A new video reveals a lot about the role-playing game: Who is the big baddie? When exactly will Baldur’s Gate 3 be released? What’s going on with the console version?
Bang from the Forgotten Realms: Baldur’s Gate 3 has not only released a concrete release date in a trailer, but also revealed a PS5 version and the big baddie. And that’s not all the new info that’s trickling in!
We have summarised all the important information for you. It’s best to watch the video yourself first – in less than two minutes you’ll see battles, story sequences and more. If you find the transformer beast, you get one point of inspiration.
What does the new trailer reveal?
Release date: Baldur’s Gate 3 will be released on August 31, 2023 for PC, Mac and PlayStation 5. The Xbox version has not yet been announced due to technical issues on the part of developer Larian.
Console version: Baldur’s Gate 3 is also coming out for PS5, as mentioned, and – logically – also offers full controller support. The Xbox version is (according to a Reddit post of the makers) already in development for a long time, but there are technical difficulties with the splitscreen mode.
A note on Baldur’s Gate 3 for Xbox
by u/larian-molly in BaldursGate3
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Larian said it wanted to wait with the announcement until it was sure that an Xbox release was technically possible, so as not to raise hopes in vain. The company did not want to comment on speculations by observers that the Xbox Series S is too weak to smoothly display the split-screen mode used in co-op mode on one console.
Chief developer Swen Vincke stressed on Twitter that it was not an exclusive deal with Sony:
Relax. We still aren’t playing the exclusivity game.
– Swen Vincke @where? (@LarAtLarian) February 24, 2023
The Villain: The new video reveals a previously unknown villain voiced by J.K. Simmons (Spider-Man, Whiplash): the Necromancer Ketheric Thorm. He not only commands an army of undead, but has also made himself invulnerable. A classic D&D antagonist! But how exactly does he fit into the story and does he have something to do with the Mindflayers?
Split-Screen: It was already known that the campaign can be played completely in co-op. Online on the PC, up to four players control the group of heroes, locally two can play together in split-screen on a PS5. This option can be seen for the first time in the new video.
Bonus content: Divinity fans take note!
The new trailer appeared together with a blog article listing the pre-order bonuses. And they are especially exciting for fans of Divinity: Original Sin 2 – that was, after all, Larian Studio’s last role-playing game before Baldur’s Gate 3.
Those who buy (or have already bought) Baldur’s Gate 3 in Early Access before release will automatically be upgraded to the Digital Deluxe Edition at no extra charge So you will get the following rewards right at launch:
- A playable bard song bundle with music from Divinity: Original Sin 2
- Shapeshifter mask: Allows players to shapeshift at any time, inspired by Fane
- Cape of the Red Prince: A cape inspired by the Red Prince.
- Flute of the Merryweather Bard: A playable instrument inspired by Lohse
- Pin of the outlaw: A dagger inspired by Sebille
- Bicon of the Sea Monster: Headdress, inspired by Beast
- Paintings of Rivellon: collection of paintings scattered throughout the Forgotten Realms
In addition, there are some digital downloads, for example soundtrack and artwork, as well as in-game skins. Even more bonuses are included in the physical Collector’s Edition, which contains, among other things, a 160-page art book.
Preview access for PS5: On the Sony console, you can get started with the Digital Deluxe Edition 3 days before PC players: You will have access to the finished Baldur’s Gate 3 as early as 28 August. However, only Act 1 will be available to you during this period, which PC players have already been able to play in Early Access for a long time.
What do you think of the news about Baldur’s Gate 3? Do you like the newly revealed villain? Are you happy about the Divinity bonuses or would you prefer the game universes to remain separate? We look forward to reading your opinions in the comments.
