I've seen a few places offering free downloads of Baldur's Gate and other Infinity Engine games, but some of them just turn out to be viruses, some of them won't work on certain computers, and some of them cause glitching issues in the game. Can anyone direct me to a decent one?
I'm also unsure if there would be compatibility issues involved. For example, if a person with a downloaded version wished to play multiplayer with a CD person, or if someone tried to download Throne of Bhaal for a CD version of Shadows of Amn. Downloads aside, I've also encountered trouble with different CD versions. What different versions of this game exist out there?
Are free downloads illegal even after the company died?
A link to a place where this was already discussed would be sufficient for any of these questions.
Slew of Questions
Started by -JR-, Sep 12 2011 11:11 AM
17 replies to this topic
#1
-JR-
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Posted 12 September 2011 - 11:11 AM
"Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil." - C.S. Lewis
#2
the bigg
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Posted 12 September 2011 - 11:13 AM
Italian users: help test the Stivan NPC!
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#3
-JR-
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Posted 12 September 2011 - 11:18 AM
Not free.
"Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil." - C.S. Lewis
#4
Choo Choo
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Posted 12 September 2011 - 11:28 AM
Well, IIRC Baldur's Gate isn't abandonware or freeware, so yeah, it'd be illegal.
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#5
-JR-
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Posted 12 September 2011 - 11:35 AM
Bah. I'll just skip a few meals and buy it then, though it would still be nice if someone could elaborate on the compatibility issues.
"Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil." - C.S. Lewis
#6
Kaeloree
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Posted 12 September 2011 - 02:26 PM
No compatibility issues with the GoG version as far as I'm aware. 
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Viconia Friendship - Mazzy Friendship - Imoen Friendship - Yoshimo Friendship - Sarevok Friendship - Neera Expansion
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#7
-JR-
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Posted 12 September 2011 - 04:20 PM
Thanks, all.
"Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil." - C.S. Lewis
#8
Jarno Mikkola
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Posted 12 September 2011 - 08:16 PM
Sorry, but compatibility issues yes, but ones that cannot be overcome... no.No compatibility issues with the GoG version as far as I'm aware.
But you have to be clever not to make the mistakes and you have to modify the base game. Try the BWS for example...
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#9
-JR-
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Posted 12 September 2011 - 08:26 PM
Explain further?
"Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil." - C.S. Lewis
#10
Kaeloree
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Posted 12 September 2011 - 08:42 PM
It'd be great if you could elaborate, Jarno, as I'll soon be getting the GoG version and often field bug reports from users with it.
- Liam
Modding Projects
Complete:
Arath NPC - Nephele NPC - Xulaye NPC - Iylos NPC - Ninde NPC - Darian NPC - Yeslick NPC - Adrian NPC - Dace NPC - Valerie NPC - Isra NPC
Viconia Friendship - Mazzy Friendship - Imoen Friendship - Yoshimo Friendship - Sarevok Friendship - Neera Expansion
IEP Extended Banter
Sarevok Romance
Haer'Dalis Romance
In Progress:
Khadion NPC - Delainy NPC - Sarine NPC
#11
Jarno Mikkola
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Posted 12 September 2011 - 09:56 PM
Well, the GoG versions "patch" says it's the same as the official games, but it's not ... the readme file is wrongly named to identify it as the latest patch, and the files structure is minimized, so all the .bif files are in the "cdall" or was it "data" folder. The BGMain.exe is no-CD patched, who know with what... I know this because I "have had to" advice on the Megamod Help forum on how to avoid the problems they cause.It'd be great if you could elaborate, Jarno, as I'll soon be getting the GoG version and often field bug reports from users with it.
If you look into the FAQftMM thread, you'll see:
2.Q3 What should the GoG BGII [Alias] section look alike ? If one installs in to the C:\BWS\BGII - SoA\ directory... and what else.
Edited by Jarno Mikkola, 12 September 2011 - 09:59 PM.
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#12
Kaeloree
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Posted 12 September 2011 - 11:06 PM
Okay, so GoG BGII causes problems for the BWS, and you can fix them by following your instructions in your FAQ.
Apart from breaking the installation of the BWS, what problems can using the GoG version cause?
Apart from breaking the installation of the BWS, what problems can using the GoG version cause?
- Liam
Modding Projects
Complete:
Arath NPC - Nephele NPC - Xulaye NPC - Iylos NPC - Ninde NPC - Darian NPC - Yeslick NPC - Adrian NPC - Dace NPC - Valerie NPC - Isra NPC
Viconia Friendship - Mazzy Friendship - Imoen Friendship - Yoshimo Friendship - Sarevok Friendship - Neera Expansion
IEP Extended Banter
Sarevok Romance
Haer'Dalis Romance
In Progress:
Khadion NPC - Delainy NPC - Sarine NPC
#14
Kaeloree
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Posted 13 September 2011 - 12:48 AM
Thanks Will keep in mind!
Will keep in mind!
- Liam
Modding Projects
Complete:
Arath NPC - Nephele NPC - Xulaye NPC - Iylos NPC - Ninde NPC - Darian NPC - Yeslick NPC - Adrian NPC - Dace NPC - Valerie NPC - Isra NPC
Viconia Friendship - Mazzy Friendship - Imoen Friendship - Yoshimo Friendship - Sarevok Friendship - Neera Expansion
IEP Extended Banter
Sarevok Romance
Haer'Dalis Romance
In Progress:
Khadion NPC - Delainy NPC - Sarine NPC
#15
Miloch
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Posted 15 September 2011 - 10:18 PM
Fairly sure any reasonable (e.g. WeiDU-based) .exe patching will work fine on the GOG .exe - it's the virus-infected ones that have issues (for obvious reasons, but in the case of .exe patching, usually because they're longer than the original .exe due to the virus encoding, thus failing to be patched is a good thing).
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#16
Jarno Mikkola
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Posted 15 September 2011 - 11:33 PM
Well, if you look at the history, then you just need to look what the Widescreen mod had, it was not compatible until the v2.60... because the makers don't always have access to everyone of the BGMain.exe's.Fairly sure any reasonable (e.g. WeiDU-based) .exe patching will work fine on the GOG .exe - it's the virus-infected ones that have issues (for obvious reasons, but in the case of .exe patching, usually because they're longer than the original .exe due to the virus encoding, thus failing to be patched is a good thing).
So it's reasonable to know that the game version can interfere.
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#17
komarr
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Posted 18 September 2011 - 05:01 PM
I've never used Gog.com myself, but if it helps Amazon.com has the 4 in 1 BG set (BG1, TotSC, BG2, ToB) for $14 new (plus S&H most likely). Tho you'll need to get the official patches through a site like this one or Sorcerer's Place.
The Moving Finger writes: and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.
Omar Khayyam
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.
Omar Khayyam
#18
Dakk
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Posted 21 September 2011 - 03:25 AM
I'd highly recommend Gamers Gate, that also sell BG1+ToTSC and BG2 + ToB for 9$ (I believe, I have it in local currency). I use GG for all my game purchases, and I love it to bits
I have yet to purchase Baldurs Gate from them though, so I don't know what kind of patch they might be shipping or if they have the same problems as GOG.
I have yet to purchase Baldurs Gate from them though, so I don't know what kind of patch they might be shipping or if they have the same problems as GOG.
Edited by Dakk, 22 September 2011 - 12:56 AM.
