The role-playing game Baldur’s Gate 3 nearly took on an entirely different appearance, which could have greatly affected its success. At first, the developers at Larian Studios played around with a more stylized, cartoonish art style. However, after two significant shifts in direction, they landed on the realistic and dark fantasy look that players currently identify.
Alena Dubrovina, the lead character artist for Baldur’s Gate 3, provided insights into the development journey during a podcast. She mentioned that determining the appropriate visual style was a tough task, resulting in complete revisions of the game’s graphics. The team even had to restart their efforts on character designs several times.
If Baldur’s Gate 3 had been launched with cartoonish graphics, it’s unclear whether it would have reached the same degree of success. While certain games like Borderlands have prospered with a comic aesthetic, others have faced challenges in achieving mainstream popularity. A game’s visual style is vital as it creates the initial impression for players and may determine their choice to engage with the game.
The selection of graphics is a pivotal choice for game developers, as it can either entice or repel potential players. The success of Baldur’s Gate 3 with its existing aesthetic indicates that the decision to pursue a realistic appearance was a prudent one.