Wizards of the Coast is reportedly taking a trip down memory lane. According to a new report, the tabletop giant is developing a remake of Baldur's Gate 2, one of the most revered fantasy role-playing games ever created. The project would mark the first major video game move from Wizards since Larian Studios stepped away from the franchise after the massive success of Baldur's Gate 3.
The report claims that Kevin Martens, who served as a co-lead designer on the original Baldur's Gate 2 at BioWare, has returned to work on the remake. Martens' resume includes stints on Jade Empire, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect, and Diablo 3, making him a familiar face for RPG fans. While the report focuses specifically on Baldur's Gate 2, it suggests that both of BioWare's original Baldur's Gate games could receive remake treatments, which would make narrative sense given that the sequel directly continues the story of the first game.
Why Now? The Bigger Picture for Baldur's Gate
The timing of this rumored remake aligns with Wizards of the Coast's broader strategy to expand the Baldur's Gate universe beyond video games. Earlier this year, HBO announced it is developing a live-action television adaptation that continues the story of Baldur's Gate 3, and Penguin Random House has launched a new line of books set in the Forgotten Realms, including a story centered on fan-favorite companion Astarion. These moves suggest Wizards sees Baldur's Gate as a multimedia franchise, not just a successful game series.
With Larian Studios moving on to new projects, the question of who would handle the next Baldur's Gate game has lingered. A direct sequel to Baldur's Gate 3 would be a massive undertaking without Larian at the helm, but a remake of the beloved Baldur's Gate 2 offers a more manageable—and nostalgic—way to keep the franchise alive. For fans who discovered the series through Baldur's Gate 3, a remake could serve as a gateway to the classic adventures that defined the genre.
What a Remake Could Look Like
Details about the project remain scarce, and the report notes that Hasbro declined to comment on the rumor. Martens also did not respond to the outlet before publication. Even if the report proves accurate, there are still plenty of unanswered questions. A remake could range from a modern visual overhaul to a complete reimagining built from the ground up. The original games used a real-time-with-pause combat system that differs dramatically from the turn-based approach used in Baldur's Gate 3, and there is currently no indication what direction a remake would take.
Fans should keep their expectations in check for now. The project has not been officially announced, and the rumor mill is notoriously unreliable. However, if Wizards of the Coast is serious about building Baldur's Gate into a multimedia franchise, revisiting the games that helped define computer RPGs would be a logical place to start. For now, the possibility of returning to Athkatla and the Sword Coast remains firmly in the rumor category—but it's a tantalizing one for fans of the series.
For more on the legacy of classic RPGs, check out our list of 8 Untouchable Classics That Should Never Get a Remake and our ranking of the best high fantasy video games ever made. And if you're curious about other remakes in the works, don't miss our coverage of the Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster coming to Switch 2.
