Larian has finally revealed the release date of Baldur's Gate 3 for Xbox Series X|S: It's out now! What a wonderful surprise. However, one beloved feature of the game is unfortunately missing.
It's finally happening! Xbox can finally play Baldur's Gate 3. After they had to wait several months after the game was released for PS5 and PC, Larian Studios have shadow dropped the game during The Game Awards!
After Baldur's Gate 3 came out in early August for PC and shortly after for the PS5, many Xbox players were wondering if the game would also be available on Microsoft's consoles. Larian CEO Swen Vincke had previously mentioned some technical challenges causing a delay in the Xbox version. But these, it seems, have been resolved.
Latest on the Xbox - being actively playtested, still on schedule for this year. We'll announce the exact release date when we're sure it's done.
— Swen Vincke @where? (@LarAtLarian) October 31, 2023
Baldur's Gate 3 Is Finally On Xbox: Why The Xbox Port Was Delayed
Several reports already hinted at a possible release date for Baldur's Gate 3 in December, and it turns out they were correct. After a long wait of four months, the game of the year 2023 is finally available on Xbox consoles. If you wondered, why the Xbox version of Baldur's Gate 3 had to wait until four months after the PC and PlayStation version came out, you can blame the Xbox Series S.
The Xbox Series S doesn't have the performance to support the much-beloved coop-split-screen function and Larian Studios refused to release the game without this mode working to the same standard on Xbox Series X and S. However, a conclusion with Xbox' Phil Spencer was reached and thus split-screen functionality is no longer a requirement for the Xbox Series S.
All improvements will be there, with split-screen coop on Series X. Series S will not feature split-screen coop, but will also include cross-save progression between Steam and Xbox Series.
— Swen Vincke @where? (@LarAtLarian) August 24, 2023
Microsoft Breaks Its Own Rules
The decision to have “Baldur's Gate 3” launch exclusively on PlayStation 5 initially may not be entirely driven by tactical reasons but also by technical reasons. Larian, the developer, can't provide the same features on Xbox Series S as on Xbox Series X. Microsoft had previously insisted that games must offer the same features on both devices, with differences only allowed in terms of frame rate and resolution.
Now, Microsoft has broken its own rule. The split-screen mode that enables couch co-op play won't be available on Xbox Series S. Cross-save functionality will still be possible between Xbox Series S and Steam. This feature will also be available for PlayStation 5, requiring a Larian account.
Implications for the Future of Xbox Series S
The highly acclaimed “Baldur's Gate 3” seems to have been important enough for Microsoft to bend its own rules. This precedent-setting move might have lasting effects. Other developers and publishers could feel disadvantaged. The weaker hardware of the Xbox Series S has been a topic of discussion since its launch. Studios typically want to release their games on all platforms simultaneously, which could be hindered by this situation.
Some in the community even wondered whether Microsoft are "burying" the Xbox Series S with this move. The Xbox Series S is by far the weakest console when it comes to performance. And this processing power is necessary for features like split-screen, especially when showing numerous details of different environments simultaneously for both players. Unfortunately for Xbox Series S owners, once this precedent is set, other developers might follow suit.