Baldur’s Gate 3 has experienced a significant surge in player numbers on Steam following the release of the much-anticipated Patch 8. This update has positioned developer Larian Studios well as they prepare to shift their focus to their next major project.
Patch 8, which was released last week, introduced 12 new subclasses and a brand new photo mode to Baldur’s Gate 3. The excitement around these additions led to a noticeable increase in player engagement, with fans eager to explore the new content. Over the weekend, the game reached a concurrent player peak of 169,267 on Steam—a remarkable achievement for a single-player focused RPG in its second year. Note that player numbers for PlayStation and Xbox are not publicly disclosed by Sony and Microsoft.
Reflecting on the impact of Patch 8, Larian's CEO Swen Vincke took to Twitter to express his optimism about the game's future. He noted that the player boost from Patch 8, combined with the thriving mod support, suggests that Baldur’s Gate 3 will continue to perform well for the foreseeable future. This success provides Larian with the opportunity to concentrate on developing their next big project. "We’ve got big shoes to fill," Vincke stated, highlighting the pressure and excitement surrounding their upcoming work.
Vincke also shared his satisfaction with the response to Patch 8, acknowledging the significant development effort it required. He emphasized the importance of mod support in sustaining the game's popularity and allowing the studio to shift focus to new endeavors.
Patch 8 marks the final major update for Baldur’s Gate 3, concluding a period of remarkable achievement for Larian. The game, which launched to critical acclaim and commercial success in 2023, has maintained strong sales throughout 2024 and into 2025.
In a surprising move, Larian announced their departure from the Baldur’s Gate series and the Dungeons & Dragons universe to work on a new, undisclosed game. This decision was followed by a media blackout to ensure full focus on the new project. Meanwhile, D&D's parent company, Hasbro, has expressed interest in continuing the Baldur’s Gate series. Speaking at the Game Developers Conference, Hasbro's SVP of digital games, Dan Ayoub, revealed that there is significant interest in the franchise. "We're kind of working out our plans for the future and what we're going to be doing with that," Ayoub stated, hinting at forthcoming announcements.
Ayoub did not specify whether these plans involve a new full-fledged Baldur’s Gate game or a different type of project, such as a crossover similar to the previous collaboration with Magic: The Gathering. He did, however, express a long-term desire for a Baldur’s Gate 4, acknowledging that such a project would require considerable time and careful planning. "We're not in a hurry," he said, emphasizing a measured approach to future developments in the series.
