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Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8: Release Date, Cross-Platform Play, and Photo Mode Announced
Larian Studios, the developer behind the critically acclaimed role-playing game Baldur’s Gate 3, has officially announced the release date for the highly anticipated Patch 8. Following extensive stress testing over recent months, Larian has confirmed that the substantial update will be available for download on Tuesday, April 15th. This major patch introduces cross-platform multiplayer functionality and a brand-new Photo Mode, alongside numerous gameplay enhancements and fixes.
Cross-Platform Multiplayer Arrives
One of the most significant additions in Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8 is the introduction of cross-platform multiplayer. Players on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC will now be able to seamlessly join forces and adventure together in the Forgotten Realms. This highly requested feature expands the player base and allows friends across different platforms to experience the game collaboratively.
Capture Stunning Moments with Photo Mode
Patch 8 also debuts an immersive Photo Mode, empowering players to capture and share their unique Baldur’s Gate 3 experiences. This feature is equipped with a range of options, including lens settings, scene adjustments, frames, and post-processing effects.
Larian playfully stated, “In your hands soon, you’ll be able to take role-play to the next level with unique combinations of poses, stickers, and frames,” adding, “We can’t wait to see what absolute nightmare fuel you come up with.”
New Subclasses Expand Character Options
Beyond cross-platform play and Photo Mode, Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8 enriches gameplay with the addition of twelve new subclasses. These subclasses span a variety of classes, including Bard, Barbarian, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Fighter, Monk, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlock, and Wizard, offering players even greater customization and character development possibilities.
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Notable new subclasses include the College of Glamour Bard, Cleric of Death, Arcane Archer Fighter, and Drunken Master Monk, each bringing unique abilities and playstyles to the game.
Steam Price Discount to Celebrate Patch 8 Launch
To commemorate the launch of Patch 8 on April 15th, Larian Studios is offering a temporary price reduction for Baldur’s Gate 3 on Steam. From now until April 21st, players can purchase the game for £39.99, providing an excellent opportunity for new players to dive into the critically acclaimed RPG at a reduced price.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8 Highlights and Patch Notes
An overview of the key improvements and fixes included in Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8 is provided below:
Key Highlights:
- Photo Mode
- 12 New Subclasses
- Cross-Play Functionality
- Xbox Series S Split Screen Support
Gameplay Enhancements:
- Improved item detection: Successfully passing a Perception check will now highlight spotted items on the minimap and list them in the combat log for easier identification.
- Ally ability fix: Resolved an issue where special abilities of allies were not correctly granted after dialogues at High Hall.
- Inventory accessibility improvements: Scrolls and potions within unlocked containers in the party inventory can now be utilized during dialogues.
- NPC hostility adjustment: Neutral and friendly NPCs will no longer react with hostility when accidentally walking into combat-generated surfaces outside of combat scenarios.
- Freecast correction: Rectified a bug that caused Freecast to reset when conditions were applied.
- Pathfinding fix: Addressed an issue causing characters to become stuck while pathfinding using a ladder already in use by another companion.
- Gauntlet of Shar platform fix: Corrected a bug with the moving platform in the Gauntlet of Shar that could lead to players being left behind and falling to their death.
Combat Fixes:
- Neutral NPC combat trigger fix: Solved an issue that incorrectly initiated combat with neutral NPCs for no apparent reason.
- Cerys combat involvement adjustment: Cerys will no longer intervene in combats involving Minthara from distant locations.
Modding Updates:
- Loading screen fix for modded multiplayer sessions: Resolved an issue causing players to get stuck at a 0% loading screen when joining multiplayer sessions utilizing mods.
- Mod Verification window improvement: The Mod Verification window will now reliably appear regardless of the connection source to a multiplayer game.
- Third-party mod warning clarity: Replaced the third-party mod warning with clearer and more informative messaging.
Performance and Options Improvements:
- Ruleset selector fix: Corrected the ruleset selector not appearing on the ‘Alter Custom Mode’ screen when accessing ruleset settings via the multiplayer lobby.
- Adamantine Forge server performance: Enhanced server performance specifically within the Adamantine Forge area.
Scripting and Flow Adjustments:
- Gandrel dialogue fix: Addressed an issue where players could inform Astarion about Gandrel’s search even if Gandrel had not revealed the name of his target.
- Umbral Gem savegame correction: Fixed a savegame issue that prevented players from receiving the correct amount of Umbral Gems for the Gauntlet of Shar.
- Minthara reveal comment: Minthara will now provide commentary upon being revealed.
- Minthara ‘knocked out’ clarification: Reminded Minthara that being ‘knocked out’ is not equivalent to being ‘dead’, ensuring her more consistent appearance in Moonrise Towers.
- Moonrise teleport restriction adjustment: Players can no longer teleport out of Moonrise while controlling Minthara unless instructed to stay.
- Minthara dialogue availability: Minthara is now more readily available for dialogue after being instructed to wait in the torture chamber.
- Minthara Act II bug fix: Minthara no longer remains stuck babysitting Thaniel in Act II.
- Art Cullagh dialogue fix: Corrected an issue where players could discuss Art Cullagh as alive even if deceased.
- Shadowheart dialogue correction: Player characters will no longer incorrectly assume Shadowheart is dead during dialogue if she is alive.
- Gale romance letter update: Characters in a relationship with Gale upon his departure will now receive a tonally appropriate letter.
- Avatar Gale dialogue fix: Resolved a dialogue issue preventing Avatar Gale from discussing the orb with Lae’zel after consuming a magic item.
User Interface (UI) Improvements:
- Trader visibility on world map: Discovered and available traders (non-hostile, alive, etc.) are now consistently displayed on the world map regardless of distance.
Cinematic Refinements:
- Shadowheart hair color consistency: Shadowheart has agreed to maintain consistent hair color during certain intimate moments.
- Evil ending cinematic animations: Improved and refined cinematic animations for characters of varying heights during kisses in the evil ending.
Writing Corrections:
- Minthara dialogue option fixes: Corrected a duplicated dialogue option and replaced the incorrect version of another dialogue option in Minthara’s main party dialogue.