The release of the highly anticipated Patch 8 for Baldur’s Gate 3 has led to a significant increase in player numbers on Steam, setting developer Larian up for success as they shift focus to their next major project. Patch 8, which launched last week, introduced 12 new subclasses and a new photo mode, drawing fans back to explore these exciting additions.
Over the weekend, Baldur’s Gate 3 reached a concurrent player peak of 169,267 on Steam—an impressive achievement for a single-player RPG in its second year. While Sony and Microsoft keep PlayStation and Xbox player numbers private, the surge on Steam speaks volumes about the game's enduring appeal.
Larian's CEO, Swen Vincke, expressed optimism about the game's future, citing not only the boost from Patch 8 but also the thriving mod support. "I expect Baldur’s Gate 3 to continue to do well for quite some time," Vincke tweeted. He emphasized that the sustained interest in the game allows Larian to focus on crafting their next big project. "We’ve got big shoes to fill," Vincke added, reflecting on the development effort behind Patch 8 and the excitement it has reignited among players.
Patch 8 marks the final major update for Baldur’s Gate 3, concluding a remarkable period for Larian. The game, which launched to critical acclaim and commercial success in 2023, has continued to perform strongly into 2025. Larian has announced plans to move away from Baldur’s Gate 3 and the Dungeons & Dragons universe to work on a new, undisclosed project, following a media blackout to concentrate on this mystery game.
Meanwhile, D&D owner Hasbro is exploring future possibilities for the Baldur’s Gate series. Speaking at the Game Developers Conference, Hasbro's SVP of digital games, Dan Ayoub, revealed that with Larian stepping away, "a lot of people [are] very interested in Baldur's Gate." Ayoub hinted at upcoming announcements, though he did not specify whether these would involve a new Baldur’s Gate game or a crossover project similar to the previous collaboration with Magic: The Gathering. He expressed a desire for a Baldur’s Gate 4 but acknowledged that its development would require time. "We're going to take a very measured approach," Ayoub stated, indicating that Hasbro is considering various strategies and is preparing to share more details soon.
