Anders Lauridsen, lead developer at High North Studios and creator of the recently released RPG Skald: Against the Black Priory, has shared how BioWare's 1998 title Baldur's Gate profoundly influenced his career path. Lauridsen described Baldur's Gate 1 as the first game he truly loved, offering a crucial outlet for his fascination with CRPGs and Dungeons & Dragons during his youth.
Lauridsen explained that while he had played earlier CRPGs, their clunkier nature made them difficult to fully appreciate at his age. Simultaneously, he was exploring AD&D (second edition) but faced the common tabletop challenge of "scheduling conflicts." Baldur's Gate 1, he stated, filled this void, perfectly capturing the free-roaming, chaotic style of play he associated with the tabletop experience. He continues to replay the game annually and considers it the best of the Infinity Engine titles.
The inspiration from BioWare extended beyond a single game. Lauridsen noted that BioWare's titles have been a "constant companion" and are a primary reason he entered the CRPG development field. He mentioned that elements of BioWare's design philosophy are present in Skald, partly because implementing and testing these features evokes happy memories and a sense of connection to his childhood gaming heroes.
Lauridsen expressed gratitude for the games BioWare has delivered and hopes future generations will find similar joy and inspiration from them. He emphasized celebrating BioWare's legacy rather than mourning its recent developments.
Skald: Against the Black Priory itself incorporates mechanics and systems reminiscent of BioWare's celebrated RPGs, albeit with a pixel-art aesthetic. The game has also garnered praise for its surprising infusion of cosmic horror elements and reactive systems, drawing comparisons to the work of Larian Studios. Larian founder Swen Vincke is reportedly a fan of the game. Skald is available for purchase on Steam and GOG.com.