Baldur’s Gate 3 Team Blames Delayed Xbox Port On Difficulties Implementing Split-Screen For Xbox Series S

For years now, Baldur’s Gate 3 has remained in early access for fans to pay for a work-in-progress version of the game. But later this fall, the title is officially launching and it’s coming to console; namely PlayStation 5. In the past, developer Larian Studios confirmed there is no marketing for the game or exclusivity refraining the version shipping simultaneous to its competitor, but instead facing technical issues withholding progress in preparation for launch.

Recently, Baldur’s Gate 3 pushed ahead its release date now with the game hitting PC in August. Additionally, the game is to ship on PlayStation 5 in September still, but scheduled predating the original listing. “This means the PC version of Baldur’s Gate 3 will be released at a time where you’ll have more time to play it,” Larian Studios writes acknowledging the jam-packed release window of games coming this autumn.

From a new exchange of posts on X, Larian Studios’ director of publishing Michael Douse explains that much of the issue the game is facing is to blame Xbox Series S when attempting to ship parity for its split-screen feature.

Douse adds, “We have quite a few engineers working very hard to do what no other RPG of this scale has achieved: seamless drop-in, drop-out co-op on Series S. We hope to have an update by the end of the year.” From the wording, it is understood the team is still hoping to roll out Baldur’s Gate 3 by the end of 2023 for Xbox, but even the studio itself is uncertain of that.

In the past, we’ve seen developer party to shake off the required Xbox Series S support for its titles. Shortly after launch, Remedy Entertainment did not hide its frustration developing for the weaker console. Furthermore, a separate report discloses effort for more studios asking that parity between both systems is dismantled moving forward. You can read the full report by heading here.

Are you surprised by the recent statement from Larian Studios?

Baldur’s Gate 3 ships on August 3, 2023 for PC; September 6, 2023 for PlayStation 5.