tfo47: "I hate to be the one who tell you this but the review page for the classic Baldur's Gate was likely populated by a lot of reviews of people playing it through Tutu, which is a massive alteration of the game itself. The review page for Baldur's Gate never was for one product any more than it is now. You're still free to use the store page to review (and recommend) any version."
Actually, based on what I remember, most of the people describing their memories of playing the games in the late 90s and the beginning of the 2000s.
Do some players today play the classic games with the aid of mods? Yes, they do. So what? This is encouraged by the gog page itself. In many games they have sections in their respective pages with list of recommended and even required mods in order to play the games in todays machines.
Even the people behind the EEs were after mod creators in order to hire them. They themselves embrace the concept of mods and welcome people to offer them for their version.
Old games on new machines with the aid of mods is no shameful deed, nor a close-guarded secret that you happened to uncover, It´s a very known fact of life among pc players. Are you some sort of console-only player who just recently stumbled with pc gaming?
By the way, a lot of people whopurchased the new versions and the expansion also used mods (I´m one of them). This fact can be verified by the big number of reviewers complaining that the new revision and the expansion disrupted the compatibility with mods.
Should the people who write reviews for the new versions (either writing good things or bad things) be ignored because of the use of mods that spoil the experience?
So, what exactly is your point?
My point was that you can still review the enhanced and classic version separately in reviews, just as people have been reviewing the Tutu version in the classic version reviews.
That is, the fear of conflating Enhanced Edition reviews with all those equally different builds people are reviewing already is irrational.
And I don't believe that most reviews where from peoples memories of 15 years ago. I don't believe Baldur's Gate lacks the appeal to bring in new players and I don't believe old players haven't replayed it recently. For a fan, you have a shocking lack of faith in the quality of the game.
tfo47: "And I actually think you're being counterproductive with downrating the EE"
There´s nothing counterproductive if their insatisfaction with the product is sincere. If they think rpgs are a place to have fun and not a political battleground. Or if they deslike the changes done to the characters. Or to the mechanics. Or the quality of the writing. Or any other aspect. It´s their right, wheter you like it or not.
"for new fans it's actually the best introduction to the series."
I totally agree with you here. It´s more friendly toward new players. And the story mode is a great addition.
Which is my point. I prioritize bringing more people into great gaming like Baldur's Gate over political pettiness.
The result of downrating the EE is confusing players, potentially offering a worse first time experience for people who buy the classics and ultimately the end result will be less people who will appreciate a fantastic game.
tfo47: "Old fans might prefer the authentic experience, but if you try to tell new fans to jump on to that they might just go "fuck this archaic shit" over playing one of the best cRPGs of all time."
I agree, In most cases, that would be the likely reaction. But why should them - as well as everyone else-, veterans and new players, simply be deprived of CHOICE? A choice that was actually available for years?
The only significant change brought by this recent measure is that the old games increased price.
Let´s say I was someone who already owned the new edition on tablet. Or steam. What if I wanted to purchase on gog the classic versions? Or if I was someone who was away from gaming for a long time.
"Baldur's Gate is my favorite series of all time, I want as many people as possible to enjoy it even though I know they won't like it exactly as I did."
And who exactly is attempting to sabotage new people from purchasing the new games? They may actually have to pay more now, since there now new extras, beamdog could justify an increase in price soon. it may become harder for them, and it´s definetly harder for the classic players who just want the originals.
Why should they be forced to digest a classic version that -as you were saying - may be too unpalatable, archaic, unrefined and hard for them? And why should classic players only interested in their old version have to pay so much more for a new version they have no interest in?
" And for starting the reply with "besides the pricing" you do go on to talk a lot about pricing concerns and again: demand fair prices. You don't need to split the package up for that."
For a bundle, the price is fair. It´s just unfair when one is only interested in the bonus. It´s also the oportunity for some people to offer their own political statement to beamdog with their wallets by having nothing to do with their own political crusade in order to insert their own sjw fecal matter into gaming. Or simply the lame fanfiction-like writing.
Again, pricing concerns are just that. Demand fair pricing. Demand Baldur's Gate old price for the bundle. This does not necessitate unbundling it.
tfo47: "As for the "don't want to pay Beamdog over political agenda". Ok I forgot that, that's another reason. Not one I sympathize with though."
Too bad. For you. But for many here, it´s a legitimate freedom, and one that should be respected.
Besides, beamdog fired the first shot. By accusing the original games of being sexist, by self-proclaiming our professors who will educate us, the public, on social matters. They brought their bankrupt and perverse social agenda into the market, and the consumers can bring theirs as well with their reviews and their wallets.
You do enjoy when your legitimate freedoms are respected, don´t you? Then please, do respect it when it comes to other people´s.
I fail to see what freedom you're being deprived of here.