For the legion of fans immersed in the sprawling, intricate world of Baldur’s Gate 3, the prospect of cross-platform co-op play has been the tantalizing piece of cake just barely out of reach.
Larian Studios, the developer behind this blockbuster RPG, has finally given fans the sweet news they’ve been longing for.
In a recent interview, Larian confirmed that cross-platform co-op is officially in development and will come some time in the future as part of a later update, although it stopped short of specifying a release date. Michael Douse, Larian’s director of publishing, remarked that while crossplay was always in the roadmap for the game, it wasn’t ready for the initial launch.
The anticipation for this feature isn’t just a whim; it’s rooted in the very nature of the game itself. Baldur’s Gate 3 is an expansive roleplaying game inspired by the Dungeons & Dragons tabletop experience. The game is designed for deep storytelling and grand adventuring, made even more delightful when shared with friends. Already playable on PC, and having just released on PS5 this September, the game currently supports two-player split-screen co-op on the PC and the PS5. While the joy of co-op play is partially accessible through these modes, the absence of crossplay means that your adventuring party needs to be on the same platform to experience the game’s rich narrative and complex gameplay together.
This news is a particularly pleasing development for players when you consider the imminent arrival of Baldur’s Gate 3 on Xbox consoles by the end of the year. However, there’s a slight dampener for Xbox Series S owners. Because of the hardware limitations, this lower-end model of the Xbox will not support split-screen co-op. The Series S, while a more affordable and compact alternative, continues to show its limitations, particularly as more ambitious titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 come into play.
For those now finally enjoying it on the PS5, PC, eventually on Xbox Series X, the upcoming crossplay feature will finally unify these platforms into a single, adventurous, friend-filled experience.
The world of Baldur’s Gate 3 is mind-bogglingly expansive. It boasts a vast and intricate universe loaded with hundreds of hours of content, intricate storylines, unique characters, and countless opportunities for looting and levelling. It isn’t possible to comprehend the fun of navigating this colossal universe with a party composed of different classes, races, and builds from players across various platforms, with each contributing their own tactical perspectives and narrative choices, unless you experience it yourself. The synergy that could emerge from such an eclectic and versatile group would be the epitome of a comprehensive gaming experience.
The absence of crossplay thus far has been a notable drawback, especially when considering that the game does already offer some cross-platform features. Baldur’s Gate 3 supports cross-platform progression, allowing players to save on the PC and pick up their journey on the PS5 and vice versa. Players merely need to use the same Larian Studios account to take advantage of this feature.
What’s clear is Larian Studios is intent on erasing platform-related limitations, albeit carefully and methodically.
It’s a common sentiment in the gaming community that the best games are those you can share with friends. And what better way to share a universe as grand as that of Baldur’s Gate 3 than by removing the barriers that separate players across different platforms? For now, the gaming populace waits with bated breath for that elusive release date, but the assurance that cross-platform co-op is more than just a fanciful wish – it’s a planned reality – is enough to keep the spirit of camaraderie alive in the world of Baldur’s Gate 3.
With cross-platform play, an Xbox release, and potentially more content to look forward to, it’s safe to say that Baldur’s Gate 3 will be here to stay for a long time.
