Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - General About the popularity

I've asked this question before. We all know how wildly successful Baldur's Gate 3 is. When I asked this before only one of the replies actually
tried to address this question. It was amazing how many avoided the simple question...how many copies have been sold? You don't have to
give me exact numbers, just an estimate. I like to know this because I am a fan, and I want it to be wildly popular. So, how many copies have
been sold. If you don't know, put what you believe have sold. Here's cheers to Larian for doing a great job so far.

We know it has already sold over a million copies in EA (I don’t remember if that is total or just Steam), but I don’t think there is any way of knowing specifically.

Ok, here is an estimate:

A lot.

since the game is still in EA, idk if we can say that the current BG3 build is 'wildly successful' yet at this stage in development - id lean more towards saying that this game has been/is still 'highly anticipated' given the baldurs gate IP (moreso than the developing studio), but it will depend on larian's vision and delivery to be considered 'wildly successful' (and idk what op would define as 'wildly successful' - a game can sell millions+ copies but still be considered a 'disappointment' [not a 1to1 example, but see the issues cyberpunk is having - not what i would consider a 'wildly successful' launch]).

i think that the current build we have in EA shows alot of promise, and i know that swen mentioned the million copies sold during EA metric cited above (which as an aside, i believe larian/swen also intimated was very much unexpected which does give me cause to pause and be slightly worried that the developer is unaware of how popular an ip BG is or how big a community still exists), but i think its too early to make a determination that the game is or will be wildly successful.

I have hope based on some of the responses/patches larian has implemented as a result of feedback cited here and in other places, but i still think we are aways from full launch and that there are some significant gaming mechanics that should be addressed by larian before launch that will contribute towards whether i personally consider the game a 'success', a successor to the BG ip, or a disappointment. i may be in the minority here, but i would actually prefer a lengthened development timeline (1-2+ years even) so to give larian more time/resources to further improve/enhance the game rather than setting a target date for launch and then rushing to get the game to a playable/serviceable state by that time

I bought it through Stadia and then picked up a Chromecast and a Stadia Controller to make it all work. I don't do pc games and was unwilling to wait for it to appear on next gen consoles (if in fact it does). I had been badly missing a fantasy rpg experience, given the ridiculous amount of years between the last and the next Dragon Age game.

I enjoy Bladur's Gate 3 a lot, but regretted having my saves wiped with the recent patch. Now I'm sitting around and hoping that whatever went wrong on Stadia with the games character creation menu will get fixed or at this point, more likely nothing might be done about that glitch until the next patch is what I'm thinking?

Pressure is on! ;D

According to SteamSpy, Baldurs gate 3 sold over a million copies in the first six days on Steam alone. This game is being sold on Stadia, Steam, Gog, and has been out since october 6th. These are the facts, and the only thing we know.

It's worth remembering, before attaching phrases such as "wildly successful": This is a game in early access, and with a very important legacy behind it.

What it has sold so far it has sold by virtue of its promises and by virtue of its legacy... NOT by virtue of actually being a good game. Do not mistake one for the other.

It may become the latter, but it isn't there yet, and it has a long, long road to travel before it gets close to that mark.

The second paragraph, I question. [/yodaspeak]

Do we know for a fact that it has sold even largely based on the virtue of its promises and legacy? (edit, here, I weigh the claim about legacy higher than promises, as I keep hearing about how it's not a bg game) If so, how? Because you seem to presume you can speak for around a million people (or at least a significant fraction)

I cannot speak for anyone else, but I bought it because I thought it would be a damn fun game from a great developer, and I have not been disappointed. Even now it's a good game in my opinion, and I think it has the makings of a great one.

Success is pretty much based on how much it made vs how much it cost to make. Since they are still making it it's impossible to know how much they will spend on it and so it will remain unknown if it's successful or not until it's finished and released.

yeah sorry my dude but the premise is flawed.
The baldus gate series was wideley successfull.... for its time.
And its fans are also as jaded as it gets.

im pretty sure that brand recognition isnt whats selling this game

Most of the gamers from "its time" are mostly right here still though... gaming. i think the name is probably the biggest part of the sales to date... followed by the company making it. i follow games typically, not developers.. they seem to turn over employees pretty fast...

With big names come big expectations... especially from the d&d crowd.. you are right on there... they have a very pretty game so far.. still need to fine tune a good deal, but thats why a lot of us jump when to get a chance at an early look/opportunity to help... in any manor we can... we all just want a game we love to play!

what i mean when i say "successfull for its time" is that even if the old fans would all buy this game it wouldnt be a big hit by todays standards.

I believe there is still a sizeable market out there waiting for a full release. I know of at least one person, maybe two or three, in that category.

You know what would make it even more successful? Embedded advertising! Sort of like the way they named all the football stadiums in the USA after commercial corporations, Larian can do the same in BG III and rake in some extra cash. We could have the FedEx Sorcerous Sundries, the Hilton Keexie Tavern, and the Sachs Goldman Countinghouse. Just make some signs using a nice calligraphic font so they look appropriate for the medieval fantasy setting, and we are all set. Throw back a Coca Cola potion of invulnerability and jump right back into combat!

Yes, its sold because of the Name....... and lots of people are far from happy because the name isnt reflected in the Gameplay at all. If they didnt use that Name but for example "sword coast Legends" the fate of the game would be similar to this one....... well no it wouldnt be a desaster as there are enough DOS fans who still like the game.

And lots more people are far from disappointed, judging by the 88% positive Steam reviews.

The danger I fear is a Star Wars prequel level of disappointment from people for whom Baldur's Gate is almost as sacred as the Force is to SW enthusiasts. I'm still not sure if they really know what they signed on for with this one heheh. But I do have hope

If it didn't sell a million copies immediately, I'd have felt so sad. Its likely going to take a big pile of loot to get what I want out of it. I'm hoping what's on display right now is 1/10th of the game, and not 1/3rd like the Act 1 EA description might suggest. And that the full release is still miles away, off in the distance, so they have time to make it beautiful enough

You have to consider the genre of the game. These are big sales for game in this genre. Especially considering the fact that this is only early access.

The game has less than 3k concurrent players on steam I think. So whatever it is, it's probably not as insane as some imagine it to be

Keep in mind its earily access, which many people buying it didn't really consider and are now crying for it not being polished (given even some journalists whined about it, I guess we can't expect consumers to be smarter). Also it hasn't that much content and the updates ain't adding too much to replayability. Wait for the proper release before you can judge the concurrent player numbers.