Wait, this wasn't an April Fools' prank tied to a Dragonspear promotion? Dang, I thought it was the best one this year. I guess having your hands tied on the issue really brings up some interesting timing!

I don't really see the big deal though? I mean everyone gets both versions in one package, and the old packages will still be available unharmed (which is something I can't say about Fallout 1/2/Tactics, which were all updated to the new version in classic too). Ideally, wouldn't this be a win-win situation for those who just appeared on GOG and want to play BG/BG2/IWD?

That's a good analogy. I played a bit of Broken Sword back when it was first released, but I just loved the Director's Cut. I was going to pass on these Enhanced Editions but now I'm leaning towards getting at least one because it sounds like most people who gripe about them are just opposed to change or outdated complaints to technical issues that have since been fixed.

Well, that depends for most people. I've seen people call it a bug-ridden unplayable mess, and I've seen a few people (including myself) saying it's more stable than the original (the original keeps crashing at random on my computer for some reasons). After three years of patches, it's mostly stable (although the most recent ones introduced a few ones that I hope will be fixed soon, but nothing gamebreaking).

As for mods, I don't use them outside of the TweakPack and Unfinished Business and both works well. You have to use the BG2 version of the TweakPack since the updated engine is based on BG2 (which itself was had an updated engine from BG1). From what I've heard, most major mods have an EE version or have been modified to include EE (after three years, they ought to be). The only exception I could find so far (since I don't use mods that much outside of these two I mentioned) is Stratagems that got broken by 2.0 (although the developers are working on updating it).

From what I've gathered, most of the mods that were integrated were unofficial patches to fix glitches and fix typos in the script (as well as re-writing some item descriptions that were inaccurate). I heard that some cut content (that were restored by other mods) was restored, but I can't find what exactly.

I suspect most people's objection is the idea that the old ones won't be sold on their own anymore. Not an issue if they're bundled except that this will *force* people to pay the (higher) price for the EE versions even if they only want the originals. I'll admit, that makes me uncomfortable too, especially given some of the recent pricing we've been seeing on GOG.

My own concern about the bundle change to Beamdog's EE titles and the original games though is actually mostly something I asked about earlier in this thread: will merging the games into a bundle mean only being able to leave reviews for that 'bundle'? Forgive me if it sounds a bit 'conspiracy theorist', but if so, this makes me wonder if that's the main reason for Beamdog wanting this done; they seem very concerned about 'bad reviews', but if the product pages are combined then wouldn't a glowing review for the original Baldur's Gate would become a glowing review for the EE instead? *tinfoil hat on*

That's also my opinion of it. Even if it's bundled with an "inferior" version, the original is still there and I can still play it whenever I want (like Outcast 1.1 and Broken Sword Director's Cut).

As long as the original are still available (take a hint, George Lucas), I have no problem with the bundle. Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame is bundled with it's terrible sequel, but the original is still there to enjoy.

So a bug in the original is "fun", but bugs in the EE's are unacceptable?

I'm kidding, really, and this isn't directed at you. I just find it funny how many people have moaned about bugs in the EE games, when the originals had there share of bugs too. The real irony is that while fixing some of the original bugs, Beamdog introduced their own bugs.

Thanks again. The little I played BG1EE seemed like a decent improvement tech-wise to me; "back in the day", I remember BG1 and 2 crashing a lot on my old computer so any stability improvements are welcome (ditto any bug fixes).

It's been a long time since I played any BG game, but in regards to mods I remember the only major ones I played with besides "restore/fix content" ones was "romance mods", hence why I was curious. Will likely play mod-free besides tweaks first time through the EE anyway.

Oh, and I really like the movie bundle analogy as a way of putting things into perspective (and the Star Wars one too!)... I can't think of how many terrible movies I've bought because a "double pack" or "box set" was the only way to get a single film I wanted on DVD or Bluray. It's not fair to have to pay more to get the thing you want, but otherwise who would ever buy Robocop 3 given the choice not to? :)

The discount has just ended. Let's see how the merging will occur.
Edit: Now Baldur's Gate: The Original Saga, Baldur's Gate 2 Complete and Icewind Dale Complete have been removed from the store.
Edit 2: Oh, now I see. Giftcodes for Baldur's Gate 1, Baldur's Gate 2 and Icewind Dale have been added to the Enhanced Editions under the "Serial Keys" tab.

It's interesting to note that even the fixpack has been guilty of introducing bugs. According to the patch notes, there was one version where the Harper's Call spell could be used offensively. (They decided to implement the temporary stat loss mentioned in the spell description, which could then be applied to enemies by casting it on them, or at least that's my understanding.)

emphasis mine

You're arguing against a strawman - not what the poster actually said, but what you felt was implied. That's a straight up logical fallacy. Good on you for admitting it, but please do stick to things that people actually say.

No one has said 'these people shouldn't talk'. People have said 'we wish these people would moderate their speech or at least talk elsewhere'. One is calling for suppression of freedom, one is not. The difference is quite large, and understanding it is important.

Sounds like something from Logan's Run.

Wow, seems I was right! With the "old" game pages removed, the only reviews up are of the EE versions. That's actually pretty cowardly and low if that was intentional. People should at least be able to edit their reviews to specify which version they are reviewing. I guess it also means that future reviews will have to mention "I'm talking about X version here". And what about the people who took the time to write reviews of the originals? Are their reviews simply deleted forever?

I wouldn't be surprised if this has a negative effect and fans less than impressed by this move (rightly or wrongly) start leaving poor reviews on the EE pages, since they are technically unable to review the classic version only.

And while I'm happy the original versions of the game are available, relegating them to "bonus extras" smells to me like the only time the original Star Wars Trilogy versions were sold as "bonus features" with the Special Editions on DVD. :(

It seems you get the giftcodes for the classic editions even if you already have them.

Yes. I no longer represent a product or a community and I've stopped giving a fuck. You can't police other people's identities except where it pertains to excluding people from your group and even then it's a group decision and you only have a vote.

--
As for the topic:

1. I fully support Beamdog in editing the script for the EEs. Baldur's Gate was sexist and transphobic trash. Now I might actually play the games as intended, without reading the walkthrough and pre-picking quests and companions and installing a ton of potentially incompatible mods so as not to encounter content that warrants an e-punch in the e-nuts over TCP/IP.

2. Removing the original versions from direct sale is okay. There are other developers who aren't particularly keen on making original versions available in any shape or form, and yet there's no controversy.

3. References are fucking everywhere in gaming, some worse than others. Beamdog's dig toward a hate group is something I 100% applaud. (Bought the expansion on release, too.)

4. Gators trying to infringe on the artistic vision of the devs and censor content are fucking hilarious.
4.5 As long as the administration allows posting racist and sexist shit on the forum, I see no purpose in declaring certain words or expressions inadvisable. Particularly characteristic expressions allow me to quickly ignore a user and move on to reading posts which are worth my time.

5. GOG should absolutely delete gator reviews. They had deleted the antisemitic shit on the gamecard for The Shivah, and this is no different.

6. However, reviews for original games should be made available. I actually went to the thread to see if there's ongoing effort to preserve reviews. I did make a local copy, but one of the Archive Team's principles is that nothing is truly preserved until it's online and accessible. (Perhaps gogwiki can be used for this?)
6.5 I remember a scathing review of one of Baldur's Gate games by GOG user SimonG. Why can't I find it? Am I blind? Is it gone? Was it perhaps "reported" into deletion by fanbois? Did SimonG change his username (in that case, don't tell me)?

You know, I don't recall the Original Trilogy in it's original form ever been released on DVD. Ever. The only way to watch them were on old out-of-print VHS tapes.

Did Disney made a new Blu-Ray edition with the Originals as Bonus Feature?

At least when Rock and Rule did that, it was because the only version of the original cut they could find was of very low quality (it was from an old VHS tape recording when the movie was on TV).