Overview
Brian Fargo’s Interplay became synonymous with Western RPGs. As publisher, they backed Baldur’s Gate and Fallout. As developer, they created The Bard’s Tale and Wasteland. Their internal studios—Black Isle, Shiny—produced genre-defining work before financial troubles dismantled the empire.
Fast facts
- Founded: 1983.
- Founder: Brian Fargo.
- Location: Irvine, California.
- Peak: Late 1990s RPG dominance.
Internal development
| Title |
Year |
| The Bard’s Tale |
1985 |
| Wasteland |
1988 |
| Battle Chess |
1988 |
Black Isle Studios
| Title |
Year |
Achievement |
| Fallout |
1997 |
Post-apocalyptic RPG |
| Baldur’s Gate |
1998 |
D&D revival |
| Planescape: Torment |
1999 |
Narrative excellence |
| Baldur’s Gate II |
2000 |
RPG pinnacle |
| Icewind Dale |
2000 |
Combat focus |
Publishing highlights
| Title |
Developer |
| Baldur’s Gate series |
BioWare |
| Descent |
Parallax |
| MDK |
Shiny |
| Earthworm Jim |
Shiny |
Infinity Engine era
| Achievement |
Significance |
| Engine licensing |
Multiple RPGs |
| D&D adaptation |
Faithful rules |
| Isometric perspective |
Genre standard |
Decline
| Year |
Event |
| Early 2000s |
Financial troubles |
| 2004 |
Bankruptcy filing |
| Black Isle |
Closed, staff dispersed |
| Aftermath |
Obsidian formed by ex-staff |
Legacy studios
| Studio |
Origin |
| Obsidian |
Black Isle veterans |
| inXile |
Brian Fargo |
See also