Baldur’s Gate 3 is a global success with millions of players. The excitement surrounding the role-playing game apparently even reaches the Holy See, as the marketing director reveals that Baldur’s Gate 3 is also being played in the Vatican.
This is the smallest country in the world:
- The Vatican, or correctly: Vatican City State, is an independent country located in the heart of Rome, the capital of Italy. According to statements from the Vatican itself, the country has 764 citizens, although the actual population might be slightly higher (via vaticanstate.va, as of June 26, 2023).
- Only a small portion of the citizens live within the city limits, while the rest reside outside the country. The probably most famous resident of the Vatican is the Pope, followed by his Swiss Guard, diplomats, and Catholic dignitaries.
- The Vatican has intervened in gaming before: In 2019, the Catholic state opened its own Minecraft server, which, however, failed due to trolls.
Who is playing Baldur’s Gate 3? The marketing director of Larian, Michael Douse, revealed on X that the studio sold 2 copies of Baldur’s Gate 3 in the Vatican. Another person has it on their wishlist (via X).
It is not known who exactly bought the game, nor if and how much the individuals have played it. Douse mentions that he imagines the Pope has the game on his wishlist and is just waiting for a spare minute.
This is not necessarily surprising. Baldur’s Gate 3 is considered one of the best games of all time and has received so many awards that the head barely could carry them. It’s so good that other developers warned after the release: That is a one-time thing, such quality should not be expected all the time.
The game is especially known for its freedoms. Baldur’s Gate 3 allows you to make almost all decisions — whether you want to play the game as pacifistically as possible or want to eradicate all life. You can also be really evil in Baldur’s Gate 3.
The most popular class in Baldur’s Gate 3 fits perfectly with the Vatican
The Vatican is the home city of the Catholic Church. Here lives its head and here is the center of faith. Coincidentally but fittingly the Paladin is the most popular class in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Paladins are holy warriors who dedicate themselves to their faith and take an oath they must fulfill. If they break it, they condemn themselves and become feared oathbreakers.
The class is especially popular because of its high charisma, making them the ideal face of the group, as well as for their strength in combat. They are a perfect all-rounder. Ironically, the Cleric, essentially the “priest” in the game, is by far the least popular class.
Although Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the best games ever and still attracts thousands of players even over a year after its release, not everyone immediately warms up to the enormous role-playing experience. For example, MyMMO author Gerd Schuhmann had his issues: I started Baldur’s Gate 3 twice and was disappointed: Only when I did what many warned against did I enjoy it
