Fans of the critically acclaimed role-playing game Baldur’s Gate 3 were recently let in on some fascinating behind-the-scenes details, with a key focus on the topic of potential downloadable content (DLC). Despite the immense success of Larian Studios’ epic title, the studio won’t be creating any expansions or full-blown sequels. But that doesn’t mean the story is over yet. In this long-form article, we’re going deeper into why Larian made this decision and what it means for the future of the Baldur’s Gate franchise.
The Success that Led to a Turning Point
Baldur’s Gate 3 was a massive hit. Winning countless awards and praise for its storytelling, gameplay depth, and faithfulness to the beloved Dungeons & Dragons source material, it seemed like a sure bet for expansions to further explore its sprawling world. However, Larian Studios director Swen Vincke revealed that the team did start working on DLC, and even considered an ambitious “Baldur’s Gate 4” project, before ultimately pivoting away entirely.
Larian Studios isn't planning to release expansions/DLC for Baldur's Gate 3 or Baldur's Gate 4. "Larian plans to move away from Dungeons & Dragons entirely and do something new, leaving the IP in Wizards of the Coast's hands." https://t.co/A3o4we2SzI pic.twitter.com/nhLioBT4on
— Wario64 (@Wario64) March 21, 2024
From Obligation to Fresh Inspiration
Vincke spoke candidly about the challenges of adapting the 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons tabletop rules into video game format. Despite those challenges, the initial plan was to create DLC that would further build on their work. Yet, something was missing. “It wasn’t coming from the heart,” Vincke explained. He realized the team felt a sense of obligation rather than genuine excitement for the continued development of Baldur’s Gate 3’s world.
This realization led to a big decision. During a holiday break, Vincke found clarity; they would not pursue DLC. Instead, Larian would focus on what they always intended – entirely new projects fueled by their passions.
"Let's just have closure on Baldur's Gate 3, it's been great. We've done our job": Larian CEO says he hit the brakes on DLC plans because the team's heart wasn't in it. https://t.co/s04Xzlqd2y
— PC Gamer (@pcgamer) March 22, 2024
Enthusiasm Returns
The news was met with relief and excitement within the studio. Developers had shared Vincke’s hesitation towards continued DLC development and were rejuvenated by the prospect of diving into fresh concepts. They already had several potential projects brewing. This decision wasn’t about a dislike of Baldur’s Gate but a renewed inspiration to create something entirely new.
Larian’s Next Adventure is Still a Mystery
What does Larian have cooking? Vincke hints that it won’t be the expected “Divinity: Original Sin 3” but still something familiar to fans. He even boldly promises a project that will “dwarf” Baldur’s Gate 3 in its scope – a monumental statement considering how ambitious that game was!
Larian Studios will not develop any DLC expansions for ‘BALDUR’S GATE 3’ as well as a ‘BALDUR’S GATE 4’
(Source: https://t.co/qw1Q8A9KsB) pic.twitter.com/13XLJBniJ9
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 21, 2024
The Legacy of Baldur’s Gate 3 Lives On
While we may not see direct DLC expansions, Larian is still working on some additional content for Baldur’s Gate 3. This includes highly-requested features like cross-platform mod support to extend the game’s lifespan. Beyond that, the future of beloved characters like Astarion and Lae’zel will be in the hands of Wizards of the Coast, the owners of the Dungeons & Dragons intellectual property.
FAQs
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Q: I thought Baldur’s Gate 3 was successful – why no DLC?
- A: Despite the game’s popularity, Larian Studios felt making DLC wasn’t true to their creative process and the team wasn’t as passionate about expanding the existing story. They want to focus on new, original projects.
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Q: Could someone else continue Baldur’s Gate 3’s story?
- A: Technically yes! Wizards of the Coast owns the Dungeons & Dragons license, including the Baldur’s Gate setting. They could allow another studio to continue things or even explore the story in books or other media.
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Q: Is this a bad sign for future Larian games?
- A: Not at all! It shows Larian is committed to making games they’re passionate about. They’re still working on updates and features for Baldur’s Gate 3, and fans are excited to see what fresh ideas they bring in their next title.
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Q: My game keeps crashing / I have a weird bug. What do I do?
- A: Look for the official support channels on Larian’s website. They may have a known issue and fix list, or a place to report new bugs.
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Q: Will Baldur’s Gate 3 have official mod support?
- A: Yes! Larian has announced they’re working on cross-platform mod support as an upcoming feature.
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Q: Where can I find Baldur’s Gate 3 mods?
- A: Once official support launches, check trusted modding sites like Nexus Mods. Larian may even have a dedicated section on their own website.
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Q: Can mods add things like new storylines or areas?
- A: It depends on the tools Larian releases. Complex additions like that might be difficult, but smaller changes, fixes, and quality-of-life features are very likely.
Conclusion
Baldur’s Gate 3 is an incredible achievement that solidified Larian Studios as a powerhouse of RPG development. The decision to pivot away from DLC speaks to their creative philosophy, and the desire to consistently produce work that comes directly from their hearts. While it’s a tad bittersweet to know we won’t get a continuation of the current story, the enthusiasm palpable at Larian Studios for their next venture is infectious. One thing’s for sure: whatever Larian creates next is bound to be something special, and fans of Baldur’s Gate have every reason to be excited by this change of direction. Source
