These Directors are Restoring Classic D&D Gold Box Games, More May Be on the Way
SNEG is restoring the Gold Box Classic games. Its directors are making sure “the new generation of gamers knows […] what started it all.”
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been taking a close look at some Gold Box Classic retro D&D video games, like Fantasy Empires, and also titles like upsettingly immersive Menzoberranzan. These titles are being brought to modern platforms thanks to the publisher, SNEG.
We had a chance to talk to the directors behind these projects and pick their brains about gaming, D&D, and what other titles they plan to tackle next.
Interviewees: Oleg Klapovskiy and Artem Shchuiko, SNEG Directors
What’s your history with games like these?
[AS, OK] As we like to say – “old habits die hard”. Both of us spent many years working at GOG.com (or Good Old Games as it was originally called). Together we’ve spent 20 years working on gaming gems of the past. Both of us grew up playing games, and that was the reason [we] joined this industry. Being gamers from childhood, working in this industry for the main part of your life makes you want to do everything to preserve gaming and ensure the new generation of gamers knows the history and what started it all.
Why did you choose these titles in particular?
[OK] D&D universe has a special place in my heart. Back in my childhood video game adaptations opened this world to me. Months were spent in Eye of the Beholder series games. Later on, thanks to Gold Box Classics, Planescape: Torment, and Baldur’s Gate series I speeded up learning the English language. [The] Krynn series opened the doors of the Dragonlance for me, but only many years after I had a chance to play games that are now part of [the] Silver Box Classics collection. These are great stories and great characters that you want to follow. Spelljammer is also a very unique world that is a great mixture of fantasy and sci-fi. Something that is very rare in gaming. I’m really excited that more gamers can experience these worlds now.
What do you think these titles can most offer to players in 2023?
[OK, AS] As any D&D video game adaptation in the first place they have a great story to tell. The worlds are rich and unique. What is also interesting is that many gameplay mechanics that are popular nowadays have their roots in these games. That’s not a surprise as many game developers were inspired by these classics.
Are there plans to give non-D&D games from that era the same treatment?
[AS] Absolutely, we’ve managed to acquire rights to a few SSI classics that were also lost for many years and are working on bringing them back. We’ll reveal more information on those soon. Stay tuned.
What are you playing right now? Video games or tabletop games, etc
[OK] We’ve recently brought Blade of Darkness classic RPG (that some are calling a father of souls-like games) to modern consoles and I’ve spent quite some time replaying it. In parallel, I’m still trying to finish God Of War: Ragnarok and just recently bought Advance Wars games on Switch.
[AS] Right now I’m into Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, catching up right before the sequel, and I am constantly drawn back like a magnet to my beloved Into The Breach 🙂 I’m also returning to various classics, especially those where we see an opening to bring them back as its both a great excuse to relive the experience (or play it for the first time) and also a way to reconnaissance what aged and what didn’t.
