In the world of role-playing games, when a title earns rave reviews and skyrockets to popularity, as Baldur’s Gate 3 did, whispers about a potential expansion are all but inevitable. The game’s recent launch has filled players with a voracious appetite for more, and though they’ve barely had time to unravel its intricacies, the avid fanbase is already looking to the horizon, hopeful for an extension of the hundred-hour or so journey.
Baldur’s Gate 3, a magnificent RPG hailed for its sprawling choices and player freedom, brings forth a question on many lips: Will there be an expansion? Larian Studios founder, Swen Vincke, sheds light on this topic, and it’s an illuminating blend of pragmatism, nostalgia, and gamer’s passion, in an interview with PC Gamer.
For those out of the loop, Baldur’s Gate 3 caps the player’s progression at level 12. Given that Dungeons and Dragons, the tabletop game upon which the RPG is based, supports character development up to level 20, this choice has stoked speculations. Could there be a plan for an expansion that allows characters to reach their full potential?
But here’s the crux of the matter: higher-level D&D characters wield nearly godlike abilities. Spells players can harness once they tread into level 13 and beyond include foreboding powers such as foresight or the capability to obliterate any entity with less than 100HP instantaneously. While these capabilities sound exhilarating on paper, their implementation into an RPG expansion is a mammoth challenge.
As Vincke explains, “[High-level DnD] adventures demand an altered approach. You’re dealing with foes that necessitate significant development to portray authentically.” This echoes a sentiment shared across many D&D campaigns which are designed to cater to characters of level 12 or lower. The inherent complexities of scaling to godlike powers make a continuation far from simple.
The narrative intricacies of Baldur’s Gate 3 add another layer of complication. With the game offering myriad of choices, culminating in diverse endings, crafting an expansion that begins from a universally accepted endpoint is akin to trying to catch lightning in a bottle. If Larian Studios were to take on this Herculean task, patience would be paramount. As Vincke puts it, “you’d have to wait for a long time.”
But there’s a silver lining, tinged with a bit of realism. While Vincke and his team haven’t embarked on an expansion just yet,, they aren’t shutting the door entirely. They’re open to the possibility, albeit with the caveat of the challenges that it entails. Any potential expansion isn’t merely about extending the game; it’s about preserving its essence without diluting the quality.
There’s also the very real human element to consider. After pouring their heart and soul into the monumental endeavor that is Baldur’s Gate 3, the developers at Larian Studios are in dire need of a creative refresh before venturing into what likely is going to be another colossal project. “We require the freedom to experiment and craft our narrative. Only when we’re convinced of its merit, will we announce it,” emphasizes Vincke.
For gamers hungry for more, their best bet might be the modding community. Vincke hints at enhanced mod support post the PS5 version release, which could open avenues for fan-made expansions and content.
Reflecting on the legacy of game expansions, especially when we harken back to the days of the first two Baldur’s Gate games, the expectation for a follow-up is rooted in tradition.
While an official expansion might be up in the air, the ethos of Larian Studios remains unambiguous. Their priority is as clear as day – quality over quantity. It’s this unyielding stance that made Vincke confident enough to say that it prefers to stay independent in an age where a large company like Activision Blizzard is being bought out after it had spent an inordinate amount of time, money, and effort putting Baldur’s Gate 3 in Early Access for the better part of the past two or three years when it could’ve technically launched an incomplete product and just continued updating it after taking in money, as is the norm these days.
In any case, regardless of whether Baldur’s Gate 3 is getting an expansion or not, its expansive world offers plenty to do and explore as it is. As we delve deeper into its realms, who knows what the future holds? Maybe an expansion, maybe Baldur’s Gate 4, or perhaps something else entirely. Whatever the direction, the journey promises to be captivating.
