Everything We Know About Baldur’s Gate 3 – A Game Twenty Years In The Making

Baldur’s Gate 3 was announced during Google Stadia’s pre-E3 event – currently being developed by Divinity Original Sin’s Larian studios. So far there hasn’t been any release date yet, as Baldur’s Gate 3’s developers and owners, Larian and Wizards of the Coast, are staying silent about this issue. However, there is something we do know – as Larian is trying to turn the basic D&D ruleset into something more.

When will Baldur’s Gate 3 be released?

The only thing we have got is a pre-rendered trailer, and if the game is similar to other unreleased games, it won't be released any time soon.

The CEO of Larian, when asked about this topic during E3 2019, answered with a variant of the classic “when it’s ready”. He stated that they would have to refine the game to the highest caliber possible before releasing it.

The game will be released on GOG, Steam, and Stadia

What about the trailer?

Here it is – and the thing has some terrifying body horror. However, as this is only a cinematic announcement trailer, the game probably won’t look like this.

What's the setting for Baldur's Gate 3?

The city of Baldur’s Gate would, of course, be featured in the third game of the series, however, the player won’t be able to go everywhere. According to the developers, the player would start the game outside of the city and make their way inside, just like in the trailer.

The game’s settings follow a new scenario set in the current era of the Forgotten Realms. From Underdark, the Mind Flayers are invading – after finding out a way to travel outside their world. As hinted by Larian, it is very likely that the player would get to visit other realms in the multiverse, and maybe even the Underdark.

Baldur’s Gate 3 will be based on which edition of D&D?

The game is actually only loosely based on the fifth edition of D&D ruleset. As Larian has decided to use their own interpretation, don’t expect everything to be by the book. The reason behind that is not everything from the tabletop could be translated well into videogame settings – and exceptions have to be made.

Who are the antagonists?

The mind flayers are one of the most dangerous race in the D&D setting. Inhabiting the realm of Underdark, they have developed powerful psychic abilities, able to control any other living beings with a brain. Their favorite food is also….well… brain. Usually, they would keep slaves to do their dirty work – and serve as a sort of food.

The event of the game was kickstarted by the mind flayers’ rediscovery of the Nautiloids, an ancient ship with the ability to traverse the astral plane. They used to rule the whole astral realm, however, after a war with the Githyanki, the mind flayers have lost everything and have to flee to the Underdark. In Baldur’s Gate 3, it is very likely that our job would be to stop the invasion.

What about the gameplay?

True to the originals, Baldur’s Gate 3 will be a party-based RPG – in which you will take control of a group of heroes, each with their own background and personal motivations. As Larian has just completed Divinity Original Sin 2, we can expect something inspired by it, like backstories, to appear in Baldur’s Gate. According to a statement by the dev, the origin stories were a great addition, a counterpart to the character sheet on the tabletop.

Larian is heavily beef up to do justice to this project, as they are recruiting everywhere. Vincke, Larian’s CEO, is very serious about this project – as they are going to build the thing from the ground up with their own engine heavily modified. In a later announcement, he also revealed that this is Larian Games' biggest project so far. There are about 200 people working on the game, with 100 externally.

Would famous characters like Minsc and Boo appear?

Also according to Vincke’s statements, these fan-favorite characters have a real possibility to show up in the upcoming game, as they are still alive in the Fifth Edition rulebook. You may even see Bhaal and a couple of other characters, even. And conflicts are pretty much inevitable with the returning of legacy characters.

What is the involvement of Wizard of the Coast?

Wizard of the Coast is the copyrights holder of the original Dungeon and Dragon settings, of which Baldur’s Gate is based on. They will be working as quality control – involved heavily in the creation process in order to keep the game true to D&D’s lore. The thing that convinces them to give this project to Larian is Divinity: Original Sin 2’s success.

According to some sources, a lot of studios has tried their hand on making a worthy sequel to Baldur's Gate, even the best ones in the CRPG business, like Obsidian and inXile. However, only Larian made it through.

Vincke has revealed some more about the back scene and turned out they have been in touch with Wizard of the Coast since after Divinity: Original Sin. Their first attempt was refused, as WotC deemed Larian was too inexperienced. However, after the smashing success of Divinity: Original Sin 2, they sang a different tune. And right before the released of Divinity: Original Sin 2, the folks at Larian has submitted an initial design – and after a few revisions, both companies have come to an agreement. That’s how we get another Baldur’s Gate, 20 years after the previous installment.

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