Iron Throne

[Ratty Sr.]

Recently I recalled a blurb I had read in June 1997 issue* of a Croatian gaming magazine (now long-defunct) about a then-upcoming Interplay RPG called Iron Throne. Though no game by that title ever came out, judging by the information in the blurb it now seems to me that Iron Throne is, in fact, Baldur's Gate. Yet oddly, I can't find any references to Iron Throne in contemporary sources on Baldur's Gate.

I've searched the Internets far and wide in an effort to get to the bottom of this mystery, and the only somewhat detailed mention of Iron Throne I managed to dig up was this ancient web page, which has a few bits of information on the game, and also hosts some old Iron Throne screenshots. The screenshots show a game that bears only a vague resemblance to BG

but the information seems pretty conclusive:

- a Forgotten Realms game
- isometric view + RTwP combat
- 5 CDs (BG spans 4, but still)
- the game title (IIRC Sarevok's organization in BG is called "Iron Throne")
- it's developed by fucking BioWare!

Yet for some reason, any information on Baldur's Gate once being known as Iron Throne is now impossible to find. How come? Can any of you guys shed any light on this subject?

* My memory works in strange ways. I will often forget something as basic as an appointment I made hours earlier, yet I will inexplicably recall stuff I heard/read/did decades ago, and in alarming detail no less.

 

[Leon]

Fucking awesome, Ratty. I don't have much to add, but this screenshot:

... appears to feature an interior that looks exactly like one that is actually in BG.

Also, my memory is exactly the same way. For instance, I don't remember when my next shift is, but I can remember this damn interior.

 

[rcorporon]

That's neat... love finding out little tidbits like this.

 

[Dirk Magirk]

My exhaustive search turned up this.

I'm of no help am I? Quite an interesting find though Ratty, keep us apprised.

 

[aenemic]

this is really cool. the backgrounds look exactly like BG and the interface buttons bear a strong resemblance to the ones that ended up in the game. BG does look way better though, so I'm glad they made changes.

great find!

 

[Ratty Sr.]

Yes, the game looks really nice, though evidently it was far from finished at that stage. The interface and portraits are especially jarring - clearly placeholders or mock-ups.

Too bad nobody has any additional info. Maybe I should cross-post this at the 'Codex or 'Watch, there are plenty of BG fans there.

 

[Cimmerian Nights]

- 5 CDs (BG spans 4, but still)

I bought BG at release, and IIRC it did actually have 5 CDs ( not including the later expansion).

 

[alec]

Cool find. Ask the devs.

 

[Sander]

- 5 CDs (BG spans 4, but still)

I bought BG at release, and IIRC it did actually have 5 CDs ( not including the later expansion).

I can confirm this. I actually have 2 of those 5CD versions right next to me right now. BG2 was 4CDs, though.

 

[The Vault Dweller]

Ya know given that that is from years before BG and is made by the same company, with the same setting, and very similar graphics/layout I wouldn't be surprised if that is Baldur's Gate, but a very early testing version. I mean after all it is named Iron Throne which in my opinion is probably a more fitting title than "Baldur's Gate" give that it is an old and storied city with more stuff besides whats in the game.

Sincerely,
The Vault Dweller

 

[aenemic]

Ya know given that that is from years before BG and is made by the same company, with the same setting, and very similar graphics/layout I wouldn't be surprised if that is Baldur's Gate, but a very early testing version. I mean after all it is named Iron Throne which in my opinion is probably a more fitting title than "Baldur's Gate" give that it is an old and storied city with more stuff besides whats in the game.

Sincerely,
The Vault Dweller

I don't think the question is wether that's BG or not (which imo it is pretty damn obvious that it is). I think Ratty is simply looking for the whole story, how this became BG, at what point they changed the graphics, if it always had the same people developing it etc.

at least that's what I'd be interested to learn more about.