Baldur’s Gate 3 won’t have a preload, Larian confirms

We’re rapidly approaching the long-awaited release of Baldur’s Gate 3 after an extended period of Early Access. However, Larian Studios has stated that the game won’t support preloading ahead of its launch. If you’ve pre-ordered the game and want to jump in as soon as possible, prepare to set aside some time to download this hefty title.

Baldur’s Gate 3’s release date draws nearer

Baldur’s Gate 3 will arrive on PC on August 3 at 5 PM CEST, and PS5 on September 6. An Xbox Series X/S port is also in development, although it has yet to receive a release date. Like other titles in the series, players will be able to create their own characters and partake in a Dungeons & Dragons-inspired campaign.

In a community update on Steam, the developers confirmed that preloading is off the table for Baldur’s Gate 3. In other words, players can’t install the game ahead of its release. This would have been useful for a game like Baldur’s Gate 3 which will weigh approximately 122 GB.

There are a few other things Baldur’s Gate 3 fans should know about. Though the game has been available in Early Access, progress made here will not transfer to the final game. Nevertheless, the game will feature cross-save capabilities, allowing you to begin your adventure on PC and continue on PS5 later if you wish.

It fortunately appears that making the game easily accessible is a priority for the developers. Those who purchase Baldur’s Gate 3 for PC will receive access to both the Mac and Windows versions, though the Mac version will arrive at a later date. Larian Studios also wants the game Steam Deck Verified by launch, as it is already optimized for the handheld.

With the game’s large size, players may have to wait a bit at launch before they can dive in. However, the Early Access version should give you a good idea of what to expect.