Baldur's Gate 3 to Skip Game Pass; Dev Asserts the Importance of a Reasonable Price
Baldur's Gate 3 developers emphasize the value of their colossal game, indicating a justifiable cost for players The statement reflects their belief in the game's quality and the efforts invested
Larian Studios founder Swen Vincke has confirmed that Baldur's Gate 3 will not be available on Game Pass anytime soon. In an interview with IGN, Vincke stated that a game of this magnitude comes with a "fair price to be paid," and this does not align with Xbox's subscription service. "We always said from the beginning, it wasn't going to be on Game Pass," Vincke explained, addressing speculation about Microsoft offering to pay Larian to make the game available on Game Pass.
"We created a substantial game, so I believe it's fair to ask for a reasonable price, and I think that's acceptable," he explained. "We don't expect any additional payments for in-game purchases, so you're getting exactly what you paid for upfront. It's a substantial game from the start. I believe it should be able to stand alone. This is what enables us to keep creating other games."
Microsoft, a trillion-dollar company, is known for compensating developers to feature their games on Game Pass to attract more subscribers to the service. Many have raised concerns about whether this business practice is sustainable and healthy, and there are still no clear answers, partly because the subscription service is relatively new compared to other business models.
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has openly discussed the diverse approach the company takes in making deals for Game Pass releases. According to Spencer, the deals are not restricted to a single path and can be "all over the place." Some agreements involve Microsoft fully funding the development costs of a game, allowing the studio to sell the game on rival platforms or at retail, while Microsoft gains another Game Pass title. In other cases, Microsoft will negotiate a direct cash deal to bring a finished game to Game Pass. Additionally, deals can also involve discussions on the game's usage and in-game sales monetization.
While some fear that launching on Game Pass could impact physical copy sales, Microsoft's Starfield defied expectations by becoming the top-selling game in the US in September despite being available on Game Pass. In 2023, Baldur's Gate 3 received widespread attention and was honored as Our Website's Game of the Year, as well as earning the Game of the Year title at The Game Awards.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about Baldur's Gate 3 skipping Game Pass. On the one hand, I understand the developers' desire to charge a fair price for their colossal game. Creating a high-quality game requires a significant investment of time, effort, and resources, and it's reasonable for developers to want to recoup their costs and make a profit. I appreciate their commitment to providing players with a substantial and complete experience without the need for additional in-game purchases.
On the other hand, I'm a bit disappointed that I won't be able to play Baldur's Gate 3 on Game Pass. As a student, I don't have a lot of disposable income, and Game Pass has been a great way for me to access a wide variety of games without breaking the bank. I understand that Microsoft's business practices may not be sustainable in the long run, but I hope they can find a way to make Game Pass more accessible to players like me.
