Larian has had great success with the Early Access model, with both Divinity: Original Sin and its sequel using the system to garner feedback and greatly improve the final game. That same approach will be taken with Baldur’s Gate 3 later this year, although progress has been slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Baldur's Gate 3 was announced for a 2020 Early Access release on PC back in February but since then, Larian Studios has had to unexpectedly shift to a new working environment due to the coronavirus and the need for social distancing.
First New York Times interview was not exactly about what I would've imagined, but it does bring some good news: While we're slowed down, development on BG3 keeps on progressing and we still expect EA this year https://t.co/BvT7qCQD2V
— Swen Vincke @where? (@LarAtLarian) April 21, 2020
Fortunately, it sounds like the game will still be coming this year in an early access state on Steam. However, it could end up being later than originally planned and depending on how things go from here, further delays could creep in.
In the Early Access version, players will have access to an in-development version of the first act, five playable characters that you can recruit for your party. There are also six classes in the early access version, each with different archetypes.
Here are the five playable characters:
- Wyll – Human Warlock
- Shadowheart – Half-elf Cleric
- Lae’zel – Githyanki Fighter
- Gale – Human Wizard
- Astarion – Elven vampire spawn, Rogue
And here are the classes that will be available:
- Wyll – Human Warlock
- Shadowheart – Half-elf Cleric
- Lae’zel – Githyanki Fighter
- Gale – Human Wizard
- Astarion – Elven vampire spawn, Rogue
There is still no set date yet for Baldur’s Gate 3’s release. However, we should get some more specific news in the next few months.
KitGuru Says: Baldur's Gate 3 is going to be a big deal when it eventually arrives, although that may end up being later than intended at this point. Still, we'll hopefully know more by June. Are many of you looking forward to Baldur's Gate 3?