The Return Of The Bard's Tale Confirmed

Thanks to GameSpy for their article officially revealing the return of classic RPG series The Bard's Tale, following recent rumors that a new title was in the works. However, screenshots of the title, from former Interplay boss Brian Fargo's new company, inXile Entertainment, reveal a radically different top-down view, as the game, due out at the end of 2004, "is being developed primarily for the PS2", and "is using an improved version of the Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance engine." There are also noticeable similarities to the classic original series, as: "The plan calls for the game to start near the original town of Skara Brae, an ancient ruin in the Orkney Islands on the northern tip of Scotland." Update: 10/01 22:34 GMT by S : There's now an interview with Brian Fargo about the new Bard's Tale title, also courtesy GameSpy.

Comments

The real sequel

[Txurlo]

As much as I wet my pants when I saw this newspost, I can't really say I'm excited.
The Bard's Tale series was absolutely HUGE for me, specially the third installment. I even made my own BTIV with the Bard's Tale Construction Set!
Anyway, if you want a sequel which is more than spiritually linked to the originals, go for Devil Whiskey. It's still in demo, but also quite impressive!

A dialogue...

[Anonymous Coward]

Designer 1: We need a way to sell this crappy console action-RPG...

Designer 2: How about stealing a beloved intellectual property from the golden age of gaming, and using it to shill what appears to be our version of Ultima XIII?

Designer 1: Can we do that?

Designer 2: Let's ask Brian Fargo.

Designer 1: Hey Brian Fargo. Here is a large check. Our game sucks, can we call it a Bard's Tale.

Brian Fargo: Wow! That's a lot of zeroes. Okay!

Designer 1 & 2: Sweeeeet...