Developer Larian is known for having a bit of fun with the End-User License Agreements for its games, and Baldur’s Gate 3 is no exception.
Baldur’s Gate 3 launched proper yesterday and those who bothered to read its EULA will have noticed section five: “Additional obligations in Eldritch Law.”
“Time for a pause, as We understand by now your mind is longing for respite having endured the above numerous provisions of legal jargon,” the EULA reads.
“So, setting aside the weighty tomes of sombre legality, embracing a lighter path of ancient customs and mystical decrees that governed the fair folk, please be wary that in accepting this Pact, you agree to refrain from striking a deal with another creature of Fey, Infernal, or otherwise Eldritch origin. Should you nonetheless not be able to withstand the seductive melody whispered by their malevolent terms, We reserve the right to sever all ties professional or social with the end user, and seek appropriate remedy from the Morninglord.”
It’s a nice nod to Baldur’s Gate 3’s Dungeons & Dragons setting, and in-keeping with Larian’s willingness to have a laugh with its fans. The Early Access version of Baldur’s Gate 3 had a similarly fantasy-themed entry in its EULA, which challenged players to complete a bardic quest.
Baldur’s Gate 3 doesn’t take itself too seriously. This is a game in which you can have sex with a bear and beat up rats, after all. There’s nothing funny about the law, though (so says the Morninglord).
Semi-related, now Baldur’s Gate 3 is out in the wild, its full nudity is giving players a shock. Baldur’s Gate 3 has also shot towards the top of Steam’s most-played games list, behind only Valve’s own Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Expect the concurrent count to grow as more people get stuck in over the weekend.
IGN’s Baldur’s Gate 3 review in-progress is full of praise: "I’ve been waiting 14 years for another alignment of the planets like Dragon Age: Origins, when an old-school CRPG got a big enough budget to look like a high quality animated movie – but the design hadn't been completely steered in the wrong direction in a misguided attempt to reach a different market like the later two Dragon Ages," reviewer Leana Hafer wrote. "This is the closest anyone has ever come to recapturing that magic."
Baldur's Gate 3 is now available on PC, with a console release set for a later date. For more info, check out how our guide to building a character in Baldur's Gate 3 as well as our guide to Baldur's Gate 3's races and subraces.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
