Larian Studios Director Criticizes HBO’s Baldur’s Gate 3 Series Adaptation

The news that Baldur’s Gate 3 is getting a live-action HBO series that continues the game's story took everyone by surprise yesterday – and it seems even some employees at Larian Studios, the game’s developer, were shocked by the announcement.

That’s because, shortly after the reveal, Michael Douse, the director of publishing for the game, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express that he is "extremely unhappy" with this news.

A Defense of the Original Writing Team

In a series of posts on his "Very AFK" profile on social media, Douse spoke about how the writing process for Baldur’s Gate 3 was extremely meticulous – a claim that is easy to believe, considering it was previously revealed that the script contains over 2.5 million words, making it one of the largest in video game history.

He went on to highlight that it is difficult to imagine anyone surpassing the writers who spent years crafting this narrative, especially since modern TV production often doesn't allow for the same level of time and creative dedication.

And, of course, the RPG is famous for its branching storylines that depend entirely on player choice to unfold, making it truly complicated to imagine how a television adaptation could recreate that same feeling.

“I genuinely don't think anyone can trump our writers. Our stories are built by fierce camaraderie and resolve. I have watched them write and write and write and, through respect for audience & material, come up with some of the finest shit I have ever played. I hope TV allows for the same thoroughness,” he emphasized in his thread. “Don't abandon hope, but do expect the world. That's the job.”

Additionally, the director also began sharing several messages from concerned fans calling the adaptation a "terrible" idea and claiming that "Baldur's Gate fans can't win," alongside various GIFs of worried and dissatisfied expressions. This clearly shows that a large portion of the community shares Douse’s skepticism about the project.

Iit is worth remembering that Larian Studios notably has no involvement with the HBO series, and based on the tone of Douse’s posts, it appears some at the studio weren't even aware the project was being announced.

In case you missed the previous details, according to initial reports, the HBO production will be a direct continuation of the game, telling a story that takes place immediately after the events of Baldur's Gate 3, featuring both old and new characters dealing with the fallout of the third game’s conclusion.

Douse’s concerns feel very real to me, to be honest, as the magic of Baldur’s Gate 3 lies precisely in the complexity of its RPG nature. But I guess we will just have to wait and see what comes of this adaptation in the end.

The Baldur’s Gate 3 HBO series does not have a release window yet. However, you can find the game on multiple platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (via Steam and GOG).