Baldur’s Gate 3 Devs Aim to Improve Romance in Next Game
▼ Summary
– Larian Studios, in a Reddit AMA, discussed lessons from Baldur’s Gate 3, including a desire for slower romantic relationship development in future games.
– The studio’s senior writer emphasized improving companion relationships by having deeper interactions and bonds between companions themselves, not just with the player.
– This focus on inter-companion dynamics is highlighted as a strength seen in games like Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which Baldur’s Gate 3 could have used more of.
– Larian acknowledged that characters in Baldur’s Gate 3 were sometimes too forward with romantic advances, a trait initially exacerbated by a glitch in the approval system.
– The studio is aware of the game’s reputation for explicit content and intends to address related criticism by making romance feel more natural and subtle in upcoming titles like Divinity.
The developers at Larian Studios are looking to refine their approach to character relationships in future projects, taking lessons from the success and feedback of their acclaimed role-playing game. In a recent online discussion, senior writer Kevin VanOrd outlined key areas for improvement, focusing on deeper interactions between companions and a more natural progression for romance. This insight comes directly from the team’s experience with Baldur’s Gate 3, where some players noted romantic advances could feel abrupt.
VanOrd emphasized a desire to move beyond simple companion banter. The goal is to foster genuine relationships that develop between party members independently of the player’s actions. This creates a living world where characters have their own bonds, rivalries, and shared interests, making the group dynamic feel more authentic and less like a collection of individuals orbiting solely around the protagonist.
This approach mirrors techniques used effectively in other narrative-driven RPGs. For instance, some games excel at showing party members forming connections based on common ground, whether through a shared hobby or a mutual professional respect. These moments help dispel the notion that companions exist in isolation, waiting only for the player’s attention. While Baldur’s Gate 3 had standout examples of evolving relationships, such as the complex journey between Shadowheart and Lae’zel, the studio sees room to expand this concept further.
A significant point of feedback from players involved the pacing of romantic relationships. Some found certain character advancements to be surprisingly forward. Larian has acknowledged that early versions of the game had a technical glitch affecting approval thresholds, making characters seem overly eager. Even after fixes, the game’s reputation for bold romantic content remains. The studio’s high-profile intimate scenes certainly contributed to its distinctive identity. Recognizing this feedback, the team explicitly aims for a subtler, more gradual build-up in future titles, ensuring that friendships and romances develop in a way that feels earned and organic.
By focusing on these two pillars, inter-party relationships and measured romantic pacing, Larian Studios signals a commitment to evolving its storytelling. The intent is to craft companion dynamics that are richer and more believable, building upon the strong foundation already established in their previous work.
(Source: Kotaku)
