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

Baldur's Gate 3 has experienced a remarkable surge in player numbers on Steam following the release of the highly anticipated Patch 8. This update has positioned developer Larian Studios well as they shift their focus to their next major project.

Patch 8, released last week, introduced 12 new subclasses to Baldur's Gate 3, along with a brand new photo mode. These additions have reignited interest among players, leading to a significant increase in concurrent players on Steam. Over the weekend, the game reached a peak of 169,267 players, a remarkable achievement for a single-player RPG in its second year. While Sony and Microsoft do not disclose PlayStation and Xbox player numbers, the Steam figures alone showcase the game's enduring popularity.

Reflecting on Patch 8's impact, Larian's CEO, Swen Vincke, took to Twitter to express optimism about Baldur's Gate 3's future. Vincke noted that the game is likely to continue performing well thanks to both the recent player boost and the thriving mod support community. This success provides Larian with the space to concentrate on their next ambitious project. "We've got big shoes to fill," Vincke remarked, indicating the high expectations for their upcoming game.

Patch 8 marks the final major update for Baldur's Gate 3, concluding a period of significant achievement for Larian. Since its launch in 2023, the game has garnered critical acclaim and achieved substantial commercial success, maintaining strong sales through 2024 and into 2025.

Larian has surprised the gaming community by announcing their departure from the Baldur's Gate series and Dungeons & Dragons to work on a new, undisclosed project. Prior to this, they teased the new game but later imposed a media blackout to focus on development.

Meanwhile, D&D's parent company, Hasbro, has hinted at plans to continue the Baldur's Gate series. Speaking at the Game Developers Conference, Dan Ayoub, SVP of digital games at Hasbro, mentioned that with Larian moving on, there is significant interest in the Baldur's Gate franchise. Ayoub suggested that Hasbro is in the early stages of planning for the series' future, with announcements expected soon. While he did not specify whether these plans involve a new Baldur's Gate game or another type of project, Ayoub expressed a desire for a Baldur's Gate 4, acknowledging that such a development would take time. He emphasized a measured approach to the series' future, indicating that Hasbro is exploring various possibilities and is ready to share more details in the near future.