Baldur's Gate 3 On Xbox Game Pass: Disappointing Update From Larian Studios

Baldur's Gate 3 on Xbox Game Pass will most likely remain a pipe dream. This was made clear by Swen Vincke, founder of Larian Studios, who developed the game, in an interview.

Baldurs Gate Game Pass
Baldur's Gate 3 is not coming to Game Pass any time soon. | © Larian Studios/Microsoft/EarlyGame

Sad news for all Xbox Game Pass subscribers in anticipation of the addition of Baldur's Gate 3 to Microsoft's premium service.

Larian Studios' masterpiece will not be available on Game Pass in the near future, as confirmed by founder Swen Vincke. In an interview with IGN, Vincke emphasized the value of their game, saying,"We made a big game, so I think there's a fair price to be paid for that."

Baldur's Gate 3 On Xbox Game Pass Won't Happen, But Previous Games May Be Included At Some Point

He clarified that the decision was made to ensure that the upfront cost of the game reflects its quality and size, especially since it doesn't include additional microtransactions.

Microsoft, known for paying developers to include their games on Game Pass to attract subscribers, has different approaches to these deals, as explained by Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer. Sometimes Microsoft will fund the development of the game, allowing studios to sell their game on other platforms, while Microsoft benefits from adding another title to Game Pass. In other scenarios, Microsoft may negotiate a direct cash deal after a game is completed, or agreements based on usage and in-game sales.Baldur's Gate 3 has gained significant attention, being named as Game of the Year at The Game Awards in 2023. What could still happen is that we'll see Baldur's Gate or Baldur's Gate II on Game Pass, as this would encourage players to purchase the third installment. Players received a notification in 2023 that these games had been added to Game Pass, but we are still waiting for them.

Lukas Scherbaum

The head of the EA Sports FC 24 category has played every FIFA since FIFA 04. In FC 24 you can find him mainly in Ultimate Team, but he is also a big fan of Career Mode, Clubs and VOLTA. Before joining EarlyGame, he worked for the German sports website Sport1 and as a gaming journalist for Kicker eSport....