Why Baldur’s Gate 3 Won’t Be Coming to PC Game Pass

If you were hoping to see Baldur’s Gate 3 on PC Game Pass, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s highly unlikely to happen. Swen Vincke, head of Larian Studios, recently spoke to IGN about the studio’s stance on the matter. From the very beginning, Larian was clear that the enormous CRPG would not be available on Microsoft’s subscription service.

Vincke’s reasoning for this decision is quite sound. The sheer scope of Baldur’s Gate 3 warrants a fair price, as the game offers dozens of hours of gameplay without even delving into the side quests or romantic escapades with the vampire character. According to Vincke, it is perfectly acceptable to ask players to pay for the game in order to recoup its development costs. Furthermore, Baldur’s Gate 3 does not require any additional investments beyond its initial price tag, with no planned DLCs or expansions.

One of Vincke’s key points is that Baldur’s Gate 3 does not include any microtransactions. Players get exactly what they pay for upfront, without having to worry about in-game purchases or additional fees. This approach allows Larian to create other games in the future, as the revenue generated from the sales of Baldur’s Gate 3 can be invested in new projects.

Earlier this year, leaked documents from the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard merger revealed that Microsoft estimated it would cost $5 million to secure Baldur’s Gate 3 for Game Pass. At the time, this figure seemed reasonable considering the game’s popularity and success. In comparison, other games such as Gotham Knights, Mortal Kombat 1, and Jedi: Survivor were suggested to have much higher price tags.

Interestingly, Microsoft seemed to undervalue Baldur’s Gate 3 by labeling it a “second-run Stadia PC RPG.” However, even Larian Studios did not anticipate the game’s level of success, given the niche nature of the CRPG genre. The game’s achievements speak for themselves, as Vincke admitted that its success both frightens and excites the studio. If you haven’t played it yet, it’s definitely worth the price of entry.