‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ became the surprise hit of 2023 by upending conventional wisdom about what gives video games broad appeal
theconversation.com
For years, the biggest video game publishers have operated under the assumption that compelling stories and captivating characters don’t offer a good return on investment.

Few predicted that the smash hit video game of 2023 would feature old-school game mechanics, hours of brooding cutscenes and a vexing learning curve.

Yet “Baldur’s Gate 3,” a 20-year-old title based on a 50-year-old role-playing game, has already become one of the highest-rated video games of all time.

“This is a very specific niche of game,” admitted Swen Vincke, the CEO of Larian, its developer. “We’ve never been about the money.”

Nonetheless, since Larian released the title in August 2023, the company has been raking in the money. And it has done this with a rare focus on elements like story and character, upending the industry’s conventional wisdom about what it takes to create a blockbuster game.

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  • agent_flounder@lemmy.worldEnglish
    28·
    11 months ago

    … And it has done this with a rare focus on elements like story and character, upending the industry’s conventional wisdom about what it takes to create a blockbuster game.

    I think that says it all. People like stories and characters. Gee, who knew? lol. I haven’t played it yet but it’s on my list after seeing all the positive interest.

    • Bunnylux@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      11 months ago

      Do it! I got intrigued seeing online rumors about how good it was. I didn’t know how to play DnD or understand roleplaying mechanics at all. I didn’t really look up any tips and just suffered through 15-30 hours of complete bewilderment until I started to figure it out, but it was so enchanting and beautiful that I persisted. Game of a lifetime.

    • Doug [he/him]@midwest.socialEnglish
      2·
      11 months ago

      My suggestion is move it up. I don’t know where on your list it is but higher is probably better.

      It’s a fantastic game. There’s still bugs, sometimes even major ones. Still easily worth your time though.

    • Breezy@lemmy.world
      2·
      11 months ago

      Its funny thinking about when elden ring came out of no where to be such a huge hit it was the exact opposite, barely any story or character development!