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==Conception and creation== Minsc and Boo originated in [[pen and paper]] ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' sessions held by ''Baldur's Gate''{{'}}s 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|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.<ref>{{cite web |author=Staff |date=December 24, 1999 |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/073/073533p1.html |title=Developer Journal: Baldur's Gate II pt. 3 |publisher=[[IGN]] |accessdate=January 10, 2009}}</ref> During development, Minsc's lines were modified in accordance with his voice actor [[Jim Cummings]].<ref>{{cite web |date=April 7, 2000 |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/077/077730p1.html |title=Developer Journal: Baldur's Gate II, pt. 9 |author=[[IGN]] |accessdate=January 10, 2009}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |author=Lafferty, Michael |date=July 3, 2001 |url=http://www.gamezone.com/news/07_03_01_11_11AM.htm |title=GZ Interview BioWare on BGII: Throne of Bhall |publisher=[[GameZone]] |accessdate=January 12, 2009}}</ref> Bioware co-founder [[Ray Muzyka]] has stated that out of the ''Baldur's Gate'' series, Minsc is his favorite character.<ref name="playerofgames">{{cite web |author=Staff |date=August 9, 2001 |url=http://www.playerofgames.com/articles/index.php?id=10 |title=An Interview with Ray Muzyka |publisher=Player of Games. |accessdate=January 30, 2009}}</ref> 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|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.<ref>{{cite book |title=Monstrous Compendium: Spelljammer Appendix |last=Terra, John |coauthors=Scott E Davis and Newton Ewell |year=1991 |publisher=TSR, Inc.|isbn=1560760710 |pages=83β84}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sorcerers.net/newspro/arc3-2001.html |title=Black Isle Studios Forum Updates |publisher=Sorcerer's Place |accessdate=January 30, 2009}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.planetbaldursgate.com/news/index.asp?month=5&day=24&year=2000 |title=On the BG2 Boards |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |accessdate=January 30, 2009}}</ref> 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".<ref name="chat" />
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