Baldur's Gate 3 doesn't have PlayStation exclusivity, but isn't coming to Xbox for now
UPDATE: Larian says Xbox version in the works but has "run into some technical issues".
UPDATE 20.25pm: Following a bit of a prickly day for developer Larian and Baldur's Gate fans, the studio has offered further clarification on its decision to focus on a PlayStation version of Baldur's Gate 3 ahead of Xbox, saying it's "had an Xbox version...in the works for some time" but that it's "run into some technical issues".
In a post shared on the Baldur's Gate 3 subreddit, a community manager for Larian told fans, "Xbox players, we've seen your questions about if/when you can expect Baldur's Gate 3 on Xbox. We've had an Xbox version of Baldur's Gate 3 in the works for some time, but we have run into some technical issues - particularly with split-screen co-op.
"We are still working on an Xbox version of BG3, but we're not yet confident enough to announce it. We don't like announcing anything until we're ready, because we don't want to get people's hopes up until we're sure we can deliver."
"There is no platform exclusivity preventing us from releasing BG3 on Xbox day and date, should that be a technical possibility," the developer concluded. "If and when we do announce further platforms, we want to make sure each version lives up to our standards and expectations. Thanks for understanding!".
ORIGINAL STORY 3.37pm: Last night's Sony State of Play broadcast brought us a fresh look at the long-awaited Baldur's Gate 3 and our first confirmation it will release for PlayStation 5 as well as PC.
But what about Xbox? Had Sony splashed its cash and bought timed exclusivity? Or even full exclusivity?
Some viewers wondered if we'd hear about a version of Baldur's Gate 3 for Microsoft's consoles in due course, after Sony's show concluded. After all, it'd be nothing new for console makers to keep mention of their rivals out of such events.
However, that isn't the case here.
In a statement to Eurogamer today, Larian said it had not given exclusivity to Sony - it just didn't have an Xbox version in the works.
"Right now we're planning to release Baldur's Gate 3 for PC, Mac, GeForce Now and PS5," a Larian spokesperson said. "That said, we have no exclusivity and will announce support for additional platforms if and when we're ready."
Back in 2019, Larian boss Swen Vincke said the developer would not "participate in the exclusivity game" after questions were raised about its then-planned launch on the now-defunct Google Stadia.
Four years later, Vincke clearly remembers that promise.
"Relax," Vincke wrote on Twitter this afternoon. "We still aren't playing the exclusivity game."
So, that date once again. 31st August 2023. Just not on Xbox.