History Analysis / WesternRPG

* Harebrained Games' ''Shadowrun'' trilogy: ''VideoGame/ShadowrunReturns'', ''Shadowrun: Dragonfall'', and ''Shadowrun: Hong Kong''.

* Harebrained Games ''VideoGame/{{Shadowrun}}'' trilogy: ''Shadowrun Returns'', ''Shadowrun: Dragonfall'', and ''Shadowrun: Hong Kong''.

Five Golden Age studios that had a particular impact upon the genre--Origin, Sir-Tech, Interplay, New World Computing, and SSI--are sometimes dubbed its "mythic forefathers". Four of them closed during or after the subsequent Dark Age, so nearly all major WesternRPG producers nowadays trace their lineage to Creator/InterplayEntertainment in one way or another.

* ''VideoGame/MightAndMagic'' (New World Computing/3DO, 1986–2002): The last of the [[PowerTrio Big Three]] (with ''Ultima'' and ''Wizardry''), which focused much more on accessibility and user friendliness.

Modern Age Western [=RPGs=] are characterized by MultiPlatform releases, [[ActionRPG action-oriented combat]], fully voiced dialogue, and extensive usage of in-engine cutscenes. Multiplayer, commonplace during the Silver Age, [[MisbegottenMultiplayerMode went out of favor]] concurrently with the rise of [=MMORPGs=]--at least, until ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' ([=BioWare=], 2012) found [[https://www.engadget.com/2012/05/04/how-mass-effect-3s-role-playing-roots-empowers-the-multiplayer/ a way]] to make it cool again (and accidentally, to popularize LootBoxes) and ''VideoGame/DivinityOriginalSin'' (Larian, 2014) turned it completely on its ear--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 "[[UsefulNotes/PCVsConsole dumbing down for consoles]]").

* ''VideoGame/{{Ultima}}'' (ORIGIN, 1981–1999): The [[OneManIndustrialRevolution chief trailblazer]] of Western RPG genre, pioneering a lot of innovations that are ''still'' being rediscovered.

Five Golden Age studios that had a particular impact upon the genre--ORIGIN, Sir-Tech, Interplay, New World Computing, and SSI--are sometimes dubbed its "mythic forefathers". Four of them closed during or after the subsequent Dark Age, so nearly all major WesternRPG producers nowadays trace their lineage to Creator/InterplayEntertainment in one way or another.

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'' (Creator/{{Sony}}, 1999).

Modern Age Western [=RPGs=] are characterized by MultiPlatform releases, [[ActionRPG action-oriented combat]], fully voiced dialogue, and extensive usage of in-engine cutscenes. Multiplayer, commonplace during the Silver Age, [[MisbegottenMultiplayerMode went out of favor]] concurrently with the rise of [=MMORPGs=]--at least, until ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' ([=BioWare=], 2012) found [[https://www.engadget.com/2012/05/04/how-mass-effect-3s-role-playing-roots-empowers-the-multiplayer/ a way]] to make it cool again (and accidentally, to popularize the multiplayer [[MysteryBox loot boxes]]) and ''VideoGame/DivinityOriginalSin'' (Larian, 2014) turned it completely on its ear--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 "[[UsefulNotes/PCVsConsole dumbing down for consoles]]").

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

When reminiscing about the Silver Age, most people think of the Gold Box's successor--the Infinity Engine (the ''Franchise/BaldursGate'' series, ''VideoGame/PlanescapeTorment'', and the ''VideoGame/IcewindDale'' duology, by Creator/BioWare and Creator/BlackIsle, 1998–2002), but it's 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'' (Creator/GasPoweredGames, 2002), and ''VideoGame/DivineDivinity'' (Creator/{{Larian|Studios}}, 2002) managed to start successful series that found their place in the Modern Age. Other games [[StillbornFranchise never got a sequel]] and are now undeservedly forgotten: ''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), ''VideoGame/{{Lionheart|LegacyOfTheCrusader}}'' (Reflexive, 2003) etc. The ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights'' series ([=BioWare=]/Creator/{{Obsidian|Entertainment}}, 2002–2009) and ''VideoGame/TheTempleOfElementalEvil'' (Troika, 2003) would become the swan songs of this era.

When reminiscing about the Silver Age, most people think of the Gold Box's successor--the Infinity Engine (the ''Franchise/BaldursGate'' series, ''VideoGame/PlanescapeTorment'', and the ''VideoGame/IcewindDale'' duology, by Creator/BioWare and Creator/BlackIsle, 1998–2002), but it's 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'' (Creator/GasPoweredGames, 2002), and ''VideoGame/DivineDivinity'' (Creator/{{Larian|Studios}}, 2002) managed to start successful series that found their place in the Modern Age. Other games [[StillbornFranchise never got a sequel]] and are now undeservedly forgotten: ''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), ''VideoGame/{{Lionheart|LegacyOfTheCrusader}}'' (Reflexive, 203) etc. The ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights'' series ([=BioWare=]/Creator/{{Obsidian|Entertainment}}, 2002–2009) and ''VideoGame/TheTempleOfElementalEvil'' (Troika, 2003) would become the swan songs of this era.

When reminiscing about the Silver Age, most people think of the Gold Box's successor--the Infinity Engine (the ''Franchise/BaldursGate'' series, ''VideoGame/PlanescapeTorment'', and the ''VideoGame/IcewindDale'' duology, by Creator/BioWare and Creator/BlackIsle, 1998–2002), but it's 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'' (Creator/GasPoweredGames, 2002), and ''VideoGame/DivineDivinity'' (Creator/{{Larian|Studios}}, 2002) managed to start successful series that found their place in the Modern Age. Other games [[StillbornFranchise never got a sequel]] and are now undeservedly forgotten: ''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 ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights'' series ([=BioWare=]/Creator/{{Obsidian|Entertainment}}, 2002–2009) and ''VideoGame/TheTempleOfElementalEvil'' (Troika, 2003) would become the swan songs of this era.

Modern Age Western [=RPGs=] are characterized by MultiPlatform releases, [[ActionRPG action-oriented combat]], fully voiced dialogue, and extensive usage of in-engine cutscenes. Multiplayer, commonplace during the Silver Age, [[MisbegottenMultiplayerMode went out of favor]] concurrently with the rise of [=MMORPGs=]--at least, until ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' ([=BioWare=], 2012) found [[https://www.engadget.com/2012/05/04/how-mass-effect-3s-role-playing-roots-empowers-the-multiplayer/ a way]] to make it cool again and ''VideoGame/DivinityOriginalSin'' (Larian, 2014) turned it completely on its ear--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 "[[UsefulNotes/PCVsConsole dumbing down for consoles]]").

* ''VideoGame/TheMagicCandle'' (Mindcraft, 1989–1993): An oddball that came out of nowhere, brought original ideas to the table, yet disappeared with little legacy.

* ''VideoGame/DivinityOriginalSinII'' (TBR 2017). A partly self-funded, partly Kickstarted sequel to ''D:OS''.

* ''VideoGame/ShroudOfTheAvatarForsakenVirtues'' (TBR 2017). A throwback to the Golden Age sandbox [=RPGs=] like ''VideoGame/UltimaVII'' and early [=MMORPGs=], specifically, ''VideoGame/UltimaOnline'', Kickstarted by former Origin Systems veterans.
* ''VideoGame/UnderworldAscendant'' (TBR 2017). A throwback to and continuation of ''VideoGame/UltimaUnderworld'', Kickstarted by former Origin Systems and Looking Glass Studios veterans. Ties in with ''Shroud of the Avatar''.

* ''VideoGame/TheBardsTaleIV'' (TBR 2017). A throwback to and continuation of the Golden Age fantasy classic ''VideoGame/TheBardsTaleTrilogy'', Kickstarted by former Interplay veterans.
* ''VideoGame/ProjectResurgence'' (TBR 2017). A throwback to, among others, ''VideoGame/ArcanumOfSteamworksAndMagickObscura'', Kickstarted by [[RagtagBunchOfMisfits veteran developers from across the industry]].

Basically, everything between the release of ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' in 1974 and the rise of the ''VideoGame/{{Ultima}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Wizardry}}'' series in the early 80s. In this era, programming geeks fed the ''D&D'' ruleset into their [[UsefulNotes/MainframesAndMinicomputers mainframes]] and implemented [[TextParser text-based interfaces]] for players to interact with, producing the {{Ur Example}}s of the genre like ''VideoGame/{{dnd}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Dungeon}}''. This period is crucial to understanding the difference between pen-and-paper role-playing and role-playing ''video'' games: while the classic ''D&D''-style RP is one part number crunching, one part freeform make-believe, its video game implementations have, from the very beginning, been all about the numbers.

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

''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' (Creator/{{Bethesda}}, 1994–ongoing) is the most famous title that hails from this period (even though it first came into full force during the Modern Age, after its developer had barely survived the late 90s thanks to the buyout by [=ZeniMax=]) and bears the honor of being the oldest continuous still-running WesternRPG series. ''VideoGame/SystemShock'' (Creator/{{Looking Glass|Studios}}, 1994) was among the earliest examples of the FPS/RPG hybrid genre, and some fans still fondly remember ''VideoGame/RavenloftStrahdsPossession'' ([=DreamForge=]/SSI, 1994), ''VideoGame/{{Stonekeep}}'' (Interplay, 1995), and ''VideoGame/{{Anvil of Dawn}}'' ([=DreamForge=]/NWC, 1995). It was also during the Dark Ages that the ''VideoGame/{{Exile}}'' series (Spiderweb Software, 1995–1997) emerged as likely the first indie WRPG in modern sense; its creator Jeff Vogel went on to develop many successful indie [=RPGs=] over the next two decades: ''VideoGame/{{Nethergate}}'' (1998), ''VideoGame/{{Avernum}}'' (2000–2009, rebooted in 2011), ''VideoGame/{{Geneforge}}'' (2001–2008), ''VideoGame/{{Avadon}}'' (2011–2016).

''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' (Creator/{{Bethesda}}, 1994–ongoing) is the most famous title that hails from this period (even though it first came into full force during the Modern Age, after its developer had barely survived the late 90s thanks to the [=ZeniMax=] buyout) and bears the honor of being the oldest continuous still-running WesternRPG series. ''VideoGame/SystemShock'' (Creator/{{Looking Glass|Studios}}, 1994) was among the earliest examples of the FPS/RPG hybrid genre, and some fans still fondly remember ''VideoGame/RavenloftStrahdsPossession'' ([=DreamForge=]/SSI, 1994), ''VideoGame/{{Stonekeep}}'' (Interplay, 1995), and ''VideoGame/{{Anvil of Dawn}}'' ([=DreamForge=]/NWC, 1995). It was also during the Dark Ages that the ''VideoGame/{{Exile}}'' series (Spiderweb Software, 1995–1997) emerged as likely the first indie WRPG in modern sense; its creator Jeff Vogel went on to develop many successful indie [=RPGs=] over the next two decades: ''VideoGame/{{Nethergate}}'' (1998), ''VideoGame/{{Avernum}}'' (2000–2009, rebooted in 2011), ''VideoGame/{{Geneforge}}'' (2001–2008), ''VideoGame/{{Avadon}}'' (2011–2016).

''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' (Creator/{{Bethesda}}, 1994–ongoing) is the most famous title that hails from this period (even though it first came into full force during the Modern Age, after its developer had barely survived the late 90is thanks to the [=ZeniMax=] buyout) and bears the honor of being the oldest continuous still-running WesternRPG series. ''VideoGame/SystemShock'' (Creator/{{Looking Glass|Studios}}, 1994) was among the earliest examples of the FPS/RPG hybrid genre, and some fans still fondly remember ''VideoGame/RavenloftStrahdsPossession'' ([=DreamForge=]/SSI, 1994), ''VideoGame/{{Stonekeep}}'' (Interplay, 1995), and ''VideoGame/{{Anvil of Dawn}}'' ([=DreamForge=]/NWC, 1995). It was also during the Dark Ages that the ''VideoGame/{{Exile}}'' series (Spiderweb Software, 1995–1997) emerged as likely the first indie WRPG in modern sense; its creator Jeff Vogel went on to develop many successful indie [=RPGs=] over the next two decades: ''VideoGame/{{Nethergate}}'' (1998), ''VideoGame/{{Avernum}}'' (2000–2009, rebooted in 2011), ''VideoGame/{{Geneforge}}'' (2001–2008), ''VideoGame/{{Avadon}}'' (2011–2016).

''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' (Creator/{{Bethesda}}, 1994–ongoing) is the most famous title that hails from this period (even though it first came into full force during the Modern Age, after its developer had barely survived the late 90is thanks to the [=ZeniMax=] buyout) and bears the honor of being the oldest continuous still-running WesternRPG series. ''VideoGame/SystemShock'' (Creator/{{Looking Glass|Studios}}, 1994) was among the earliest examples of the FPS/RPG hybrid genre, and some fans still fondly remember ''VideoGame/RavenloftStrahdsPossession'' ([=DreamForge=]/SSI, 1994), ''VideoGame/{{Stonekeep}}'' (Interplay, 1995), and ''VideoGame/{{Anvil of Dawn}}'' ([=DreamForge=]/NWC, 1995). It was also during the Dark Ages that the ''VideoGame/{{Exile}}'' series (Spiderweb Software, 1995–1997) emerged as likely the first indie WRPG in modern sense; its creator went on to develop many successful indie [=RPGs=] over the next two decades: ''VideoGame/{{Nethergate}}'' (1998), ''VideoGame/{{Avernum}}'' (2000–2009, rebooted in 2011), ''VideoGame/{{Geneforge}}'' (2001–2008), ''VideoGame/{{Avadon}}'' (2011–2016).

''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' (Creator/{{Bethesda}}, 1994–ongoing) is the most famous title that hails from this period (even though it first came into full force during the Modern Age) and bears the honor of being the oldest continuous still-running WesternRPG series. ''VideoGame/SystemShock'' (Creator/{{Looking Glass|Studios}}, 1994) was among the earliest examples of the FPS/RPG hybrid genre, and some fans still fondly remember ''VideoGame/RavenloftStrahdsPossession'' ([=DreamForge=]/SSI, 1994), ''VideoGame/{{Stonekeep}}'' (Interplay, 1995), and ''VideoGame/{{Anvil of Dawn}}'' ([=DreamForge=]/NWC, 1995). It was also during the Dark Ages that the ''VideoGame/{{Exile}}'' series (Spiderweb Software, 1995–1997) emerged as likely the first indie WRPG in modern sense; its creator went on to develop many successful indie [=RPGs=] over the next two decades: ''VideoGame/{{Nethergate}}'' (1998), ''VideoGame/{{Avernum}}'' (2000–2009, rebooted in 2011), ''VideoGame/{{Geneforge}}'' (2001–2008), ''VideoGame/{{Avadon}}'' (2011–2016).

Basically, everything between the release of ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' in 1974 and the rise of the ''Franchise/{{Ultima}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Wizardry}}'' series in the early 80s. In this era, programming geeks fed the ''D&D'' ruleset into their [[UsefulNotes/MainframesAndMinicomputers mainframes]] and implemented [[TextParser text-based interfaces]] for players to interact with, producing the {{Ur Example}}s of the genre like ''VideoGame/{{dnd}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Dungeon}}''. This period is crucial to understanding the difference between pen-and-paper role-playing and role-playing ''video'' games: while the classic ''D&D''-style RP is one part number crunching, one part freeform make-believe, its video game implementations have, from the very beginning, been all about the numbers.

* ''Franchise/{{Ultima}}'' (ORIGIN, 1981–1999): The [[OneManIndustrialRevolution chief trailblazer]] of Western RPG genre, pioneering a lot of innovations that are ''still'' being rediscovered.

* ''VideoGame/TormentTidesOfNumenera'' (TBR 2017). A throwback to the quintessential Silver Age narrative RPG, ''Planescape: Torment'', Kickstarted by former Interplay veterans.

* ''VideoGame/ShroudOfTheAvatarForsakenVirtues'' (TBR 2016). A throwback to the Golden Age sandbox [=RPGs=] like ''VideoGame/UltimaVII'' and early [=MMORPGs=], specifically, ''VideoGame/UltimaOnline'', Kickstarted by former Origin Systems veterans.
* ''VideoGame/TormentTidesOfNumenera'' (TBR 2016). A throwback to the quintessential Silver Age narrative RPG, ''Planescape: Torment'', Kickstarted by former Interplay veterans.
* ''VideoGame/UnderworldAscendant'' (TBR 2016). A throwback to and continuation of ''VideoGame/UltimaUnderworld'', Kickstarted by former Origin Systems and Looking Glass Studios veterans. Ties in with ''Shroud of the Avatar''.
* ''VideoGame/DivinityOriginalSinII'' (TBR 2016). A partly self-funded, partly Kickstarted sequel to ''D:OS''.

''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' (Creator/{{Bethesda}}, 1994–ongoing) is the most famous title that hails from this period (even though it first came into full force during the Modern Age) and bears the honor of being the oldest continuous still-running WesternRPG series. ''VideoGame/SystemShock'' (Creator/{{Looking Glass|Studios}}, 1994) was among the earliest examples of the FPS/RPG hybrid genre, and some fans still fondly remember ''VideoGame/RavenloftStrahdsPossession'' ([=DreamForge=]/SSI, 1994), ''VideoGame/{{Stonekeep}}'' (Interplay, 1995), and ''VideoGame/{{Anvil of Dawn}}'' ([=DreamForge=]/NWC, 1995). It was also during the Dark Ages that the ''VideoGame/{{Exile}}'' series (Spiderweb Software, 1995–1997) emerged as likely the first indie WRPG in modern sense; its creator went on to develop many successful indie [=RPGs=] over the next two decades: ''VideoGame/{{Nethergate}}'' (1998), ''VideoGame/{{Avernum}}'' (2000–2009, rebooted in 2011), ''VideoGame/{{Geneforge}}'' (2001–2008), ''VideoGame/{{Avadon}}'' (2011–ongoing).

Modern Age Western [=RPGs=] are characterized by MultiPlatform releases, [[ActionRPG action-oriented combat]], fully voiced dialogue, and extensive usage of in-engine cutscenes. Multiplayer, 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 it cool again and ''VideoGame/DivinityOriginalSin'' (Larian, 2014) turned it completely on its ear--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 "[[UsefulNotes/PCVsConsole dumbing down for consoles]]").

''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' (Creator/{{Bethesda}}, 1994–ongoing) is the most famous title that hails from this period (even though it first came into full force during the Modern Age) and bears the honor of being the oldest continuous still-running WesternRPG series. ''VideoGame/SystemShock'' (Creator/{{Looking Glass|Studios}}, 1994) was among the earliest examples of the FPS/RPG hybrid genre, and some fans still fondly remember ''VideoGame/RavenloftStrahdsPossession'' ([=DreamForge=]/SSI, 1994), ''VideoGame/{{Stonekeep}}'' (Interplay, 1995), and ''VideoGame/AnvilOfDawn'' ([=DreamForge=]/NWC, 1995). It was also during the Dark Ages that the ''VideoGame/{{Exile}}'' series (Spiderweb Software, 1995–1997) emerged as likely the first indie WRPG in modern sense; its creator went on to develop many successful indie [=RPGs=] over the next two decades: ''VideoGame/{{Nethergate}}'' (1998), ''VideoGame/{{Avernum}}'' (2000–2009, rebooted in 2011), ''VideoGame/{{Geneforge}}'' (2001–2008), ''VideoGame/{{Avadon}}'' (2011–ongoing).

The Golden Age came to an end in the [[TheNineties mid-90s]] due to a combination of factors. The likely main reason was 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'', ''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 when they finally delivered, but others, like ''Ultima'' and ''Might & Magic'', met rather ignoble ends. SSI lost the ''D&D'' license and went out of business after 1995, and ''Wizardry 8'' (2001) would ultimately become the swan song of the Golden Age.