Fans bought BGEE because they hoped that it would lead to BGEE2. BGEE was also a big improvement over Vanilla BG because it brought in BG2 style kit system into the game. Even with new quests, NPCs, UI, improved visuals, BG2 system, lots of PC fans questioned whether they should buy it or not because pre-existing mods did the same. (Tablet-owners, on the other hand, bought it easily. )
So when BGEE2 is released, what should the team work on, in order to get successful sales from the PC market?
Things BG2EE NEEDS to do:
New Storyline.
The contract for BGEE2 might be the same as BGEE; meaning they are not allowed to edit or add to the original story. The team needs to find a way to overcome that, or add a bunch of new quests that add up to a grand adventure on its own, much more than the Black Pits offered by BGEE.
I cannot stress hard enough on new storyline. Veterans are not going to play the same game with a few new NPCs, weapons, UI, if there is no new storyline. BG:EE did as little as possible in terms of storyline but that was acceptable because it brought over BG2 style kits/gameplay that required tutu mod and annoying tweaking. The team needs to try to make some sort of new quests and gameplay factor that will intice old players to want to spend money for the game again.
New monsters / New Difficulty
Games, in general, are considered more enjoyable when its very hard, rather than very easy. Like what Ascension mod and SCSII had done for BG2, BG2EE should drastically make some bosses much harder (especially demogorgon) and Irenicus. I suggest introduction of new monsters that are very challenging. Not only challenging but these monsters should be interesting. Perhaps the drow-spider from IWD series can be brought back here. Or maybe Chimeras, or nine-headed dragons or something.
New Kits
A HUGE part of replayability for BG2 are the kits themselves. People spend hours trying out new cleric, or new multi-class. I suggest these new kits should be a little bit overpowered, so that people might really be inclined to play them. (If they were underpowered, people would just say, cool, but not play it) Suggestions for new kits would be, a druidic class that has a theme of embracing fire. Perhaps that druid class can cast fireball, sunfire in later levels and have immunity to fire as an advantage. Perhaps even the ability to shapeshift into a dragon at level 30 or something. Or another class like mage that can summon skeletons from dead bodies like real necromancers, and perhaps be able to summon incredibly fearsome demons at higher levels to fight for you.
New Areas
Seeing as how many veteran BG2 players complain about how linear the game is, new areas that are interesting (not a bunch of forest maps) would give the game more life and make it seem bigger. Players would be excited to try out new places. But these new areas need to give something to the player in order to attract them. For example, new powerful weapons, or new quests.
Tweaks, Bug Fixes, Modifications
It would be nice to see the team incorporate some famous mods that are out there, like BG2 fixpack. Additionally, giving blackguard kit a evil counterpart for Cromseyr (spelling wrong) would be a good idea. Give some kind of closure and twists to the existing stuff. Add different HLAs for archers, monks, ranger, etc.
I think doing all things I suggested above would lead to very strong sales for BG2 among PC players. It would polish an already incredible game into something even better. I feel like there were many veteran players that felt alienated and largely ignored for BGEE and thus, did not end up buying the game. I know it means a lot of work, but it would also ensure fans that the team is more interested in perfecting a legendary game rather than milking a beloved series. BG2EE cannot be given the amount of work that BGEE has been given, especially because the most inticing factors for BGEE was the fact that they brought in a lot of stuff from BG2. I'd like to hear what the community thinks about this. Please add your suggestions as well if you have any.
So when BGEE2 is released, what should the team work on, in order to get successful sales from the PC market?
Things BG2EE NEEDS to do:
New Storyline.
The contract for BGEE2 might be the same as BGEE; meaning they are not allowed to edit or add to the original story. The team needs to find a way to overcome that, or add a bunch of new quests that add up to a grand adventure on its own, much more than the Black Pits offered by BGEE.
I cannot stress hard enough on new storyline. Veterans are not going to play the same game with a few new NPCs, weapons, UI, if there is no new storyline. BG:EE did as little as possible in terms of storyline but that was acceptable because it brought over BG2 style kits/gameplay that required tutu mod and annoying tweaking. The team needs to try to make some sort of new quests and gameplay factor that will intice old players to want to spend money for the game again.
New monsters / New Difficulty
Games, in general, are considered more enjoyable when its very hard, rather than very easy. Like what Ascension mod and SCSII had done for BG2, BG2EE should drastically make some bosses much harder (especially demogorgon) and Irenicus. I suggest introduction of new monsters that are very challenging. Not only challenging but these monsters should be interesting. Perhaps the drow-spider from IWD series can be brought back here. Or maybe Chimeras, or nine-headed dragons or something.
New Kits
A HUGE part of replayability for BG2 are the kits themselves. People spend hours trying out new cleric, or new multi-class. I suggest these new kits should be a little bit overpowered, so that people might really be inclined to play them. (If they were underpowered, people would just say, cool, but not play it) Suggestions for new kits would be, a druidic class that has a theme of embracing fire. Perhaps that druid class can cast fireball, sunfire in later levels and have immunity to fire as an advantage. Perhaps even the ability to shapeshift into a dragon at level 30 or something. Or another class like mage that can summon skeletons from dead bodies like real necromancers, and perhaps be able to summon incredibly fearsome demons at higher levels to fight for you.
New Areas
Seeing as how many veteran BG2 players complain about how linear the game is, new areas that are interesting (not a bunch of forest maps) would give the game more life and make it seem bigger. Players would be excited to try out new places. But these new areas need to give something to the player in order to attract them. For example, new powerful weapons, or new quests.
Tweaks, Bug Fixes, Modifications
It would be nice to see the team incorporate some famous mods that are out there, like BG2 fixpack. Additionally, giving blackguard kit a evil counterpart for Cromseyr (spelling wrong) would be a good idea. Give some kind of closure and twists to the existing stuff. Add different HLAs for archers, monks, ranger, etc.
I think doing all things I suggested above would lead to very strong sales for BG2 among PC players. It would polish an already incredible game into something even better. I feel like there were many veteran players that felt alienated and largely ignored for BGEE and thus, did not end up buying the game. I know it means a lot of work, but it would also ensure fans that the team is more interested in perfecting a legendary game rather than milking a beloved series. BG2EE cannot be given the amount of work that BGEE has been given, especially because the most inticing factors for BGEE was the fact that they brought in a lot of stuff from BG2. I'd like to hear what the community thinks about this. Please add your suggestions as well if you have any.