Following a night filled with suspenseful announcements, the pinnacle decision 2023 has been reached, and Baldur’s Gate III has emerged as the Game of the Year (GOTY). The verdict was delivered at The Game Awards in a year marked by many outstanding games, acknowledged and those that flew under the radar. Amid intense competition and a year brimming with exceptional titles, Baldur’s Gate III, crafted by Larian Studios, claimed the spotlight and the most coveted accolade of the event—Game of the Year.
The title of Game of the Year for 2023 has been claimed by Baldur’s Gate 3. Larian Studios deserves commendation for skillfully translating the Dungeons & Dragons experience into the realm of gaming, catering even to those who engaged in remote play during the pandemic.
The narrative unfolds with a Dungeon Master-like voice guiding players, visible dice rolls heightening the experience, and the freedom to embark on an adventure alongside a cast of well-written characters, delivering performances that surpass the typical tabletop gaming night with friends. This outstanding experience, initially acclaimed on PC, now makes its debut on Xbox.4
Larian Studios, the creators of Baldur’s Gate 3, recently shared noteworthy statistics after the game’s latest patch coincided with its four-month anniversary on PC. Players have collectively logged over 452.5 million hours of playtime, equivalent to a staggering 51,662 years—taking us back to the time when modern humans settled in Western Europe. This span precedes significant historical events, including the domestication of dogs and the emergence of human civilization.
Of the extensive playtime, a whopping 8,196 years were spent in Baldur’s Gate 3’s character creator, with 94% choosing custom characters. This timespan takes us back to the era preceding the Bronze Age, marking significant milestones like the invention of the wheel and the adoption of writing.
Paladins are the top-picked character class, closely followed by sorcerers and fighters. Elves lead in the species category, with humans, half-elves, and tieflings in tow. While most players opted for custom characters, those choosing Larian’s pre-made ‘origin’ characters favoured Gale, with Asterion, the internet’s favourite vampire, coming in second.
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