Semi-New News: The Bard's Tale IV

This is semi-older news, but I didn't see a topic after doing a search, I felt that this was some great news that needed to be related to our Dark Side group - forgive me if this was already related.

From inXile's Site:

"Powered by Unreal Engine 4, and featuring 3D photogrammetry to recreate lush, detailed Scottish architecture and landscapes, The Bard's Tale IV will bring back maze-like dungeons with devious puzzles and riddles, and dynamic phase-based combat against a host of monsters, beasts and brigands.

Led by Brian Fargo, Interplay and inXile Entertainment founder and creator of The Bard's Tale, we have full access to everything from the classic games to draw upon. With the power of crowdfunding, and your involvement, we can finally deliver a true sequel to this beloved CRPG series."


For those of you who didn't know, inXile Entertainment initiated a Kickstarter program June 2nd of this year (2015) to develop a continuation of the classic Bard's Tale.

Their efforts were successful and they were able to raise over $1.5 million by their Kickstarter end date last July, meaning we have another classic RPG on the way!

For those not familiar with The Bard's Tale I found an old video of the intro: Original Bard's Tale Intro

Here is the Kickstarter site: Bard's Tale IV Kickstarter

Here is the Paypal Site that still allows you to pledge according to the level of goodies you'll receive : The Bard's Tale IV - Paypal Backer's Page

Here is the official inXile Entertainment Site: The Bard's Tale - inXile Entertainment

If you don't pick a pledge level that provides the first games, rumor has it that shortly before the release of the new game, several game retail sites will again provide a special sale of the 3 games.

Being an RPG fan, I for one am really excited - I still have my original Commodore64 floppy disk of the first Bard's Tale from way back when.

WooHoo, thanks Trail

In case folks don't know, but Brian Fargo, who started Interplay is a pretty influential name in the gaming industry.

Aside from his family background which is pretty impressive (note his last name; Fargo as in Wells Fargo) the company he basically founded was the seed upon which Black Isle (and eventually Bioware) grew and produced such classic RPG titles as Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, Planescape: Torment and the original Fallout series. Aside from the Bard's Tale series and Battle Chess, Interplay had kind of a rocky start, but grew the group into an early gaming powerhouse by recruiting the right talent.

Now you know why I'm so excited to see him directly involved in this production.

Don't get me wrong, I love the new games that have come out in the last few years. While there is a ton of backstory that's offered in a lot of the new RPG's I just don't get the same feel for the art of "Story Telling" that I did in those earlier games. Also, some of the new games take themselves very seriously. I miss the humor from games like Baldur's Gate and BT. I hope that's brought out in this new iteration of The Bard's Tale.... "Rats, why does it always have to be rats!" Classic line.

Thanks Trail for the good news! I will be checking it out. I never played Bard's Tales so it would be great if the first 3 games come out before the new one is released.

Thanks, Trail.

Thanks, Trail. I had the original Bard's Tales games way back when. Brian Fargo is a very familiar name.

So, I'm practicing forum necromancy and bringing this thread back from the dead!

Just an FYI, the new Bard's Song Backers Website is now active. If you've pledged, you can register an account on the site to see your information, pledge and rewards under your account. The accounts are linked to the email address that was used to make the pledge so it's best to use that email when registering your account so they can pull in the pledge information. You can also use the site to make a pledge if you wish. (Did I use the word "pledge" enough in that paragraph, honestly I'm not trying to be subliminal. )

There are also some nice videos on the site including an "in engine" video highlighting the features of the gaming engine they are using. It's the middle video called "In Engine Footage" at the URL below, gave me chills when it first started up. Did I mention I'm really looking forward to this?


The Bard's Tale IV Backer's Website

Thanks, Trail

The original Bard's Tale is also out on Android, folks, and it is the full game.

Thanks, Hagatha