- Baldur’s Gate 3 was released on Xbox last week, but the game isn’t available on the Game Pass.
- The founder of Larian Studios claims that the game won’t be released on the subscription service.
- He explained that the game lacks microtransactions and is priced fairly for the type of content offered.
Moments after claiming the Game of The Year Award at TGA 2023, Larian Studios dropped Baldur’s Gate 3 for Xbox consoles. Days later, the CRPG became the third best-selling title on the platform.
While many were hoping for Baldur’s Gate 3 to be released on Game Pass, the head of Larian Studios has shattered these hopes. He explained that the CRPG is unlikely to arrive on subscription services since the studio prefers its current business model.
Why it matters: Baldur’s Gate 3 is arguably the year’s biggest success. It would deliver immediate growth for any subscription service because of this influence.
During a recent interview with IGN, the founder of Larian Studios, Swen Vincke, was asked whether Xbox tried to secure Baldur’s Gate 3 for Game Pass. Vincke appeared dismissive and highlighted disinterest in subscription services.
He always believed that the game would not be released on subscriptions. Explaining this decision, the developer stated that the studio worked hard to create a finished game.
The head of Larian Studios then pointed to the lack of microtransactions and heaps of content. He said:
“We made a big game, so I think there’s a fair price to be paid for that, and I think that is okay.”
We can’t disagree with Swen Vincke’s point. Baldur’s Gate is undeniably one of 2023’s most-packed games, offering up to 17k potential endings. The game is so large that it can take as many as 18 playthroughs to fully experience everything.
A massive title like Baldur’s Gate 3 is worth its price, and putting the game on any subscription service would impact the game’s sales. Swen Vincke asserted that the current business model works for the studio and allows the team to create more games.
Therefore, the Larian Studios head is opposed to this idea, and fans should not expect the CPRG on subscriptions like PS Plus or Game Pass.
While Game Pass releases like Starfied have performed well in 2023, their success has not measured up to the reach of Baldur’s Gate 3.
The latter was not only 2023’s biggest surprise but has also become a worldwide phenomenon in the short span of a few months, so Swen Vincke does not see much reason to chase after subscriptions.
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[News Reporter]
Abiyan is on track to complete his Computer Science bachelor’s degree. His enthusiasm for writing and gaming motivates him to keep readers and gamers updated with the latest information from the industry. In his free time, Abiyan enjoys playing Dota 2 and Rocket League. Abiyan has also been cited in reputed websites such as Kitguru, Comicbook, GamingBible, Eurogamer and Gamingbolt.