The Baldur’s Gate franchise is poised for a comeback, as Wizards of the Coast, the company that owns the Dungeons & Dragons IP, has confirmed it is in early discussions with multiple partners about the future of the celebrated RPG series.
In an interview with PC Gamer, Eugene Evans, the senior vice president of digital strategy and licensing for Wizards of the Coast and parent company Hasbro, revealed that the wheels are already in motion for the next Baldur’s Gate game.
“We’re now talking to lots of partners and being approached by a lot of partners who are embracing the challenge of, what does the future of the Baldur’s Gate franchise look like?” Evans stated. However, he cautioned that the company is taking a measured approach, saying, “We’re going to take our time and find the right partner, the right approach, and the right product that could represent the future of Baldur’s Gate.”
The wait for Baldur’s Gate 3, which was developed by Larian Studios, was a lengthy one, with 23 years passing since the release of Baldur’s Gate 2. Evans acknowledged this delay, stating, “We certainly hope that it’s not another 25 years, as it was from Baldur’s Gate 2 to 3, before we answer that.”
While Larian Studios has made it clear it has no plans to return to the Baldur’s Gate franchise, Evans hinted that beloved characters from the latest installment could potentially make appearances in future products. “They are now essentially part of D&D canon,” he explained. “I would like to think that all of those characters, for the sake of the fans, could potentially appear in future products.”
As for what form the next Baldur’s Gate game might take, Evans remained tight-lipped on specifics, saying it’s “too early” to discuss details. However, he emphasized that the bar has been set high by Larian’s acclaimed Baldur’s Gate 3, and that Wizards of the Coast is committed to finding the right partner and approach to “reach and surpass that bar.”
Fans of the Baldur’s Gate series have been eagerly awaiting news of the franchise’s future, and this latest announcement from Wizards of the Coast suggests that the iconic RPG series is poised for a comeback. While the wait may not be as long as it was between Baldur’s Gate 2 and 3, the company is taking a deliberate approach to ensure that the next installment lives up to the high expectations set by its predecessor.
