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Baldur's Gate 3 releases on Xbox minutes after winning big at The Game Awards

After taking home honors for Game of the Year, Larian Studios has released the Xbox Series X|S version of Baldur's Gate 3.

Ozzie Mejia

December 7, 2023 8:25 PM

Larian Studios

The Game Awards 2023 wrapped up after a marathon-like three-hour show. It ended with Baldur's Gate 3 taking home honors for Game of the Year. Larian Studios not only celebrated with CEO Swen Vincke taking the stage in a full suit of armor, but the team finally released the Xbox version of the game moments after the show concluded.

Baldur's Gate 3 originally released back in August on PC (coming out of Steam Early Access) and PlayStation 5, but an Xbox version was noticeably missing. Complications regarding the Xbox Series S version meant that the Microsoft version of the long-awaited RPG had to be delayed. Vincke had pledged that it would release in 2023 after addressing an issue that would mean removing split-screen from the Xbox Series S version. The last update came in November with Larian reasserting that Baldur's Gate would release on Xbox Series X|S sometime in December.

There's a good reason why Xbox fans have been waiting on edge for Baldur's Gate 3. It is deserving of every accolade it has received, recently scoring only the fourth 10 in Shacknews history after Resident Evil 4 (2023), Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2. Even without split-screen co-op on Xbox Series S, it's just as much fun to play with friends or like-minded players online.

For more on tonight's big winners, check out The Game Awards 2023's full recap. Baldur's Gate 3 is now officially on Xbox, but for those that have held back on getting started, the game is also on PC and PlayStation 5.

Ozzie Mejia

Senior Editor

Ozzie has been playing video games since picking up his first NES controller at age 5. He has been into games ever since, only briefly stepping away during his college years. But he was pulled back in after spending years in QA circles for both THQ and Activision, mostly spending time helping to push forward the Guitar Hero series at its peak. Ozzie has become a big fan of platformers, puzzle games, shooters, and RPGs, just to name a few genres, but he’s also a huge sucker for anything with a good, compelling narrative behind it. Because what are video games if you can't enjoy a good story with a fresh Cherry Coke?

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Shacknews

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December 7, 2023 8:25 PM

Ozzie Mejia posted a new article, Baldur's Gate 3 releases on Xbox minutes after winning big at The Game Awards
- feek
  
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  December 7, 2023 10:11 PM
  
  70 dollars, damn. Don't want to rebuy it for that much, but would like to be able to play it more. Which I could if I had it on console.
  - trelain
    
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    December 8, 2023 5:28 AM
    
    What did you expect?
    - Schnapple
      
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      December 8, 2023 5:36 AM
      
      Probably $60 like it is on PC.
      
      $10 isn't much but when you're dealing with psychology and pricing, it might just push it over the impulse buy line.
- Crimsonbeak
  
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  December 8, 2023 6:05 AM
  
  I think they cut the Xbox logo at the start and end when they showed that trailer at the Game Awards. Because I saw that it launched during the Awards but didn't see any sort of ad that it was available at the show.
- redshak
  
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  December 8, 2023 6:06 AM
  
  Can't wait to have friends over and play co-op on my series S
- EruditeCaveman
  
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  December 8, 2023 1:24 PM
  
  I thought it was out for XBox the same time it was out for PC and only the PS5 had to wait. XBox owners have been waiting this whole time?
  - the_doctor
    
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    December 8, 2023 1:39 PM
    
    yeah and it sucks!
    - EruditeCaveman
      
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      December 8, 2023 1:43 PM
      
      That does suck. Especially since it was just an issue with the Series S. What's the breakdown of X vs. S owners?
      - the_doctor
        
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        December 8, 2023 1:59 PM
        
        I own an X, I am the only person that matters, poll over.
        
        (It's 3 to 1 in favor of the S. we all mock MS's gaming strategy, and deservedly so at times, how the fuck can't they just make decent exclusives!? but the S was a ridiculously good call for them)