Baldur's Gate 3 launches in Early Access for Steam and Google Stadia on September 30

In a 'Panel of Hell' livestream today, Larian Studios has announced that Baldur's Gate 3 will launch in Early Access for Steam and Google Stadia on September 30. More details about the content of the Early Access release were also revealed, alongside the game's system requirements.

The exact classes and races available in the Early Access launch will be revealed at a later time, but Larian announced that 5 of the game's Origin characters will be playable: Astarion (Elf/Vampire Rogue), Gale (Human Wizard), Lae’zel (Githyanki Warrior), Shadowheart (Half-Elf Cleric), Wyll (Human Warlock). More will be announced throughout the Early Access period. The Early Access content will include the first of three acts to be found in the full game.

Larian Boss Swen Vincke also offered some stats to compare the Baldur's Gate III Early Access content with that of Divinity Original Sin II at its Early Access launch. Those stats are:

  • Number of combat encounters: 22 in DOS2 EA vs. 80 in BG3 EA
  • Number of English dialogue lines: 17,600 in DOS2 EA vs. 45,980 in BG3 EA
  • Number of characters: 142 in DOS2 EA vs. 596 in BG3 EA
  • Number of spells/actions: 69 in DOS2 EA vs. 146 in BG3 EA

The Panel of Hell Livestream can be found in full below - starting at 29:15 with an extended opening cinematic trailer - plus the game's system requirements and some screenshots. The livestream features host Geoff Keighley, game designer Chris Perkins, senior writer Adam Smith, and studio head Swen Vincke. 

Baldur's Gate 3 Early Access Release Date Announcement - Panel From Hell

System Requirements

  • MINIMUM:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Windows 10 64-bit
    • Processor: Intel i5-4690 / AMD FX 4350
    • Memory: 8 GB RAM
    • Graphics: Nvidia GTX 780 / AMD Radeon R9 280X
    • DirectX: Version 11
    • Storage: 70 GB available space
    • Additional Notes: The minimum requirements might decrease over the course of Early Access, as performance improves.
  • RECOMMENDED:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Windows 10 64-bit
    • Processor: Intel i7 4770k / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X
    • Memory: 16 GB RAM
    • Graphics: Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB / AMD RX580
    • DirectX: Version 11
    • Storage: 70 GB available space
    • Additional Notes: The recommended requirements might decrease over the course of Early Access, as performance improves.
Baldur's Gate 3 Screenshots & Artwork