Larian Studios has revealed why the Xbox version of Baldur's Gate 3 doesn't have a release date yet, with the developer citing technical issues as the reason for the delay. After Larian Studios' last game, Divinity: Original Sin 2, was a hit on consoles, it's no surprise to see the company take the same route with Baldur's Gate 3.
With Baldur's Gate 3, Larian Studios has big boots to fill. The previous two Baldur's Gate titles were developed by BioWare, which has since gone on to become one of the most respected RPG developers in the games industry. The main series has been on hiatus since 2000's Baldur's Gate 2, so long-time fans of the franchise have their expectations for the sequel sky-high. While players wait for the new release, many continue to debate whether Baldur's Gate 1 and Baldur's Gate 2 are worth playing today, with many aspects of the originals showing their age.
There was much confusion about Baldur's Gate 3's potential PlayStation 5 console exclusivity, which Larian Studios had to clear up in the wake of the game's console announcement. The company has moved fast to put Xbox gamers at ease, confirming the game is in development for Xbox Series X/S. However, according to a statement released by the developer to IGN, "We've run into some technical issues in developing the Xbox port that have stopped us feeling 100% confident in announcing it until we're certain we've found the right solutions." The statement goes on to clarify that split-screen co-op is the root cause of the issues, with it struggling to work to the same standard on both Xbox Series X and S.
Since it was part of Sony's recent State of Play presentation, Xbox gamers could be forgiven for getting worried about a potential exclusivity deal. However, Larian Studios has claimed multiple times to not be involved with exclusivity deals of any kind, despite agreeing to exclusive features for Baldur's Gate 3 for Stadia. With Stadia's closure, this deal has since collapsed, so hopefully this content makes its way into the full game on all platforms.
After Baldur's Gate 3's console reveal, news on the game has been coming fast and frequently, especially with the massive news that J.K. Simmons will be taking up a role in the game. Excitement is definitely building for Larian Studios' next CRPG, after Divinity: Original Sin 2 was showered in praise after its release. It remains to be seen what the studio has planned in the coming months, with more announcements potentially forthcoming as the release date draws near. With Divinity: Original Sin 2 receiving a Nintendo Switch release, it's possible that Baldur's Gate 3 has the same treatment in the works, although nothing official has been confirmed by the developer.
Baldur's Gate 3 launches on PC and PS5 on August 31, 2023, and an Xbox Series X/S version is in development.
Source: IGN