Early Access: Difference between revisions
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'''Early Access''' is an ''unfinished'' and ''unpolished'' version of the main game. Players can help the development of the game by providing feedback or reporting bugs. | '''Early Access''' is an ''unfinished'' and ''unpolished'' version of the main game. Players can help the development of the game by providing feedback or reporting bugs. | ||
Larian Studios decided to follow this model for | Larian Studios decided to follow this model for Baldur's Gate 3 after seeing its continuous successes in their previous games: '''Divinity: Original Sin''' and '''Divinity: Original Sin 2'''. | ||
The first released Early Access version of '''Baldur's Gate 3''' was on October 6th, 2020. Since then, Larian has released multiple patches fixing bugs and changing or adding content depending on the users' | The first released Early Access version of '''Baldur's Gate 3''' was on October 6th, 2020. Since then, Larian has released multiple patches fixing bugs and changing or adding content depending on the users' feedback. Many playable [[Character_Creation#Playable_Classes|Classes]], [[Character_Creation#Playable_Races|Races]], [[Companion]]s and [[Quest]]s are not available in Early Access. | ||
Early Access version of Baldur's Gate 3 costs 60 US Dollars and will remain the same price on full release. Early Access buyers '''do not''' have to pay for the game again on full release. | Early Access version of Baldur's Gate 3 costs 60 US Dollars and will remain the same price on full release. Early Access buyers '''do not''' have to pay for the game again on full release. | ||
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* '''October''' | * '''October''' | ||
'''6''': '''Early | '''6''': '''Early Access is launched.''' | ||
'''7''': [https://forums.larian.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=679372#Post679372 Hotfix #1] is released. | '''7''': [https://forums.larian.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=679372#Post679372 Hotfix #1] is released. | ||
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* '''February''' | * '''February''' | ||
'''25''': [https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1086940?updates=true&emclan=103582791464711919&emgid=3030330956943251733 '''Patch 4'''] is | '''25''': [https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1086940?updates=true&emclan=103582791464711919&emgid=3030330956943251733 '''Patch 4'''] is released. [[Druid]] class is added alongside an improvement on cinematics, stability and multiple ''Quality of Life'' features. | ||
'''26''': [https://forums.larian.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=760262#Post760262 Hotfix #7] is released. | '''26''': [https://forums.larian.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=760262#Post760262 Hotfix #7] is released. | ||
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'''8''': Larian Studios announces at the Video Game Awards the release date of the full game, '''August 2023''', with this [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOWGnC3h9WQ&ab_channel=LarianStudios trailer]. | '''8''': Larian Studios announces at the Video Game Awards the release date of the full game, '''August 2023''', with this [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOWGnC3h9WQ&ab_channel=LarianStudios trailer]. | ||
'''14''': '''[https://forums.larian.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=834832#Post834832 Patch 9]''' is released. It adds the [[Paladin]] class, a revamped Reaction system, and the level cap is increased to 5. It is | '''14''': '''[https://forums.larian.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=834832#Post834832 Patch 9]''' is released. It adds the [[Paladin]] class, a revamped Reaction system, and the level cap is increased to 5. It is revealed this to be the '''last content update for Early Access''' in preparation for the final release on August 2023. | ||
'''22''': Hotfix #30 is released. | '''22''': Hotfix #30 is released. | ||
Revision as of 19:12, 4 February 2023
Early Access, or EA, is the funding and development model for games of Larian Studios.
Early Access is an unfinished and unpolished version of the main game. Players can help the development of the game by providing feedback or reporting bugs.
Larian Studios decided to follow this model for Baldur's Gate 3 after seeing its continuous successes in their previous games: Divinity: Original Sin and Divinity: Original Sin 2.
The first released Early Access version of Baldur's Gate 3 was on October 6th, 2020. Since then, Larian has released multiple patches fixing bugs and changing or adding content depending on the users' feedback. Many playable Classes, Races, Companions and Quests are not available in Early Access.
Early Access version of Baldur's Gate 3 costs 60 US Dollars and will remain the same price on full release. Early Access buyers do not have to pay for the game again on full release.
Updates of Early Access consist of Hotfixes; which are updates that focus on fixing a certain amount of usually game-breaking bugs or crashes, and Patches; which are updates usually surpassing 50 GB in size and added or vastly modified content and improved stability.
Timeline
Main page: Patch notes
2020
- February
27: Gameplay reveal at PAX East.
- August
25: Early Access is announced to be launched on September 30th.
- October
6: Early Access is launched.
7: Hotfix #1 is released.
8: Hotfix #2 is released.
9: Hotfix #3 is released.
13: Patch 1 is released.
27: Patch 2 is released.
30: Hotfix #4 is released.
- December
2: Patch 3, first in a line of tens of GBs in size and save-breaking Patches is released. This patch focused on stability and added options for pacifist players.
8: Hotfix #5 is released.
15: Hotfix #6 is released.
2021
- February
25: Patch 4 is released. Druid class is added alongside an improvement on cinematics, stability and multiple Quality of Life features.
26: Hotfix #7 is released.
- March
4: Hotfix #8 is released.
23: Hotfix #9 is released.
- April
15: Hotfix #10 is released.
- May
12: Hotfix #11 is released.
- July
15: Patch 5 is released. A patch bigger in size than the fourth one, this update improved and changed multiple systems users sent feedback about: mainly the camping and dice rolling system, besides adding point-and-click barks, background goals and cinematics.
22: Hotfix #12 is released.
- August
5: Hotfix #13 is released.
24: Hotfix #14 is released.
31: Hotfix #15 is released.
- October
6: Early Access becomes one year old.
14: Patch 6 is released. A patch bigger in size than the fifth one, this update added the Sorcerer class alongside the Grymforge region and a big graphical update. Also, the typical bug-fixing and stability improvements.
21: Hotfix #16 is released.
28: Hotfix #17 is released.
- November
16: Hotfix #18 is released.
- December
2: Hotfix #19 is released.
2022
- February
15: Patch 7 is released. It adds the Barbarian class along with Improvised Weapons, UI redesign, over 700 improved cinematics and more.
22 Hotfix #20 is released.
- March
3: Hotfix #21 is released.
16: Hotfix #22 is released.
- April
7: Hotfix #23 is released.
- July
7: Patch 8 is released. Its main additions were the Bard class and Gnome race.
8: Hotfix #24 is released.
12: Hotfix #25 is released.
20: Hotfix #26 is released.
29: Hotfix #27 is released.
- August
8: Hotfix #28 is released.
- September
13: Hotfix #29 is released.
- October
6: Early Access becomes two years old.
- December
8: Larian Studios announces at the Video Game Awards the release date of the full game, August 2023, with this trailer.
14: Patch 9 is released. It adds the Paladin class, a revamped Reaction system, and the level cap is increased to 5. It is revealed this to be the last content update for Early Access in preparation for the final release on August 2023.
22: Hotfix #30 is released.
2023
- January
17: Hotfix #31 is released.
25: Hotfix #32 is released.