After teasing it a few days ago, developer Larian Studios (famous for their Divinity series of CRPGs) has finally lifted the lid on Baldur’s Gate III. As a series with a long history and a fan base hungry for more, it makes sense to give the reins to a developer that has built up their own immense following after pumping out some stellar RPGs.
Larian Studios are working closely with Wizards of the Coast in basing Baldur’s Gate III on current Dungeons & Dragons mechanics and looking to truly push themselves to the next level, as quoted here from the game’s press release:
Baldur’s Gate III will push the boundaries of the RPG genre and offer a rich narrative with unparalleled player freedom, high-stakes decisions, unique companion characters and memorable combat. It is Larian Studios’ biggest production ever and will be playable together with friends or as a single-player adventure.
“Baldur’s Gate means so much to so many people. It’s a great responsibility but I think we’re ready for it,” said Swen Vincke, Creative Director at Larian Studios. “We’re all about creating reactive, systemic worlds that respect player agency and having a chance to apply our team’s skillset in a universe as rich as Dungeons & Dragons is a lot of fun. We’re working very closely with Wizards to bring an unprecedented level of immersion to the realm of Faerun and I can’t wait to show the world what our team cooked up.”
“Partnering with Larian, a studio that combines a remarkable history of critically-acclaimed titles with a genuine passion for one of the most iconic locations in Dungeons & Dragons, has been a terrific experience,” said Chris Cocks, President of Wizards of the Coast. “We believe fans of the Baldur’s Gate saga – and even those new to the series – will be thrilled to step into this epic story.”
Exciting stuff. Alongside the announcement, the following teaser trailer was released as well:
Perhaps most interesting of all is the fact that Baldur’s Gate III will launch exclusively on PC and Google Stadia. The internet and tech giant featured the game as part of the launch lineup for their video game streaming service (that sadly won’t be coming to Australia this year), which is exciting in and of itself but also an indication that the game will launch in or prior to November this year.
Kieron's been gaming ever since he could first speak the words "Blast Processing" and hasn't lost his love for platformers and JRPGs since. A connoisseur of avant-garde indie experiences and underground cult classics, Kieron is a devout worshipper at the churches of Double Fine and Annapurna Interactive, to drop just a couple of names.
