I could also have phrased the above headline as "Is Obsidian's Next RPG a Planescape: Torment Sequel?" thereby sounding catchier while simultaneously absolving myself of any journalistic obligation to factual reporting. But screw it, it is speculation at this point, although Eurogamer's Robert Purchese has built up a considerable case for why an Obsidian-led Planescape: Torment Kickstarter might soon be a thing.
Here are the facts, ma'am:
- Obsidian recently registered as a company on Kickstarter but has yet to post any projects on the account.
- Obsidian's blurb on Kickstarter mentions the company's Black Isle legacy, listing off Planescape: Torment, Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale, and suggests they will be using the Kickstarter account to get fans' help to "bring them back."
- Obsidian dev and Planescape lead designer Chris Avellone has expressed a great deal of interest in a Planescape: Torment comeback, on Eurogamer and elsewhere.
- Beamdog/Overhaul have expressed interest in doing HD remakes for Planescape: Torment and Icewind Dale.
- Planescape being a Wizards of the Coast/Hasbro license, it could potentially be a licensing nightmare to do a direct sequel, hence why "spiritual successor" seems more likely.
- They've been teasing us like whoa.
So, on the whole, a Planescape: Torment revival is looking pretty likely, but let's not get ahead of ourselves, lest we wind up with another disappointment on the scale of a Baldur's Gate "Definitive Edition." We'll know for sure one way or another by this time tomorrow. If it is a Planescape: Torment sequel, spiritual successor or otherwise, you will know by the spontaneous game critic Mardi Gras happening in the streets.
All of this, of course, ignores the point that Kickstarter was intended for indies, not major studios who wish to use the service as an elaborate preorder scheme. But I am not the first one to point that out.
At any rate, cheers for your investigative work, Eurogamer.
