Highlights
- Mod support is crucial for fan satisfaction in RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3, as it offers customized gameplay experiences and fills content gaps.
- Larian Studios' focus on customization and attention to detail in BG3 attracted players seeking replay value through diverse character classes.
- The lack of post-launch campaigns in BG3 has made mods as important as official updates, with console mod support potentially transforming gameplay.
Developers of role-playing games face an uphill climb to outfit their games with every possible feature players would like. The constant demand for expanded content and immersion has birthed full-blown post-launch campaigns, although even these additional content streams and fixes can't soothe every fan base craving. That's where mods come in, and the era of independent gamer tweaking has come to stay in franchises like The Sims and Fallout. Similarly, while Larian Studios' Baldur's Gate 3 has cultivated a reputation for being one of the deeper titles in terms of storyline development and character classes, fans are still seeking even more customized playthroughs through mods. Some of these mods have grown fast in popularity, and although they can only be accessed via PC for now, Baldur's Gate 3 could fully tap into the market by offering console support for fan-made content.
The main driving forces behind Baldur's Gate 3's remarkable sales numbers were Larian Studios' focus on customization and attention to minute details. At release, BG3 featured 12 classes and a staggering 46 subclasses with unique specializations for players to explore Faerun through multiple lenses, ensuring the title would retain replay value much longer than regular RPGs. Despite the diverse experiences, a few staple Dungeons and Dragons fan favorites didn't make the final cut to appear in the title, and modders stepped in to fill the gap. However, these packages are only playable on PC, and BG3's console players were left out. With official confirmation of Larian Studios' cross-platform mod plans, Baldur's Gate 3 has the potential to scale even more heights.
Related
How Baldur's Gate 3's Karlach Evolved Over Time
Karlach might be one of Baldur's Gate 3's most popular companions, but she went through several key updates that built her up to this level.
Console Mod Support Could Transform Baldur's Gate 3's Gameplay
It was commonplace modding to not be the focus in the past, but more studios are taking the community into account in light of Bethesda's considerable successes with Skyrim and Fallout's Creation Clubs.
BG3's Console Experience Pales in Comparison to PC's Mod Offerings
A staunch position against mod activity on consoles by developers, in The Sims 4, for example, only leads to a considerable section of players electing to experience their virtual worlds on PC. Predictably, the number of console players in such a case would be significantly lower than that of PC gamers, since Baldur's Gate 3 isn't getting any DLC, it stands to reason that Larian Studios would officially back mods as a means of bolstering its content.
Although it isn't clear when players can expect the support to arrive, there's already palpable excitement in the community, as some of the best Baldur's Gate 3 mods significantly improve adventures across Faerun's lands. For instance, the Blood Hunter class mod is one of the most popular on offer at the moment. The category seemingly takes inspiration from The Witcher, as the Order of the Ghostslayer subclass focuses on hunting unnatural ghouls with their blood magic abilities. Since there's no blood magic in the base BG3, console players have missed out on roleplaying a playthrough of Geralt of Rivia.
Mod Support Could Stand In for BG3's Lack of DLCs
Similarly, the Wizard class has been accentuated by the Artificer mod, introducing a character class that combines magic and technology -- a handy combination for dealing with enemies in Baldur's Gate 3. Aside from the mod's gameplay additions, it also has a unique UI and a set of icons sharing a similar aesthetic design with the original Dungeons and Dragons inspiration. These enhancements go a long way to taking the BG3 experience to an even higher level than the already illustrious achievements Larian Studios has attained.
While the developers are officially working on console mod support for Baldur's Gate 3, there are still a few issues for Larian Studios to iron out to ensure a smooth transition. A few of these popular mods can break other components of the base game, and the integration process needs to allow for a seamless experience in a console setting. Whatever the case may be, the lack of a post-launch campaign has elevated the importance of mods to around the same level as Baldur's Gate 3's official updates, and official console mod support could be a game changer for the title.
Baldur's Gate 3
- Franchise
- Baldur's Gate
- Platform(s)
- PC , Stadia , macOS , PS5 , Xbox Series X
- Released
- August 3, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Larian Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- How Long To Beat
- 30 Hours
- Metascore
- 96
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical Only
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-2 Players
 - Shopify)
