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Earlier this week, we brought you news of Larian's Studios Panel from Hell, where we gleaned a bunch of new information regarding the eagerly-anticipated RPG Baldur's Gate 3. We also got the infamous/legendary viral Twitter clip of consenting companion characters Astarion (High Elf vampire) and Halsin (Druid in bear wildshape) engaging in the kind of R-rated roleplaying experience most traditional Dungeon Masters would blush to imagine. It's probably worth noting the scene is mostly played for laughs, and nothing graphic is actually depicted.
You could argue that the wave of hype Baldur's Gate 3 has ridden to the lofty heights of Steam's Top Seller's List (#4 at the time of writing) is all to do with positive feedback and not the bear thing. It jumped up 21 places since the Panel From Hell, displacing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Hogwarts Legacy and even Red Dead Redemption 2 in the process. Steam's Top Sellers Lists are automatically generated based on all revenue sources, which likely means Larian already has a hit on their hands, more than a month ahead of launch on PS5 (and all the players there that enjoy a good RPG.)
It could be that fans are legitimately excited about Larian's deep, expertly written-narrative. That they are looking forward to Baldur's Gate 3's intricate, turn-based combat and intriguing use of Origin characters (both as either protagonists or party members). Or perhaps returning Divinity Original Sin 2 players and venerable OG Baldur's Gate fans are coming out of the woodwork by the millions? It's likely all of these things together, but also the bear sex thing.
The Panel from Hell wasn't all ursine smut, however. We also learned about the final Origin character, The Dark Urge, as well. So it's possible that people are just genuinely excited for what will likely be another GOTY-contending RPG in a year full of them. Combined with the positive sentiment from critics lucky enough to have played the final build, it's hard not to get excited. Are you genuinely hyped for Baldur's Gate 3? Let us know in the comments section below.
[source store.steampowered.com, via ign.com]
Comments 34
Maybe someone at Sony should make some erotic phone calls and get that hot bear loving action on essential or extra day one.
It's not the sex scene, but the fact they didn't compromise their vision, and one has to admire that and believe the game will deliver.
I guess sex really does sell
Really looking forward to this game, and the scene is funny, it was played like a joke (you even see a squirrel drop his nuts) but people are taking it out of proportion.
So a furries game. No thanks.
Sex sells and always has done. Look at all the buzz over Oppenheimer right now as it will feature full frontal nudity.
I mean, welcome to Steam. This is a thing we do.
@StrawberryTurtle “ do find it kinda cringe that people go nuts for a sex scene in a videogame like we don't have acess to thousands of sex scenes for free on the internet.”
That cause video games are a bit more freaky with their sex stuff. Good luck finding videos with bear or blue aliens 👽 unless you wanna look at anime stuff.
Guess sex really does sell...even with bears apparently.
Dammit! I pre-ordered this right after the whole bear fiasco, so now it looks like the reason I did it. I have no choice but to cancel my pre-order and buy it again in a month to not look like a creep!
The whole bear thing was a bit of a viral shock story. Nothing wrong there, though. I imagine it's almost a parody of the romance options in RPG games. Just something a little bit silly, takes the edge off.
That aside, I can't imagine it was really a contributing factor to the meteoric rise of the game. Baldur's Gate 3 just has the appearances of a very good RPG, and they've let people test that by jumping in early. It's very promising, and I'm hopeful it'll shape up to be a solid entry.
@AverageGamer
I sure do! I mean wait, what are we talking about again?
@JON22 Yes. That's exactly what it is. A furries game. 100%.
Previews have also started coming from those who got hands on at the panel and pretty much everything being said is positive, so that’s probably a huge factor too, especially since the previews are showing how much more there is beyond what was covered in early access.
“Viral” and “sex” are not usually words that people would want to hear in the same sentence… but in this case I guess we’re all for it! 😂
Frankly I just think its well known this is going to be a fantastic RPG. To relate its success in the Steam charts to a singular sex scene, does the game a disservice in my opinion. Naughty step Push Square
I'm very hyped for it being a proper RPG, with swords, magic, evil, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
I'm just gonna need to learn how the hell to play this type of game 😅 I don't want to have to play it while reading guides, but also fear it's going to be quite a steep learning curve 🙈
I have a very capable gaming PC, and was one of those that spent an eternity trying to download the day one release of the Early Access version of Baldur's Gate 3. That said, I'm not particularly keen on playing with keyboard and mouse, and after a few hours (and the revelation that characters I created would be wiped from existence with each EA update) I decided not to continue with my playthrough, and so have not got very far in my playthrough of BG3 thus far. That said, I do not for one moment regret my buying the game in EA and in the process supporting Larian Studios, the makers of my favourite game of all time; Divinity Original Sin 2 (though DoS was also a masterpiece that I am currently playing through once again right now).
So, still scarred by my mistake of not pre-ordering the DoS2 Collector's Edition, I was very quick to pre-order the PC Collector's Edition of BG3. And then it was announced for the PS5, and so naturally, I pre-ordered that version of the Collector's Edition too, meaning I now have two CE's coming about a month apart.
I will be playing the game on the PC in co-op with my mate who is even more excited than I am for the game (which is saying something!), but I cannot make my mind up whether to do my solo run at the same time on the PC, or wait until the PS5 version comes out and play it with a controller, which is my preferred option.
I always play the good guy in games. I like to think that it is a true reflection of my own personal standards and morals having spent 28 years in Law Enforcement. However, the idea of playing as a truly bad character in the form of The Dark Urge has me very excited, and undoubtedly, I shall be saving this one for my solo playthrough. When my inner bad guy comes out, I don't want there to be any witnesses... 😂
@Mythologue "I'm hopeful it'll shape up to be a solid entry" said the bear.
@Shakybeeves couldn't agree more. Yes, the romance scenes would cause a bump to the sales, but mainly due to knowing all the romance options. To PushSquares credit, this article does mention other reasons, however the title and main focus on the bear are sad to see.
I guess this is what one might call a bear market.
@WallyWest
Sex sells and always has done. Look at all the buzz over Oppenheimer right now as it will feature full frontal nudity.
I don't think that is really a motivating factor in wanting to see the movie more than it is the latest "Nolan" film.
You can get sex in all kinds of media, why pay extra for it?
And for BG3. I think people that that scene was funny, but more likely, the fact that folks saw you can do crazy things in the game also pulled folks in who were on the fence.
I really don't think there are folks forking out their money to do "Bear Sex".
@Bentleyma
It's already too late for most of us but it's especially too late for you. Play your weird bear fetish game, ashamed, in a dark locked room like the rest of us.
@Svark
Not just boring old full-frontal nudity but:
FULL FRAME IMAX FULL FRONTAL NUDITY OF CILLIAN MURPHY AND FLORENCE PUGH
That is some full frontal star power there.
Hilarious to read so much hyperbole about "vision" and "integrity ". It's just marketing- I guarantee that scene was deeply focus-tested before it "leaked", and that the leak was designed to help drive sales in a busy AAA release season. And yes, there are tons of lonely, horny gamers out there who just can't wait for some hot digital werebear nookie.
It also helps a ton that the game looks as if it will be amazing to play. That helps, too.
@JON22
I wish it was a furries game. Unfortunately, it's just a meticulously crafted, detail-rich, deep lore-inspired, player agency giving, fancy graphics having, narrative-driven, actual RPG. Shameful really.
@NEStalgia
My dad called, and he said you can keep that one.
Collectors editions seem to be sold out now. Glad I snatched one up, that box art is so rad
@MikeOrator People keep saying how much better action is versus turn based and pause real time based battle systems for RPGs. They're just giving people what they want. A modern RPG for modern tastes that just focuses on bear action.
@NEStalgia
I was talking about the terrible "Dad Joke" but as Ranger Smith said all those years ago "What? Well, it sounds like somethin' that crazy bear would do. Yeah. Crazy bear!"
Nah, baldur gate 3 will still sells without that scene.
Its a potential factor in many more articles to come...
Ensuring this game absolutely never goes to Nintendo. lol
I don't think this is what people had in mind surrounding the talks about inclusion 😆😆😆😆
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