Baldur’s Gate 3 is still on track for Early Access this year despite development slowing down due to the COVID-19 pandemic

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Baldur’s Gate 3 Early Access Is Still On Track For 2020 Release

Baldur’s Gate 3 was announced for a 2020 Early Access release on PC back in February but since then, Larian Studios has had to unexpectedly shift to a new working environment due to the coronavirus and the need for social distancing. With the COVID-19 pandemic bringing the world to a standstill, all corners of nearly every industry have been affected, which means there’s no shortage of games that have been delayed.

Larian Studios chief Swen Vincke sat down with The New York Times as part of a lengthy write up about the state of the video games industry. Even though game sales have gone up as many people are stuck at home and looking for ways to fill the time, The New York Times reports that this is a challenging time for many games developers who are in the middle of creating a new game, as working from home presents some unique challenges.

Though Vincke estimates that Larian’s various teams are “operating at 70 to 80 percent of their normal productivity,” there’s some good news: Baldur’s Gate 3 is still on track for its early access release in 2020. Thus far, the only kind of release date Larian has discussed is that early access one, and it’s gone so far as saying that it’ll be launching at some point this year.

First New York Times interview was not exactly about what I would've imagined, but it does bring some good news: While we're slowed down, development on BG3 keeps on progressing and we still expect EA this year https://t.co/BvT7qCQD2V — Swen Vincke @where? (@LarAtLarian) April 21, 2020

That said, the game is still on track for Early Access this year, and the teams are currently operating at 70-80% of “normal productivity.”

“Development is proceeding,” said Larian’s chief executive Swen Vincke. “We’re just slowed down.”

Of course Larian Studios will continue to push on, but development will be slow. We’re certain that no matter when Baldur’s Gate 3 early access will get here, we’re going to be very glad to see it and play the game for ourselves. Everyone is stupid hot in that game, and after being cooped up inside for so long, I have a thirst that needs quenching.

When Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3 arrives in Early Access, players will have access to five companions. More will be added at a later date, but if you don’t want to choose one of the original characters, you can create your own.

In the Early Access version, players will have access to an in-development version of the first act, five playable characters that you can recruit for your party. There are also six classes in the early access version, each with different archetypes.

Here are the five playable characters:

Wyll – Human Warlock

Shadowheart – Half-elf Cleric

Lae’zel – Githyanki Fighter

Gale – Human Wizard

Astarion – Elven vampire spawn, Rogue

And here are the classes that will be available:

Wyll – Human Warlock

Shadowheart – Half-elf Cleric

Lae’zel – Githyanki Fighter

Gale – Human Wizard

Astarion – Elven vampire spawn, Rogue

There is still no set date yet for Baldur’s Gate 3’s release. However, we should get some more specific news in the next few months.