Baldur's Gate 3 PS5 PlayStation 5 Sony Exclusivity 1

Baldur’s Gate 3 will launch as a PS5 console exclusive early next month – but in a rare occurrence, there’s been no behind-the-scenes shenanigans from Sony to make that the case. The reason the game is coming to Sony’s system before the Xbox Series X|S has always been due to development issues with Microsoft’s machine, specifically it’s cheaper, lower-powered new-gen option.

The problem, according to Larian Studios, is that it’s been unable to effectively get split-screen running on the low-cost Xbox Series S, and as Microsoft has mandated parity between its two consoles, it meant it needed to delay the game while it worked through the issues. Now, perhaps in response to the release’s sensational Metacritic score, the Redmond firm has backtracked.

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Writing on Twitter, CEO Swen Vincke said that following discussions with Xbox chief Phil Spencer, Baldur’s Gate 3 will now come to Xbox later this year. There is a caveat, however: the Xbox Series S version will not feature split-screen co-op. Before this backtrack on Microsoft’s part, it was assumed the title wouldn’t release until next year on the Redmond firm’s formats.

While there is no date attached, this does make PS5’s accidental period of console exclusivity shorter, but it’ll still get the game first – in a little under two weeks, in fact. It’ll be interesting to see what this means for Microsoft’s strategy moving forward, as it’s always billed Xbox Series S as a low-cost entry into the new generation, but this move may set a precedent where developers cut features from the device, making it less enticing than originally intended.

[source twitter.com]