While many of us are still savoring the intricate world of Baldur’s Gate 3, it seems Larian Studios is not ready to put it to rest. More content is slated for release next year, allowing die-hard fans an excuse for yet another epic playthrough. As for me, I’m still trying to wrap up my first journey.
News dropped via the game’s social media and a Steam blog post that this acclaimed title will receive even more substantial updates. Despite earlier claims from Larian that they were done with the sprawling RPG, it looks like they’re not done yet. It brings to mind the seemingly endless cycle seen with games like Terraria and Binding of Isaac, where developers keep revisiting their creations for years on end.
Baldur’s Gate 3, a title so popular even folks in the Vatican have given it a whirl, has been thriving thanks to a vibrant modding community. Yet, Larian isn’t slowing down, offering even more goodies for players.
Come next year, Patch 8 will roll out—this time, Larian assures us it’s the final patch for real. This update will feature cross-play, a photo mode, and a whopping 12 new subclasses. While fans have been vocal about wanting a photo mode, the addition of cross-play is a pleasant surprise, transforming BG3 into the ultimate social RPG. With these new subclasses, players will likely be crafting new characters left and right. It’s a win for Dungeons & Dragons aficionados everywhere.
Cross-play will be integrated with "full cross-platform progression, including cross-play." Players can create and share game lobbies across different platforms, although it’s not entirely clear if these can be made open to the public for impromptu multiplayer sessions.
The photo mode is particularly exciting, packed with a variety of features like adjustable camera and lens settings, scene modifiers (think poses and expressions), and post-processing effects. Plus, there’s a range of frames and stickers. It’s safe to bet that the most enthusiastic players will combine these tools with mods, inevitably leading to some creative and perhaps cheeky outcomes.
Lastly, Patch 8 will introduce a new subclass for each of the 12 core classes in the game. Here’s the lineup:
- Bard: College of Glamour
- Barbarian: Path of Giants
- Cleric: Death Domain
- Druid: Circle of Stars
- Paladin: Oath of the Crown
- Fighter: Arcane Archer
- Monk: Drunken Master
- Ranger: Swarmkeeper
- Rogue: Swashbuckler
- Sorcerer: Shadow Magic
- Warlock: Hexblade
- Wizard: Bladesinging
Before diving into this final update, ‘stress tests’ are set for January. These will help iron out cross-play capabilities and deliver an additional batch of fixes with Patch 8. So, while we’re itching for this final update, it’s likely we won’t see its full release until February 2025. Keep an eye out as we’ll update you on new developments as they emerge.
