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Open source Infinity Engine reimplementation GemRB 0.8.8 out now

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While we have Beamdog taking care of the newer Enhanced Edition generation of classic RPGs like Baldur's Gate, we also have the free and open source GemRB reimplementation which has a big update out.

GemRB works with the likes of Baldur’s Gate 1, Baldur’s Gate 2, Planescape: Torment, Icewind Dale 1 and Icewind Dale 2 so you can play the original classics with an updated and modern game engine. Eventually it seems they will even move onto working with the Enhanced Edition of each.

Now with GemRB 0.8.8 out, here's what's new:

New features:
- Gameplay content for the demo
- Heart of Fury support
- SDLAudio caching and volume control
- PlayStation Vita port
- Simpler invocation, AppImage packages

Improved features:
- Lightning bolts, iwd2 stealth, iwd effects, pst levelup
- Scripting, audio backends, logging
- Build system, portability and performance improvements
- Externalized summoning limit, trap limit, narration text speed
- Bugfixes

It's been going a long time now, with it hitting 20 years back in August 2020 and the developers think the future is very bright for the project.

See more on the GemRB website.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: New Release, Open Source, Reimplementation, RPG | Apps: GemRB
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly checked on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. You can also follow my personal adventures on Bluesky.
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7 comments

robertosf92 Jun 7, 2021
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Wow, are they going to support the EE? Gosh that would be awesome
Nugrud Jun 7, 2021
Wow, are they going to support the EE? Gosh that would be awesome

Maybe in the distant future, but for now finishing classic games is priority (1.0).
Hamish Jun 7, 2021
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Still holds the advantage when it comes to Icewind Dale II since Black Isle lost the original source code.
HalfBaked Jun 8, 2021
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I don't care for the Enhanced Editions, GemRB is still my favourite way of playing these old RPGs.
Liam Dawe Jun 8, 2021
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  • Admin
GemRB documentation is explicit about no Enhanced Edition support:
Due to low interest, GemRB does not support the EE versions of the games, though there has always been considerable feature overlap.
Work on it was started though although it hasn't been touched for some time https://github.com/gemrb/gemrb/issues/164
TheSHEEEP Jun 8, 2021
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Still holds the advantage when it comes to Icewind Dale II since Black Isle lost the original source code.
Advantage, yes, but it isn't completable.
But that can actually be worked on - while an EE of IWD2 is forever out of the question.

Either way, Linux itself has the advantage when it comes to running IWD2


Last edited by TheSHEEEP on 8 June 2021 at 6:35 am UTC
Botonoski Jun 8, 2021
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Still holding my breath for a finished Fallout 1 & 2 reimplementation, those two games desperately need some engine refinements and modern features. The four main features I want out of a reimplementation are: smooth camera movement rather than tile-by-tile, an option for the camera to follow the player, an option to make the whole wall you walk behind transparent rather than the short radius around the player, and an option to play the game with realtime combat like Fallout Tactics.
Now that I think about it I'm essentially asking for Fallout 1 & 2 to be Diablo-fied


Last edited by Botonoski on 8 June 2021 at 8:12 am UTC
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