Larian Studios has seen its latest offering sell more than 10 million copies, as confirmed by its Director of Publishing Michael Douse, who shared his insights on the remarkable success of the game and the challenges the team faces as it expands mod support to its growing community.
Drawing from a mix of sales data, player counts, and developer commentary, it’s evident that Baldur’s Gate 3 has become a standout title.
While specific sales figures remain somewhat elusive, the game’s performance on Steam and anecdotal reports suggest that the actual number of copies sold likely exceeds ten million. This is supported by the game’s peak concurrent player count on Steam, which reached an impressive 875,000, making it one of the platform’s top 10 most-played games ever.
This is a game that went from ~2 mil players to way over 10 in a very short space of time, so it’s natural the conversation becomes muddier and complex. But in order to maintain the same level of dialogue, we need people to understand that these conversations take time.
— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) February 25, 2024
Since its full release after spending two years in Early Access, Baldur’s Gate 3 hasn’t only captured the attention of gamers around the globe but the award-winning threequel is also securing its place in the hearts of many, defying initial expectations that labeled it as potentially niche due to its turn-based gameplay and nature as a CRPG.
Larian Studios’ engagement with its community and prompt address of feedback plays critical role in Baldur’s Gate 3‘s success. Its plans for robust mod support, as discussed by Douse, highlight its dedication to letting players enhance their experience. However, the road to implementing these features has not been without its challenges, as it has had to navigate the complexities of a rapidly expanding player base, the occasional and unfortunate negativity that arises online, and for several months, porting the game over to the Xbox with minimal compromises.
Despite the hurdles, Larian’s approach to communication and community engagement remains focused on constructive dialogue and transparency.
With its deep RPG mechanics, compelling narrative, and immersive world-building, the critically acclaimed title has lived up to the legacy of its predecessors while setting a new benchmark for the genre.
As Larian Studios continues to update and expand Baldur’s Gate 3, its popularity should only grow despite eschewing the easier route of being added to the Game Pass. More importantly, its success reflects a growing trend in the gaming industry, where quality and engagement with players are key drivers of success – something that we’ve seen recently in hits like Helldivers 2 and Palworld.
