Baldur’s Gate 3, the upcoming RPG which aims to revive the classic franchise, was first announced last year. It is currently in development at Larian Studios, the studio behind critically-acclaimed RPG Divinity: Original Sin. Now, just like their previous games, Larian Studios has announced that Baldur’s Gate 3 will be available in early access later this year. While they had previously confirmed an intention to do so, they have now indicated when this release will occur.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Will Enter Early Access in August (Hopefully)
Baldur’s Gate 3’s official release date is still unknown. However, Larian Studios confirmed today that the game will launch in Early Access sometime in August 2020. (Although they did end the trailer with a “Maybe,” indicating that the window may shift as development continues.) The game’s Early Access release will initially be on both Steam and Stadia. The studio has also announced a live gameplay session which will be taking place next week, on the 18th of June; the first look that players will get since the game’s first gameplay demo 3 months ago.
The decision to launch Baldur’s Gate 3 in Early Access mirrors the development of Larian Studios’ previous projects. The studio won widespread acclaim for Divinity: Original Sin and its sequel, both of which were RPGs inspired by the style of classics like Baldur’s Gate. Now, the studio has actually been entrusted with reviving that franchise itself; a decision which has received enormous support from RPG enthusiasts.
Thus far, fans have been able to see the game’s opening cinematic and a brief gameplay demo, which hints at the story and setting. While Baldur’s Gate 3 will return to the world of the previous games, it appears to be setting forth on its own story; one which spans multiple planes of existence and pits its players against the insidious mind flayers. It’s not currently known how long the game’s Early Access period will last. However, it’s certainly possible that the game could see a full release in less than a year. (Perhaps even before the end of 2020…) For now, fans will have to wait and see.