Patch 8, currently slated to be the last major patch for Baldur's Gate 3, will introduce long-awaited features including cross-play across all platforms and a photo mode. Additionally, twelve new subclasses will be added, one for each of the twelve classes in the game. Developer Larian Studios has not currently announced a release date for the patch, only stating that it will come out some time in 2025. However, there is a window for when this major update to Baldur's Gate 3 is likely to release.
What To Expect From Baldur's Gate 3 In 2025
Baldur's Gate 3 developer Larian Studios has confirmed one remaining major patch bringing some highly-requested features in 2025.
Patch 8 Is Currently Undergoing Stress Testing
On December 20, 2024, Larian Studios posted a Community Update requesting people to sign up for an upcoming stress test of Patch 8. This is not the first time Larian has done this - Patch 7, which introduced official modding tools, was also community-tested. The stress test is scheduled for January, meaning that it is unlikely that Patch 8 will be released any earlier than February. However, the official length of the stress test period has not been confirmed. Current theories suggest there will be a few weeks of stress testing followed by a period of bug fixing so that the patch can be released smoothly on all platforms.
Larian Has Previously Released Updates Near Significant Dates
Throughout 2023 and 2024, Larian Studios released seven major patches for Baldur's Gate 3. While some of them were simply released when the patch was ready, others were scheduled for significant times of year that related to the patch's content. For example, the epilogue party was released around the holidays, and a festive-themed announcement was posted on Larian's social media accounts. Another patch, which featured new kissing animations for romanceable characters, was released in mid-February to roughly coincide with Valentine's Day.
If Larian plans to attach the patch's release to a significant date, they have plenty of options. 2025 is the 50th anniversary of Dungeons and Dragons, making every day this year a cause for celebration. They could schedule the patch to launch alongside the updated Monster Manual on February 18, or with the Forgotten Realms Adventurer's Guide, which does not yet have a set release date. Because Patch 8 was announced for "Early 2025," it is unlikely that it will coincide with the game's anniversary in August, although they could drop it on a holiday such as Valentine's Day or even April Fool's Day - after all, what "prank" would be better than a genuine Baldur's Gate 3 update?
Early Spring Seems Most Likely At This Time
Given that the stress test is kicking off in January, and will likely run for several weeks followed by a period of tune-ups and bug fixing, early spring seems the most likely release date for Patch 8. Mid to late February is probably the earliest fans can expect this patch, with March or April being the most likely. Although Spring 2025 is extremely packed with highly anticipated game releases such as Monster Hunter Wilds, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, and many more, Patch 8 of Baldur's Gate 3 will likely see tons of new and returning players journeying to Faerun to check out the new features.
Until the patch releases, Baldur's Gate 3 fans can continue enjoying the game with the help of the thousands of mods now available via the game's official modding support system. Larian revealed that players have collectively downloaded over 20 million mods for the game - ranging from new hairstyles for the player character to more adoptable pets in camp to the ability to romance every companion at once. The sheer number and variety of mods available for Baldur's Gate 3 will certainly keep players plenty busy until Patch 8 officially releases later this year.
Baldur's Gate 3
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 96 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- August 3, 2023
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Larian Studios
- Engine
- Divinity 4.0
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Full cross-platform play.
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.
THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCE
Choose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.
A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPIC
Forged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian's next-generation RPG engine.
- Cross Save
- Full cross-platform progression.
- Franchise
- Baldur's Gate
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical Only
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- How Long To Beat
- 100+ Hours
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-2 Players
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
