Baldur's Gate 3, by Larian Studios

[Itiken]

Cheers - this is on my afternoon work / watch list.
I've been watching a lot of Neil's episodes, he's a very engaging individual.
Everything I see with the main cast in gives me the warm fuzzies tbh.

[depili]

Yeah. they all feel so happy about the success of the game, and it is nice that they can freely talk about it without having to approve everything with PR. One such example is the narrator outtakes video series, she talks about it and how she was surprised that larian didn't want any control about them.

In other news the game has probably sold over 10M copies on steam alone per this estimate: https://vginsights.com/game/1086940

[Itiken]

Not forgetting the complete lack of toxicity <3

[Lallante]

73.7 hours
avg play time

44.8 hours
median play time

Not bad! I'm still on act 2 and cant be alone, so these numbers will creep up. Not going to challenge Factorio though (median playtime, 200 hours!)

[Nordstern]

In looking at the BG3 wiki, I see that the archetype and background options line up closely (if not exactly) with the Player's Handbook options. Has Larian indicated whether content from SCAG, TCoE, and XGtE is going to be patched in later, or available as an expansion pack?

[VARRAKK]

In looking at the BG3 wiki, I see that the archetype and background options line up closely (if not exactly) with the Player's Handbook options. Has Larian indicated whether content from SCAG, TCoE, and XGtE is going to be patched in later, or available as an expansion pack?

Currently no DLC or expansions planned for BG3, as going beyond level 12 would make balancing the game very hard.

[depili]

In looking at the BG3 wiki, I see that the archetype and background options line up closely (if not exactly) with the Player's Handbook options. Has Larian indicated whether content from SCAG, TCoE, and XGtE is going to be patched in later, or available as an expansion pack?

Currently no DLC or expansions planned for BG3, as going beyond level 12 would make balancing the game very hard.

A problem that WoTC itself has noticed, as just about all of the published adventures also end at 12

[Nordstern]

In looking at the BG3 wiki, I see that the archetype and background options line up closely (if not exactly) with the Player's Handbook options. Has Larian indicated whether content from SCAG, TCoE, and XGtE is going to be patched in later, or available as an expansion pack?

Currently no DLC or expansions planned for BG3, as going beyond level 12 would make balancing the game very hard.

Understandable, but I was asking about beginning options, not endgame content.

[tulip]

In looking at the BG3 wiki, I see that the archetype and background options line up closely (if not exactly) with the Player's Handbook options. Has Larian indicated whether content from SCAG, TCoE, and XGtE is going to be patched in later, or available as an expansion pack?

Currently no DLC or expansions planned for BG3, as going beyond level 12 would make balancing the game very hard.

Understandable, but I was asking about beginning options, not endgame content.

Tasha's was only really a big deal for quality of life optional stuff, which Larian seem quite willing and capable of doing themselves, plus bringing the artificer in. Better summons and more intelligence save spells too I suppose.

Or are you asking about full parity with subclasses and backgrounds/magic items?

It would be a lot of work just to add to replayability, might be more effective to add more progression or expansions?

Extra story takes lots of writing and voice acting and creating new assets. Adding new magic, subclasses, enemies etc is more technical I suppose?

People don't love the game for it's class mechanics or DnD content, they love it's flexible deep, yet wide storytelling and the player's vast agency. So more story would be better but harder would be my guess.

The modding community will doubtless work on the other source books though, high nerd density in the fan Base.

[depili]

Also there is quite huge amount of reactivity gated behind the classes and races, adding more isn't a small feat. Apparently there are around 2 hours worth of vicious mockery lines alone for the origin characters just for the off-chance one specs them into a bard for example.

Many of the class or race or subclass callouts don't really affect anything other than the flavour in few places but having such attention to the small things is just great.

The story also has quite insane amount of backups for different edge cases, like 2 different backups for the tiefling leader if one goes their route and various characters end up dying. A great alternative to giving NPCs plot armor or giving a game over screen, but quite much work to do.

[Nordstern]

Tasha's was only really a big deal for quality of life optional stuff, which Larian seem quite willing and capable of doing themselves, plus bringing the artificer in. Better summons and more intelligence save spells too I suppose.

Or are you asking about full parity with subclasses and backgrounds/magic items?

Mostly the character creation options.

Natasha the Dark, Iggwilv the Witch Queen, daughter of Baba Yaga or simply the witch named Tasha, well-known for her spells such as Tasha’s hideous laughter, has compiled all the precious lore she has gathered during her illustrious career as an adventurer for the enrichment of all. Her book offers a taste of the great power that awaits D&D players and dungeon masters everywhere! Contained within the archmage’s musings are:

92 pages full of new rules options and 25 new subclasses for all of the character classes in the Player’s Handbook, like the Fey Wanderer Ranger
Introducing the Artificer in a major rules expansion, plus the new Armorer subclass
New spells, magic items, and artifacts, as well as the introduction of magical tattoos and Group Patrons and sidekicks
An expanded Dungeon Master toolkit, including a plethora of puzzle guides of varying difficulties
New rules to rework a character’s racial traits to customize their origin story
Run games in new locations like Enchanted Springs and Eldritch Storms

There's also new feats, like Piercer.

It would be a lot of work just to add to replayability, might be more effective to add more progression or expansions?

Yes, it would be a lot of work, but it's currently gating my decision to buy the game.
edit: Well, I guess I could play a Pact of the Tome warlock right now, but it's not my first choice.

[Dee Jiensai]

It's been nearly four years since I last streamed...
So let's kick things back off in style, hmm?
I'm going to be playing Baldur's Gate 3 for the first time ever.
As Dark Urge.

Join me on Weds 4th Oct - 6pm BST / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT
https://www.twitch.tv/ameliatyler

[Itiken]

Awesome!

[RazoR]

Now that's actual ASMR.

[VARRAKK]

https://baldursgate3.game/news/patch-4-now-live_96

Good shit!

[depili]

Seems that there are some content reworks in that patch that aren't present in the notes, and Larian is apparently addressing some of the reactivity concerns raised by the fans in the background.

[Dee Jiensai]

And another video of the cast, this time Q&A session with all major characters.

they are working so well together, it's such a unique collection of people. I love it.

[RazoR]

BG3 just won half the golden joystick
https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-jo...-2023-winners/

Best Storytelling - Baldur's Gate 3
Still Playing Award - No Man's Sky
Best Visual Design - Baldur's Gate 3
Studio of the Year - Larian Studios
Best Game Expansion - Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Best Indie Game - Sea of Stars
Best VR Game - Horizon Call of the Mountain
Best Multiplayer Game - Mortal Kombat 1
Best Audio - Final Fantasy XVI
Best Game Trailer - Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Best Streaming Game - Valorant
Best Game Community - Baldur's Gate 3
Best Gaming Hardware - PSVR 2
Breakthrough Award - Coccoon / Geometric Interactive
Critics' Choice Award - Alan Wake II
Best Lead Performer - Ben Starr, Final Fantasy XVI
Best Supporting Performer - Neil Newborn, Astarion, Baldur's Gate 3
Nintendo Game of the Year - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
PC Game of the Year - Baldur's Gate 3
Xbox Game of the Year - Starfield
PlayStation Game of the Year - Resident Evil 4
Most Wanted Game - Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
UGOTY - Baldur's Gate 3

  Spoiler:

[NoirAvlaa]

BG3 just won half the golden joystick
https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-jo...-2023-winners/

Best Storytelling - Baldur's Gate 3
Still Playing Award - No Man's Sky
Best Visual Design - Baldur's Gate 3
Studio of the Year - Larian Studios
Best Game Expansion - Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Best Indie Game - Sea of Stars
Best VR Game - Horizon Call of the Mountain
Best Multiplayer Game - Mortal Kombat 1
Best Audio - Final Fantasy XVI
Best Game Trailer - Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Best Streaming Game - Valorant
Best Game Community - Baldur's Gate 3
Best Gaming Hardware - PSVR 2
Breakthrough Award - Coccoon / Geometric Interactive
Critics' Choice Award - Alan Wake II
Best Lead Performer - Ben Starr, Final Fantasy XVI
Best Supporting Performer - Neil Newborn, Astarion, Baldur's Gate 3
Nintendo Game of the Year - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
PC Game of the Year - Baldur's Gate 3
Xbox Game of the Year - Starfield
PlayStation Game of the Year - Resident Evil 4
Most Wanted Game - Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
UGOTY - Baldur's Gate 3

  Spoiler:

Obvs the reviewers didn't get to House of Hope, missing best audio reward.

Also lmao @ starfield getting xbox reward

[VARRAKK]

BG3 just won half the golden joystick
https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-jo...-2023-winners/

Best Storytelling - Baldur's Gate 3
Still Playing Award - No Man's Sky
Best Visual Design - Baldur's Gate 3
Studio of the Year - Larian Studios
Best Game Expansion - Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Best Indie Game - Sea of Stars
Best VR Game - Horizon Call of the Mountain
Best Multiplayer Game - Mortal Kombat 1
Best Audio - Final Fantasy XVI
Best Game Trailer - Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Best Streaming Game - Valorant
Best Game Community - Baldur's Gate 3
Best Gaming Hardware - PSVR 2
Breakthrough Award - Coccoon / Geometric Interactive
Critics' Choice Award - Alan Wake II
Best Lead Performer - Ben Starr, Final Fantasy XVI
Best Supporting Performer - Neil Newborn, Astarion, Baldur's Gate 3
Nintendo Game of the Year - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
PC Game of the Year - Baldur's Gate 3
Xbox Game of the Year - Starfield
PlayStation Game of the Year - Resident Evil 4
Most Wanted Game - Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
UGOTY - Baldur's Gate 3

  Spoiler:

Obvs the reviewers didn't get to House of Hope, missing best audio reward.

Also lmao @ starfield getting xbox reward

It's audio, not music.
And says more about xbox then starfield