Baldur's Gate 3 Director Unveils Unexpected Playable Villain

In a recent update from the Game Developers Conference, Swen Vincke, the head of Larian Studios, shared intriguing details about the development process of the hit RPG Baldur's Gate 3. Notably, the revelation that a significant villain in the game, Ketheric Thorm, was at one point considered to become a playable companion for players. Thorm, the cult leader serving under the god Myrkul, was initially envisioned to have a redemption arc where players could recruit him and use his knowledge against other adversaries like Gortash and Orin. However, this concept was scrapped due to the need to streamline the game’s Act two.

Vincke also mentioned other aspects that were eventually removed from the game, highlighting the challenge of creating a perfect balance in map sizes and variety of locations. At various stages of development, big plans such as a Githyanki queen's palace, the Gith Astral Plane, Candlekeep (famed for its appearance in the original Baldur's Gate), and even a trip to Hell were cut to ensure a focused and engaging exploration experience. Moreover, Vincke concluded their GDC talk by announcing that Larian Studios would not be producing Baldur's Gate 4 or DLC for the third installment, rather they are moving on to a completely new project outside the Dungeons & Dragons universe.

Baldur's Gate 3 had notable content removed during its development, including the possibility of recruiting the villain Ketheric Thorm as a companion, various planned areas such as the Gith Astral Plane and Candlekeep, and more diverse locations which were ultimately excluded to maintain a compelling sense of exploration within the game. Additionally, Larian Studios has no plans for Baldur's Gate 4 or any DLC for Baldur's Gate 3, focusing on a new non-Dungeons & Dragons project instead.

Baldur's Gate 3 is a highly-anticipated RPG from Larian Studios, launched on July 29, 2023, for platforms including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Macintosh, and Stadia. The game is part of a long-running series that began in 1998 and is known for its deep narrative, complex characters, and adherence to Dungeons & Dragons mechanics. Its predecessor, Baldur's Gate II, is considered one of the greatest RPGs of all time, making Baldur's Gate 3 one of the most awaited titles in the genre.