Summary
Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke updatesBaldur’s Gate 3fans that they shouldn’t expect to see the highly rated RPG anytime soon on Xbox Game Pass, though the door isn’t completely shut. It’s been a massively successful year for Larian Studios and its hugely popular RPG,Baldur’s Gate 3. After a couple of years in Early Access, the game finally launched earlier this year and quickly earned plenty of praise from critics and players. The positive word of mouth eventually led toBaldur’s Gate 3earning Game of the Year at the 2023 Game Awards, knocking off major contenders likeAlan Wake 2,Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and more.
However, for many Xbox fans, one of the bigger unannounced news stories following the Game Awards was thatBaldur’s Gate 3finally launched on Microsoft’s systems. While available on PC and PS5, the Xbox version ofBaldur’s Gate 3saw delays over attempts to get the split screen functionality working on the Series S console to match the more powerful Series X version. The launch was no doubt celebrated by Xbox fans, but it also led to many wondering if this also meant the popular RPG was coming to Xbox Game Pass.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Xbox Game Pass Update
Thanks to arecent interview, Larian Studios founder and CEO, Swen Vincke gave an update for those curious if there are any plans forBaldur’s Gate 3to join Xbox Game Pass. As it turns out, that was never part of the plan, as Vincke confirmed that from the get-go, puttingBaldur’s Gate 3on Game Pass was never in the cards. Calling the question a sensitive one, Vincke went on to laud the fact thatBaldur’s Gate 3has a definitive beginning, middle, and end, without any microtransactions to earn the studio additional profit.
So for now, it doesn’t seemBaldur’s Gate 3is destined to arrive on Game Pass anytime soon. Things could change down the road, as plenty ofhuge AAA titles come and go on Game Pass over the past few years includingRed Dead Redemption 2, as well as all first party Xbox titles likeStarfield. In the meantime, Larian appears to be more than happy to let the game stand on its own, and it’s not hard to see why, considering all the high review scores, positive word of mouth, and awardsBaldur’s Gate 3has earned in 2023.
We made a big game, so I think there’s a fair price to be paid for that, and I think that that is okay. We don’t charge you any micro-transactions on top of it, so you get what you pay for. Upfront it’s a big meaty game. So I think that should be able to exist as it is. This is what allows us to continue making other games.
Interestingly enough, this isn’t the first timeBaldur’s Gate 3and Game Pass have been linked. Thanks to leaked documents during the Microsoft and FTC trial, emails from leadership figures at theXbox company weren’t thinking too highly ofBaldur’s Gate 3, labeling the game as a “second-run Stadia PC RPG” and viewing it as a lower priority project to add to Game Pass at the time. Naturally, this estimation was quickly proven to be false consideringBaldur’s Gate 3’s reception, though Larian developers like Michael Douse were good sports about the leak, saying that it wasn’t just Microsoft who underestimated the game, but Larian believed in itself and the leap of faith ultimately paid off big time.
Baldur’s Gate 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCEChoose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPICForged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian’s next-generation RPG engine.
