Baldur’s Gate 3 Tops List of RPGs with Impressive Playtime

by Annabelle Stephenson
in Action, News
on 4 June 2024

The popularity of Baldur’s Gate 3 continues to soar, with the game attracting tens of thousands of concurrent players daily, even 10 months after its global launch. One of the key indicators of its long-term success is its average playtime, which has recently been revealed to be over 100 hours for Steam players. Larian Studios’ director of publishing, Michael Douse, described this statistic as “wild” and expressed his curiosity about the players responsible for pushing the average playtime up.

Comparing Baldur’s Gate 3 with other popular RPGs on Steam, it surpasses all others in terms of average and median playtime, as reported by VG Insights. While the average playtime for Baldur’s Gate 3 on Steam is 91.6 hours, the median playtime is 59 hours. This notable achievement solidifies Baldur’s Gate 3’s reputation among RPG enthusiasts.

Some of the other notable games on the list include The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, with an average playtime of 118.7 hours, and Elden Ring, with an average playtime of 103.1 hours. The data also demonstrates that longer playtimes do not necessarily reflect a game’s quality, as various factors, such as replay value and multiplayer features, can significantly influence playtime.

When examining RPGs from Beamdog, the average playtime for Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II is significantly lower, at 22.6 and 20.9 hours, respectively. However, this data might not be fully representative due to the fact that many players completed these original titles long before their Enhanced Editions launched on Steam.

Furthermore, it is interesting to note that studios like From Software and Bethesda have multiple games in the top 20 list, indicating a dedicated fan base that spends countless hours in their games. As more players engage with these RPGs, it will be intriguing to monitor the number of users surpassing the 1,000-hour mark.

In addition to the mentioned RPGs, there are several other titles on Steam with impressive playtimes, such as Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Kingdom Come: Deliverance, both boasting average playtimes exceeding 40 hours.

The success of Baldur’s Gate 3, along with these other RPGs, showcases the continued appeal and enjoyment offered by immersive gameplay experiences. With extensive playtimes and devoted player communities, these games have solidified their positions as beloved and enduring titles in the RPG genre.

Facts:

– Baldur’s Gate 3 has maintained a large player base with tens of thousands of concurrent players daily, even 10 months after its global launch.
– The average playtime for Baldur’s Gate 3 on Steam is over 100 hours, making it one of the longest-played RPGs on the platform.
– Comparing to other popular RPGs on Steam, Baldur’s Gate 3 surpasses them in terms of both average (91.6 hours) and median (59 hours) playtime.
– The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Elden Ring are other notable RPGs on the list with average playtimes of 118.7 hours and 103.1 hours, respectively.
– Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II, the original titles from Beamdog, have significantly lower average playtimes (22.6 hours and 20.9 hours) compared to Baldur’s Gate 3.
– From Software and Bethesda, as studios, have multiple games in the top 20 list, indicating dedicated fan bases.
– Several other RPG titles on Steam, such as Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Kingdom Come: Deliverance, also have impressive average playtimes exceeding 40 hours.

Important Questions and Answers:

1. Q: What is the average playtime for Baldur’s Gate 3 on Steam?
A: The average playtime for Baldur’s Gate 3 on Steam is 91.6 hours.

2. Q: How does Baldur’s Gate 3 compare to other RPGs in terms of playtime?
A: Baldur’s Gate 3 surpasses other popular RPGs on Steam in terms of both average and median playtime.

3. Q: Do longer playtimes necessarily reflect a game’s quality?
A: No, longer playtimes do not necessarily reflect a game’s quality as various factors, such as replay value and multiplayer features, can significantly influence playtime.

Key Challenges or Controversies:

There aren’t any specific key challenges or controversies mentioned in the article. However, one potential challenge could be maintaining the interest and engagement of players over such long playtimes, ensuring that the content remains enjoyable and fulfilling throughout.

Advantages and Disadvantages:

Advantages:
– Baldur’s Gate 3 and other RPGs with impressive playtimes offer immersive gameplay experiences that provide extended entertainment value.
– Longer playtimes indicate the depth and complexity of the game worlds, giving players a more expansive and rewarding experience.
– Dedicated player communities foster engagement and provide opportunities for multiplayer interactions and socialization.

Disadvantages:
– Longer playtimes can be daunting for players with limited time or those looking for shorter gaming experiences.
– Some players may feel overwhelmed or discouraged by the time commitment required to fully explore and complete an RPG with extensive playtime.