Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - General Is the most fun feature (multiplayer) not in EA)

I've played Divinity original sin 1 and 2 with a friend and sometimes 2. It is in my opinion one of the greatest things about the games.

I might have mistaken what was said about multiplayer, but it sounded like they want us to experience all the companions etc and their stories before doing multiplayer.
When I heard that multiplayer will not be in the game at first, I was kinda let down. I cannot see one single downside with having multiplayer. Yes, if you play multiplayer, you might not get the full experience with all the characters in the game, companions etc. But you are not forced to play multiplayer, play singleplayer if you want, and experience it all on your own.
But what about guys like me, who really never play singleplayer games. I firmly believe that games are meant to be played with friends, and they did the multiplayer in Divinity Original sin 1 and 2 so good, it was awesome! I will buy the game when multiplayer releases, and I will play with my friend, but he is going to play the game at release, single player, and I won't.

So my friend will have played the game for some time before I will, cause of no multiplayer. This means that me and my friend will not experience the game together as it should be experienced, He will know most of the mechanics, companions and a lot of the game itself. So we will not have the laugh of doing something stupid in-game that possibly kills us all, or talking shit to some goblin, making them hate us. We will lose so much of the fun, because we can not experience it together.

My point is that multiplayer is and will be one of the greatest thing this game will have. Look at it this way, try playing the tabletop Dungeon and Dragons alone.

Yes, these are all my opinions and may not be the same as yours. But please don't force us to play single player, let us decide ourself if we want to play single player or multiplayer, even if we miss out on some content. We will probably play through more than once.

I wasn't exactly clear on what would or would not be in based on that livestream. I actually need to spend some time watching it this evening to see if I can catch that part. I didn't hear a definitive no on multiplayer at the start of early access, it seemed more to me that they were referring to split screen.

In any case, while I'll be scooping this up day one of early access, I likely won't play at all until multiplayer is in, if it isn't from the start. This is a multiplayer experience to me, and my friend and I want to go in with this completely fresh. So if it'll take some time to implement it, I'll no doubt put it on the backburner until that time arrives.

(ED) I heard nothing of the sort in the streaming. They only said that there´s MP in EA. They even mention that you can play in LAN too.

In fact they told us repeatedly that the MP would be the same story as in SP.

And I believe that there are far better ways of spending time with a friend (board games for one!) and I prefer my PC games singleplayer. But that's unimportant.

I might be wrong, but I understood that multiplayer will be in EA, but you won't be able to play as an origin character (only a custom ones).

EDIT. Steam still lists online and lan coop.

I am quite certain that Sven stated, in the "hell stream", that multiplayer will be included in Early Access.

The only thing that worries us in MP is this





One of the party members is a womanizer...




I think they said that they plan to add more companions later, but you can play with the ones we know in the EA


https://www.pcgamer.com/baldurs-gate-3-comes-to-early-access-on-september-30-hopefully/

If you watch the hell stream from about 1hour 10 minute mark, they talk about it. He said that multiplayer would not instantly be in EA. Would be nice to get some clarification to this though. Might be me overthinking it.

Hello,
Actually, he said "split screen will come later", but multiplayer will be in-game during Early Access. I know many people heard that bit wrong.

Here is an article, for example, that confirms what was said :
https://www.standard.co.uk/tech/gaming/baldurs-gate-3-early-access-release-date-a4528321.html

Yes, that's what I heard too. No split screen but MP will definitely be in EA from day 1.

But if you listen a bit before they say that split screen will be delayed. like 30-40 sec before. He said that MP will not be in game instantly.

The impression I got was that they might not include multiplayer off the bat with EA but it will come along further in the process. Which makes sense to me since I'd imagine multiplayer would be one of the more complex things to implement, so they might want to wait and see how single player shakes out a bit first.

Hmm, according to PC Gamer, there is a nuance as you mention :
- It will, in theory, be in Early Access ;
- but most probably not on day 1.

So, to my surprise, we are all somewhat right here :P

I hope they implement it fast, it is a core function in my opinion. I kinda hope they would not release it without multiplayer. I feel like it could take a while before it will be implemented cause if it was super close to finished, they would just rush it out.

I must agree, even though as someone who loves BG1&2 I wish it wouldn't be the case. I see a bit too many things in BG3 which made me not enjoy D:OS2.

Luckily for you I went back to the video and yes, multiplayer will be in EA. What we won't be able to do is play as origin characters (so your friends won't be able to play as your companions just yet). Here is the link with the time stamp and here is my transcript below:
https://youtu.be/qboLvZ5YQSg?t=2458

Oh, so if I just choose a non-origin character, I will be able to play multiplayer? It was a confusing answer though, from Swen

It was. Though it make sense. He wasn't addressing the multiplayer bit, but if coop players will be able to take over your companions.

It seems muliplayer will be at launch in EA. Playing as origins won't - which is odd, as from what we have seen from gameplay so far they act as companions from D:OS2. Meaning you as the player have nearly a limitless control of them. Unless there is still some special content needed that they didn't get to.