Baldur’s Gate 3 has been described as a pivotal game in the CRPG genre, exemplifying that turn-based combat and intricate storytelling remain relevant, contrary to the concepts pushed by some industry figures. However, the discourse surrounding its influence raises questions about the standards it sets for future titles in this genre.

According to Mark Darrah, ex-executive producer at BioWare, while Baldur’s Gate 3 showcased remarkable success and broadened the audience’s view on RPGs, its direct impact on the development practices within the industry may be less pronounced than many anticipate.

“A perfect storm of factors, working together, to make this game work.”

With the game benefiting from Dungeons & Dragons’ peak popularity and other favorable conditions, Darrah argues that these elements are unique to this project and might not be replicable by other studios. He observed further that the traditional RPG formulas might limit what other studios can achieve, signifying that the industry’s long-standing practices might not accommodate the success model exhibited by Baldur’s Gate 3.

In his reflections, Darrah states:

“It will have impact, it will influence RPGs going forward, I just expect that the influence will be somewhat muted.”

Thus, he suggests that the prevailing corporate environments might hinder true innovation, compelling studios to conform to safer, familiar designs, which could ultimately leave titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 behind as outliers rather than setting a new standard.