Summary
Wizards of the Coast are looking to bringDungeons and Dragonsto greater and greater heights, with a major film, the award-winning powerhouseBaldur’s Gate 3, new 2024 rulebooks, and further moves into the videogame market. One of these moves involves an upcomingD&Dsurvival game from Gameloft, a title that should make one crucial move to avoid an obvious cliché.
Back in March,Disney DreamlightdeveloperGameloft Montreal announced their upcomingD&Dgame. The studio’s X post on the subject stated that this (currently unnamed) game would be a “hybrid of survival, life simulation and action RPG,” a stark contrast to games likeBaldur’s Gate 3. That title’s success, however, undoubtedly influenced this move towards more video games. Even the TTRPG itself is diving more into the gaming market; not only is WOTC placing more emphasis on digital sales through D&DBeyond, but its upcoming VTT (Virtual TableTop) is looking to arrive with console availability.
Gameloft’s D&D Title Should Avoid A Trip To Baldur’s Gate
Though it’s confirmed that Gameloft’s project will take place inD&D’s Forgotten Realms setting, the same worldBaldur’s Gate 3is set in, there are parts of that setting the title should avoid. Most notably, the city of Baldur’s Gate would be a poor fit for what this new game claims to be. While fans don’t know much, many factors are working against such an inclusion, even if Baldur’s Gate is an incredibly iconic locale. Gameloft should cut the trend of Baldur’s Gate being shoehorned intoD&Dmedia.
Gameloft Shouldn’t Try To Step On The Toes Of Baldur’s Gate 3
The Forgotten Realms settingis already overused, practically becoming the defaultD&Dsetting as opposed to other popular worlds like Ravenloft or Greyhawk. However, Baldur’s Gate in particular has skyrocketed in oversaturation. The most major use of the city right now is inBaldur’s Gate 3, where it takes top billing. It’s also featured in the otherBaldur’s Gategames and the adventureBaldur’s Gate: Descent Into Avernusand is easily one of the most recognizable parts ofD&D.
With the weight of these expectations, it would make sense for Gameloft to give the city a miss. If Baldur’s Gate is a big part of the project, it will draw immediate comparisons toBaldur’s Gate 3’s critical and financial stardom.Not to say Gameloft would fall short of these expectations, but it would be better for its game to do its own thing. The city has already had more than enough time in the spotlight, and it would be healthier for a new game and forD&Das a franchise to get new fans invested in more locales.
The Survival Aspect Of Gameloft’s Title Should Look To The Wilds
Furthermore,Gameloft’sD&Dgame will be a survival title. For this reason, the project may be better suited to skipping out on urban areas as a whole. Not just Baldur’s Gate, but other major cities like Waterdeep or Neverwinter may stand in the way of a survival adventure. The game could center on small villages like Phandalin or stretches of uncharted wilderness. Indeed, rolling on random encounter tables, keeping watch around a campfire at night, and unearthing ancient tombs under hills or out in the woods are the escapades that really capture classicD&Dsurvival.
On the other hand, there areurban hubs in the Forgotten Realmsthat are known to few outside the circles of hardcore fandom.D&Dand the media surrounding it have been chained to the Sword Coast, the part of the Forgotten Realms that houses Baldur’s Gate, for most of 5e. As the game enters into a new era with 2024’s upcoming rule updates, dormant parts of the Forgotten Realms should be explored and enjoyed.
Dungeons and Dragons
Created by Gary Gygax, Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop game in which players craft their own worlds and band together to take on adventures through mysterious realms outlined in companion materials. One of the best role-playing games ever made, it has been adapted into a variety of video games and other media.
