Larian Studios, the acclaimed developer behind the Divinity: Original Sin series, has outdone themselves with the sheer scale of Baldur’s Gate 3. The highly anticipated RPG, set in the beloved Dungeons & Dragons universe, demands an unprecedented level of storage space on the Xbox console.
The Challenge of Fitting a D&D Epic on Discs
News of a physical ‘Deluxe Edition’ release of Baldur’s Gate 3 first broke in November 2023. While fans were initially excited about the option of a tangible collection, the advertised images showed three discs required for Xbox installation. In a recent update, that number has astonishingly increased to four!
Michael Douse, Larian’s Director of Publishing, shed light on this unique situation: “The Xbox physical edition of Baldur’s Gate 3 will indeed ship with 4 discs. We simply exceeded capacity limits with a 3-disc set.” The sheer size of the game’s intricate world, detailed character models, and cinematic storytelling sequences made a multi-disc format inevitable.
Uncompromising Integrity: Refusing to Cut Content
Faced with the prospect of fitting everything onto traditional console storage, some developers resort to trimming content. Larian, however, embraced a different approach. “Cutting down on content was out of the question,” explained Douse. “Our players deserve the full, uncompromised Baldur’s Gate 3 experience.” This commitment to artistic integrity reflects the studio’s dedication to faithfully translating the rich depth of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign to the digital realm.
Deluxe Edition Details & Potential Delays
The Deluxe Edition of Baldur’s Gate 3 promises a treasure trove of goodies alongside the game discs. Players can look forward to a cloth map of Faerûn, posters, fabric patches, stickers, a soundtrack CD, and more – all housed in a beautiful collector’s box. Naturally, the digital goodies included in the Digital Deluxe Edition will also be accessible.
Due to the additional disc, Larian has hinted at potential minor delays in the initial wave of shipments. Updates on exact release dates are eagerly awaited by fans yearning to hold this physical behemoth of a game in their hands.
The Future of Larian Studios
The runaway success of Baldur’s Gate 3 has ignited speculation that Larian Studios may expand operations by launching another studio. The company subtly fueled these rumors by reaching out to game industry professionals impacted by recent layoffs, encouraging them to join the Larian team. The scope of their ambition to produce immersive RPGs is clearly greater than ever.
Final Thoughts
Baldur’s Gate 3’s exceptional size is a testament to Larian Studios’ passion for grand-scale storytelling and expansive worldbuilding. Their refusal to sacrifice content reinforces their commitment to delivering an unadulterated D&D experience in video game form. While Xbox players anticipate a slightly delayed arrival of their Deluxe Editions, the promise of a full-fledged adventure, uncompromised by cuts or compromises, makes the wait all the more worthwhile.
See more information in the Game News section here.
