As massive of a game as Baldur’s Gate 3 or any major role-playing game is, there’s always content left on the cutting room floor. Recently, fans who datamined the PC version discovered tons of content relating to Act 3 and the Epilogue that didn’t make it into the game.
Some would assume this to be due to time constraints, especially with the PC version preponed to avoid clashing with Starfield. Larian Studios addressed this in recent Steam Community post. Slight spoilers follow, so beware.
“What’s been datamined is not really cut content but content that we didn’t want to release because we didn’t think it worked. We’re pretty strict with ourselves and our ideas. If it isn’t good – if it isn’t fun to play – it doesn’t make it into the game.
“One of the reasons why we trimmed the epilogue is because we were afraid the ending cinematics were becoming too long and would detract from the epicness of the experience.” Larian acknowledges that “not everyone agrees with us” and will “do something about it.” Epilogues will be expanded, with Karlach receiving new optional outcome that is “fiery, poignant, and gives her the ending she deserves.”
Regarding “things we actually didn’t plan for, and those we once considered but ultimately didn’t do,” the developer reveals, “It was always our intention for the Upper City to be an epic, cinematic epilogue bringing the story of Baldur’s Gate 3 to a close. But we didn’t talk about that in advance because it would have been a major spoiler.
“We feel confident that there’s enough content in Baldur’s Gate 3, and the city itself, clocking in weeks-long playthroughs at a time. But that’s not to say Baldur’s Gate 3 didn’t see cuts, just as in every game. It’s just important to know that what ultimately shipped was planned long ago, in function primarily of making Baldur’s Gate 3 fun to play, not for us to close development quickly.”
Interestingly, Larian considers the game to be a “couple of years late” due to the growth in teams, ambition and “ideas in function of it being the best game it could possibly be. Thankfully, not every idea makes it into the final launch. It wouldn’t be the game you enjoy if they did.”
Baldur’s Gate 3 is still a fun experience and one of the best role-playing experiences of the year. You can check out our review for the PC version, with the PS5 version launching on September 6th and the Xbox Series X/S version coming later.