As the Baldur’s Gate 3 finally rolled into its full release on the PC, action RPG enthusiasts across the globe eagerly flocked to download this behemoth of a game, clocking in at an impressive 122GB. As expected, Baldur’s Gate 3’s launch caused quite a commotion on Steam, testing its server bandwidth to the limit. While some gamers reported slow downloads and an occasional outage report, for the most part, the process has been handled well by Steam.
Steam Stats page highlighted the immense load on the servers, with a peak total bandwidth usage soaring to more than 146Tbps (terabits per second) worldwide. To give you a perspective, that’s nearly triple the load Cyberpunk 2077 placed on Steam during its launch. Despite the high demand, widespread outages were successfully averted, and minor glitches that did occur tapered off fairly swiftly.
However, it’s worth noting that some users reported slower-than-usual download speeds. While some blamed this on their local internet connections, in reality, it was Steam’s servers that were as overloaded as a goblin carrying a dragon’s hoard. With Baldur’s Gate 3 breaking its all-time player peak, the huge demand for downloads overwhelmed Steam’s North American and European servers.
Despite these minor hiccups, Baldur’s Gate 3 rapidly claimed the top spot on Steam’s best-sellers list. It has also started its ascension in the most-played games category, sitting just ahead of PUBG and boasting over 205,000 concurrent players. It was also the most-streamed game on Twitch.
While the excitement for Baldur’s Gate 3 release is undeniable, the slow download speed might feel like a Red Dragon with a rusty dagger. However, fellow gamers, fret not. In this digital battlefield, there are a few handy tricks that can nudge your download speed along, courtesy of u/ProxyGateTactician.
The best incumbent solution lies within Steam’s settings. Simply by changing your download region, you could potentially improve download speeds. Some regions have fewer users clogging up the bandwidth with Baldur’s Gate 3 downloads. To do this, navigate to the Steam Settings, select the “Download” sub-menu, and adjust your Download Region. The countries where Baldur’s Gate 3 is less likely to be popular, like Japan, might prove to be a quicker option.
This workaround worked like a charm during Cyberpunk 2077’s launch, allowing users to dive into the game hours before others. It’s no guarantee for lightning-fast downloads, but it’s certainly worth a shot.
For a clearer picture, you can check this link out for a real-time overview of the regions that use the most bandwidth and the least. If nothing else, this can help you determine whether the slowdown is localized or impacting other users as well or if your internet speeds are just acting up on this particularly important date.
The race to download Baldur’s Gate 3 is not just a test of your internet connection but of your patience. It’s important to remember that a minor delay in downloading doesn’t dull the shine of the gaming experience that awaits you.
As Larian Studios CEO, Swen Vincke, aptly stated, the inconvenience caused by the slow download speed is regrettable, but the gaming community’s collective excitement for Baldur’s Gate 3 is palpable. And though the initial surge of users vying to download the game may cause some delays, know that you are not alone, and that the adventure you embark on in Baldur’s Gate 3 will be well worth the wait.
To quote an old adage, good things – and epic games – come to those who wait. So, hold fast, dear gamers. The gods of download speed are likely to bestow upon us their boon soon. Once that happens, our journey through the gates of Baldur’s epic world can truly begin.
Speaking of Larian Studios, Vincke recently spoke out against being acquired by Microsoft. Although “flattering”, Vincke iterates that the company prefers to stay independent.
