Larian Studios‘ fantasy epic was already a landmark title when it launched in 2023, winning over critics and fans alike with its depth, storytelling, and faithful Dungeons & Dragons mechanics. Now, in April 2025, Patch 8 has propelled it back into the spotlight – and players are flocking to the game in massive numbers.
Released on 15 April, Patch 8 is the final significant update Baldur’s Gate 3 will receive, marking the end of Larian’s direct support for the game. The update introduced long-awaited features including full crossplay functionality, a detailed photo mode, and 12 new subclasses, giving players new ways to experience the Forgotten Realms.
The community response has been overwhelming. According to Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke, the game’s concurrent Steam player count shot up from just over 62,000 the day before Patch 8 to a peak of more than 169,000 in the days following its release. In a post on social media, Vincke shared his delight, saying the update “got a lot of people playing again” and expressed confidence that the game will remain popular, thanks in part to its thriving modding scene.
“Feeling good today about where we are with BG3,” Vincke wrote. “Patch 8 got a lot of people playing again. It took a lot of development effort but I’m happy we did it. With mod support thriving, I think the game will now continue to do well for quite some time. It gives us room to focus on the next big thing.”
While Larian is stepping back from Baldur’s Gate 3, the world of Dungeons & Dragons is not done with it yet. Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast are reportedly planning a sequel – though Larian won’t be at the helm. As for Larian’s future, the studio has confirmed it’s working on two new, ambitious RPGs. A newly opened studio in Warsaw is aiding their development, although details remain tightly under wraps for now.
What comes next for Larian is still a mystery, but with Baldur’s Gate 3 having set a new gold standard for the genre, expectations will be sky-high. For now, though, fans can dive back into Faerûn with plenty of fresh content to explore, one last time.
