Home Baldur’s Gate 3 devs show once again why they are a cut above the norm

Baldur’s Gate 3 devs show once again why they are a cut above the norm

When Baldur’s Gate 3 won the Game of the Year Award in 2023 it was not just because it was an incredible game – which it was – it was a game that oozed care and attention to detail and it was obvious the passion the developers Larian Studios had for the title.

They understood that the Baldur’s Gate and Dungeons & Dragons worlds need to be treated with a lot of respect due to what they mean to players and so created a game worthy of that. They have stated that there will be things to find in BG3 for years to come but have also taken the time and effort to put things into the game that mean nothing to most players, but the absolute world to others.

One such example is a tribute they put into the game for a player’s father who was living with Alzheimer’s, reports Eurogamer.

A few years ago when the game was still in Early Access, a forum user called Solfalia messaged Larain to thank them for releasing Act 1 which allowed them to play it with their father who had been recently diagnosed with the condition.

One of the writers then struck up a conversation with Solfalia and the studio asked if they could put a tribute into the game to their father when it was finally released.

While some other studios may do this, Larian went more than the extra mile and created an NPC that not only looked like Solfalia’s father but named them Golbraith Stredivas – a retired mindflayer of great renown, complete with dialogue and a cellar to adventure in.

Misty-eyed

Solfalia said in a forum post, “Not only did Golbraith look like my father, but he had multiple lines of dialogue. Some really touching ones too (for me, at least), The different papers in the house were amazing, the stack of letters between Golbraith and his son put a lump in my throat. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t misty-eyed. The secret mindflayer-hunter cellar was awesome.

“As soon as I finished looking through the whole house, I told my Dad. He’s in a care home now, so can’t play the game, but he listened to my description with a child-like glee I haven’t seen in a while. He loved every moment of it. He loved the idea that his character has a monocle, and was proud his character has a secret cellar with weapons. He still talks about it from time to time during our weekly chats.

“And so here comes the purpose of my post. Thank you Larian. Truly. It was so much more than I was expecting and was extremely touching. Both my Dad and me loved it.”

An incredibly touching gaming story that highlights the connection between game devs and their audience can be beyond what anybody ever expected.

Featured Image: Larian Studios

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Paul McNally
Gaming Editor

Paul McNally has been around consoles and computers since his parents bought him a Mattel Intellivision in 1980. He has been a prominent games journalist since the 1990s, spending over a decade as editor of popular print-based video games and computer magazines, including a market-leading PlayStation title published by IDG Media. Having spent time as Head of Communications at a professional sports club and working for high-profile charities such as the National Literacy Trust, he returned as Managing Editor in charge of large US-based technology websites in 2020. Paul has written high-end gaming content for GamePro, Official Australian PlayStation Magazine,…

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.