One of the highlights at Sony's 'State of Play' event yesterday was the confirmation Baldur's Gate 3 would be coming out this August. Unfortunately, an Xbox announcement was nowhere to be seen, even after the broadcast.
While Larian Studios has already confirmed with our colleagues at Push Square that the third entry will be announced for "additional platforms" when the team is ready, it's now released another statement (via IGN) - confirming the existence of an Xbox version and explaining what exactly is going on behind the scenes.
The Xbox version has been "in the works for some time" but has encountered some technical issues. It's been unable to get split-screen co-op running at the same standard on XSX and XSS. Larian also reiterated how there's "no platform exclusivity" preventing certain reveals, the team just wants to make sure all versions live up to its standards:
"We’ve had an Xbox version of Baldur’s Gate 3 in development for some time now. We’ve run into some technical issues in developing the Xbox port that have stopped us feeling 100% confident in announcing it until we’re certain we’ve found the right solutions – specifically, we’ve been unable to get splitscreen co-op to work to the same standard on both Xbox Series X and S, which is a requirement for us to ship.
"There’s no platform exclusivity preventing us from releasing BG3 on Xbox day and date, should that be a technical possibility. If and when we do announce further platforms, we want to make sure each version lives up to our standards & expectations."
The Belgian developer Larian Studios is the same team behind the popular Divinity series. While there's no Baldur's Gate 3 announcement for the Xbox yet, the title is scheduled to release on other platforms on 31st August 2023.
What are your own thoughts about this latest statement? Comment below.
Comments 47
The clarity is appreciated but it raises the obvious question: what’s causing the hangup for Xbox?
I see people (even on the SeriesX reddit) talking about recent Digital Foundry comparison videos showing games like Callisto Protocol and Atomic Heart running better on PS5 than Series X — but I can’t imagine that’s what’s going on here.
I do wonder if co-op is running well on Series X but it’s underperforming on Series S and that’s holding everything up. It’s an odd situation regardless, and I hope it gets resolved soon.
I'm really puzzled by this game's development history. It took three years for it to leave early access, and in all that time, they still haven't developed a working Xbox port?! I would understand if this was an indie studio, but Larian isn't one. Personally, I couldn't care less about the game, however, I find this situation to be rather suspicious.
The version presented IGN references not being able to get Spiltscreen running across Series X and Series S to the same level as being the problem.
"until we’re certain we’ve found the right solutions – specifically, we’ve been unable to get splitscreen co-op to work to the same standard on both Xbox Series X and S, which is a requirement for us to ship."
@EvenStephen7 what's strange is I watched another youtuber named Elanalista. On that comparison Series x seemed lot more stable than the PS5. I don't know what's the problem here.
The problem is split memory in my theory. Devs don't know how to use split memory to fully utilize game workload. Seems the way Series S and X were designed only first party devs can utilize this feature. And most game engines seems to lack the feature to utilize it. I guess Microsoft should provide a proper pipeline to how to utilize this feature as in theory it's really good to shed workload. But seeing most devs can't utilize multi core processor only relying on single core utilization I don't have my hopes up.
@EvenStephen7
There is no reason a game should run better on a PS5 over series x. It should run better on series x.
My theory, series consoles lower user base and probably more so games don’t sell that well on series console, as game pass seems to be the place it be.
Additionally the series s factor as well being a less powerful console.
Is all this now having an effect on developers and they can’t be bothered to optimise the games for both series x and s. Time versus money etc.
Microsoft’s strategy with series s and game pass may sound ok on paper, but I bet developers don’t like it, which will push game optimisation for the Xbox consoles lower down the developers priority list.
Update: I've swapped out the statements. The Reddit one is similar but doesn't go into quite as much detail.
https://www.reddit.com/r/BaldursGate3/comments/11ax9pa/a_note_on_baldurs_gate_3_for_xbox/
@Wheatly From a players perspective - i've have had both since launch - and each are 99% excellent machines, very happy with them. But I have had a few more MINOR problems with Series X. E.g. more crashes, Quick resume failing, Games not auto-updating, occasional laggy UI (not registering button presses), HDMI-CEC not always working as expected, etc.
Whereas I think I have had 3, maybe 4, crashes on PS5 since launch, that's all. It just seems very stable, polished and 'just works'.
None of those are a big deal at all, but it is noticeable to me that occasionally I have to deal with some of Xbox's minor quirks. In some ways it gives it a bit of character. Of course ymmv
As for performance Digital Foundry, NX Gamer and others have said that they are so close as to make little difference. Some games one is noticeably better and vice-versa but these are often bugs, and mostly remedied. Reality is they are USUALLY very similar performance on very similar settings etc. The fact DF often have to zoom in and slow down footage to highlight comparisons side-by-side should tell you everything. Series S is of course the outlier.
I know it's easy to look at the PS5 specs and say 'it's less powerful' but a systems power is in it's balance, not it's top specs, the reality is they are very evenly matched. Personally I think they both did an excellent job. Best hardware yet.
The S is holding back the X and leading to situations like this. I’ve said before Microsoft need to drop their policy for needing both a series S and X version of a game releasing at the same time, maybe some games should skip the S altogether going forward. It’s something they’ll have to review at some point I feel.
Halo infinite also had problems getting splitscreen to work and cancelled it altogether in the end, so it's definitely not a third party problem with split memory. To me the series S is holding the X back, obviously the X is capable of more features and can run certain tasks better, one of them being splitscreen play.
The baldur gates devs should just release the game on xbox day one and patch in the splitscreen later on if they can.
@Wheatly Agreed on UI. I think it all hinges on the fact that Microsoft just continued their XBO interface on, so while feature rich, it comes with a list of bugs, you always get from maintaining an older codebase (windows, bloated... never /s), whereas Sony started afresh. There's pros and cons to each, and ymmv, but personally I prefer the PS5 UI. It just feels slick, polished and I appreciate a lot of the small details like animated transitions.
Again you said the "raw grunt of the Xbox", but you are basing that on one or two metrics really, like GPU teraflops or clock speed, but ignoring other areas PS5 is stronger. It's the same mistake many made pre-launch when they were just comparing specs, zeroed in on a couple, and professed "XSX is more powerful". REAL WORLD performance since launch has shown that not be correct, at least not so far. Ultimately BALANCE is what makes a systems power not one or two higher specs.
People seem to be forgetting that its a small team working on it, not EA size. its going to take time thats all. plus 95%of people moaning about it wont even be buying the Game.
@UltimateOtaku91 Dont get me wrong I agree with you the Series S seems to be the problem here, but Halo Infinite's different after all people were using the glitch to play 4 players split screen on the Xbox One, the Series S itself wasn't the problem there.
I'm guessing when MS was designing the S they wasn't expecting split-screen to hold up a release. The S scales well enough for singleplayer with only a handful of games really suffering on it but whatever super fine tolerance exists between the S' performance and current game requirements just wont like splitscreen, which has always been a performance hole.
I don't think there is anything suspicious at all, @UndyingInsurgent95. The game has been constantly added to and improved whilst in Early Access, and is both beautifully detailed and huge. The RNG in the game is significant, and I'm sure that there is an enormous amount going on under the bonnet. If I were to bet my house on any issue, it would be on whether the Series S is capable of running the game as efficiently as the Series X and PlayStation 5. I'm sure that Larian don't want to release the game on the Xbox and have shade cast upon it. They will want to get it right...
The question is what's the solution?
Carry on? This will be a constant ongoing PR nightmare, the series X being denied games just because the S wont run them.
abandon the S? that's going to cause one hell of a PR storm.
Replace the S? it addresses the technical concern but still requires abandoning the S and replacing every S for free would be insane.
@Wheatly absolutely I agree. It’s a position Microsoft have put themselves in. I said at the beginning of the gen the S would be a hinderance to the X and was shot down by others, yet here we are.
Sony made it much easier for devs with 2 identical units, Xbox should have done the same imo.
@themightyant "I have to deal with some of Xbox's minor quirks. In some ways it gives it a bit of character."
Have you considered becoming a spin-doctor?
@Thumper Haha! It's a bit like those old Top Gear specials where they buy an awful old banger and drive it across a country but by the the end they love the car FOR it's quirks. Apart from the Series X isn't a banger, obviously. I love the PS5 UI, but it does feel over sanitary at times.
@Wheatly If there is no real difference in performance at the end then what is holding back the XSX? If it is, in fact, that much more powerful why don't we see that? It doesn't seem to be a situation like PS3 where the power is difficult to extract due to overly complex architecture, in fact it's a direct continuation on from XBO. But as you said moot.
Send in Jason Ronald's team. Have it upm& running this weekend.
@Fenbops I bought the S because Microsoft promised that I will play all new games. I don't care that much about resolution etc I just want new gaming experiencs. They cannot drop it, they would have to pay partial refunds and they will allienate their fans.
@themightyant I have many issues with the PS5 but the bigget is that games that are not in your home screen can update only if you start them and that makes no sense. I don't like the UI it is cluttered and bizarre to navigate.
@belmont Weird. Never had this. ALL my games on PS5 update automatically. Do you have that checked in settings and leave it in rest mode? (Settings -> Saved Data -> Auto-updates)
It's one of my pet peeves on XSX as it doesn't, even with the setting checked, and it's frustrating to try and start a game and find there's a giant update needed and having to wait.
Though as I said your mileage may vary, we all come at is with different experiences.
@themightyant Yes I have it enabled and PS5 downloads nothing! It is a relatively common complaint. In Series S at least I have to option to check all games for updates with one click manually. In PS5 I have to do one by one!
@belmont That's annoying! Something's not right.
Just spit-balling ideas here but have you tried restoring the database in Safe mode etc. Or if you have a drive attached trying without it? Good luck finding the fix.
@themightyant I have tried those steps. Nothing works. Even native PS5 games that are installed in the internal ssd but are not in the home screen do not update unless I start them!
If they can sort out splitscreen co-op that would make it an insta-buy for me. There aren't nearly enough games with local multiplayer for the Xbox unfortunately.
The could always bring out a 'New' Series S that is a lot closer to a diskless Series X down the line and then announce that certain games will only be playable on this and not the original. Nintendo got away with doing it numerous times with the DS.
@themightyant
If there is no real difference in performance at the end then what is holding back the XSX? If it is, in fact, that much more powerful why don't we see that?
That would be a question for third party developers on why don’t you/we see the power difference the XSX has over the PS5, no?.
We only have to look at recent releases (Calisto Protocol, Hogwarts etc) to find that for most of them optimisation on the XSX is mostly an afterthought, let alone taking advantage of its power. And the bigger install base of the PS5 will always ensure that it’s the lead console with the most attention.
I guess it up to the Xbox Studios to really show what the console capabilities are and, T10 , PlayGround Games , The Coalition will do just that.
@Sol4ris But that's kinda my point. Why is it that none of the developers seems to be able to show this apparent additional power. If it is indeed more powerful why doesn't it show.
Perhaps it's not quite as powerful in reality as the raw specs suggest, a minor bottleneck or problem somewhere that is holding it back. I'd believe that far easier than developers making it an 'afterthought', that just doesn't ring true across all devs.
Ultimately it's unimportant, games look incredible on XSX, it's just a question i've wondered for a while. I might ask DF.
@Wheatly I love the design of the PS5 , sure it's big but I think it looks cool & futuristic I'd like to get face plates in the classic playstation 1 grey with classic playstation logo on it though
@BrilliantBill yeah they advertise the series S as 'simply next gen' but it's far from simple at this point if they were to cut support for the series S on any games that series X gets there'd be a hell of alot of backlash even the most die hard Xbox fans would be up in arms over Microsofts false advertising
@belmont I love the UI except the lack of themes but yeah the updating thing is dumb they need to add a way to just scan all your games for updates when you want like you can on Xbox
@Kevw2006 the only way that would work is if they let people trade in their current series S & get the new one for free which would be extremely expensive & a pain in the arse for Microsoft , they're stuck with the series S no way around it for them without losing alot of money
@themightyant @themightyant
But that's kinda my point. Why is it that none of the developers seems to be able to show this apparent additional power. If it is indeed more powerful why doesn't it show.
There is nothing apparent about the XSX having additional power. Its just simply the more powerful console based on raw computational specs 12TF v 10TF. Now, you can believe that Microsoft just flat out lied about the XSX specs and its simply a weaker console than PS5😁....but it worth asking Richard or even John from DF perhaps they'll shed some light on the issue.
@themightyant Kind of a long article, but but some interesting stuff in it.
https://simplehomecinema.com/2021/01/10/xbox-series-x-versus-playstation-5-performance/
It makes sense that some devs focus on PS versions of games. They are familiar with the development tools, only one target next gen platform and in most cases far more sales. Would anyone here like to work harder for a 1/3 of the money? I'm guessing not!
I'm sure we will see XSX shine when Forza is released this year. And hopefully a few more titles that really let the XSX stretch it's legs. Fable and whatever the Coalition are working in will no doubt be impressive
@Sol4ris No I don't think MS lied here. lol. XSX absolutely IS a 12TF console. But Raw TF doesn't always always tell the whole story, in some areas (like GPU clock speeds) PS5 is, on paper, faster.
Moreover, as I said above in post #16, real world performance is more than just one spec/part. It's the all important BALANCE of all the parts and how they interact together that matters.
An analogy: there are some very quick 1200 horsepower supercars, but a 1000 HP Formula 1 car will beat them round a track.
@Moto5 Very interesting link and along the lines of what I was suggesting above - a minor bottleneck on XSX. Here they suggest it's related to unified L3 cache on PS5 and higher IPC, among other issues. But potential to unlock the extra power, if devs and MS are willing to do extra work in future.
Thanks for the share. Ultimately it's not that important, both machines are excellent, I just find it interesting. I'm a nerd. lol
This was handled really poorly by the developers. They could have just said in the trailer or a tweet coinciding with the state of play that an Xbox version was in the works and it may or may not make the same release date.
They alluded that it was exclusive to PS, then they made it seem like the xbox version is delayed due to technical issues but then got mad when people assumed it was delayed because they dont know yet if it will miss that date.
There really aren't any examples of co op campaigns struggling on Series S. I wouldn't jump to that conclusion. But since the developers insist on causing more questions than answers with each response, I guess jumping to conclusions is all we can do
@Sol4ris I mean just cause a couple recent releases perform better on ps5 doesn’t mean Microsoft lied or the ps5 is more powerful. Have we forgotten deadspace already? The series x looked much better since it had system level vrs that the ps5 had software based. Ps5 owners complained so they removed the feature on both for parity sake. Or take the newest plague tale for example it was dramatically better on series x according to digital foundry. I think it really boils down to what the lead platform is.
Wonder if Sony lent some developers like on Colisto Protocol to make the game run better on one platform over the other
@Wheatly " for catalogue management I prefer the Xbox."
You can say that again. I always knew I preferred XB UI over the PS5 UI but with the release of VR2 I've bought SO MANY GAMES and in the space of a week learned how much I utterly abhor trying to manage them on that monstrosity of an OS. It just can't be done. I have a folder for PSVR2, but I can't even sort it, it's just whatever order I add them, there they sit. I constantly get asked if I want the run the PS5 version, PS4 version of the demo while I own the full version while I'm wearing the VR2 that doesn't work on PS4. And I can't delete demos from most of the pages that have the games, I have to go somewhere else to do that. I took my USB 2.5" drive off, and it wouldn't let me re-download games, I had to delete them first from a drive not connected anymore..... Found out that if you disconnect the drive the games taht were installed on it show up under the INTERNAL drive even though they're not actually on that drive.....
Catalog management just doesn't exist on there
@Wheatly It amazes me, because people praise the PS5 UI, but I'm convinced it's mostly physical players playing it. Or people with small libraries. "PS fanboys" that will knock the "haters"......because they've actually spent far less on PS and therefore haven't bumped into the invisible leash yet.
I'm sure it's a great UI if you just stick a disc in and play. PS1 PS1 had a great UI if you just stick a disc in and play. But if you have a big physical library, play VR, have games with upgrades, have downloaded demos, and have enough games to "group" that invisible fence will bite hard! PS understands this internet thing a little better than Nintendo......that's about it.
Lots of little annoyances. Not being able to delete demos from your installed games list is just inexplicable. But the one that really takes the cake is not being able to reinstall games because they're "installed" on an HDD that's not connected (and worse, not being able to install PS5 games because the PS4 version is "installed" on a drive that doesn't currently exist....), and to delete them you find them under the internal drive......that's as duct tape and paperclips a solution as you can find. It has exclusives. It has VR. VR counts for a whole lot. But....otherwise it's just so ungainly to actually use for a digital ecosystem. (for a company who just launched a VR tentpole that's digital-only........ )
@UndyingInsurgent95 No Xbox port, but Larion Studio keeps finding time to waste porting the game to pointless platforms like Stadia and M1 Macs…
@EvenStephen7 Series S is holding Series X back.... its time for developers to just make xbox one games run them on series S and then make a Series X version, seies S is for gamepass and streaming....
@Fenbops considering they've sold a whole lot more Series S devices than Series X devices they'd be committing brand suicide to drop the S at any time. I do feel they made some design flaws with both mostly regarding RAM and the odd split with different speeds (honestly it's like MS has an obsession with idiot RAM designs like with the XBOX 360 EDRAM and XBOX One ESRAM though they fixed that with the One X). They also should have made the Series S a 6Tflop machine to ensure a more realistic ability to hit the 1440p target.
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