Baldur's Gate 3 is unlikely to get an expansion. Learn more about Larian founder Swen Vincke's thoughts on the expansion, challenges, and creative freedom in making games.
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Larian Studio's Plans After Baldur's Gate 3
Challenging To Make Further Content
The already critically acclaimed RPG Baldur's Gate 3 has captivated gamers with its vast scope, rich plot, and many distinct endings. The game, created by Larian Studios, has 17,000 different outcomes and provides 75 to 100 hours of playtime for a single playthrough. Despite the abundance of material that definitely has not yet been all cleared, fans are still screaming for more of this enthralling realm. However, an expansion to Baldur's Gate 3 does not seem possible.
Larian Founder Swen Vincke, in a recent interview with PCGamer, shed light on the studio's stance regarding a potential expansion, revealing the challenges of further content development.
The Unlikelihood of an Expansion
While there is clearly a need for more content in Baldur's Gate 3, Vincke stated that Larian Studios is not currently working on an expansion. Creating an adventure that advances players from level 12 to level 20 in the game's Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) system is a massive challenge for the developers.
Vincke noted that players can acquire godlike powers in D&D after they reach these higher levels, such as the spell Wish,
which enables them to literally change reality to fit their preferences. Such capabilities are difficult to implement into games since they require thoughtful consideration of the game’s balance and design, especially with a game like Baldur's Gate 3, which has 17,000 unique endings.
The Challenge of High-Level Adventures
Vincke claims that designing adventures for levels 12 to 20 requires an entirely different strategy, particularly about the enemies that players will face. To give players a compelling experience, these higher-level enemies must be developed thoroughly. Because of this, many D&D adventures are usually created at levels below 12, where the ratio of difficulties to advancement is more bearable.
While an expansion may initially seem exciting, it soon becomes clear that great effort and resources are needed to provide engaging high-level content. Vincke underlined that expanding the game into this zone would be a tremendous task, something considerably beyond the scope of a conventional expansion.
The Importance of Creative Freedom
Vincke admitted that Larian Studios has a distinct vision for Baldur's Gate 3's future and knows the difficulties and opportunities ahead. During the game's creation, he emphasized the value of experimentation and creative flexibility. Prematurely announcing plans may result in disappointing results if the team realizes that the content they are working on would not satisfy their high expectations.
Larian Studios strives to provide the best level of quality and satisfaction for its players. To do this, they must be allowed to freely experiment with various thoughts and ideas to ensure that future growth meets the community's standards.
Source:
PCGamer's Interview With Larian Founder Swen Vincke
