History Analysis / WesternRPG

A decade into the Modern Age, a curious phenomenon occurred in the Western RPG genre: an increasing number of developers, both old guard and new blood, are tackling an almost forgotten market niche between AAA and {{Arthouse Game}}s--the medium-budget, PC-only "B title" [=RPGs=]. This flavor of WesternRPG seemed to have mostly died off (despite occasional indie stragglers like ''VideoGame/{{Geneforge}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Avernum}}'') before being rediscovered thanks to the emergence of affordable game tech and new business models. The term "Renaissance" was coined for this movement because the vast majority of such [=RPGs=] are (often explicit) throwbacks to the Golden and Silver Ages and set out to marry the gameplay and story ideas of older games with modern advances in video game technology and gameplay design.

When reminiscing of the Silver Age, most people think of the Gold Box's successor--the Infinity Engine (''VideoGame/BaldursGate'' series, ''VideoGame/PlanescapeTorment'', ''VideoGame/IcewindDale'' duology, by Creator/BioWare and Creator/BlackIsle, 1998–2002), but it would be unfair to identify it with the entire period. Both ''Fallout'' and ''Diablo'' received sequels and a [[FollowTheLeader slew of imitators]], while ''VideoGame/DeusEx'' (Ion Storm, 2000), ''VideoGame/{{Gothic}}'' (Pirahna Bytes, 2001), ''VideoGame/DungeonSiege'' (Gas Powered Games, 2002), and ''VideoGame/DivineDivinity'' (Creator/{{Larian|Studios}}, 2002) managed to start successful series that found their place in the Modern Age. Other games failed to start a series and are now undeservedly forgotten, like ''VideoGame/{{Darkstone}}'' (Delphine, 1999), ''VideoGame/{{Revenant}}'' (Cinematix, 1999), ''VideoGame/{{Nox}}'' (Westwood, 2000), ''[[VideoGame/VampireTheMasqueradeRedemption Vampire: Redemption]]'' (Nihilistic Software, 2000), ''VideoGame/{{Arcanum|OfSteamworksAndMagickObscura}}'' (Creator/{{Troika|Games}}, 2001), ''VideoGame/SiegeOfAvalon'' (Digital Tome, 2001), etc. The (new) ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights'' ([=BioWare=]/Creator/{{Obsidian|Entertainment}}, 2002–2009) series and ''VideoGame/TheTempleOfElementalEvil'' (Troika, 2003) would become the swan songs of this era.

Basically, everything since the original release of ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' in 1974 and the rise of the ''Franchise/{{Ultima}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Wizardry}}'' series, when games like ''VideoGame/{{dnd}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Dungeon}}'' fed the ''D&D'' ruleset into mainframe computers and gave it a text-based interface to interact with the player. This era is crucial to understanding the difference between role-playing games (live or pen-and-paper) and role-playing ''video'' games: classic ''D&D''-style role-playing is one part number crunching, one part freeform make-believe; its video game counterpart has been all about the former from the very beginning.

* '''Story''': Decidedly un-epic, with very few prerendered or in-engine cutscenes. More novelistic than cinematic.

* ''VideoGame/{{Wizardry}}'' (Sir-Tech, 1981–2001): ''Ultima''[='=]s main [[TheRival rival]] that focused instead of conservative (and teeth-crushingly hard) DungeonCrawling.

!!The Golden Age of WesternRPG (1981–1993)

Modern Age Western [=RPGs=] are characterized by MultiPlatform releases, [[ActioNRPG action-oriented combat]], fully voiced dialogue, and extensive usage of in-engine cutscenes. Multiplayer modes, commonplace during the Silver Age, [[MisbegottenMultiplayerMode went out of favor]] concurrently with the rise of [=MMORPGs=]--at least, until ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' ([=BioWare=], 2012) found a way to make them cool again--but it's not to say that the genre didn't make any use of online capabilities: DownloadableContent was pioneered by ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]'' (Bethesda, 2006) and quickly picked up on by other developers. On the bright side, the AAA industry has polished and codified a lot of the usability and interface features that many players have come to expect from a modern RPG (others prefer to call it "[[ConsoleVsPC dumbing down for consoles]]").

%%The rise of TheElderScrolls
%%Vampire: Bloodlines - missing link
%%MultiPlatform, usability, interface

In the recent years, the RPG genre in the West has been undergoing a curious phenomenon, wherein an increasing number of developers, both old guard and new blood, tackles an almost forgotten market niche between [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AAA_%28game_industry%29 AAA]] and {{Arthouse Game}}s: the medium-budget, PC-only "B title" [=RPGs=]. This flavor of WesternRPG seemed to have died off when the biggest developers set course for MultiPlatform, multi-million, cinematic and fully voiced releases a decade prior, but was rediscovered thanks, in part, to the appearance of affordable game tech and new business models. The term "Renaissance" was coined for this movement because the vast majority of such [=RPGs=] are (often explicit) throwbacks to the Golden (pre-1995) and Silver Ages (1997-2002) of Western RPG and strive to marry the gameplay and story ideas of older games with modern advances in video game technology and gameplay design.

Basically, everything between the release of ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' first edition and the rise of the ''Franchise/{{Ultima}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Wizardry}}'' series, when games like ''VideoGame/{{dnd}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Dungeon}}'' fed the the ''D&D'' ruleset into mainframe computers, outfitted with a text-based interface. This era is crucial to understanding the difference between role-playing games (live or pen-and-paper) and role-playing ''video'' games: classic ''D&D''-style role-playing is one part number crunching, one part freeform make-believe; its video game counterpart has been all about the former from the very beginning.

''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' (Creator/{{Bethesda}}, 1994–ongoing) series was more-or-less the only highlight of this period (even though it only came into full force during the Modern Age) and bears the honor of being the oldest continuous still-running WesternRPG series.

The Golden Age came to a end in the [[TheNineties mid-90ies]], with many factors contributing to it. The biggest reason was probably the failure of the leading studios to keep up with the advances of video game technology (new storage tech like the CD, [[VideoGame3DLeap 3D graphics]], full-motion video, voice acting, etc.) and the ever-mounting development costs that came with them. As a result, the Western RPG market was filled by derivative, half-baked products[[note]](to name a few: ''Daemonsgate'', ''Dark Sun'', ''Ravenloft'', ''Menzoberranzan'', ''Birthright'', ''Descent to Undermountain''...)[[/note]], while the big series of the Golden Age frustrated their fans with extended {{Sequel Gap}}s. Some, like ''Quest for Glory'', managed to wrap up satisfactorily, while others, like ''Ultima'' and ''Might & Magic'', met rather ignoble ends. SSI lost the ''D&D'' license and went out of business, and ''Wizardry 8'' (2001) would ultimately become the swan song of the Golden Age.

When reminiscing of the Silver Age, most people think of the Gold Box's successor--the Infinity Engine (''VideoGame/BaldursGate'' series, ''VideoGame/PlanescapeTorment'', ''VideoGame/IcewindDale'' duology, by Creator/BioWare and Creator/BlackIsle, 1998–2002), but it would be unfair to identify it with the entire period. Both ''Fallout'' and ''Diablo'' received sequels and a [[FollowTheLeader slew of imitators]], while ''VideoGame/DeusEx'' (Ion Storm, 2000), ''VideoGame/{{Gothic}}'' (Pirahna Bytes, 2001), ''VideoGame/DungeonSiege'' (Gas Powered Games, 2002), and ''VideoGame/DivineDivinity'' (Creator/{{Larian|Studios}}, 2002) managed to start successful series that found their place in the Modern Age. Other games failed to start a series and are now undeservedly forgotten, like ''VideoGame/{{Darkstone}}'' (Delphine, 1999), ''VideoGame/{{Revenant}}'' (Cinematix, 1999), ''VideoGame/{{Nox}}'' (Westwood, 2000), ''VideoGame/{{Arcanum|OfSteamworksAndMagickObscura}}'' (Creator/{{Troika|Games}}, 2001), ''VideoGame/SiegeOfAvalon'' (Digital Tome, 2001), etc. The (new) ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights'' ([=BioWare=]/Creator/{{Obsidian|Entertainment}}, 2002–2009) series and ''VideoGame/TheTempleOfElementalEvil'' (Troika, 2003) would become the swan songs of this era.

** ''VideoGame/UltimaUnderworld'' (ORIGIN, 1992–1993): The first fully [=3D=] simulated world that would inspire ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' series.

* ''VideoGame/TheBardsTaleTrilogy'' (Creator/{{Interplay|Entertainment}}, 1985–1988): Competed with ''Wizardry'' and ''M&M'' for the dungeon crawler crown but wound down early.

The Golden Age came to a end in the [[TheNineties mid-90ies]], with many factors contributing to it. The biggest reason was probably the failure of the leading studios to keep up with the advances of video game technology (new storage tech like the CD, [[VideoGame3DLeap 3D graphics]], full-motion video, voice acting, etc.) and the ever-mounting development costs that came with them. As a result, the Western RPG market was filled by derivative, half-baked products, while the big series of the Golden Age frustrated their fans with extended {{Sequel Gap}}s. Some, like ''Quest for Glory'', managed to wrap up satisfactorily, while others, like ''Ultima'' and ''Might & Magic'', met rather ignoble ends. SSI lost the ''D&D'' license and went out of business, and ''Wizardry 8'' (2001) would ultimately become the swan song of the Golden Age.

* ''VideoGame/TheBardsTaleTrilogy'' (Creator/{{Interplay|Entertainment}}, 1985–1988)

* ''VideoGame/TheMagicCandle'' (Mindcraft, 1989–1993): The oddball of the age that came out of nowhere and disappeared with little legacy.

The Golden Age came to a end in the [[TheNineties mid-90ies]], with many factors contributing to it. The biggest reason was probably the failure of the leading studios to keep up with the advances of video game technology ([[VideoGame3DLeap 3D graphics]], new storage options like the CD, etc.) and the ever-mounting development costs that came with them. As a result, the Western RPG market was filled by derivative, half-baked products, while the big series of the Golden Age frustrated their fans with extended {{Sequel Gap}}s. Some, like ''Quest for Glory'', managed to wrap up satisfactorily, while others, like ''Ultima'' and ''Might & Magic'', met rather ignoble ends. SSI lost the ''D&D'' license and went out of business, and ''Wizardry 8'' (2001) would ultimately become the swan song of the Golden Age.

The genre emerged from the turmoil of the Dark Ages in the late 1996-early 1997 with a double-punch combo of Creator/{{Blizzard|Entertainment}}'s ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}}'' and Interplay's ''VideoGame/{{Fallout|1}}'', both of which shaped the following Silver Age considerably. In contrast to the Golden Age's crazy ScienceFantasy antics, style consistency was now the order of things; instead of entire player-created parties of old, the games now focused on singular, {{featureless|Protagonist}} [[PlayerCharacter player avatars]]; LongRunner series were now out, replaced by duologies and trilogies, etc. The developers have adapted to the new technology standards, extending the production cycles and upping the values, but the full 3D leap would wait until the TurnOfTheMillennium.

When reminiscing of the Silver Age, most people think of the Gold Box's successor--the Infinity Engine (''VideoGame/BaldursGate'' series, ''VideoGame/PlanescapeTorment'', ''VideoGame/IcewindDale'' duology, by Creator/BioWare and Creator/BlackIsle, 1998–2002), but it would be unfair to identify it with the entire period. Both ''Fallout'' and ''Diablo'' received sequels and a [[FollowTheLeader slew of imitators]], while ''VideoGame/DeusEx'' (Ion Storm, 2000), ''VideoGame/{{Gothic}}'' (Pirahna Bytes, 2001), and ''VideoGame/DivineDivinity'' (Creator/{{Larian|Studios}}, 2002) managed to start successful series. Other games failed to start a series and are now undeservedly forgotten, like ''VideoGame/{{Darkstone}}'' (Delphine, 1999), ''VideoGame/{{Revenant}}'' (Cinematix, 1999), ''VideoGame/{{Nox}}'' (Westwood, 2000), ''VideoGame/{{Arcanum|OfSteamworksAndMagickObscura}}'' (Creator/{{Troika|Games}}, 2001), ''VideoGame/SiegeOfAvalon'' (Digital Tome, 2001), etc. The (new) ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights'' ([=BioWare=]/Creator/{{Obsidian|Entertainment}}, 2002–2009) series and ''VideoGame/TheTempleOfElementalEvil'' (Troika, 2003) would become the swan songs of this era.

It was also during the Silver Age that the {{MMORPG}} branch split off from the main genre, thanks to ''VideoGame/UltimaOnline'' (ORIGIN, 1997) and ''VideoGame/EverQuest'' (Creatir/{{Sony}}, 1999).

''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' (1994–ongoing) series was more-or-less the only highlight of this period (even though it only came into full force during the Modern Age) and bears the honor of being the oldest continuous still-running WesternRPG series.

* ''VideoGame/TheMagicCandle'' (Mindcraft, 1989–1993)

* ''VideoGame/{{Darklands}}'' (Creator/MicroProse, 1992)

When reminiscing of the Silver Age, most people think of the Gold Box's successor--the Infinity Engine (''VideoGame/BaldursGate'' series, ''VideoGame/PlanescapeTorment'', ''VideoGame/IcewindDale'' duology, by Creator/BioWare and Creator/BlackIsle, 1998–2002), but it would be unfair to identify it with the entire period. Both ''Fallout'' and ''Diablo'' received sequels and a [[FollowTheLeader slew of imitators]], in whose shadow were lost the many, many noteworthy standalone releases of the Silver Age: ''VideoGame/{{Darkstone}}'' (Delphine, 1999), ''VideoGame/{{Revenant}}'' (Cinematix, 1999), ''VideoGame/{{Nox}}'' (Westwood, 2000), ''VideoGame/SiegeOfAvalon'' (Digital Tome, 2001), etc. The (new) ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights'' (2002–2009) series would become the swan song of this era.

%%Style consistency, single character
%%MMORPG

TheEighties was the time when the RPG genre (alongside {{Adventure Game}}s) dominated the PC gaming market, breezing even past the UsefulNotes/TheGreatVideoGameCrashOf1983 with hardly a scratch. Annual release cycles and LongRunner series were in vogue (in fact, the genre still owes its longest series to this era), and [=RPGs=] regularly pushed the boundaries of contemporary gaming technology. That is not to say that all games from this era were flawless. Low production costs (compared to later periods) let developers produce [[SturgeonsLaw many an uninspired and buggy hackjob]] and get away with it--at least, until the market grew saturated and they became a contributing factor in the following Dark Age. However, thanks to the NostalgiaFilter, this period's highlights are far better remembered today than its lows.

!!The Silver Age of Western RPG (1997–2002)

!!The Modern Age of Western RPG (2003–ongoing)

* '''Budget''': Very limited (commonly under $5 million); usually Website/{{Kickstarte|r}}d, otherwise crowd-funded, or self-funded.

* '''Engine''': Proprietary or UsefulNotes/{{Unity}}.

* '''Audio''': Very little voice acting, even if the game contains a lot of written text. A professional soundtrack.

* '''Engine'': Proprietary or UsefulNotes/{{Unity}}.

* ''[[VideoGame/MightAndMagic Might & Magic X: Legacy]]''' (2014). A throwback to and reboot of the long-dead Golden Age series of dungeon crawlers, developed by a small German studio and, unlike most examples, published traditionally.

* '''Developer''': A relatively small, often independent studio, possibly led by disgruntled industry veterans.

* ''VideoGame/{{Wasteland 2}}'' (2014). A throwback and sequel to the Golden Age post-apocalyptic classic ''VideoGame/{{Wasteland}}'', Kickstarted by former Creator/InterplayEntertainment veterans.

* ''VideoGame/PillarsOfEternity'' (TBR 2015). A throwback to the Silver Age [=RPGs=] running on the Infinity Engine (''VideoGame/BaldursGate'', ''VideoGame/PlanescapeTorment'', ''VideoGame/IcewindDale''), Kickstarted by former Creator/BlackIsle veterans.

* ''VideoGame/TormentTidesOfNumenera'' (TBR 2015). A throwback to the defining Silver Age narrative RPG, ''Planescape: Torment'', Kickstarted by former Interplay veterans.

* ''VideoGame/LegendOfGrimrock'' (2012)
* ''VideoGame/PathOfExile'' (2013)
* ''VideoGame/DivinityOriginalSin'' (2014)
* ''VideoGame/{{Wasteland 2}}'' (2014)
* ''Legend of Grimrock II'' (2014)
* ''VideoGame/PillarsOfEternity'' (TBR 2015)
* ''VideoGame/ShroudOfTheAvatarForsakenVirtues'' (TBR 2015)
* ''VideoGame/TormentTidesOfNumenera'' (TBR 2015)

* '''Distribution''': Multi-channel, commonly including UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}, Website/GOGDotCom, and other DRM-free distributors.

* ''VideoGame/Wasteland2'' (2014)