Is a New Baldur's Gate On The Way? Maybe.
Something is going on with the Baldur's Gate series that's not related to the Baldur's Gate 2 Complete Edition release on Steam. A third installment? Or a revamped port to tablets?
Talk about classic PC gaming! Baldur's Gate was nothing but pure RPG goodness Forgotten Realms-style when the series crashed the PC gaming scene back in 1998. It, along with Blizzard's original Diablo, kept many a player engaged long after their eyes began to get blurry and their legs grow numb. And now with the third Diablo installment threatening to consume every ounce of free time next quarter, it seems only fitting that BioWare's Baldur's Gate series makes a comeback too.
The Baldur's Gate series seemingly ended with the release of Throne of Bhaal in 2001, the expansion pack for Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn. But hints embedded within the source code of the Baldur's Gate website now suggest that the Lord of Murder might make a return via resurrection or by way of offspring. Honestly we've seen this type of teaser tactic before, so don't assume it's a case of wishful thinking. Here's one clue:
\Shadowy Figure- Raise Dead : Infinity Engine
For years, I clung to the memory of it. Then the memory of the memory.
And then... it returned. Better than it was before.
Here's another one that just appeared:
Pore over the tapestries and works of art hanging from our walls if you wish, Child of Bhaal... perhaps you will find a clue. But patience, ah... patience would reveal it all.
As the silver moon waxes and wanes, so too does life.
And then we have former BioWare designer Trent Oster who now resides at independent developer / digital PC game store Beamdog. His team reportedly has something to do with the new Baldur's Gate teaser site.
"We're not related to the Steam complete edition, I can tell you that much," Oster told GameBanshee. "Other than that, we're hoping to announce something soon."
Based on the clues, a new Infinity Engine may be in the works along with a third installment to the Baldur's Gate series. The previous engine powered both Baldur's Gate titles, the two Icewind Dale RPGs, and the classic Planetscape: Torment. But like the revamped MDK2 HD, these hints could also mean that the Baldur's Gate series is getting an overhaul and will be ported to tablets like the iPad 2/3.The latter scenario seems more likely.
"A new toy for the office. What could we be developing that would require an iMac?" Oster teased via Twitter. He later talks about enjoying the fan reaction, unable to sleep because he keeps watching the analytics on the Baldur's Gate site.
As for February 29, the new clue is as follows:
Take heart fellow adventurers, for you have curried the favor of Boo, the only miniature giant space hamster in the Realm! Hit the link if you can't remember the story behind Boo (squeak).
The last game released in the Baldur's Gate series was Dark Alliance 2 back in 2004.

Compare that to Diablo. 100% action, no pausing.
Dungeon Siege 1 & 2 get it halfway right, they don't need to be paused, but like Baldurs Gate, you also have a party to control instead of a single character. Nothing wrong with multiple characters in a RTS, but in an RPG it can be a bit much. Far better to have summons that you don't have to control directly, and that are (usually) expendable.
There's already more than enough RTS games to go around. Turn-based has its niche too. I'd like D&D games to remain that way. Sequels that drift too far from the original style are hardly sequels, but simply a different game that happens to share a similar name. Personally, I'd like to see another solo turn-based like NWN1. I don't need innovative changes to the play style, small changes are okay and welcome though. A new but equally rich story storyline and a graphics update is good enough for me.
If you like Diablo style play, then stick to Diablo. And I don't really want to see Bauldur's Gate: Dragon KoToR Effect either.
Although I agree with you on many counts in your post there is definitely a gray area in between that is good for business and still fun to play.
Personally I would love to see Baldurs gate done with more of a Oblivion/Skyrim style to it, or even AI squad based style play similar to that in STO and other new MMO's. If your gonna revamp the series why not go all out and make it a game worthy of the BG/DnD/Forgotten Realms name. I miss playing in Faerûn and the world of Abeir-Toril.
But for those who like the game check this out: Dungeons & Dragons Anthology: The Master Collection Includes Baldur’s Gate 1 & 2 + Expansion, Icewind Dale 1 & 2 + Expansions, Planescape: Torment, and The Temple of Elemental Evil (ToEE was ok). $20 for that isnt bad imo. Was updated to work with WinXP/Vista/7 for those interested.
I know, I didn't mean to say they should make it an RTS. I get that some people like the turn-based genre, but I found the storyline of Baldurs Gate really engaging, and the pause-based battles really slowed things down, to the point where I got too frustrated to continue playing; the story progressed too slowly as a result of all the pausing.
If they do release a new sequel, I hope they can speed things up a bit. Include pausing elements for those who enjoy it, but remove some micro for those who prefer to speed things up, at some penalty (perhaps reduced effectiveness because of less micro)
While some never got to play the series years back, I have yet to play a rpg that got me sucked in as much as Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn.
I mean come on.... Who wouldn't love a bulky Ranger named Minsc and his pet hamster Boo
Good times
Speaking of old school gaming, have you seen what the indie scene are working on recently? Here is one of the titles that is really bringing the turn by turn, party based dynamic back... http://www.third-impression.com/bloodrune.asp
Hmmm.... I wonder how difficult it would be to get them running inside a VM for maximum office obfuscation?
Seriously though... Planetscape?!? Seriously?!?
RTS is Real Time Strategy and yes there are plenty of those but no there are not enough really good Action RPG's. I had a hard time getting into Baldurs Gate as well although I recognize it as a solid game. Just wasn't my tastes. Had more fun with Diablo and Planscape Torment then Baldures Gate.