Phenomena

CRPG Renaissance

Kickstarted revival

The CRPG renaissance saw crowdfunding revive isometric role-playing games after publishers abandoned the genre, with Pillars of Eternity and Divinity: Original Sin proving audience demand remained.

pcMaclinux genrecrowdfundingindie 2012–present

Overview

The fans were right all along. When publishers declared isometric CRPGs dead, Kickstarter proved otherwise. Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity raised $4 million; inXile’s Wasteland 2 broke records; Larian’s Divinity: Original Sin became a phenomenon. Veterans returned to make games publishers refused to fund. The renaissance validated patient fans who kept playing Baldur’s Gate while the industry chased other trends.

Fast facts

  • Catalyst: Double Fine Adventure (2012).
  • Peak: Pillars of Eternity (2015).
  • Culmination: Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023).
  • Key platform: Kickstarter, Fig.

Kickstarter pioneers

ProjectYearRaised
Wasteland 22012$2.9 million
Project Eternity2012$4.16 million
Torment: Tides2013$4.19 million
Pillars II2017$4.4 million

Key releases

TitleYearDeveloper
Divinity: Original Sin2014Larian
Pillars of Eternity2015Obsidian
Tyranny2016Obsidian
Pathfinder: Kingmaker2018Owlcat
Baldur’s Gate 32023Larian
RevivalInnovation
Turn-based combatStrategic depth
Party managementClassic feel
ReactivityModern standards
Writing qualityLiterary ambition

Publisher response

ReactionExample
Initial scepticismGenre “dead”
Crowdfunding proofAudience exists
Eventual investmentLarian funding
AAA returnBaldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 impact

AchievementSignificance
Critical acclaimUniversal praise
Commercial success15+ million sales
GOTY awardsIndustry recognition
Genre validationCRPG mainstream again

See also