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

The release of the highly anticipated Patch 8 for Baldur's Gate 3 has led to a significant surge in player numbers on Steam. This update, which launched last week, introduced 12 new subclasses and a brand new photo mode, drawing fans back to explore these additions. Over the weekend, Baldur's Gate 3 reached a concurrent player peak of 169,267 on Steam, an impressive achievement for a single-player focused RPG now in its second year. While Steam numbers are public, Sony and Microsoft do not disclose player counts for PlayStation and Xbox.

Reflecting on Patch 8's impact, Larian Studios' chief Swen Vincke expressed optimism about the game's future on Twitter. He noted that the player boost from Patch 8, combined with the thriving mod support, positions Baldur's Gate 3 to continue performing well. This success provides Larian with the opportunity to shift focus towards their next major project. Vincke emphasized the satisfaction derived from the effort put into Patch 8 and the anticipation surrounding their upcoming game, acknowledging the high expectations they need to meet.

Patch 8 marks the final major update for Baldur's Gate 3, concluding a remarkable period for Larian. The game, which launched to critical acclaim and achieved significant commercial success in 2023, has maintained strong sales through 2024 and into 2025. In a surprising move, Larian announced their departure from the Baldur's Gate and Dungeons & Dragons universe to concentrate on a new, undisclosed project, implementing a media blackout to focus their efforts.

Meanwhile, Hasbro, the owner of D&D, has expressed interest in continuing the Baldur's Gate series. At the Game Developers Conference, Dan Ayoub, SVP of digital games at Hasbro, revealed that several parties are keen on working with the franchise. While specifics about future plans remain under wraps, Ayoub hinted at forthcoming announcements. He mentioned a desire for a Baldur's Gate 4 but stressed a cautious, measured approach to its development, indicating that any new project would take time to materialize.