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Episode 225:

The Forgotten Realm

Runtime: 56 Minutes

History Topics (At-A Glance):

Baldur's Gate (1998)

Episode Summary:

Today, we’re stepping into the Forgotten Realms to explore Baldur’s Gate, the iconic role-playing game first released on December 21, 1998. We’ll start by uncovering the origins of BioWare, from their humble beginnings as a small team of D&D enthusiasts to their ambitious vision for a groundbreaking RPG. Then, we’ll delve into the game’s development, exploring its innovative tactical pause system, expansive world, and rich storytelling that revitalized the Western RPG genre. Finally, we’ll reflect on Baldur’s Gate’s lasting legacy, from its role in shaping modern RPGs to its celebrated sequels and recent resurgence. So, ready your party and join us on this epic adventure on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.


Video Games and Consoles Discussed in this Episode:
Baldur's Gate (1998)

IGDB

Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast (1999)

Wikipedia

Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn (2000)

Wikipedia

Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal (2001)

Wikipedia

Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance (2001)

Wikipedia

Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 2 (2004)

Wikipedia

Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition (2012)

Wikipedia

Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition (2013)

Wikipedia

Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear (2016)

Wikipedia

Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance (2021)

Wikipedia

Baldur's Gate 3 (2023)

Wikipedia

Shattered Steel (1996)

Wikipedia

Additional Sources:

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, November 13). BioWare. Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BioWare

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, November 12). Interplay Entertainment. Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interplay_Entertainment

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, October 17). Baldur’s Gate. Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldur%27s_Gate

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, November 12). Black Isle Studios. Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Isle_Studios

Williams, M. (2019, August 20). Remembering the Early Days of BioWare with Co-Founder Trent Oster. USgamer.net.

https://web.archive.org/web/20220729172128/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/reflections-on-the-early-days-of-bioware-co-founder-trent-oster

Mason, G. (2018, September 30). How BioWare revolutionised the RPG. Eurogamer.net.

https://www.eurogamer.net/how-bioware-revolutionised-the-rpg

Audio Sources:
Cold Open Music

Bleeping Demo by Kevin MacLeod

Link: Free Download

Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Podcast Intro Music

Open Those Bright Eyes by Kevin MacLeod

Link: Free Download

Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license