The highly anticipated return to the Forgotten Realms, Baldur’s Gate 3, has captivated RPG fans for years. Its journey from announcement to full release has been an exciting one, filled with early access, special editions, and a passionate community eager to delve into this new adventure. 

This article delves into everything Baldur’s Gate 3: from its initial release date to the current state of the game,  different editions available, and what players can expect when embarking on their journey.

A Long-Awaited Return: From Announcement to Early Access

The revival of the Baldur’s Gate series was first announced in 2019 by Larian Studios, the developer behind Divinity: Original Sin 2. 

This news sent shockwaves through the RPG community, igniting excitement for a return to the beloved world.  Originally planned for a September 2020 release, Baldur’s Gate 3 entered Early Access on October 6th, 2020.

This Early Access launch offered players Act I of the Baldur’s Gate 3 campaign, allowing them to experience the initial portion of the story, character creation, core gameplay mechanics, and a taste of what awaited them in the full release.

Throughout Early Access, Larian Studios released regular content updates, adding new classes, races, companions, areas to explore, and improvements based on player feedback. 

This Early Access model allowed for a collaborative development process, ensuring the final release would be a polished and engaging experience.

The Glorious Arrival: Baldur’s Gate 3’s Full Release

After a successful Early Access period, Baldur’s Gate 3 finally launched its full version on August 31st, 2023, for PC and Mac.  This official release marked the culmination of years of development and collaboration between Larian Studios and the passionate Baldur’s Gate community.

For players who participated in Early Access, the full release offered a continuation of the story beyond Act I, introducing new areas, character development options, challenging encounters, and a deeper dive into the overarching narrative.

For newcomers , the full release provided the complete Act I experience alongside the additional content added throughout Early Access. This meant a vast and expansive world to explore, a rich cast of characters to interact with, and a story brimming with intrigue and epic choices.

A Note on Console Releases:

While the PC and Mac versions received the full release in August 2023, console gamers (PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S) had to wait a bit longer. 

The PlayStation 5 version launched on September 6th, 2023, while the Xbox Series X/S version arrived on December 7th, 2023. 

This delay was likely due to additional optimization and development time required to bring the experience to consoles.

A Multitude of Editions: Choosing the Baldur’s Gate 3 Right for You

Baldur’s Gate 3 offered several different editions at launch, catering to various player preferences and budgets. Here’s a breakdown of the key editions:

Standard Edition: 

The base version of the game, offering access to the full campaign, character creation options, and online co-op functionality.

Deluxe Edition: 

Includes the Standard Edition content along with a digital soundtrack, bonus character items, a digital artbook, and an in-game dice set for character creation.

Collector’s Edition: 

The most comprehensive package, featuring everything in the Deluxe Edition plus a cloth map, a commemorative tadpole keyring, a custom sticker set, and a gorgeous hardcover artbook.

These editions were primarily available for pre-order before launch, but some retailers might still offer them depending on stock availability.

What to Expect in Baldur’s Gate 3: A World of Choice and Consequence

This boasts a sprawling and detailed world filled with danger, intrigue, and unforgettable characters. Here’s a glimpse into what players can expect:

Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition Ruleset: 

Baldur’s Gate 3 faithfully adapts the popular D&D 5th Edition ruleset, offering a deep tactical combat system with character classes, spells, abilities, and a focus on dice rolls and strategic decision-making.

Character Creation with Meaningful Choices: 

Players can create a customized character, selecting their race, class, background, and even alignment. These choices not only impact appearance and abilities but also influence how the world reacts to your character and the narrative itself.

FAQs

Q: When did Baldur’s Gate 3 officially launch?

A: Baldur’s Gate 3 released for Early Access on PC and Mac on August 6th, 2023.

Q:  Is Baldur’s Gate 3 out of Early Access yet?

A: No, Baldur’s Gate 3 is still in Early Access as of June 25th, 2024. The developers haven’t announced a full release date yet.

Q:  What platforms is this available on?

A: Currently, this is available for PC and Mac in Early Access.

Q:  Will Baldur’s Gate 3 come to consoles?

A: Yes! The full release of Baldur’s Gate 3 is planned for PC, Mac, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Release dates for consoles haven’t been confirmed yet.

Q:  Can I play Baldur’s Gate 3 on Linux?

A: There’s no official confirmation from Larian Studios about a Linux version at this time.

Gameplay & Mechanics:

Q:  Is that a turn-based RPG like the previous games?

A: Yes! retains the classic turn-based combat system with a pause feature for tactical planning.

Q:  How long is the current Early Access version of Baldur’s Gate 3?

A: The Early Access version offers a substantial campaign, estimated to take around 25 hours to complete.

Q:  Will there be more content added in future updates?

A: Yes! Larian Studios plans to release additional content, features, and story chapters throughout Early Access.

Q:  What is the story of Baldur’s Gate 3?

A: You awaken with a mysterious parasite lodged in your head, granting you strange powers. You must escape the clutches of mind flayers while unraveling the secrets of the parasite.

Q:  Can I create my own character in this?

A: Absolutely! offers a robust character creator with a variety of races, classes, backgrounds, and appearances to choose from.

Q:  Will there be any familiar characters from previous games?

A: Larian Studios hasn’t revealed much about potential cameos, but the Forgotten Realms setting might see familiar faces.

Monetization & DLC:

Q:  Do I need to pay extra for the full release of this after buying Early Access?

A: The pricing model for the full release hasn’t been confirmed yet. Early Access purchase might offer a discount on the full game.

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