According to Larian Studios founder Swen Vincke, “Baldur’s Gate 3” will not be available on Game Pass. Vincke stated that this was always the plan and the game was never considered for Microsoft’s subscription gaming platform. The decision is based on the perceived value of the game, as Vincke believes it offers a complete story and lacks microtransactions, making it a good value for players.
The game takes over 140 hours to complete, which Vincke believes translates to a good value for players. He also emphasized that Larian Studios, being a small company, needs the revenue from full-price game purchases to continue developing other games.
The issue of streaming subscription platforms like Game Pass and their impact on developers is at the forefront of this decision. While some developers see the added exposure that comes with being on Game Pass as a positive, others see it as a missed opportunity for sales. Microsoft maintains that Game Pass increases sales of included titles, citing “Starfield” as an example of a game that was available on the service but was still the best-selling title of September.
Ultimately, “Baldur’s Gate 3” does not need Game Pass to succeed, as it has been one of the most popular and critically-acclaimed releases of the year. The game is available on multiple platforms, including PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
