Highlights
- Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast are planning a sequel to Baldur’s Gate 3, despite Larian Studios stepping back from the series.
- The decision to not rush into a Baldur’s Gate 4 is being made cautiously by Hasbro, aiming for the right partner and product for the future.
- Characters from Baldur’s Gate 3 may appear in other Dungeons and Dragons titles as they are now the property of Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast.
Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast are moving forward with plans for a sequel to Baldur’s Gate 3. The news comes following the reveal that Larian Studios, developer of Baldur’s Gate 3, is stepping back from the series following the award-winning game’s launch.
Baldur’s Gate 3 took the gaming world by storm upon release, following up its predecessor almost a quarter of a century later. A number of elements led to the title being beloved by fans and critics alike, with its story, characters, world, and gameplay all being major components. Many players eagerly awaited news from Larian Studios about a follow-up, but were surprised and disappointed to hear that Baldur’s Gate 3 wouldn’t be receiving any DLC or expansions. Furthermore, Larian Studios announced that it would not continue with the series, and a hypothetical Baldur’s Gate 4 wouldn’t be coming from its studio.
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In an interview with PC Gamer, D&D owner Hasbro has revealed that there will eventually be a Baldur’s Gate 3 sequel, even without Larian Studios. The company is currently looking into the matter, but Eugene Evans, senior vice president of Digital Strategy and Licensing, notes that it’s in the extremely early stages. The company is currently exploring potential partners to develop the game, but Evans indicates that it could be a long while before the sequel materializes.
…We’re going to take our time and find the right partner, the right approach, and the right product that could represent the future of Baldur’s Gate. We take that very, very seriously, as we do with all of our decisions around our portfolio. We don’t rush into decisions as to who to partner with on products or what products we should be considering.
Specifically, Evans states that while the company hopes that it doesn’t take another twenty-five years to release the next game in the franchise, Hasbro is making its decision cautiously and with care. After the massive success of Baldur’s Gate 3, this is definitely something Hasbro doesn’t want to rush into. However, there’s also a strong chance that the cast of Baldur’s Gate 3 may appear elsewhere. The characters are now the property of Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast, not Larian Studios, meaning the memorable companions of Baldur’s Gate 3 could appear in other Dungeons and Dragons titles at some point in the future. However, there’s nothing set in stone at this time.
Approaching Baldur’s Gate 4 Cautiously
Baldur’s Gate 3 was an extreme success for Hasbro and Larian Studios alike, and the game has gone on to break records for gaming awards won. While there are certainly fans who would like nothing more than to return to the game’s universe immediately, Hasbro is likely making the right choice. A rushed game is likely to turn out to be disappointing to fans, and after the meticulous care that went into the title’s development, players are expecting a lot from a Baldur’s Gate 3 follow-up.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a Dungeons and Dragons inspired RPG developed and published by Larian Studios. Featuring both a single player and cooperative element, players create their character by selecting a starting class, take on quests, level up, and engage in turn-based combat using the D&D 5th edition rule set.
- Franchise
- Baldur’s Gate
- Released
- August 3, 2023
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-2 Players
