Baldur’s Gate 3 might never land on Game Pass, and that makes sense. Swen Vincke explains why that is only fair. MeinMMO reveals what’s behind it.
The award-winning Game of the Year 2023, Baldur’s Gate 3, will, according to Swen Vincke, the head of Larian Studios, never be part of Xbox’s Game Pass
. The Xbox Game Pass allows players access to a variety of Xbox games for a monthly subscription price.
In an interview with IGN, Vincke emphasized that this decision was planned from the beginning and that they have no plans to deviate from it.
Why Larian Studios excludes Game Pass
What is the reasoning? Vincke stated that Larian Studios has always emphasized that Baldur’s Gate 3 would never land on Game Pass. This clear stance aligns with Larian Studios’ philosophy of developing high-quality games that provide a comprehensive player experience.
Anyone who plays the game notices how extensive it is. There are so many decisions and possibilities in this game. Every run can completely develop in a different direction, and surprises are discovered again and again. MeinMMO’s editor-in-chief Leya Jankowski has gathered over 200 hours in the first run of Baldur’s Gate 3.
Swen Vincke highlighted that it is about making a game that has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
He says:
We made a big game, so I think a fair price should be paid for that, and I think that is okay. […] We do not ask for additional microtransactions, so you get what you pay for. […] It is a big, substantial game. So I think it should stay as it is.
Swen Vincke via IGN
Furthermore, he additionally explains in the interview with IGN that purchasing Baldur’s Gate 3 also enables them to continue developing other games. Swen Vincke posted on December 14 on X confirming that he is indeed working on a fishing game
.
Conclusion: Larian Studios’ stance regarding Game Pass indicates that not all developers and games necessarily rely on models like Game Pass to be successful. According to Steam Charts, Baldur’s Gate 3 is still among the top games based on current player numbers.
Players who want to immerse themselves in the world of Baldur’s Gate 3 are willing to pay the full price, and this traditional
model has proven successful for Larian Studios.
Larian Studios keeps stepping it up. Now, Larian surprised players with an Advent calendar:
