Baldur's Gate 3
News, coverage and analysis tracking Baldur's Gate 3 across the outlets.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 devs were told that "no one" would like one of the RPG's best systems before it launched, lead says: "We didn't care"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's creative director Guillaume Broche revealed that developers at Sandfall Interactive were told their game's unique blend of action and turn-based combat would be disliked by players. Despite these warnings, the team proceeded with their vision, which has since been praised, even winning multiple Game of the Year awards. Broche also commented on the charm of imperfections in games, contrasting them with overly polished but ultimately boring titles.
'Valve isn't interested in a nuanced conversation' says indie dev suffering from Steam censorshipIndie developer Robert Yang has detailed his struggles with Steam's content moderation policies, which have led to his games being hidden from most users due to their 'gay' nature and sexual content. Yang criticizes Valve for not engaging in nuanced conversations about content, contrasting it with the more permissive approach to sexual content in mainstream titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur's Gate 3. This situation highlights the ongoing impact of censorship on indie creators, even after broader crackdowns on adult content have subsided.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced launches to "Mixed" Steam reviews amid complaints about microtransactions and $80 DLC, Ubisoft fires back that they're "never a requirement"Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has launched to mixed reviews on Steam, with players criticizing the game's $80 DLC and microtransactions, which offer gameplay advantages. Ubisoft responded by stating the standard edition is a complete experience and the additional packs are optional. The company also defended its stance on microtransactions, claiming they enhance player enjoyment.
What will another Obsidian Fallout game even look like all these years on? Here's my attempt to read the radioactive tea leavesFollowing reports of Obsidian Entertainment being redirected to work on a new Fallout game, this article speculates on what such a title might look like. It considers how the studio could innovate within the series, potentially by exploring new settings and gameplay mechanics, while acknowledging the influence of the recent Fallout TV show and other modern RPGs.
No RPG Lets Players Be As Evil As Fable 2Fable 2 is highlighted as an RPG that uniquely allows players to embody extreme evil, not just through traditional means but by exploiting its in-game capitalism and real-estate systems. Unlike other games with binary morality, Fable 2's mechanics, such as monopolizing housing and charging rent, subtly earn the player evil karma, emphasizing housing as a right. The Fable series, including Fable III and the upcoming Fable by Playground Games, is praised for its innovative and thoughtful approaches to player choice and morality.- Save Up To 95% Off Thousands Of Games In The GOG Summer SaleGOG has launched its Summer Sale, featuring discounts of up to 95% on over 8,000 games until July 9. Notable deals include Fallout 4 Game of the Year Edition for $16, Control Ultimate Edition for $6, and the Yakuza Complete Collection for $44.79. The sale also offers significant price reductions on popular titles like Baldur's Gate 3, Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, and various indie games.
If physical games are dying, we need better laws for our digital rightsSony's decision to end disc production for PlayStation games and the impending removal of Studio Canal films from PlayStation Video highlight the precariousness of digital ownership. The article argues for stronger consumer rights and new laws to protect digital purchases, contrasting them with the freedoms offered by physical media. It notes ongoing efforts in the EU and France to address these issues, while also pointing to PC storefronts like GOG.com as alternatives offering true ownership.
Another self-own for Sony: Marvel Tōkon's PC version is unavailable in over 100 countries thanks to our old friend…Sony's upcoming fighting game, Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, has been region-restricted on Steam in 132 countries that lack PlayStation Network access. This follows similar controversial decisions with other PC ports like God of War Ragnarök and Ghost of Tsushima. The game is set to have an open beta on PC and PlayStation 5 from July 24 to July 26.
Hasbro should stop looking for a Baldur's Gate 4 studio and take a leaf out of Larian's book by trying…This opinion piece argues that Hasbro should not pursue a Baldur's Gate 4 and instead take inspiration from Larian Studios' approach to game development. The author suggests that the immense success and unique development path of Baldur's Gate 3 make it nearly impossible for any studio to replicate its quality or meet player expectations for a sequel. Instead, Hasbro should focus on nurturing talent and developing new IPs within the Dungeons & Dragons multiverse.
Dragon Age setting creator David Gaider is pitching a heist RPG that's 'make or break' for his studioDragon Age creator David Gaider is pitching a new heist RPG, but faces industry-wide funding challenges for new IPs. He discusses the difficulties smaller studios face in securing publisher investment in the current market. Gaider also reflects on his time at BioWare, criticizing the shift away from player-impacting choices in recent Dragon Age titles.
Weekend PC Download Deals for July 3: Steam Summer Sale continuesThe Steam Summer Sale and other PC gaming storefronts are offering numerous deals on a wide variety of titles. This includes discounts on major releases, indie games, and bundles across platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Bundle. Several retailers are participating, with prices and availability varying.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 studio Sandfall isn't bothered that people may not like its next game, and that's the most refreshing thing I've heard all weekSandfall Interactive founder Guillaume Broche expresses a refreshing lack of concern about whether players will like the studio's next game, emphasizing that their previous success with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stemmed from creative vision rather than trend-chasing. This philosophy is highlighted as a stark contrast to the current industry climate of corporate pressure and iterative franchises, suggesting that a focus on unique, personal projects resonates with audiences.
I love Baldur's Gate 3's queer representation, but triple-A games can still do so much more to explore lesbian stories with the depth they deserveThis article discusses the queer representation in Baldur's Gate 3, particularly focusing on lesbian stories and the limited options available in mainstream AAA games. While praising Baldur's Gate 3 for its characters like Shadowheart and the Isobel/Aylin romance, the author argues that games often fail to cater to a specific lesbian gaze, assuming lesbian sexuality aligns with heteronormative dynamics. The piece calls for more diverse and nuanced lesbian narratives in games, from indie titles to major blockbusters.
The internet is agog at Captain America's hogA new swimsuit skin for Captain America in the upcoming game Marvel Rivals has generated significant online discussion due to its prominent and animated depiction of male anatomy. This feature, noted for its jiggle physics, has drawn comparisons to similar elements in games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Conan Exiles, sparking debate about its appropriateness in a mainstream superhero title.
Obsidian veteran Josh Sawyer thinks RPG choices are best when they're not "purely" good or evil, and Greek plays "knocked it out of the park 1000s of years ago"Obsidian Entertainment design director Josh Sawyer believes that the most compelling choices in role-playing games are those that avoid a strict good versus evil binary, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek tragedies. He argues that such morally ambiguous decisions force players to confront their own values and are more thought-provoking than purely black-and-white options. Sawyer highlights games like Pentiment as examples of this design philosophy, noting a trend in modern RPGs like The Witcher 3 and Baldur's Gate 3 to move away from simplistic morality systems.
"Long live physical media": Devs and publishers of Baldur's Gate 3, Silksong, and more call Sony's decision to end physical PlayStation games "genuinely heartbreaking"Sony's decision to cease production of physical PlayStation game discs starting in 2028 has been met with dismay from developers and publishers. Many express sadness and a loss of desire to develop for the platform, citing the importance of physical media for preservation, collector value, and the joy it brings to players. Companies like Larian Studios, Lost in Cult, and Fangamer are particularly vocal about the impact on their work and their commitment to physical releases.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead doesn't "care" if his next game isn't as popular as Sandfall's GOTY RPG, because "we're just going to do what we love again"Guillaume Broche, director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, stated that Sandfall Interactive's next game may not achieve the same level of popularity as their previous award-winning RPG, but this is not a concern for the studio. Broche emphasized that the team prioritizes creating games they love, believing this approach contributed to their past success. He also mentioned that the studio is prepared to make bold decisions for future projects, even if they are not universally liked, to maintain creative integrity and avoid development pressure.
Baldur's Gate 2-veteran tackade nej till att göra Baldur's Gate 4James Ohlen, a veteran designer of Baldur's Gate 2, declined an offer from Hasbro to lead the development of Baldur's Gate 4. Ohlen cited concerns about failing to meet the high standards set by Baldur's Gate 3 and the significant time investment required for engine development. Larian Studios, the developer of Baldur's Gate 3, also chose to pursue their own original projects instead of a direct sequel.
This cat is going to save the world from the AI megacorps who are replacing humansThe game Cat Secretary, developed by Good Story Guild, features a cat in a necktie as the protagonist who must save a company from being replaced by AI. The article discusses the role of AI in game development, with voice actor Samantha Béart highlighting the game's pro-human message and comedic elements.
Anti-AI Indie Adventure Cat Secretary Reveals Celebrity Voice CastThe Good Story Guild has announced the voice cast for their upcoming indie adventure game, Cat Secretary, featuring industry veteran Samantha Béart. The game satirizes the entertainment industry's struggle with AI and late-stage capitalism, with a focus on being entirely human-made. Cat Secretary is set to release later this year and currently has a demo available on Steam.