Larian Studios’ masterpiece, Baldur’s Gate 3, has seen the rumors grow to astonishing proportions, to the point that it’s reportedly being sued to the tune of $100 billion. But are these tales of gargantuan lawsuits and industry true, or just another tick on the virality scoreboard?
This originated from a TikTok video posted by Gaming with Stazima, whose fine line between satire and misinformation, aired a ‘reveal’ which would have sent shockwaves across any industry. Larian Studios, the wizards behind Baldur’s Gate 3, was purportedly being sued by gaming giants Ubisoft, Activision-Blizzard, and EA for a whopping $100 billion. The reason? The game was just too darn good. Or so the story goes.
The intricacies of the faux lawsuit centered on a unique premise: Larian Studios, due to the brilliance of Baldur’s Gate 3, had “defamed” the gaming industry. By setting the bar skyscraper-high, these companies alleged they were left in the shadows, struggling with the unrealistic expectations of their audiences.
But as engaging as the tale is, it’s just that – a tale. The TikTok in question, while carefully constructed with visuals that could have fooled a casual viewer, was satire.
Let’s be clear: suing a company for excellence would not only be unprecedented but almost unfathomable in any industry. It would also be tantamount to admitting defeat or inferiority in public court, a move no gaming titan would entertain.
Although this does bring to mind Sony recently throwing Electronic Arts and Battlefield under the bus after argued that Call of Duty shouldn’t be exclusive to the Xbox platform.
The elephant in the room is, without a doubt, the undeniable success of Baldur’s Gate 3. Boasting a Metacritic score of 97 and dwarfing concurrent players of stalwarts like Apex Legends, it’s a testament to Larian Studios’ dedication as well as perseverance, and vision. With over 800,000 concurrent players on Steam, this RPG isn’t just dominating charts; it’s reshaping them.
The satirical TikTok video, thousands of likes, shares, and comments, has fanned flames among passionate fans. Some outraged, some amused, but all utterly engrossed in the tale it spun.
Beyond the faux lawsuit, there’s a deeper narrative for us to unearth. In an era where several AAA titles face criticism – be it for repetitive design, unfair practices, or bug-infested launches – Larian Studios has emerged as the proverbial gold standard. Their six-year labor of love, from inception to the release of Baldur’s Gate 3, is a testament to what can be achieved when a team refuses to cut corners.
Baldur’s Gate 3 isn’t just another RPG; it’s THE RPG. It stands as an example of a team’s commitment to excellence as it sets an incredibly high bar. In contrast, other gaming giants have faced their fair share of backlash. For instance, Diablo 4’s release, another anticipated RPG, has enjoyed a rollercoaster reception that saw its best-selling launch muddied by recent issues that may not be fixed for at least a year.
The fundamental question echoing through the industry is this: has Larian’s success made life harder for competition? The industry giants may not be suing, but they’re certainly noticing. The future of gaming may be forever changed by studios like Larian who push boundaries, demand excellence, and continually elevate the medium.
So, while no lawsuit may loom on Larian’s horizon, their impact is undeniable. In a rapidly evolving industry, they’ve set a new precedent. And while their competition isn’t legally challenging them, they’ll certainly be working tirelessly to be a match to the new industry’s latest measuring stick.
