Computer and Video Games
Many unique digital games had been released and sold under the D&D license. A significant number of these games were published by Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI). Most, but not all, are role-playing video games that use rules derived from some version of the D&D rules. Many of the games were released on multiple platforms, including personal computers, consoles, and handheld devices (including mobile phones). Notable titles include:
| Title | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dungeons & Dragons Computer Labyrinth Game | 1980 | The first D&D game marketed for public consumption that contained digital electronics. This is a board game/video game hybrid, with a D&D table-top look-and-feel. Dungeon walls, monsters, and traps manifest themselves as series of beeps from the internal computer. |
| Dungeons & Dragons Computer Fantasy Game | 1981 | A small (2" x 3" x .5") electronic game using the mechanics of "Hunt the Wumpus." It used an LCD screen and various sound effects to inform the player of different in-game circumstances, such as proximity to pits, bats, the magic arrow or the dragon. |
| Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Cartridge | 1982 | Designed for the Intellivision, the first video game based licensed under the D&D license. |
| Pool of Radiance | 1988 | The first D&D video game. Designed by SSI, the same game engine would be used to develop ten more D&D games, the Gold Box series. It was "remade" by UbiSoft in 2001 under the name Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor. |
| Eye of the Beholder | 1990 | The first in a trilogy of popular games designed by Westwood Studios and published by SSI in the early 1990s. |
| Neverwinter Nights | 1991 to 1997 |
Developed by Stormfront Studios and was one of the first graphical MMORPG, paving the way for other games including Ultima Online and EverQuest. The game was a major hit, and the name and settings formed the basis for the Neverwinter Nights video game (see below). |
| Tower of Doom | 1993 | Two beat 'em up/action RPG hybrid series by Capcom. |
| Shadow over Mystara | 1996 | |
| Birthright: The Gorgon's Alliance | 1996 | Developed by Synergistic Software, a subsidiary of Sierra Entertainment and was an innovative mix of strategy and role-playing gaming, and featured realistic (for the time) 3D graphics. Unfortunately, the game was not a major success due to the decreased popularity of Dungeons & Dragons inspired games at that time. |
| Baldur's Gate | 1998 | From Interplay Entertainment, was developed by Bioware and was the first D&D video game to use Bioware's Infinity Engine. It met with critical success and was followed by several more D&D games from Bioware, including an expansion pack, Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast, and one sequel, Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, and its expansion, Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal. |
| Planescape: Torment. Icewind Dale and Icewind Dale II | 1999 to 2002 |
Developed by Interplay's Black Isle Studios and also used the Bioware Infinity Engine. |
| Neverwinter Nights | 2002 | This game from Bioware included the Aurora toolset that allows users to create custom modules. Several expansion modules were sold by the distributor. |
| Neverwinter Nights 2 | 2006 | |
| Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale | 2011 | Developed by Bedlam Games and published by Atari, set to release as a downloadable game for PSN/XBLA |
Read more about this topic: Dungeons & Dragons Related Products
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