Reflecting on the Impact of Baldur’s Gate 3 a Year Later

A year has passed since the release of Baldur’s Gate 3, and the team at Larian Studios recently took the time to look back on one of the most talked-about moments of the game – the bear nookie scene. During the PAX West 2024 Baldur’s Gate 3: A Retrospective panel, members of the development team discussed how the infamous scene changed people’s perceptions of the game in unexpected ways.

The decision to showcase the bear nookie scene during a pre-launch livestream was met with a mixture of excitement, controversy, and surprise. Larian Studios founder and game director Swen Vincke recalled the reaction from the publishing team, who were thrilled to announce that they had been banned on TikTok due to the scene. Additionally, some team members’ moms raised eyebrows at the risqué content.

Despite the initial hesitation and debate within the team about whether to show the bear scene, Vincke explained that they ultimately decided to go ahead with it. The scene, while unconventional, was seen as a representation of the tone of Baldur’s Gate 3 – a game that doesn’t shy away from humor, raunchiness, and mature themes. Lead writer Adam Smith joked about the alternative, spicier sex scene that could have been chosen instead, pointing out that it would have caused even more controversy.

Alongside the bear scene, Larian Studios also presented a romance scene with Karlach during the same event. This decision was made to showcase the range of romantic encounters available in the game and to avoid giving the impression that Baldur’s Gate 3 was solely focused on humor and shock value. Smith emphasized the importance of highlighting different types of moments in the game, ensuring that players understand the variety of experiences they can expect.

In hindsight, the bear nookie scene in Baldur’s Gate 3 served as a bold statement about the game’s tone and the creative freedom embraced by the development team. While it may have initially sparked controversy and raised eyebrows, it ultimately became a defining moment that set the game apart from others in the genre. As Larian Studios continues to reflect on the impact of Baldur’s Gate 3, it’s clear that sometimes taking risks and pushing boundaries can lead to unexpected and memorable outcomes.