The information yesterday that HBO isn’t solely making a Baldur’s Gate 3 TV present however that it’s going to proceed the story on from the online game itself has despatched shockwaves via the web.
The difference will reportedly happen after the occasions of Larian’s much-loved RPG and have characters from the sport. Craig Mazin, who created HBO exhibits Chernobyl and The Final of Us, is in place as showrunner (it feels like The Final of Us will finish with Season 3, which now makes a number of sense). Chris Perkins, the previous longtime Head of Story at Hasbro subsidiary Wizards of the Coast, which owns the Dungeons & Dragons universe wherein Baldur’s Gate 3 is about, will function advisor.
It’s honest to say the web has reacted strongly to the information, and from what I can see a lot of that response is a mixture of disbelief and concern. Most can’t fathom why anybody would wish to proceed on from the occasions of Baldur’s Gate 3 itself, given its many alternative endings, variances in world state, and, most significantly, the vastly completely different outcomes for characters corresponding to Astarion, Karlach, and Shadowheart.
There may be additionally important concern at the truth that Larian, the developer of Baldur’s Gate 3, isn’t consulting on the present. This was confirmed in a tweet from Larian boss Swen Vincke, who went on to say that Mazin has requested to go to the developer for a chat. “From the dialog we had, I believe he really is an enormous fan which provides me hope,” Vincke mentioned, maybe diplomatically.
Vincke went on to supply his ideas on the present:
“Loopy {that a} story that started off in a small lodge convention room ultimately advanced right into a narrative inspiring sufficient for it to change into a HBO collection,” he mentioned. “We labored extremely exhausting on making Baldur’s Gate 3 worthy of its legacy. Its characters and narratives are the results of many groups working collectively and I believe I can communicate for all of them in saying that they will assume that is cool and hope that what comes subsequent will take pleasure in the identical stage of ardour.
“The endings of BG3 have been created so they might function narrative soil for brand spanking new adventures. There’s loads of instructions they might go. I am keen to seek out out which of them Craig and his staff will choose. He is reached out for a chat so we’ll have the chance to inform him our ideas.
“Crossing fingers that the story we’re cooking up for Divinity will ultimately develop to the identical heights. Definitely placing within the hours :)”
Larian publishing director Michael Douse, nonetheless, was much less diplomatic as he took to social media to precise concern of his personal.
“I’ve spent the final 8-10 years of my life with the writers and creators of Baldur’s Gate 3 and so they’re essentially the most unbelievable storytellers and creators within the area,” Douse mentioned. “Solely hope is that they get each the credit score deserved and the characters are represented on the identical stage as the sport.
“I genuinely do not assume anybody can trump our writers. Our tales are constructed by fierce camaraderie and resolve. I’ve watched them write and write and write and thru respect for viewers and materials provide you with among the best shit i’ve ever performed. I hope TV permits for a similar thoroughness.
“Do not abandon hope, however do count on the world. That is the job.”
Hope ur okay now
— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) February 6, 2026
pic.twitter.com/COuTyq44Nc
— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) February 6, 2026
Pissed in ur corn
— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) February 6, 2026
HBO and Wizards of the Coast’s method with Baldur’s Gate 3 is in stark distinction to that of Amazon and Bethesda’s for Fallout. With Todd Howard main the cost, Bethesda is closely concerned within the creation of the smash hit Fallout TV collection, which has been praised by followers for nailing the Fallout universe, tone, and aesthetic. The Fallout TV collection additionally avoids the pitfalls of retelling the story of an present recreation, nor does it function most important characters from any of the video games. As a substitute, it’s set after the occasions of all of the Fallout video games, bringing in new characters and telling new tales, whereas returning to fan-favorite places (New Vegas and many others).
There shall be intense scrutiny on the casting selections for Baldur’s Gate 3. The online game’s characters have change into a part of the tradition, immediately recognizable on-line, and their actors as high-profile as these within the area get. The concept of an Astarion performed by somebody aside from Neil Newbon, for instance, appears nearly ridiculous.
HBO no less than is aware of what a web-based backlash to a online game adaptation appears like. Whereas Season 1 of The Final of Us was an enormous hit and, typically talking, went down very nicely with followers, Season 2 has been a blended bag. Mazin himself has spoken brazenly about this backlash. Ellie actor Bella Ramsey advised those that hate The Final of Us that they will play the online game as a substitute. In the meantime, Naughty Canine chief Neil Druckmann left The Final of Us forward of Season 3 to concentrate on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
It appears early days for Baldur’s Gate 3, so we most likely gained’t know something concrete about it for a while. Till then… Timothée Chalamet for Astarion?
Wesley is Director, Information at IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You’ll be able to attain Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].