Minsc
Encyclopedia
Minsc (ˈmɪnsk) is a fictional character
in the Baldur's Gate
series of Dungeons & Dragons
computer role-playing games developed by BioWare
. Minsc originated in pen and paper Dungeons & Dragons
sessions held by Baldur's Gates Lead Designer James Ohlen
, and was expanded upon by the game's lead writer, Luke Kristjanson. First appearing in Baldur's Gate
, Minsc later appeared in its sequel, Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
, and expansion, Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal
, as well as in promotions relating to the titles. Minsc is voiced by Jim Cummings
in all appearances.
Minsc is a ranger, originally tasked with serving as a bodyguard to the witch Dynaheir as part of a rite of passage
. After assisting the protagonist defeat his brother, they are captured alongside him. After Dynaheir is killed by the mage Jon Irenicus, Minsc offers his services to the protagonist in the pursuit of justice. A berserker
, Minsc has a strong desire to uphold good and be heroic, though with an extreme fervor that causes those around him to regard him as possibly insane
. His animal companion is a hamster named Boo, who he believes is a "miniature giant space hamster" and consults for advice. Boo's actual nature is left for the player to decide.
Since his introduction, Minsc has been regarded as one of the best and most popular elements of the Baldur's Gate due to his demeanor and attachment to Boo, according to sources such as IGN
, GameSpot
, and Eurogamer
. Others such as CVG
have regarded him as one of the greatest aspects of PC gaming, while game developers have noted a preference for him. The web comic Megatokyo
adapted Boo to appear in their publication, while the protagonist took on aspects of Minsc. His absence from subsequent gaming titles has also been lamented by sources such as UGO.com
sessions held by Baldur's Gates Lead Designer James Ohlen
. Played by Cameron Tofer, associate producer and lead programmer of MDK2
, Minsc was conceived as an unstable comic relief
ranger who carried around a pet hamster named Boo in the Dark Sun campaign setting
. The lead writer for Baldur's Gate, Luke Kristjanson, expanded upon the character and created dialogue intended to make Minsc funny and memorable to the general audience. During development, Minsc's lines were modified in accordance with his voice actor Jim Cummings
. As this progressed, the writers noted they were able to interject dialogue more freely for Minsc into the script in a tone suitable for the character. Bioware co-founder Ray Muzyka
has stated that out of the Baldur's Gate series, Minsc is his favorite character.
The notion of Minsc's animal companion Boo as possibly a "miniature giant space hamster" originates from Dungeons & Dragons source material, first mentioned in the Spelljammer campaign setting
which described them as giant hamsters bred to paddle wheels for flying ships, which can alternatively be bred in miniature form, looking like a normal hamster. The possibility of Boo as such was purposefully left up to the player to determine, though senior designer David Gaider
noted that regardless Boo had no powers or abilities beyond those of a regular hamster. He also noted Boo was handled differently from the standard concept of familiars as creatures that fought alongside their owners, due to both the frailty of hamsters and the impact Boo dying would have upon Minsc in the game. In an open discussion with BioWare developers, scriptwriter Drew Karpyshyn
described Boo's role in the game as "[providing] wisdom and moral support to Minsc".
ed ranger
from the Forgotten Realms
country of Rashemen. Originally a berserker
on his "dajemma", a rite of passage
to gain entrance to the prestigious "Ice Dragon Berserker Lodge", he swore to guard the witch Dynaheir. When introduced to the player, the duo has already been ambushed by a group of gnoll
s, who took Dynaheir back to their stronghold. Ordering them to halt so his hamster may judge them, Minsc introduces himself and his source of advice, the hamster Boo. He requests their help, and if they accept he will hold them to their word, to the point of using violence if necessary. Once rescued, both characters will assist the protagonist in defeating his brother, the antagonist Sarevok.
In Shadows of Amn, it is revealed shortly after the close of the previous game the group was captured and imprisoned by the mage Jon Irenicus, who seeks to tap into the protagonist's power for his own goals. Dynaheir is slain, and Minsc offers his services in the name of good to strike back against Irenicus. In Throne of Bhaal, Minsc is one of several character that can be summoned to assist the protagonist in a similar fashion. In the game's epilogue, it is revealed Minsc returned to Rashemen and gained access to the lodge, having become a renowned hero due to his experiences with the protagonist. Forming his own adventuring company, he continues fighting against evil until when well advanced in age, Minsc and Boo set out and disappear.
Though not appearing in any later games in the series, Minsc and Boo are referenced in other Bioware titles. In Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer
, an "Astral Rodent totem" can be found, with the words "For M" carved on it. In Mass Effect 2
a purchasable "space hamster" that gives the player a "knowing smile" when observed can be purchased; in another instance, one of the game's non-playable characters, Tali, will shout a modified version of one of Minsc's battle cries, instructing her combat drone to "Go for the optics!" In Dragon Age: Origins
, the loading screen sometimes displays the advice "If all else fails, go for the eyes" (a reference to Minsc's battle cry commanding Boo to "go for the eyes"). Another Bioware game, Dragon Age Legends, also references Boo by directly quoting Minsc's battle cry of "go for the eyes" as a battle cry for random NPC's that fight alongside the player
Guild Wars Nightfall
also come with a Paragon shout called "Go for the eyes!", clearly referencing to Minsc battle quote.
of Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn with a heavily changed design, which describes him as a well-built man with long red hair, a patchy orange beard, and a jagged scar along the right side of his head. In addition Minsc is no longer a warrior, portrayed as much smaller with the novel's protagonist, Abdel, who is described as much larger than him. In contrast, Boo is left unchanged, still referred to by Minsc as a miniature giant space hamster. Held prisoner alongside Adbel at the start of the novel, Minsc is set free and accompanies Abdel until they reach an inn, at which Minsc opts to work. Abdel repeatedly shows discomfort for his presence, using Minsc's employment as an excuse to leave him behind and steal his sword, though later returns for his help in securing travel aboard a ship. Minsc makes a final appearance in the novel when Adbel returns to kill his employers; understanding that the inn will be permanently closed soon, Minsc tells Boo as they leave that they will have to find another place to work.
Boo appears by himself in the webcomic
MegaTokyo
, wearing strapped on wings and serving as secondary protagonist Largo's conscience, though can't be readily understood due to only being able to squeak. Largo himself quotes Minsc, though adapts the battlecries to his own needs. At one point in the comic, Boo attempts to leave Largo and return to BioWare's employment, only to be turned down. BioWare's Ray Muzyka praised Boo's appearance in the comic, describing it as an "anime-style" depiction of a favorite character. For a limited time Boo plush toys modeled after his appearance in the comic were sold by the artists through the website, though production was initially delayed due to manufacturer error.
held an interview with Lukas Kristjanson who, while speaking as Minsc, gave background information on the character. When asked about the possibility of Minsc and Boo making cameo appearances later BioWare titles, lead Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal developer Kevin Martens stated "Well, Minsc is popular. You like Minsc. We like Minsc. Neverwinter is so far away. That is all that I have to say."
IGN
named Minsc's return in Baldur's Gate II as an aspect of the game they looked forward to, stating "How can you live without Minsc?!" Dan Tudge, project lead for Dragon Age: Origins
, noted that prior to working for BioWare he would rush home after work to use the character. Minsc placed seventh in a "Reader's Choice" edition of GameSpot
's "Ten Best Sidekicks" article, which noted that readers commented on the character's demeanor and attachment to Boo as reasons for his appeal to them. UGO.com described Minsc as "a beloved game personality", lamenting the absence of similar characters in later BioWare titles. Eurogamer
named Minsc the best male supporting character in video games for 2001, noting him as additionally one of the most popular characters of the original Baldur's Gate. Computer Games Magazine
called him the favorite character of many players of the original Baldur's Gate, citing his strengths and "appealing personality" as reasons for his popularity. Calling him "everyone's favorite lovable oaf", they praised his early presence in the game's sequel. CVG
listed him as one of their two-hundred reasons to "Love PC Gaming", quoting one of his battlecries for their reasoning. GameDaily
named him one of the Most Lovable Lummoxes in video gaming, stating "Every good party of adventurers in a CRPG needs a tank...In Baldur's Gate, the human ranger Minsc is that tank, and a valuable asset to the player's quest."
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the Baldur's Gate
Baldur's Gate series
Baldur's Gate is a franchise of action role-playing games released under the Dungeons & Dragons Video Game Licenses. It is set in the fictional campaign setting of Forgotten Realms and takes place in its fictional continent of Faerûn. It takes place mostly in the Western Heartlands, but has also...
series of Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
computer role-playing games developed by BioWare
BioWare
BioWare is a Canadian video game developer founded in February 1995 by newly graduated medical doctors Ray Muzyka, Greg Zeschuk, and Augustine Yip. BioWare is currently owned by American company Electronic Arts...
. Minsc originated in pen and paper Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
sessions held by Baldur's Gates Lead Designer James Ohlen
James Ohlen
-Career:Early in his career, Ohlen briefly wrote and provided testing for Shattered Steel. He moved into a full-time role as designer for Baldur's Gate, and has since been a lead designer for games such as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Neverwinter Nights and Baldur's Gate II...
, and was expanded upon by the game's lead writer, Luke Kristjanson. First appearing in Baldur's Gate
Baldur's Gate
Baldur's Gate is a computer role-playing game developed by BioWare and released in 1998 by Interplay Entertainment. The game takes place in the Forgotten Realms, a high fantasy campaign setting, using modified Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition rules...
, Minsc later appeared in its sequel, Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn is a computer role-playing game developed by BioWare and released on September 26, 2000. The game is the sequel to Baldur's Gate, and, opening only a few months after the events of the earlier game, continues the story of the player character, whose unique heritage...
, and expansion, Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal
Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal
Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal is the expansion pack for the computer role-playing game Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, and is the final chapter in the Baldur's Gate series. It adds a multi-level dungeon called Watcher's Keep to the game and completes the main plot...
, as well as in promotions relating to the titles. Minsc is voiced by Jim Cummings
Jim Cummings
James Jonah "Jim" Cummings is an American voice actor who has appeared in almost 100 roles. He has appeared in classic animated movies such as Aladdin and The Lion King, as well as taking on roles in more current films, such as Bee Movie, Princess and the Frog, and Winnie the Pooh.-Personal...
in all appearances.
Minsc is a ranger, originally tasked with serving as a bodyguard to the witch Dynaheir as part of a rite of passage
Rite of passage
A rite of passage is a ritual event that marks a person's progress from one status to another. It is a universal phenomenon which can show anthropologists what social hierarchies, values and beliefs are important in specific cultures....
. After assisting the protagonist defeat his brother, they are captured alongside him. After Dynaheir is killed by the mage Jon Irenicus, Minsc offers his services to the protagonist in the pursuit of justice. A berserker
Berserker
Berserkers were Norse warriors who are reported in the Old Norse literature to have fought in a nearly uncontrollable, trance-like fury, a characteristic which later gave rise to the English word berserk. Berserkers are attested in numerous Old Norse sources...
, Minsc has a strong desire to uphold good and be heroic, though with an extreme fervor that causes those around him to regard him as possibly insane
Insanity
Insanity, craziness or madness is a spectrum of behaviors characterized by certain abnormal mental or behavioral patterns. Insanity may manifest as violations of societal norms, including becoming a danger to themselves and others, though not all such acts are considered insanity...
. His animal companion is a hamster named Boo, who he believes is a "miniature giant space hamster" and consults for advice. Boo's actual nature is left for the player to decide.
Since his introduction, Minsc has been regarded as one of the best and most popular elements of the Baldur's Gate due to his demeanor and attachment to Boo, according to sources such as IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
, GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
, and Eurogamer
Eurogamer
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on...
. Others such as CVG
Computer and video games
A video game is an electronic game that involves human interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. The word video in video game traditionally referred to a raster display device, but following popularization of the term "video game", it now implies any type of...
have regarded him as one of the greatest aspects of PC gaming, while game developers have noted a preference for him. The web comic Megatokyo
Megatokyo
is an English-language webcomic created by Fred Gallagher and Rodney Caston, debuting on August 14, 2000, and then written and illustrated solely by Gallagher since July 17, 2002. Gallagher's style of writing and illustration is heavily influenced by Japanese manga. Megatokyo is freely available on...
adapted Boo to appear in their publication, while the protagonist took on aspects of Minsc. His absence from subsequent gaming titles has also been lamented by sources such as UGO.com
Conception and creation
Minsc and Boo originated in pen and paper Dungeons & DragonsDungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
sessions held by Baldur's Gates Lead Designer James Ohlen
James Ohlen
-Career:Early in his career, Ohlen briefly wrote and provided testing for Shattered Steel. He moved into a full-time role as designer for Baldur's Gate, and has since been a lead designer for games such as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Neverwinter Nights and Baldur's Gate II...
. Played by Cameron Tofer, associate producer and lead programmer of MDK2
MDK2
MDK2 is a video game and sequel to the third-person shooter, MDK. The original MDK was developed by Shiny Entertainment and released in 1997 by Interplay. The sequel was developed by BioWare....
, Minsc was conceived as an unstable comic relief
Comic relief
Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character, scene or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work, often to relieve tension.-Definition:...
ranger who carried around a pet hamster named Boo in the Dark Sun campaign setting
Dark Sun
Dark Sun is a Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting featuring the fictional desert world of Athas. The original Dark Sun Boxed Set campaign setting was released in 1991....
. The lead writer for Baldur's Gate, Luke Kristjanson, expanded upon the character and created dialogue intended to make Minsc funny and memorable to the general audience. During development, Minsc's lines were modified in accordance with his voice actor Jim Cummings
Jim Cummings
James Jonah "Jim" Cummings is an American voice actor who has appeared in almost 100 roles. He has appeared in classic animated movies such as Aladdin and The Lion King, as well as taking on roles in more current films, such as Bee Movie, Princess and the Frog, and Winnie the Pooh.-Personal...
. As this progressed, the writers noted they were able to interject dialogue more freely for Minsc into the script in a tone suitable for the character. Bioware co-founder Ray Muzyka
Ray Muzyka
Dr. Ray Muzyka is a Canadian entrepreneur. He is the CEO at BioWare Corp as well as a Senior Vice President and Group General Manager of the BioWare RPG/MMO Group of Electronic Arts at BioWare's parent company Electronic Arts.-Career:Muzyka co-founded BioWare in...
has stated that out of the Baldur's Gate series, Minsc is his favorite character.
The notion of Minsc's animal companion Boo as possibly a "miniature giant space hamster" originates from Dungeons & Dragons source material, first mentioned in the Spelljammer campaign setting
Spelljammer
Spelljammer is a campaign setting for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, which features a fantastical outer space environment....
which described them as giant hamsters bred to paddle wheels for flying ships, which can alternatively be bred in miniature form, looking like a normal hamster. The possibility of Boo as such was purposefully left up to the player to determine, though senior designer David Gaider
David Gaider
David Gaider is a Canadian writer and game designer, working for Edmonton, Alberta-located game developer BioWare since 1999.-Career:...
noted that regardless Boo had no powers or abilities beyond those of a regular hamster. He also noted Boo was handled differently from the standard concept of familiars as creatures that fought alongside their owners, due to both the frailty of hamsters and the impact Boo dying would have upon Minsc in the game. In an open discussion with BioWare developers, scriptwriter Drew Karpyshyn
Drew Karpyshyn
Drew Karpyshyn is a Canadian video game scenario writer, scriptwriter and novelist.-Career:Karpyshyn was a loan officer, but when he got in a car accident, he quit his job as a loan officer and was able to go to college again to gain a degree in English...
described Boo's role in the game as "[providing] wisdom and moral support to Minsc".
In computer games
Introduced in Baldur's Gate, Minsc is a bald, purple-tattooTattoo
A tattoo is made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Tattoos on humans are a type of body modification, and tattoos on other animals are most commonly used for identification purposes...
ed ranger
Ranger (Dungeons & Dragons)
The ranger is one of the standard playable character class in most editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. They are protectors of nature, skilled woodsmen, and often live reclusive lives as hermits....
from the Forgotten Realms
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
country of Rashemen. Originally a berserker
Berserker
Berserkers were Norse warriors who are reported in the Old Norse literature to have fought in a nearly uncontrollable, trance-like fury, a characteristic which later gave rise to the English word berserk. Berserkers are attested in numerous Old Norse sources...
on his "dajemma", a rite of passage
Rite of passage
A rite of passage is a ritual event that marks a person's progress from one status to another. It is a universal phenomenon which can show anthropologists what social hierarchies, values and beliefs are important in specific cultures....
to gain entrance to the prestigious "Ice Dragon Berserker Lodge", he swore to guard the witch Dynaheir. When introduced to the player, the duo has already been ambushed by a group of gnoll
Gnoll
A gnoll or gnole is a fictional humanoid creature - a cross between a gnome and a troll. They first appeared in Lord Dunsany's story in The Book of Wonder: How Nuth Would Have Practised His Art upon the Gnoles and subsequently reappeared in Margaret St. Clair's, The Man Who Sold Rope to the Gnoles...
s, who took Dynaheir back to their stronghold. Ordering them to halt so his hamster may judge them, Minsc introduces himself and his source of advice, the hamster Boo. He requests their help, and if they accept he will hold them to their word, to the point of using violence if necessary. Once rescued, both characters will assist the protagonist in defeating his brother, the antagonist Sarevok.
In Shadows of Amn, it is revealed shortly after the close of the previous game the group was captured and imprisoned by the mage Jon Irenicus, who seeks to tap into the protagonist's power for his own goals. Dynaheir is slain, and Minsc offers his services in the name of good to strike back against Irenicus. In Throne of Bhaal, Minsc is one of several character that can be summoned to assist the protagonist in a similar fashion. In the game's epilogue, it is revealed Minsc returned to Rashemen and gained access to the lodge, having become a renowned hero due to his experiences with the protagonist. Forming his own adventuring company, he continues fighting against evil until when well advanced in age, Minsc and Boo set out and disappear.
Though not appearing in any later games in the series, Minsc and Boo are referenced in other Bioware titles. In Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer
Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer
Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer is a computer role-playing game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Atari. It is an expansion pack for Neverwinter Nights 2. It was released in Autumn 2007 for the PC in North America, Europe, and Australia...
, an "Astral Rodent totem" can be found, with the words "For M" carved on it. In Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect 2 is an action role-playing game developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The game was released for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 on January 26, 2010 and for PlayStation 3 on January 18, 2011...
a purchasable "space hamster" that gives the player a "knowing smile" when observed can be purchased; in another instance, one of the game's non-playable characters, Tali, will shout a modified version of one of Minsc's battle cries, instructing her combat drone to "Go for the optics!" In Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age: Origins is a single-player role-playing video game developed by BioWare's Edmonton studio and published by Electronic Arts. It is the first game in the Dragon Age franchise...
, the loading screen sometimes displays the advice "If all else fails, go for the eyes" (a reference to Minsc's battle cry commanding Boo to "go for the eyes"). Another Bioware game, Dragon Age Legends, also references Boo by directly quoting Minsc's battle cry of "go for the eyes" as a battle cry for random NPC's that fight alongside the player
Guild Wars Nightfall
Guild Wars Nightfall
Guild Wars Nightfall is a fantasy Action RPG and the third stand-alone campaign in the Guild Wars computer game series developed by Seattle-based game developer studio ArenaNet, a subsidiary of NCSoft corporation...
also come with a Paragon shout called "Go for the eyes!", clearly referencing to Minsc battle quote.
In other media
Minsc appears in the 2000 novelizationNovelization
A novelization is a novel that is written based on some other media story form rather than as an original work.Novelizations of films usually add background material not found in the original work to flesh out the story, because novels are generally longer than screenplays...
of Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn with a heavily changed design, which describes him as a well-built man with long red hair, a patchy orange beard, and a jagged scar along the right side of his head. In addition Minsc is no longer a warrior, portrayed as much smaller with the novel's protagonist, Abdel, who is described as much larger than him. In contrast, Boo is left unchanged, still referred to by Minsc as a miniature giant space hamster. Held prisoner alongside Adbel at the start of the novel, Minsc is set free and accompanies Abdel until they reach an inn, at which Minsc opts to work. Abdel repeatedly shows discomfort for his presence, using Minsc's employment as an excuse to leave him behind and steal his sword, though later returns for his help in securing travel aboard a ship. Minsc makes a final appearance in the novel when Adbel returns to kill his employers; understanding that the inn will be permanently closed soon, Minsc tells Boo as they leave that they will have to find another place to work.
Boo appears by himself in the webcomic
Webcomic
Webcomics, online comics, or Internet comics are comics published on a website. While many are published exclusively on the web, others are also published in magazines, newspapers or often in self-published books....
MegaTokyo
Megatokyo
is an English-language webcomic created by Fred Gallagher and Rodney Caston, debuting on August 14, 2000, and then written and illustrated solely by Gallagher since July 17, 2002. Gallagher's style of writing and illustration is heavily influenced by Japanese manga. Megatokyo is freely available on...
, wearing strapped on wings and serving as secondary protagonist Largo's conscience, though can't be readily understood due to only being able to squeak. Largo himself quotes Minsc, though adapts the battlecries to his own needs. At one point in the comic, Boo attempts to leave Largo and return to BioWare's employment, only to be turned down. BioWare's Ray Muzyka praised Boo's appearance in the comic, describing it as an "anime-style" depiction of a favorite character. For a limited time Boo plush toys modeled after his appearance in the comic were sold by the artists through the website, though production was initially delayed due to manufacturer error.
Promotion and reception
GameSpyGameSpy
GameSpy Industries, Inc., known simply as GameSpy, is a division of IGN Entertainment, which operates a network of game websites and provides online video game-related services and software. GameSpy dates back to the 1996 release of an internet Quake server search program named QSpy. The current...
held an interview with Lukas Kristjanson who, while speaking as Minsc, gave background information on the character. When asked about the possibility of Minsc and Boo making cameo appearances later BioWare titles, lead Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal developer Kevin Martens stated "Well, Minsc is popular. You like Minsc. We like Minsc. Neverwinter is so far away. That is all that I have to say."
IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
named Minsc's return in Baldur's Gate II as an aspect of the game they looked forward to, stating "How can you live without Minsc?!" Dan Tudge, project lead for Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age: Origins is a single-player role-playing video game developed by BioWare's Edmonton studio and published by Electronic Arts. It is the first game in the Dragon Age franchise...
, noted that prior to working for BioWare he would rush home after work to use the character. Minsc placed seventh in a "Reader's Choice" edition of GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
's "Ten Best Sidekicks" article, which noted that readers commented on the character's demeanor and attachment to Boo as reasons for his appeal to them. UGO.com described Minsc as "a beloved game personality", lamenting the absence of similar characters in later BioWare titles. Eurogamer
Eurogamer
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on...
named Minsc the best male supporting character in video games for 2001, noting him as additionally one of the most popular characters of the original Baldur's Gate. Computer Games Magazine
Computer Games Magazine
Computer Games Magazine was a computer gaming print magazine. It was formerly Computer Games Strategy Plus, and before that, Strategy Plus, which had been founded as Games International in the UK in 1988. While its initial focus was on strategy games, it covered a wide range of game genres...
called him the favorite character of many players of the original Baldur's Gate, citing his strengths and "appealing personality" as reasons for his popularity. Calling him "everyone's favorite lovable oaf", they praised his early presence in the game's sequel. CVG
Computer and video games
A video game is an electronic game that involves human interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. The word video in video game traditionally referred to a raster display device, but following popularization of the term "video game", it now implies any type of...
listed him as one of their two-hundred reasons to "Love PC Gaming", quoting one of his battlecries for their reasoning. GameDaily
GameDaily
GameDaily was a video game journalism website based in the United States. Launched in 1995 by entrepreneur Mark Friedler under the name Gigex and focused on free game demo downloads, The site changed its business model from a flat fee per download CDN distributed service network to an...
named him one of the Most Lovable Lummoxes in video gaming, stating "Every good party of adventurers in a CRPG needs a tank...In Baldur's Gate, the human ranger Minsc is that tank, and a valuable asset to the player's quest."