Editing Baldur's Gate (section)

==Games==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Release
! scope="col" | Platforms
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| {{sort|Baldur's Gate 1|''[[Baldur's Gate (video game)|Baldur's Gate]]''}}
| {{dts|1998|12|21}}
| rowspan="4" | [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Classic Mac OS|Mac OS]]
| Developed by [[BioWare]]
|-
| {{sort|Baldur's Gate 1|''[[Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast]]''}}
| {{dts|1999|04|30}}
| Expansion, developed by BioWare
|-
| {{sort|Baldur's Gate 2|''[[Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn]]''}}
| {{dts|2000|09|21}}
| Developed by BioWare
|-
| {{sort|Baldur's Gate 2|''[[Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal]]''}}
| {{dts|2001|06|22}}
| Expansion, developed by BioWare
|-
| ''[[Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance]]''
| {{dts|2001|12|04}}
| [[PlayStation 2|PS2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], [[GameCube]], [[Game Boy Advance|GBA]], Windows, Mac OS, [[Linux]], [[PlayStation 4|PS4]], [[PlayStation 5|PS5]], [[Xbox One]], [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]], [[Nintendo Switch|Switch]], [[iOS]]
| Spin-off, originally developed by [[Snowblind Studios]]
|-
| ''[[Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II]]''
| {{dts|2004|01|20}}
| PS2, Xbox, Windows, Mac OS, Linux, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
| Spin-off, developed by [[Black Isle Studios]]
|-
| {{sort|Baldur's Gate 1|''[[Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition]]''}}
| {{dts|2012|11|28}}
| rowspan="2" | Windows, Mac OS, Linux, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, iOS, [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
 | rowspan="2" | Enhanced Edition, developed by [[Beamdog#Overhaul Games|Overhaul Games]]
|-
| {{sort|Baldur's Gate 2|''[[Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition]]''}}
| {{dts|2013|11|15}}
|-
| {{sort|Baldur's Gate 1|''[[Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear]]''}}
| {{dts|2016|03|31}}
| Windows, Mac OS, Linux, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, iOS
| Expansion, developed by [[Beamdog]]
|-
| ''[[Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance]]''
| {{dts|2021|6|22}}
| Windows, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
| Spin-off, developed by [[Tuque Games]]
|-
| {{sort|Baldur's Gate 3|''[[Baldur's Gate 3]]''}}
| August 3, 2023{{efn|An [[early access]] version of ''Baldur's Gate 3'' for [[Microsoft Windows]] and [[macOS]] was released on October 6, 2020.}}
| Windows, Mac OS, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
| Developed by [[Larian Studios]]
|}

The ''Baldur's Gate'' series brought technical advancements over role-playing video games of the past. BioWare's [[Infinity Engine]] offers a pre-rendered [[Isometric video game graphics|isometric worldview]], with [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprite]]-based characters. ''Baldur's Gate'' was the third computer game to make use of the [[Lua programming language|Lua]] scripting language. The engine was used for ''[[Planescape: Torment]]'' and the [[Icewind Dale (series)|''Icewind Dale'' series]].

The earliest released in the series are based on a real-time modification of the second edition ''AD&D'' (''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'') ruleset. The player's party can have up to six members, either created by the player according to the ''AD&D'' rules or [[non-player character]]s (NPCs) recruited by the protagonist from the game world. 

''Baldur's Gate 3'' is based on ''Dungeons & Dragons'' 5th Edition, and the party is limited to 4 characters.

Numerous side quests and plot twists are associated with particular NPCs and can be activated if they are found in the player's party. Through extensive, context-dependent dialogue, many characters inside and outside the player's party are fleshed out and given an added level of complexity.

===Original series===
{{Main|Baldur's Gate (video game)|Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast|Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn|Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal|Baldur's Gate 3}}

The first game in the series was ''Baldur's Gate'' and introduces the player character as an orphan who has been raised by the sage Gorion in the fortified library-monastery of [[Candlekeep]], south of [[Baldur's Gate (city)|Baldur's Gate]] and north of the kingdom of [[Amn (Forgotten Realms)|Amn]]. After an urgent departure from Candlekeep and a violent separation from their foster father, the protagonist searches for Gorion's allies and becomes involved with solving the region's iron crisis which has been mysteriously causing all metal to crumble, while avoiding or battling increasingly powerful enemies who have been tasked with taking their life. An expansion pack for Baldur's Gate called ''Tales of the Sword Coast'' did not add to the primary storyline, but presented the protagonist with more areas to explore along the [[Sword Coast]], more powerful enemies, more spells, and better equipment. It also allows the player character to reach higher levels of experience, made some general changes to gameplay, and altered the original game's final battle.

The sequel to ''Baldur's Gate'' was ''Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn''. The main character is captured by [[#Jon Irenicus|Jon Irenicus]] and must escape into the city of [[Athkatla]], the capital of Amn. Here the protagonist faces several different ways to figure out the reason behind the capture, as they journey through the region of Amn and the [[Underdark]]. The game presents a number of innovations over the first ''Baldur's Gate'' game, including further specialization of character classes, better graphics, and higher power levels. It also allowed more interaction with the game's joinable NPCs, including friendships, romances, and your own party members' interactions with one another. ''Throne of Bhaal'' is an expansion pack for ''Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn'', and includes both an expansion of the original game, such as new areas to explore, and a conclusion to the Bhaalspawn story arc started in the first ''Baldur's Gate'' game.

The third main title, ''Baldur's Gate 3'', was developed by [[Larian Studios]] in partnership with [[Wizards of the Coast]], which holds the license for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' IP. It was released in 2023 for Windows PC, [[MacOS|Mac OS]], [[PlayStation 5|PS5]], [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/6/6/18655160/baldurs-gate-3-trailer-release-date-google-stadia-larian-studios |title=Baldur's Gate 3 announced for Stadia launch, watch the trailer here |website=Polygon |date=June 6, 2019 |access-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-date=June 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619081054/https://www.polygon.com/2019/6/6/18655160/baldurs-gate-3-trailer-release-date-google-stadia-larian-studios |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Macgregor|first=Jody|date=July 9, 2021|title=Baldur's Gate 3 will release 'hopefully somewhere in 2022'|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/baldurs-gate-3-will-release-hopefully-somewhere-in-2022/|access-date=July 9, 2021|website=PC Gamer|archive-date=July 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712005805/https://www.pcgamer.com/baldurs-gate-3-will-release-hopefully-somewhere-in-2022/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=July 8, 2021|title=Baldur's Gate 3 {{!}} Panel From Hell 3|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2bmJe1lD_M|url-status=live|access-date=July 9, 2021|website=YouTube|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709202259/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2bmJe1lD_M}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/23509876/baldurs-gate-3-critical-role-matt-mercer-voice-cast | title = Baldur's Gate 3 adds Critical Role's Matt Mercer in 'critical role' | first = Michael | last = McWhertor | date = December 14, 2022 | access-date = December 23, 2022 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] | archive-date = December 23, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221223050811/https://www.polygon.com/23509876/baldurs-gate-3-critical-role-matt-mercer-voice-cast | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Baldur's Gate 3 will release on August 3rd for PC|url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1086940?emclan=103582791464711919&emgid=3657534571513526776|access-date=July 7, 2023|website=Steam|archive-date=July 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707202652/https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1086940?emclan=103582791464711919&emgid=3657534571513526776|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=July 7, 2023|title=Panel From Hell: Release Showcase|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW846h6FyU4|url-status=live|access-date=July 7, 2023|website=YouTube|archive-date=July 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707113356/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW846h6FyU4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Wesley |last=Yin-Poole |date=June 29, 2023 |title=Microsoft Engineers Helping Get Baldur's Gate 3 Split-Screen Working on Xbox Series S |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/microsoft-engineers-helping-get-baldurs-gate-3-split-screen-working-on-xbox-series-s |access-date=July 8, 2023 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=July 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708093010/https://www.ign.com/articles/microsoft-engineers-helping-get-baldurs-gate-3-split-screen-working-on-xbox-series-s |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Leonardo |last=Biazzi |date=August 31, 2023 |title=Baldur's Gate 3's Xbox release could be coming sooner than expected |url=https://dotesports.com/baldurs-gate/news/baldurs-gate-3s-xbox-release-could-be-coming-sooner-than-expected |access-date=August 31, 2023 |website=Dot Esports |language=en |archive-date=August 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831130837/https://dotesports.com/baldurs-gate/news/baldurs-gate-3s-xbox-release-could-be-coming-sooner-than-expected |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/baldurs-gate-3/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Baldur's Gate 3 for PC Reviews |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=August 9, 2023 |archive-date=August 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809002659/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/baldurs-gate-3 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===''Dark Alliance''===
{{Main|Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance|Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II|Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance}}
The [[action role-playing game]] ''Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance'' was developed by [[Snowblind Studios]] and others, and released in 2001 for the [[PlayStation 2]] console, and later [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] and [[GameCube]] video game consoles. The game takes place in the city of ''Baldur's Gate'' and surrounding area and is set in the ''[[Forgotten Realms]]'' setting, with a ruleset derived from the [[Editions of Dungeons & Dragons#Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition|3rd edition of Dungeon & Dragons]]; the plot is unrelated to previous PC games. The console version used an overhead third person view, and hack-and-slash [[dungeon crawl]] style gameplay. A [[Game Boy Advance]] version was released in 2004, with reduced graphics quality using an [[2.5D]] isometric type perspective. While all ports were very well received, the original for the PlayStation 2 was the only one that gained universal acclaim.

A sequel, ''[[Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II]]'' was developed by [[Black Isle Studios]] and released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox; the game used the same gameplay style as the original, and was also positively reviewed. The gameplay style was expanded to make the game more like a role-playing game, the ability to craft weapons, armor and amulets was added, ''Baldur's Gate'' became a hub city with the addition of a world map and being able to travel back to areas, making the game open world and many more side-quests were added as well as the ability to level up one's class.

Interplay Entertainment placed its entire catalogue of video game intellectual properties (IP) and assets up for sale, including that of ''Dark Alliance'' in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/interplay-to-sell-entire-videogame-library-and-assets/|title=Interplay to sell entire videogame library and assets|website=pcgamer.com|date=September 8, 2016|last1=Donnelly|first1=Joe|access-date=September 10, 2016|archive-date=September 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910220751/http://www.pcgamer.com/interplay-to-sell-entire-videogame-library-and-assets/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=TrentOster|author=Trent Oster|number=774056623526416384|date=September 9, 2016|title=@psrandh I don't think we have a very good chance.}}</ref>

''[[Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance]]'' was developed by [[Tuque Games]] in partnership with [[Wizards of the Coast]].<ref name="WotC Tuque">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-10-29-wizards-of-the-coast-acquires-tuque-games |title=Wizards of the Coast acquires Tuque Games |first=Brendan |last=Sinclair |date=October 29, 2019 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |access-date=December 14, 2019 |archive-date=December 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215174212/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-10-29-wizards-of-the-coast-acquires-tuque-games |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TGA 2019">Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/-pYJNY2lsWk Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20191213034401/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pYJNY2lsWk Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pYJNY2lsWk |title=Dark Alliance Official Announcement Trailer {{pipe}} Dungeons & Dragons |date=December 12, 2019 |website=[[YouTube]] |language=en |access-date=December 14, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Tuque Games studio head Jeff Hattem described the game as a "spiritual successor" to the previous ''Dark Alliance'' games, rather than a direct sequel.<ref name="Eurogamer D&DDA">{{Cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-12-09-dungeons-dragons-series-dark-alliance-new-game |title=D&D hack-and-slash series Dark Alliance is making a comeback |last=Purchese |first=Robert |date=December 13, 2019 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |language=en |access-date=December 14, 2019 |archive-date=December 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214061804/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-12-09-dungeons-dragons-series-dark-alliance-new-game |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance'' has [[third-person (video games)|third-person]] perspectives rather than the traditional [[2.5D]] [[isometric video game graphics|isometric]] perspective of the previous ''Dark Alliance'' games.<ref name="Eurogamer D&DDA" /><ref name = "CNBC D&DDA">{{cite web |url = https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/12/new-dungeons-and-dragons-video-game-coming-in-2020.html |title = New 'Dungeons and Dragons' based on R.A. Salvatore characters is coming in 2020 |last = Whitten |first = Sarah |website = [[CNBC]] |date = December 12, 2019 |access-date = December 12, 2019 |archive-date = December 13, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191213043628/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/12/new-dungeons-and-dragons-video-game-coming-in-2020.html |url-status = live}}</ref><ref name = "VentureBeat D&DDA">{{cite news | title = Dark Alliance is a new D&D action-RPG starring Drizzt Do'Urden and the Companions of the Hall | url = https://venturebeat.com/2019/12/12/dark-alliance-is-a-new-dd-action-rpg-starring-drizzt-dourden-and-the-companions-of-the-hall/ | last = Wilson | first = Jason | date = December 12, 2019 | website = [[VentureBeat]] | access-date = December 14, 2019 | archive-date = December 13, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191213033458/https://venturebeat.com/2019/12/12/dark-alliance-is-a-new-dd-action-rpg-starring-drizzt-dourden-and-the-companions-of-the-hall/ | url-status = live}}</ref> The game, which features a storyline based on characters from [[R. A. Salvatore]]'s novel series ''[[The Legend of Drizzt]]'',<ref name="CNBC D&DDA" /> was released in 2021 to mixed reviews.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dungeons-and-dragons-dark-alliance/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance for PC Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=26 June 2021 |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606100946/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/dungeons-dragons-dark-alliance |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Enhanced editions===
{{Main||Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition|Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition|Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear}}
The original game was remade in 2012 by [[Overhaul Games]] and [[Beamdog]], 14 years after the release of the original game. It was re-released on multiple platforms as ''[[Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition]]'', a collection of the original game and its expansion ''Tales of the Sword Coast''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5896538/they-hope-baldurs-gate-will-revive-the-classic-rpg |title=They Hope Baldur's Gate Will Revive The Classic RPG |work=Kotaku |date=March 27, 2012 |access-date=October 15, 2013 |archive-date=September 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916201143/http://kotaku.com/5896538/they-hope-baldurs-gate-will-revive-the-classic-rpg |url-status=live}}</ref> A brand new expansion named ''[[Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear]]''<ref name="eurogamer.net"/> was released in 2016.

''[[Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition]]'', a remake of the second game, was released in 2013. It was developed by Overhaul Games for PC, Mac OS X, iOS, Linux and Android, featuring a modified version of the Infinity Engine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baldursgate.com/news/2012/03/15/announcing-baldurs-gate-enhanced-edition/ |title=Announcing Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition |date=March 15, 2012 |access-date=March 15, 2012 |publisher=Atari/Overhaul Games |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318023015/http://www.baldursgate.com/news/2012/03/15/announcing-baldurs-gate-enhanced-edition/ |archive-date=March 18, 2012}}</ref> The game features new content and widescreen compatibility, and utilized 2nd Edition D&D rules.<ref name="gamersnexus">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamersnexus.net/news/777-new-baldurs-gate-title-announced-servers-die |title=New Baldur's Gate Title Announced, Servers Go Down Instantly |author=Stephen Burke |date=March 15, 2012 |work=Gamers Nexus |access-date=March 15, 2012 |archive-date=March 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317225403/http://www.gamersnexus.net/news/777-new-baldurs-gate-title-announced-servers-die |url-status=live}}</ref> Beamdog also made enhanced versions of other Infinity Engine games, including ''[[Icewind Dale]]'', ''[[Planescape: Torment]]'' and ''[[Neverwinter Nights (2002 video game)|Neverwinter Nights]]''.

The enhanced versions were released for [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 4]], and [[Xbox One]] in 2019.