Baldur's Gate 3 Will Have 17,000 Different Endings!

Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3 appears to be on course to become one of the most remarkable classic RPGs in a considerable span of time. Reflecting its grand scale, the D&D-based adventure Baldur’s Gate 3 is said to feature an astonishing 17,000 variations for its endings. Given that it is the successor to acclaimed CRPGs, Baldur’s Gate 3 faces high expectations, and the developers are evidently striving to meet those standards. The game offers an abundance of content, to the extent that Larian estimates it would require 18 playthroughs to fully experience everything it has to provide for a single character.

Some developers have voiced concerns that Baldur’s Gate 3 is setting an unrealistic benchmark for RPG studios that may lack the funding, extended development time, or large teams that Larian possesses. Nonetheless, most gamers understand that Baldur’s Gate 3’s 174 hours of cutscenes are more of an exception than the norm, and such extensive content should not be expected from most other RPGs in the future.

The impressive count of 17,000 endings is attributed to Baldur’s Gate 3. One of the writers dedicated around six months primarily to the game’s conclusion, and during an interview with Fextralife, the writer was asked about the number of ending variations.

Larian devs react to Baldur’s Gate 3 multiple endings being leaked

The response was approximately 17,000, although it’s important to note that these variations do not signify thousands of distinct story endings. Instead, they encompass the different outcomes based on the various choices made throughout a player’s Baldur’s Gate 3 playthrough. The validity of this number was somewhat confirmed by Larian’s director of publishing, who tweeted, “Oh no they found the 17,000 number.”

Oh no they found the 17,000 number https://t.co/54zAaGsfYj
— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) July 17, 2023

When questioned by Fextralife about the specific number of main story endings in Baldur’s Gate 3, the writer was unable to provide a definitive answer. This could imply that the number is not easily quantifiable, similar to the six endings in Elden Ring or the five endings in Cyberpunk 2077, or it could be that Larian Studios has yet to determine the exact count. Additionally, it remains unclear how the 17,000 possible variations will affect the onscreen portrayal of the game’s conclusion.

Whether or not other developers perceive Larian Studios as overly ambitious with its upcoming game, if the company successfully meets or surpasses player expectations, Baldur’s Gate 3 could potentially set a new standard for RPGs like Mass Effect 4, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, and the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077. Unlike smaller studios, BioWare and CD Projekt Red have the resources to rise to the challenge potentially. In this regard, Baldur’s Gate 3 could offer gamers and developers a glimpse into the future of epic RPGs. Even if it takes time for competitors to catch up, Larian’s game will provide ample replayability in the meantime.