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The voice actor of Astarion is clear: Baldur's Gate 3 could not have been made by AI

Neil Newbon, the actor who plays Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3, has completed an impressive two-year journey and 126 episodes streaming a cooperative game of the acclaimed title alongside his friend Tom de Ville. During this time, they have featured special guests like Amelia Tyler and Devora Wilde, creating a community around this gaming experience. At the end of the series, Newbon shared his thoughts on what he considers one of the best works he has played: “Baldur’s Gate 3, the game that just keeps giving,” he enthusiastically stated during the final episode. […]

Neil Newbon, the actor who plays Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3, has completed an impressive two-year journey and 126 episodes streaming a cooperative game of the acclaimed title alongside his friend Tom de Ville. During this time, they have featured special guests such as Amelia Tyler and Devora Wilde, creating a community around this gaming experience. At the end of the series, Newbon shared his thoughts on what he considers one of the best works he has played: “Baldur’s Gate 3, the game that just keeps giving,” he enthusiastically stated during the final episode.

It is an eminently human game

Highlighting the exceptional quality of the game’s design, Newbon expressed his admiration for the artistic and narrative work that, in his opinion, could not be replicated by artificial intelligence. “This work is too interesting, subtle, crazy, and human to be made by AI,” he emphasized, thus highlighting the importance of human creativity in the video game industry. With his characteristic sense of humor, Newbon stressed that the collective talent behind Baldur’s Gate 3 deserves recognition, urging the audience to pay attention to the credits generated at the end of the broadcast.

The end of this successful project does not mark the end of the collaboration between Newbon and de Ville, as they have started a new let’s play of Divinity: Original Sin 2. Fans are already eager to see how they perform in this other installment from Larian, anticipating hilarious moments and unexpected situations, typical of this type of cooperative games.

With a promising future ahead, Newbon and de Ville continue to explore the vast universe of video games while maintaining the spirit of community they have cultivated throughout their journey in Baldur’s Gate 3.

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Divinity will be a much more colorful game than Baldur's Gate 3, according to Larian's art director

Larian Studios has confirmed that their next game in the Divinity series promises to offer the best character creation to date, surpassing what was presented in Baldur’s Gate 3. Alena Dubrovina, the art director of Divinity, stated in a recent Q&A session on Reddit that they plan to include more colors, more options, and greater control for players in the customization process. A game that will have a more vibrant tone However, this level of customization could lead to what some players describe as ‘analysis paralysis’, a common phenomenon when […]

Larian Studios has confirmed that their upcoming game in the Divinity series promises to offer the best character creation to date, surpassing what was presented in Baldur’s Gate 3. Alena Dubrovina, the art director of Divinity, stated in a recent Q&A session on Reddit that they plan to include more colors, more options, and greater control for players in the customization process.

A game that will have a more vibrant tone

However, this level of customization could lead to what some players describe as ‘analysis paralysis’, a common phenomenon when faced with an overwhelming variety of choices. With options including races, body types, and hairstyles, character creation has become a challenge in itself, complicating what is traditionally the first encounter in a role-playing game.

Additionally, the question arises as to whether Divinity will maintain its well-known flexible class system and other past features. Fans are hoping for the return of features such as character presets and the option to choose a musical instrument that marks the soundtrack of the player’s actions, a dynamic that was present in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Among the anticipated features, the tagging system is also mentioned, which allows players to reflect multiple identities for their characters, adding greater depth and variety. These options are complemented by the unique peculiarity of the Divinity universe, where it is even possible to play as a cannibal elf who can absorb the memories of their victims, a proposal that showcases the humor and originality of the title.

As the release approaches, players are eager to see how many of these features will return to the series, longing for the complexity and charm that have characterized Larian’s games to date.

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Wizards of the Coast is working on the fourth installment of Baldur's Gate, although you shouldn't wait behind the developers of the third one

Wizards of the Coast has confirmed that it is working on a sequel to Baldur’s Gate 3, but clearly, this new installment will not be related to the game developed by Larian Studios. Instead, the new project will be developed by Giant Skull, a studio led by Stig Asmussen, known for his work at Respawn Entertainment. Asmussen and his team are focused on creating a distinct action game, rather than continuing the Baldur’s Gate saga. Larian is doing its own thing John Hight, president of Wizards of the Coast, expressed his enthusiasm by stating that Baldur’s Gate is […]

Wizards of the Coast has confirmed that it is working on a sequel to Baldur’s Gate 3, but clearly, this new installment will not be related to the game developed by Larian Studios. Instead, the new project will be developed by Giant Skull, a studio led by Stig Asmussen, known for his work at Respawn Entertainment. Asmussen and his team are focused on creating a distinct action game, rather than continuing the Baldur’s Gate saga.

Larian is up to their things

John Hight, president of Wizards of the Coast, expressed his enthusiasm by stating that Baldur’s Gate is an incredible title and that it is natural to continue its legacy. However, the new game is designed to appeal to both Dungeons & Dragons players and fans of action games like God of War and the Jedi franchises. “We are trying to provide an experience that not only resonates with Dungeons & Dragons fans but is also accessible to action lovers,” Hight said.

Wizards of the Coast is in no rush to release this sequel and is planning several other Dungeons & Dragons titles for the next five years. According to Eugene Evans from Hasbro, the company is willing to take its time to find the right partner to continue the legacy of Baldur’s Gate. Meanwhile, Larian Studios, which achieved great success with Baldur’s Gate 3, is working on a completely different project called Excalibur, and will not return to Dungeons & Dragons in the short term. Swen Vincke, CEO of Larian, commented that while they considered developing Baldur’s Gate 4, they did not want to “repeat” what had already been done.

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Larian comments on what the main aspect they are focusing on in their next game after Baldur's Gate 3 is

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 […]

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.

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Patch 8 of Baldur's Gate 3 now has a release date and this is everything you need to know

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.

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Baldur's Gate 3 officially receives its new patch, fixing the problems it had caused

Recently, some Baldur’s Gate 3 players had early access to Patch 8, the latest major update of the game, before the stress test scheduled by Larian Studios. This update introduces several new features, notably the cross-play functionality, allowing players from different platforms to join and play online together. The stress test for Patch 8 is now underway, and Larian has released an explanatory video detailing how users can join friends playing on other consoles or on PC. This functionality is a highly anticipated […]

Recently, some Baldur’s Gate 3 players received early access to Patch 8, the latest major update of the game, before the stress test scheduled by Larian Studios. This update introduces several new features, among which the cross-play functionality stands out, allowing players from different platforms to join and play online.

The stress test for Patch 8 is now underway, and Larian has released an explanatory video detailing how users can join friends playing on other consoles or on PC. This functionality is a long-awaited addition that will expand the gaming community, offering opportunities for collaboration and challenges in a more integrated gaming experience.

Xbox Series S players will now be able to play in split-screen

One of the most anticipated additions by fans is the Photo Mode, which will allow players to capture highlights of their adventure in the world of Faerûn. Additionally, Patch 8 incorporates 12 new subclasses, enriching the customization options for characters. It is relevant to mention that, after the release of Baldur’s Gate 3 on Xbox Series X, Larian had to remove the split-screen option for Xbox Series S; however, this functionality will be available for Series S users after the implementation of Patch 8, which has been enthusiastically received among players.

Larian Studios has indicated that this test aims to identify and fix known bugs in Patch 8 before its official release to all players. Once the work on this update is completed, the studio will focus its efforts on its next project, called Excalibur. It is important to note that any possible sequel to Baldur’s Gate 3 will be developed by other studios, which marks a new stage for the iconic franchise.

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The director of Baldur’s Gate 3 received a call from his mother when he was accused of plagiarizing another video game

Imagine having a meeting where everything seems to have come out of true luxury and when you get to your seat you discover that you are on the verge of being fired because of that meeting. Well, that’s a bit what happened to Swen Vincke, the director of Baldur’s Gate 3, when, after showing his game for the first time (which we now all know has been a bestseller and one of the most important titles in recent years), he received so much hate on the Internet that even his mother ended up calling him to demand answers.

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What a mess you’ve made, little chicken

And the audience from home decided that the game was a plagiarism of Divinity: Original Sin 2 because, basically, it was made with the same engine. After all, both were games by Larian, but beyond the graphics engine, as we all know, the games couldn’t be more different from each other. That didn’t stop gamers from drawing their first hasty conclusions.

“We felt really positive when we finished our presentation. Additionally, it was being streamed. We left the room and I received a call from my mother, who said ‘What have you done?’. And I replied ‘What do you mean?’, and she said ‘People are very angry with you.’“ Fortunately, shortly after the game was released, the clouds cleared, no one ever accused him of plagiarism again, and luckily, Vincke’s mother didn’t have to be scared again. Unless she played the game and didn’t want to see certain things, of course.

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1.2 million deaths and only a 10% success rate: Baldur’s Gate 3 is officially one of the most difficult games in history

Only 141,600 players managed to reach the end, and 1,223,305 died on the battlefield. That is, only a little more than 10% managed to get ahead

Last year, a new difficulty appeared for ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’: The Honor Mode, which basically introduced a permanent death mechanic (once you die, the game is over), tougher bosses, a single save file, and with a beautiful reward if you managed to reach the end—a unique set of dice to use in future play-throughs in other modes. Ooooh! It’s definitely worth the effort and tears!

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There is no honor in the battle

In Larian, they have now provided specific data on the results of the Honor Mode, and they are not flattering for those who have tried it: only 141,600 players managed to reach the end, and 1,223,305 perished on the battlefield. That is, just a little over 10% managed to succeed. Of those who died, it must be said that 76% deleted their game in an honorable manner, while the other 24% decided not to lose their progress and continue in another mode. Tsk.

It’s not the only data that Larian has provided, one year after the release of Baldur’s Gate 3; they have revealed that 1.9 million players ended up turning into cheese balls, that the preferred class is Paladin (and the most hated, Cleric), and that the majority—about 13.5 million people—choose to be elves. Certainly, much more than halflings: only 2 million characters have this characteristic.

And the most interesting thing: there have been a total of 75 million kisses, mostly with Shadowheart closely followed, of course, by Astarion. As for sex itself, 658,000 games ended up sharing a bed with Halsin . . . and 30% of them in the form of a bear. We are not judging anyone. Oh, yes, a topic that reconciles us a little with humanity—there have been more caresses to the dog, Scratch, than kisses between characters: a total of 120 million times. He’s a good boy. It’s a good game.

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The CEO of Larian admits that there was crunch while making Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 is the game of the year for 2023, but it’s also an extremely complex game, and now its director admits they had to crunch.

No one will be surprised if we say that video games are very expensive. Both in time and money, making a video game is a feat that borders on a miracle, due to the amount of resources that need to be coordinated for things to work out. Not to mention for them to turn out well, or even groundbreaking. And because every video game is a miracle in itself, we were not surprised by the statements of the CEO of Larian Studios, developers of Baldur’s Gate 3.

The CEO of Larian and director of Baldur’s Gate, Swen Vincke, had a conference in Poland, at the Digital Dragons event. In the Q&A session, Vincke was asked about crunch in Baldur’s Gate 3. He confessed that there was, although less than in their previous games, and with some nuances.

Admitting that crunch is inevitable when you want to finish something, especially when it’s something as complex as a video game, he also wanted to clarify that the team never stayed late or had to work on weekends. In his own words, “the offices were never crowded after 8pm and on weekends, very, very rarely”. Something that makes us think that it wasn’t as dramatic a situation as we might fear when we hear the word crunch.

Something that Vincke also mentioned at this event is that, due to the complexity of Baldur’s Gate 3, they came to fear that it would be impossible to complete. Although it would have been a logical thought for them to compromise the quality or quantity of game content, they decided not to do it. For them, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a game that is exactly as it should be, and they preferred to take the time and space to do it right, rather than simply thinking in economic terms.

After finishing their plans to continue updating Baldur’s Gate 3, Larian Studios are currently working on two new RPGs. In addition, they have just opened a new office in Poland that they hope will help them in the development of what they have defined as “two extremely ambitious new RPGs”.

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If you are waiting for your physical edition of Baldur’s Gate 3, you will still have to wait

Baldur’s Gate 3 has a physical edition, but due to various issues, it hasn’t reached players yet… but it should soon, according to comments from Larian.

Baldur’s Gate 3 has been a success according to all parameters. That’s why it shouldn’t surprise us that a physical edition of the game will be announced at the end of 2023. With an estimated release in early 2024, people have had to wait for most of the year for their copies of the game. And now we have received news that may seem bad, but have a positive background.

The game’s production has suffered numerous delays. The reason is that it is so extensive that they have had to distribute it on multiple discs. Something that Larian has clarified will lead to those waiting for the PlayStation 5 version in North America having to wait a little longer. It won’t be until July, at least, until these copies are shipped, although not all the news is bad.

In Larian, they have asked the company responsible for the physical editions of Baldur’s Gate 3 to hire more temporary workers in order to produce the discs faster. This, along with the fact that Xbox copies of Baldur’s Gate 3 are already being shipped, means that they could catch up soon. In addition, copies are already being received in Europe, both for PlayStation 5 and Xbox, so if you have purchased the game, you may receive it at any time from now on.

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Baldur's Gate 3 is the latest installment of the legendary role-playing game saga set in the iconic world of Dungeons & Dragons.