The information yesterday that HBO just 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 by the web.
The variation 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 seems like The Final of Us will finish with Season 3, which now makes a whole lot of sense). Chris Perkins, the previous longtime Head of Story at Hasbro subsidiary Wizards of the Coast, which owns the Dungeons & Dragons universe during which 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 need to proceed on from the occasions of Baldur’s Gate 3 itself, given its many various endings, variances in world state, and, most significantly, the vastly totally different outcomes for characters akin to Astarion, Karlach, and Shadowheart.
There may be additionally vital concern at the truth that Larian, the developer of Baldur’s Gate 3, just 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 feel he actually is a giant fan which supplies me hope,” Vincke stated, 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 finally developed right into a narrative inspiring sufficient for it to turn into a HBO sequence,” he stated. “We labored extremely laborious on making Baldur’s Gate 3 worthy of its legacy. Its characters and narratives are the results of many groups working collectively and I feel I can communicate for all of them in saying that they’re going to suppose that is cool and hope that what comes subsequent will take pleasure in the identical degree of ardour.
“The endings of BG3 had been created so they might function narrative soil for brand new adventures. There’s loads of instructions they might go. I am keen to search out out which of them Craig and his staff will decide. 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 finally develop to the identical heights. Definitely placing within the hours :)”
Larian publishing director Michael Douse, nevertheless, was much less diplomatic as he took to social media to specific 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 probably the most unbelievable storytellers and creators within the house,” Douse stated. “Solely hope is that they get each the credit score deserved and the characters are represented on the similar degree as the sport.
“I genuinely do not suppose 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 give you among the most interesting shit i’ve ever performed. I hope TV permits for a similar thoroughness.
“Do not abandon hope, however do anticipate 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 strategy 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 sequence, which has been praised by followers for nailing the Fallout universe, tone, and aesthetic. The Fallout TV sequence additionally avoids the pitfalls of retelling the story of an current recreation, nor does it function primary characters from any of the video games. As an alternative, 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 so on).
There shall be intense scrutiny on the casting decisions for Baldur’s Gate 3. The online game’s characters have turn into a part of the tradition, immediately recognizable on-line, and their actors as high-profile as these within the house get. The concept of an Astarion performed by somebody aside from Neil Newbon, for instance, appears nearly ridiculous.
HBO not less than is aware of what a web based backlash to a online game adaptation seems like. Whereas Season 1 of The Final of Us was an enormous hit and, usually talking, went down very properly with followers, Season 2 has been a combined bag. Mazin himself has spoken brazenly about this backlash. Ellie actor Bella Ramsey advised those that hate The Final of Us that they’ll play the online game as an alternative. In the meantime, Naughty Canine chief Neil Druckmann left The Final of Us forward of Season 3 to give attention to 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 may attain Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].