Everything we know about its Xbox Series X|S release

We don’t have long to wait until Larian Studios hit RPG, Baldur’s Gate 3, finally arrives on Xbox. While we’re still waiting to find out when we’ll be able to play it, a release date should be revealed early next month. After its success on PlayStation and PC, you probably have a good idea about the game, so we thought we’d pop this together to discuss what we know about its arrival on Xbox consoles.

It’s been a rough wait for us on Xbox as we watched our fellow players on PlayStation 5 and PC revel in the beautiful world of Baldur’s Gate 3. Due to issues Larian had with getting split-screen co-op to work on Xbox Series X|S, it was looking like we’d not be able to play until 2024. Thankfully, after a chat with Xbox boss Phil Spencer in August, Larian’s Swen Vincke announced that Baldur’s Gate 3 would indeed arrive on Xbox in 2023 as originally planned… but with a small caveat.

What is Baldur’s Gate 3’s Xbox release date?

• Releasing in December 2023
• Exact date to be revealed at The Game Awards

Right now, we only know that Baldur’s Gate 3 is definitely launching on Xbox in December, but the exact date is yet to be revealed. On November 15, Larian Studios announced on X that the release date’s “World Premiere” will be revealed during The Game Awards on December 7.

Is Baldur’s Gate 3 coming to Xbox Game Pass?

No, Baldur’s Gate 3 hasn’t been announced for Xbox Game Pass. As of writing this, however, Microsoft is yet to reveal any of the games coming to the service in December, so there is a chance the company is waiting for The Game Awards on December 7 to make the announcements.

With Baldur’s Gate 3 having made such a splash this year, there is a chance Microsoft has pulled out its cheque book to get it into Game Pass, but we’ll have to wait and see — maybe we’ll be in for a surprise during The Game Awards!

What are the differences between the Xbox Series X and S versions of Baldur’s Gate 3?

Due to the difficulties Larian had with the split-screen co-op feature on Xbox Series S, Microsoft has amended its parity rules so that Baldur’s Gate 3 can launch on Xbox. That means that split-screen co-op won’t be available for Xbox Series S players when it launches next month, although players on Xbox Series X will still be able to use it.

Will Baldur’s Gate 3 launch on Xbox One?

No, Baldur’s Gate 3 will only be launching Xbox Series X|S as far as we know and won’t be on Xbox One. Given the troubles that Larian had getting it to run on even the Xbox Series S, we wouldn’t expect it to turn up their down the line either.

The game is available on PC via Steam, so there is a chance it could make it onto the Microsoft Store on PC as well… especially if it was added to Xbox Game Pass.

What is Baldur’s Gate 3 about?

Set within the Dungeons & Dragons world of the Forgotten Realms, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a turn-based RPG for up to four players and acts very similar to the tabletop D&D game — it even includes 12 classes and 11 races from the D&D player handbook.

The story you experience is based on the choices you make (and your dice rolls), but everyone starts out the same — you’re turning into a monster, thanks to a mind flayer parasite, and it’s up to you if you win against it or submit to the darker side. However you choose to play, you’ll embark on an adventure filled with loot, friendship, romance, combat, and more!

Like many of you, we’re extremely excited to see Baldur’s Gate 3 launch on Xbox Series X|S in December, especially since it has been nominated as Game of the Year at The Game Awards. Until we can finally jump in and play, though, we’ll spend our time dribbling over the physical Deluxe Edition!