Larian announced a delay for Baldur's Gate 3, the upcoming RPG set in the Dungeons and Dragons universe. In an update on Twitter, the studio said that the game will no longer be coming in August, but that a new date would be revealed soon. Larian didn't provide a specific reason for the delay, though the Baldur's Gate team has been working from home.
Larian will provide fans with a new early access release date on August 18 alongside Summer Game Fest's Geoff Keighley. In the announcement, Larian stated that the game is "just around the corner," implying that the delay hasn't pushed the game too far out, though there's still a wide range of possibilities as far as what that could mean for a release date.
Previously, Larian stated that Baldur's Gate 3 development had been slowed by the coronavirus pandemic, which is likely the specific reason for the delay. The news came shortly before a Baldur's Gate 3 sizzle real, which teased gameplay and story elements that players will encounter throughout the game. Larian has kept fans updated on the game's progression at fairly regular intervals, offering a variety of information and teases since it was announced.
Fans shouldn't expect the full game at launch, as Baldur Gate 3's early access release, as it will only include Act 1 of the game, and likely quite a few bugs, given its early access nature. However, fans will also be able to provide feedback to Larian, allowing them to shape the game to some degree. It's intended to be an accurate representation of Dungeons and Dragons 5e, so fans should know more or less what to expect from the game.
In June, Larian revealed numerous bits of Baldur's Gate 3 information and gameplay, offering fans a substantial look at the upcoming title. The studio's last game, Divinity Original Sin 2, has been popular among fans and critics for its depth and authentic RPG mechanics, keeping it relevant in numerous "best RPG" discussions. Baldur's Gate 3 is a big opportunity for the studio, as the game carries a lot of weight among fans of classic RPGs and Dungeons and Dragons players alike.
Fans will have to wait until August 18 to learn more about the game's new release date, but the game still being around the corner is a good sign. Game delays are always for the best, and with Baldur's Gate 3 being in early access, the extra development time could be the difference between the game being playable or not playable on day one.
Baldur's Gate 3Â is currently in development. Its early access release has been delayed.