Veteran RPG developers have recently reflected on the influence of Baldur’s Gate 3 on their own game development strategies. In a PC Gamer RPG roundtable discussion, industry experts shared their thoughts on whether Baldur’s Gate 3 had set a new standard for the genre. While Larian Studios boss Swen Vincke remained non-committal in his response, other developers expressed varying views. Carrie Patel, game director for Avowed and a senior narrative designer at Obsidian, emphasized the importance of fostering a collaborative relationship with players. According to Patel, giving players meaningful options and trusting in their creativity to explore those choices is a key aspect that led to the success of Baldur’s Gate 3 and other iconic RPGs from Obsidian.
Adrienne Bazir, the developer of In Stars and Time, also highlighted the significance of offering unconventional choices in games. Referencing Disco Elysium as another example, Bazir praised both games for moving beyond simplistic moral binaries in decision-making. By providing players with bizarre and unexpected options, such as transforming into a bear, these games encourage players to think outside the box and engage with the medium in new ways. Bazir expressed hope that more developers, both large and small, would embrace this approach in their future projects.
However, Sarah Gruemmer, the acting lead quest designer for Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, took a more reserved stance on Baldur’s Gate 3’s impact. Gruemmer pointed out that Baldur’s Gate 3 is inherently rooted in the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) universe, which may limit its influence on RPGs outside of that specific genre. While recognizing the game’s achievements, Gruemmer suggested that it may not necessarily be a transformative force for all RPG developers due to its ties to a particular framework.
The reception of Baldur’s Gate 3 among veteran RPG developers varies in terms of its impact on the industry. While some developers commend the game for reinforcing player agency and creative freedom, others acknowledge its limitations in inspiring innovation across different RPG subgenres. As the genre continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how developers integrate the lessons learned from Baldur’s Gate 3 into their future projects, and whether the game’s influence will shape the direction of RPG development in the years to come.
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