New details on Baldur’s Gate 3 character creation and companions, out September 6

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a big RPG. A great, big, uncompromising RPG! It shows in the numbers: more than 170 hours of cinematics and featuring three times more cinematic dialogue than all three The Lord of the Rings novels combined, a library of more than 600 spells and actions, and plenty more.

Dungeons & Dragons is all about player freedom – the freedom to define your character, to explore vast territories with your allies, and decide the fate of the world. We’ve spent the last six years bringing the unlimited freedom D&D is known for into the realm of video games. We’ve written two-million words of dialogue across the thousands of characters that populate the world of Faerûn, with an exhilarating story and in-depth character creation that puts you at the helm of the adventure. The dice may define your luck, but you define the story.

Originally due to launch on August 31, we’ve decided to release Baldur’s Gate 3 for PS5 on September 6. This brief delay allows us more time to achieve our ambition of 60 frames per second, thanks to the power of PlayStation 5. For those of you who purchased our gigantic Collector’s Edition (limited stock still available), don’t worry, we’ve got your back. We’ll be emailing you codes so you can jump in on September 3, at the start of the September 3 72-hour Early Access period that comes with the Deluxe Edition.

We’ve talked about how Baldur’s Gate 3 is an ambitious game, so let’s take a look at some of the features you can expect when it launches on September 6, or for those of you with the Deluxe Edition, September 3.

Create a character who looks like you, or make something completely different

Whether you have the stature of a gnome or the muscle tone of a half-orc, it all begins with a hero. Character creation is such a central part of D&D, and in Baldur’s Gate 3, we wanted players to experience the same kind of freedom when shaping their own identity. Who you are, what you look like, and how you want to play is up to you. Define your body type, your age, and looks – right down to the highlights in your hair. Baldur’s Mouth will be writing about you, so it’s important you make a bold impression.

You steer the adventure. Well, a version of you based on your choice of Human, Dwarf, Githyanki, Elf, Drow, Tiefling, Halfling, Half-Elf, Gnome, Half-Orc, or Dragonborn. But how you appear doesn’t define who you are. That’s why we’ve 12 classes from D&D, including Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlock, and Wizard, with a total of 46 subclasses between them for some extra spice and specialization. Or should you not want to choose, you can create a hybrid class through Multiclassing.

Get as macro or as micro as you like.

Friends, lovers, and enemies

Whether exploring Faerûn with your companions in single-player or playing with friends in split-screen multiplayer, your story is shaped by the company you keep, the bonds you forge, and the enemies you make along the way.

On your long rests between battles and quests, you’ll make camp with others who have undergone the unfortunate process of tadpole insertion into their brains. While Baldur’s Gate 3 offers in-depth character customisation, you can also play as an Origin character: authored, playable protagonists each with their own stories, desires, and alignments.

You don’t have to play as an Origin to enjoy their story and companionship; you may also recruit Origin characters into your party. You may meet others on your journey that can be of help to you; some new friends, and some familiar faces.

From the fires of Avernus

Karlach is an example of an Origin character, who (if not played) can be recruited into your party. With a giant battleaxe in hand, this battle-worn tiefling barbarian packs a mean blow. Some say it’s her years of experience on the scorched battlefields of the Blood War.

It could also be the unholy machine that pumps hellish fire through her veins, a gift from the archdevil she once served. But be careful – if she gets too worked up, she could destroy anything she touches, and that includes you.

Like a cast die, every decision you make in Baldur’s Gate 3 has the potential to alter the course of your story. As you create your legacy, the people of Faerûn take note of your actions, chart your adventure, and make their own judgements based on their own inclinations and expectations. The decisions you make in-game have far-reaching near and long-term effects – but every choice you make is valid; it’s your story. Unless you die. Whatever you did then was probably a bad idea.

These decisions also affect your relationships with your companions. Whether it’s an impish vampire spawn or a beefy archdruid in the middle of a wild shape transformation, in Baldur’s Gate 3 you can romance almost all of your camp companions. And, depending on how you interact with them, you may see different romance scenes for several of these characters during your replays.

Relationships in Baldur’s Gate 3 develop and blossom, or grow sour and dwindle just as in real life. They require maintenance, and are based on genuine admiration from the perspective of each character’s general point of view about the world, and your actions within it. The dating world in Baldur’s Gate 3 is your oyster. It is what you make it… well, give or take a few dice rolls.

But we’ll leave some of the more intriguing visuals for Panel From Hell: Release Showcase, which is airing July 7 – where you’ll also have the chance to meet our seventh and final Origin character.