Baldur's Gate 3 Steam Surge Post-Patch 8: Larian Shifts Focus to Next Big Project

The release of Patch 8 for Baldur’s Gate 3 has significantly boosted the game's player numbers on Steam, setting developer Larian Studios up well for their next project. This substantial update, which introduced 12 new subclasses and a brand new photo mode, led to a surge in players eager to explore these additions. Over the weekend, Baldur’s Gate 3 achieved a concurrent player peak of 169,267 on Steam, a remarkable achievement for a single-player RPG in its second year. While Sony and Microsoft do not disclose player numbers for PlayStation and Xbox, the enthusiasm on Steam is undeniable.

Reflecting on Patch 8's impact, Larian's chief Swen Vincke expressed optimism about the game's future, attributing its continued success not only to the patch but also to the thriving mod support. "With mod support thriving, I think the game will now continue to do well for quite some time," Vincke tweeted. This sustained success allows Larian to shift focus towards creating their next major project. "It gives us room to focus on making our next big thing as good as we can," Vincke added, acknowledging the high expectations they face.

Patch 8 marks the final major update for Baldur’s Gate 3, concluding a period of critical acclaim and commercial success since its launch in 2023. The game has maintained strong sales through 2024 and into 2025. Larian surprised the gaming community by announcing their departure from the Baldur’s Gate and Dungeons & Dragons franchise to develop a new, undisclosed game, initiating a media blackout to concentrate on this mystery project.

Meanwhile, Hasbro, the owner of Dungeons & Dragons, has hinted at continuing the Baldur’s Gate series. Speaking at the Game Developers Conference, Dan Ayoub, SVP of digital games at Hasbro, revealed that with Larian moving on, "a lot of people [are] very interested in Baldur's Gate." Ayoub mentioned that Hasbro is formulating future plans and teased upcoming announcements. While he didn't specify whether these plans involve a new Baldur’s Gate game or another form of engagement, such as a crossover similar to previous collaborations with Magic: The Gathering, Ayoub expressed a desire for a Baldur’s Gate 4, though he acknowledged it would take time. "We're not in a hurry," he stated, emphasizing a measured approach to exploring various possibilities and promising more details soon.