Update 8 of Baldur’s Gate 3 has been announced as the last of the major updates by Larian Studios. However, this does not mean that the company has completely finished its work, as quick fixes and possible surprises around modding are expected. In its recent community update for the second anniversary of the RPG, Larian revealed that it is working on expanding the official modding toolkit, providing even more freedom to creators. More possibilities to modify the game The evolution of the modding kit is largely due to the […]
The 8th update of Baldur’s Gate 3 has been announced as the last of the major updates by Larian Studios. However, this does not mean that the company has completely finished its work, as quick fixes and possible surprises regarding modding are expected. In its recent community update for the second anniversary of the RPG, Larian revealed that it is working on expanding the official modding toolkit, providing even more freedom to creators.
More possibilities to modify the game
The evolution of the modding kit is largely due to the vibrant and creative community of modders who have raised the bar with each new mod. The community has developed impressive modifications, including custom hairstyles and a wide variety of clothing recolors. The development of these tools was inspired by these talents, which led Larian to seek to further improve the toolkit to foster player creativity.
Interestingly, just two days after the official kit was released, a hidden level editor was unlocked that has allowed modders to create amazing innovations. Update 8 also added partial level editing, allowing players to creatively introduce NPCs and objects into the world. However, Larian has imposed limitations on the use of the toolkit to prevent instability in the game and has clarified that its use is subject to licensing and console guidelines.
As speculated, these new tools could open the doors to a wide range of possibilities, from restoring deleted content to developing personalized campaigns. Although there are still restrictions that may limit certain functions, the community is already demonstrating its skill in creating unique scenarios. With each step, Larian reaffirms its commitment to collaborating with its community and enhancing their gaming experience.
Evelyn is an internet phenomenon that has captured the attention of the Baldur’s Gate 3 community, but it is important to clarify that she is not a non-playable character from the game, but a modified character created by the TikTok user v.@fromacrypt in 2023. This character has gained considerable popularity, accumulating over 1.5 million ‘likes’ and 250,000 bookmarks on her posts on the platform. The fan community has responded fervently, creating cosplay and artistic edits that highlight her appeal. A success story on TikTok. Evelyn’s design is inspired by another character called […]
Evelyn is an internet phenomenon that has captured the attention of the Baldur’s Gate 3 community, but it is important to clarify that she is not a non-playable character from the game, but a modified character created by TikTok user v.@fromacrypt in 2023. This character has gained considerable popularity, accumulating over 1.5 million ‘likes’ and 250,000 bookmarks on her posts on the platform. The fan community has responded fervently, creating cosplay and artistic edits that highlight her appeal.
A success story from TikTok
Evelyn’s design is inspired by another character named Danni, created earlier by ari_@ilikedaisy0. Despite the similarities in visual style, Evelyn is distinguished by her background as a Cleric of Shar, in addition to being a Necromancer. The fascination this character evokes can lead to confusion for new players, who might think she is a legitimate NPC in the game, especially given how easy it is to overlook certain characters within the vast world of Baldur’s Gate 3.
The phenomenon of Evelyn has also generated confusion in the community, fueled by satirical content circulating on social media, including fake tutorials that guide interested parties on how to “win over” this illusory character. The growing popularity could be related to algorithms that amplify her visibility, highlighting how original characters created by fans can achieve an almost mythical status on platforms like TikTok.
In summary, Evelyn’s story reflects the trend of fan culture characters not only existing in their own universe but also influencing and connecting a diverse community, making them almost part of the fabric of the game they were inspired by.
Wizards of the Coast, the company behind the iconic intellectual property of Dungeons & Dragons, has announced a new solo action-adventure game that will mark a significant shift in the Baldur’s Gate franchise. This untitled project is being developed by Giant Skull, a studio that highlights the growing collaboration between different companies within the video game industry. Come on, roll that D20 So far, Baldur’s Gate has been synonymous with deep and complex role-playing games, but with this new installment, Wizards of the Coast seems willing to leave behind its old formula […]
Wizards of the Coast, the company behind the iconic intellectual property of Dungeons & Dragons, has announced a new single-player action-adventure game that will mark a significant turn in the Baldur’s Gate franchise. This untitled project is being developed by Giant Skull, a studio that highlights the growing collaboration between different companies within the video game industry.
Come on, roll that D20
So far, Baldur’s Gate has been synonymous with deep and complex role-playing games, but with this new installment, Wizards of the Coast seems willing to leave behind its old formula to offer a more action and adventure-focused experience, aiming to attract both fans of the saga and new players. Although specific details about gameplay and story remain under wraps, there is talk of a more dynamic and accessible approach for video game enthusiasts.
Giant Skull, although relatively new in the video game development scene, has managed to capture the attention of the community for its ability to innovate and its commitment to quality. The choice of this company to carry out the new project indicates that Wizards of the Coast is betting on fresh ideas and different perspectives in creating content in the Dungeons & Dragons universe.
With this announcement, Wizards of the Coast also seems to reinforce its intention to diversify the types of gaming experiences it offers, while staying true to its roots in the world of fantasy and the immersive storytelling that has characterized Dungeons & Dragons. This drastic change could create new opportunities for both players and developers in a constantly evolving market.
Harry Potter, a cultural phenomenon that transformed teenage narrative in the early 2000s, had a limited impact on the world of video games. Despite the enormous popularity of J.K. Rowling’s novels and their successful film adaptations, the potential of its magical universe did not translate into memorable video games in those early years. An RPG that could have been a true milestone Between 1998 and 2000, the studio Volition, known for its work on the Saints Row series, planned to develop an RPG set in the world of Harry Potter, following the trends of […]
Harry Potter, a cultural phenomenon that transformed teenage narrative in the early 2000s, had a limited impact on the world of video games. Despite the enormous popularity of J.K. Rowling’s novels and their successful film adaptations, the potential of its magical universe did not translate into memorable video games in those early years.
An RPG that could have been a true milestone
Between 1998 and 2000, the studio Volition, known for its work on the Saints Row series, planned to develop an RPG set in the world of Harry Potter, following the trends of titles like Baldur’s Gate. According to Andrew Borman, director of digital preservation at The Strong National Museum of Play, the Volition team was immersed in the plot of the first two books of the saga and outlined a prototype in a presentation to the rights holders, which included iconic characters like Harry and Hagrid.
The demo, although rudimentary and made in just a couple of weeks, showcased a world that evoked the village of Hogsmeade, in addition to implementing character-switching mechanics that could have added depth to the game. Unfortunately, despite the enthusiastic presentations, the project never received approval and was shelved without the public ever knowing of its existence.
In an ironic twist, the closure of Volition in 2023 put an end to any hopes of reviving this ambitious project. While fans have been able to explore the world of Harry Potter across various platforms such as movies, books, and the recent success of Hogwarts Legacy, the realm of video games has had to wait to capture the essence of the saga through other developments and adaptations.
Thus, what could have been a memorable delivery in the digital environment has become a forgotten chapter in the history of video games, highlighting the difficulty of translating such a rich and complex narrative into an interactive format in its early years.
Larian Studios has announced the simultaneous development of two new projects, prioritizing narrative in their upcoming releases. In a recent interview with GameSpot, CEO Swen Vincke shared that the company is forming an extensive specialized storytelling team, whose focus will be on creating stories that will serve as the foundation for future games. “We are trying to craft the stories of our upcoming games now to have a great catalog of narratives available when we start the next project,” Vincke indicated. A studio focused on the narrative of its games This new storytelling team will differ from the writers who […]
Larian Studios has announced the simultaneous development of two new projects, prioritizing narrative in their upcoming releases. In a recent interview with GameSpot, CEO Swen Vincke shared that the company is forming an extensive specialized storytelling team, whose focus will be on creating stories that will serve as the foundation for future games. “We are trying to craft the stories of our upcoming games now to have a great catalog of narratives available when we start the next project,” Vincke stated.
A study focused on the narrative of its games
This new storytelling team will differ from the writers who have worked on previous games, as their work will focus on long-term planning and the conception of overarching stories during the initial development phase, while the writers will handle specific details, such as dialogues and character arcs. “Video game writing is much more complex than most players imagine,” said Vincke, highlighting the importance of covering all narrative possibilities and ensuring consistency over time and across multiple installments.
The study aims for player decisions to significantly influence the development of the plots, an approach that recalls series like Mass Effect. Vincke also suggested that screenwriters with experience in television or film would be valuable for tackling interactive narratives in these new projects.
It is important to highlight that Larian’s next game will not be Baldur’s Gate 4, but a new RPG in development under the codename Excalibur. This decision seems to be part of an effort to continue improving the narrative quality that Larian has demonstrated in its previous titles, overcoming the criticisms received in past releases such as Divinity: Original Sin 1 and expanding the narrative success seen in Baldur’s Gate 3.
The long-awaited patch 8 for Baldur’s Gate 3 is scheduled for release on April 15, 2025. This patch is considered one of the most significant updates to the game to date, as it will include a total of 12 new subclasses and a photo mode, promising to further enrich the gaming experience. A definitive and international patch According to historical data on patch releases from Larian Studios, they are usually published between 12:00 and 18:00, Spanish mainland time, with estimates pointing to 16:00 for patch 8. This would mean […]
The long-awaited patch 8 for Baldur’s Gate 3 is scheduled for release on April 15, 2025. This patch is considered one of the most significant updates to the game to date, as it will include a total of 12 new subclasses and a photo mode, promising to further enrich the gaming experience.
A definitive and international patch
According to historical data on patch releases from Larian Studios, these are usually published between 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM, Spanish mainland time, with estimates pointing to 4:00 PM for patch 8. This would mean that players on the west coast of the United States could expect the update around 8:00 AM PST, while those on the east coast could access it at 11:00 AM EST. This aligns with the company’s trend of releasing updates at convenient times for their international players.
It is important to highlight that patch 8 will be the last major update for Baldur’s Gate 3, as confirmed by Larian. Following this release, only bug fixes and minor adjustments will be provided. Expectations are high, especially after previous versions, such as patch 6 and patch 7, also brought significant improvements and content to the game.
The new photo mode will surely be a highly appreciated addition by players, providing the opportunity to capture memorable moments in their adventures through Faerûn. In addition to this, the introduction of new subclasses will expand character customization options, allowing players to explore different play styles and build unique characters.
With the outlook that is presented, Baldur’s Gate 3 fans should be on the lookout for what is coming on April 15 and prepare to revisit their save files.
Nintendo has surprised the video game world with the announcement that some titles for its new console, the Switch 2, will have a price of 90 euros, a significant increase from the previous price of 70 euros. Doug Bowser, president of Nintendo of America, has stated that the company will implement a “variable pricing” strategy in its software line, thus allowing prices to be adjusted according to each game. Prices should not be based on the interests of the stores This change has generated various reactions in the video game development community. Michael Douse, publishing director of Larian […]
Nintendo has surprised the video game world with the announcement that some titles for its new console, the Switch 2, will have a price of 90 euros, a significant increase from the previous price of 70 euros. Doug Bowser, president of Nintendo of America, has stated that the company will implement a “variable pricing” strategy in its software line, thus allowing prices to be adjusted according to each game.
Prices should not be based on the interests of stores
This change has generated various reactions in the video game development community. Michael Douse, publishing director of Larian Studio, emphasized that developers should not be limited by retail pricing rules. Douse shared his opinion via Twitter, arguing that “it’s very liberating not to have to worry about a shelf, but rather about an audience I can easily talk to.”
Industry analysts suggest that the increase to 90 euros may reflect several factors, such as fees in the U.S., a chaotic market, and rising costs. All experts do not hesitate to state that “Nintendo is setting this price because it feels it can and that people will pay”. This raises a scenario where the price of 90 euros could become a new standard in the industry, depending on the success of Nintendo’s pricing model and the overall economic conditions.
Despite the controversy, Nintendo has clarified that not all of its games will be available at this new price. With the rising cost of living and increasing economic pressure, the future of prices in video games seems more uncertain and subject to change. As the Switch 2 continues to gain popularity, it will be interesting to see how the market responds to this new financial strategy.
Hasbro has confirmed that it is working on future plans for the iconic RPG series Baldur’s Gate, promising news in the near future. According to Dan Ayoub, senior vice president of digital games at Hasbro, the company is in the early stages of planning but hopes to provide more details soon. “We are preparing our plans for the future and what we are going to do with that,” Ayoub stated in an interview during the recent Game Developers Conference. Baldur’s Gate 3 continues to be updated. On the other hand, Larian Studios, the developer of Baldur’s Gate 3, is preparing to release the […]
Hasbro has confirmed that it is working on future plans for the iconic RPG series Baldur’s Gate, promising news in the near future. According to Dan Ayoub, senior vice president of digital games at Hasbro, the company is in the early stages of planning but hopes to provide more details soon. “We are preparing our plans for the future and what we are going to do with that,” Ayoub stated in an interview during the recent Game Developers Conference.
Baldur’s Gate 3 while it continues to update
On the other hand, Larian Studios, the developer of Baldur’s Gate 3, is preparing to release the anticipated Patch 8, which is expected to be their last major update. This patch will include 12 new subclasses, cross-play functionality, and a photo mode, among other minor changes. Larian has indicated that their focus will shift to their next RPG project, which will not be related to Baldur’s Gate.
In April 2024, Hasbro also mentioned that they are in talks with several partners for the development of the next Baldur’s Gate game. The company’s hope is that it won’t take as long as between the previous releases, a wait of 25 years between Baldur’s Gate 2 and 3. Hasbro is confident that Baldur’s Gate 4 could be on the way before 2048, which would be a relief for fans of the franchise.
With the announcement of new developments, Baldur’s Gate fans are experiencing growing anticipation. Meanwhile, the community can continue to enjoy the available RPG experiences while waiting for these future announcements to materialize. This situation is conducive to further exploring not only the world of Baldur’s Gate but also other notable titles in the genre.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is the latest installment of the legendary role-playing game saga set in the iconic world of Dungeons & Dragons. After 20 years of waiting, Larian Studios (Divinity: Original Sin, Divinity II) takes over from BioWare and Black Isle Studios to forge a title that promises to set new standards for the genre. With a fresh and innovative approach, while staying true to its roots, BG3 welcomes you to what is undoubtedly set to be the most influential RPG in recent years. Would you like to know why?
Mass Effect is one of the most beloved modern RPGs by the general public. Its setting, characters, and romance possibilities made it extremely popular. That’s why it shouldn’t surprise us that someone decided to imitate them. And that the person who did so also worked at Bioware, the company that made the Mass Effect games. Although the games they have under their belt are even more legendary. Wizards of the Coast, famous for Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: the Gathering, have released the first gameplay trailer for their next video game: Exodus. Developed by their internal studio, Archetype Entertainment, the most […]
Mass Effect is one of the most beloved modern RPGs by the general public. Its setting, characters, and romance possibilities made it extremely popular. Therefore, it should not surprise us that someone decided to imitate them. And that the person who did so also worked at Bioware, the company that made the Mass Effect games. Although the games they have under their belt are even more legendary.
Wizards of the Coast, famous for Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: the Gathering, have released the first gameplay trailer for their next video game: Exodus. Developed by their internal studio, Archetype Entertainment, the most interesting aspect is who is directing it. The game is led by James Ohlen in collaboration with Certain Affinity.
Ohlen is not exactly new to video games. Having worked for two decades at Bioware, he was one of the first names associated with Archetype Entertainment when its creation was announced in 2020. And what is his importance? He was the creative director and game designer of some legendary role-playing games. Big names like Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, or Dragon Age: Origins bear his signature. This makes him a very interesting person to produce an RPG.
Additionally, Exodus has a very interesting premise. Our mission is to steal the technology of the Celestials, almost divine beings who live in the depths of space. The twist is that each journey will make us move almost at the speed of light, so what will take us days, will be decades for the rest of humanity. Being able to see the consequences of each of our missions in real-time every time we return to Earth.
Although it does not yet have a release date, we know that Exodus is in development for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X. That and the game will feature romance, unique loyalty missions with each of the characters, and everything we can expect from an RPG in the style of Mass Effect. Having already seen some of Exodus in the Secret Level series, we will have to stay tuned to what Wizards of the Coast is doing with their new IP.
Larian has confirmed that they are abandoning further development of Baldur’s Gate, but Wizards of the Coast wants a Baldur’s Gate 4: these are their options.
It’s no surprise to anyone that Wizards of the Coast is delighted with the success of Baldur’s Gate 3. It was a brand they hadn’t used in twenty-five years and it has been a success, even greater than its two previous installments. This has made them consider something that fans have been asking for years: the need for more Baldur’s Gate. Although they are encountering some problems along the way.
That’s why Wizards of the Coast is now looking for a studio that can take on the task of making Baldur’s Gate 4. Stating that they are already talking to several potential partners, what are their options? That’s what we’re going to dissect in this article. Because the truth is that, although there are many talented studios, very few could successfully carry out such a massive project.
Few names are as obvious for making Baldur’s Gate 4 as Obsidian Entertainment. Composed of former developers from Black Isle Studios, who made the first two Baldur’s Gate games, they have specialized in RPGs and have released some of the best isometric RPGs in recent years. The problem is that being under the umbrella of Bethesda and considering that they haven’t been given a big project in years, apart from The Outer Worlds, it remains to be seen how feasible this bet is.
Other people who have the experience to successfully carry out a project of this kind are inXile Entertainment. This Californian studio, a subsidiary of Microsoft, has made excellent RPGs with The Bard’s Tale and Wasteland franchises, as well as the interesting Torment: Tides of Numenera. Spiritual successor to Planescape Torment, a game related to Baldur’s Gate. The problem is that they are a subsidiary of Microsoft and they are a relatively small studio, with 80 people, and we don’t know if they are prepared for what a project of this magnitude would entail.
Among the studios that have never touched anything related to Dungeons & Dragons, one of the best candidates is Piranha Bytes. This German studio is part of Embracer Group and has games like the Gothic, Risen, and ELEX franchises in their portfolio. The problem is that they are an even smaller studio than inXile, they have suffered monumental cuts because of Embracer, and the reception of their games has been questionable in recent years. Something that makes them doubtful candidates.
This is the most unimaginable crazy ball, but it’s not as absurd as it seems a Baldur’s Gate 4 from Capcom. Not when they have Hideaki Itsuno on their team. Dragon’s Dogma 2 has shown that they know perfectly the foundations of western RPG and how to take it to interesting and unexpected places. Including playing a lot with the terrain and the unexpected. There would be no problem in terms of human and financial resources, but the problem is evident: it is a Japanese studio and they have never made a game like Baldur’s Gate. It’s a crazy bet, although perhaps one that could bear fruit.
If there is a studio that is the perfect candidate right now to make a Baldur’s Gate 4 that is not Obsidian, it is likely to be Owlcat Games. This Cyprus-based studio has 450 employees, they are independent, and their two Pathfinder games and their Warhammer 40K game are praised by critics and the public. All of this with an evident inspiration from the classic Black Isle games. The question is whether they would be able to scale that up to the size of what Baldur’s Gate 3 was. Although if a studio seems to be the next Larian, that is Owlcat Games.
The future is interesting
Wizards of the Coast have options. Now that their best option, having Larian Studios make Baldur’s Gate 4, is no longer a possibility, they still have some options. Few. Not very clear. But there are interesting scenarios in the future for a hypothetical Baldur’s Gate 4. Something that makes us look with interest and hope to the future of this mythical franchise without a single title that is not a classic.
