New Ideas Brewing for Candlekeep in Baldur’s Gate 3
The monastic library-fortress of Candlekeep holds a special place in the hearts of Baldur’s Gate fans. It serves as the iconic starting area of the original game, providing players with introductory sidequests and memorable moments. While the library is revisited in chapter six of Baldur’s Gate, lead writer Adam Smith revealed that they had considered revisiting Candlekeep once again for Baldur’s Gate 3.
Smith expressed his enthusiasm for expanding on Candlekeep, citing its significance as the birthplace of the Baldur’s Gate series. He envisioned an academic dungeon within the vast library, where players would embark on a research mission or delve into its depths. Additionally, Smith shared a captivating idea about a seer in Candlekeep who had gazed into the cosmic horror of the Far Realms. Unfortunately, these plans were ultimately discarded due to concerns about pacing and game length.
Larian’s CEO Swen Vincke supported Smith’s vision and mentioned his own ideas for Candlekeep, including elements from the Far Realms, the birthplace of mind flayers. The concept involved a deranged seer hidden deep within Candlekeep, requiring players to uncover the secrets of what the seer had witnessed. The inclusion of such chilling cosmic horror would have added an intriguing layer to the game’s narrative.
However, the team at Larian decided against these additional chapters and content, as it would have disrupted the overall pacing and potentially overwhelmed players. Smith emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced and cohesive storytelling experience, rather than simply adding content for the sake of it. He humorously assured readers that he wasn’t talking about “climaxes” in the context of sex.
Although these ideas were ultimately abandoned, it’s exciting to explore the creative process behind Baldur’s Gate 3. Larian Studios has moved on from the franchise, focusing on the development of two new RPG projects. While the world may never see these discarded concepts come to life, it’s a testament to the boundless imagination and dedication of the developers behind Baldur’s Gate.
Additional Facts:
1. Candlekeep is a hub for scholars and the keepers of knowledge in the Forgotten Realms universe.
2. In Baldur’s Gate 3, players start their adventure as a captive aboard a Mind Flayer Nautiloid ship.
3. Larian Studios is known for their critically acclaimed Divinity: Original Sin series.
4. Baldur’s Gate 3 is set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe and follows the events of Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn.
5. The development of Baldur’s Gate 3 began in 2016, and it was released as an early access game in October 2020.
Key Questions and Answers:
1. What is the significance of Candlekeep in the Baldur’s Gate series?
Candlekeep serves as the iconic starting area of the original game and holds a special place in the hearts of fans. It provides players with introductory sidequests and memorable moments.
2. Why were the plans to revisit Candlekeep in Baldur’s Gate 3 discarded?
The plans were discarded due to concerns about pacing and game length. The development team wanted to maintain a balanced and cohesive storytelling experience.
3. What were the ideas for Candlekeep in Baldur’s Gate 3?
One idea involved a seer in Candlekeep who had witnessed the cosmic horror of the Far Realms. Another idea involved incorporating elements from the birthplace of mind flayers, the Far Realms.
Key Challenges or Controversies:
1. Balancing pacing and game length: Integrating additional content without disrupting the overall pacing of the game can be a challenge.
2. Managing player expectations: Fans of the series might have had high hopes for revisiting Candlekeep, and not fulfilling those expectations can lead to controversy.
Advantages:
1. Expanded lore: Revisiting Candlekeep would have allowed for a deeper exploration of its history and significance in the Baldur’s Gate series.
2. Intriguing narrative possibilities: Incorporating the Far Realms and cosmic horror elements could have added a unique and captivating layer to the game’s story.
Disadvantages:
1. Pacing concerns: Adding additional chapters and content could potentially disrupt the flow of the game and overwhelm players.
2. Development constraints: The decision to abandon these ideas may have been influenced by resource limitations or other development priorities.
