviously RPG’s, but do you also have other game genres you like to play?
Brent Knowles
In a couple years when the kids are all in school full time I might consider going back into the games industry. In that case a project like what you suggested might of interest to me. But it will depend on a lot of factors, especially the level of control I’d have (I would want a lot :) and having royalties as part of compensation — I’m a big fan of royalties.
So, I guess the answer is maybe.
As for Moon I haven’t watched it yet. Long story short: We’ve moved to a new house and I’ve been having trouble getting Netflix to play nicely over the PlayStation’s wireless. So now I’m running Cat5e everywhere so I have more wired connections. Still not quite done but when I am and I have Netflix back in my life properly I’ll definitely check the movie out. For sure by end of next week!
Craigdolphin
I dunno Brent, you may not realize how your legend has grown on the Bioware forums in the aftermath of da2. DAO was much loved and as lead designer for it, you’ve got a lot of cache with a lot of fans who are, or were, Bioware fans. :)
Lord knows I’d not hesitate to contribute to any kick starter campaign you were part of.
Mordi Peshkess
I hear ya. I sometimes forget that there’s another, darker, side for video games development. As someone who’s in the retail industry and have to deal with companies and corporation I can’t imagine what developers sometimes have to go through. Just look at what Bethesda pulled on Obsidian just recently. I don’t know if you heard about it but to make a long story short Bethesda withheld a bonus payment to Obsidian because Fallout: New Vegas missed it’s Metacritic goal by, you ready??? By One Point. No matter that New Vegas about 6 million units.
That’s why I moved my router to the living room. I was getting Netflix over wireless but because of lower quality signal I was getting a ton of pixelation.
As far as Moon goes then last time I checked they removed it from Netflix :( but it is available through the PS3 vudu app.
James Paten
True story. Not nearly as many fans of your work are interested in the game industry, but they love the work you have done while at the helm.
Make no mistake – the second you sign a piece of paper that contains the words ‘RPG’ and ‘Brent Knowles’ I think you’d be pleasantly surprised at how quick and how many fans will crawl out of the woodwork.
Brent Knowles
My taste really varies. Nowadays its mostly games I can play with my kids (the various Lego videogames are probably the most played games in our home now).
If I had unlimited time? Then traditional fantasy RPGs with sprawling exploration and loads of customization. Pretty much equal would be RTS and strategy style games… with a preferences towards sci-fi based franchises. I like building things.
I do sometimes enjoy playing shooters and adventure style games as well. Just not as likely for me to pick them up to try in the first place.
– Brent
Brent Knowles
Thanks for the vote of confidence!
Brent Knowles
Hmm. Maybe one day :)
Brent Knowles
Yeah, the industry can be pretty brutal sometimes. The smaller companies have more freedom but less resources. The larger companies have more money to spend on projects but there’s an increased risk of bad decisions from the outside.
Mordi Peshkess
Hey there.
I think you’ll be interested in this podcast. It’s from the Irrational Games guys and on their latest one they had Amy Hennig. Her and Ken Levine set down and had some great conversation about writing, and writing in video games. So just check it out.
http://irrationalgames.com/insider/irrational-interviews-11-amy-hennig/
Pete
I was going to suggest kickstarter but it looks like someone beat it to me. Yes! Please do make a kickstarter, get a professional team and make something as great as DAO (or greater!). I will be your first backer :)
Brent Knowles
:) Maybe one day!
Brent Knowles
Finally got to watch Moon. Very much enjoyed it! I thought it a pretty well done movie and had me intrigued throughout.