One Year Later: 10 Product Lessons from Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3 is more than just a successful video game; it's a masterclass in product development and customer engagement.
Just over a year ago, Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3) was released, making a monumental impact on an industry that has grown to unprecedented heights. As a huge fan of the series and this game, I wanted to reflect a little on what made it so successful and what we can learn from its success.
Did you know that the video game industry is now reportedly larger than the film, television, and music industries combined, highlighting its massive global reach? BG3 has set new standards in the video game world, achieving remarkable success and critical acclaim. It has outperformed some heavy hitters in a highly competitive year, becoming a standout title that has redefined the classic computer role-playing game (CRPG) genre. Notably, it is the first game ever to win Game of the Year at all five major video game award ceremonies, beating out some formidable contenders.
This success is in direct contrast with some major challenges in the video gaming industry. Its creator, Larian Studios, isn’t a giant publicly traded company but a Belgian independent game developer and publisher that has spent decades building toward this moment. As product managers or individuals involved in product launches, there's a wealth of knowledge to glean from BG3's achievements. Here are key takeaways that can be applied across industries to enhance product development and customer engagement.
My Fan Copy of Baldur’s Gate 3 Deluxe Edition
1. Know Your Persona: Build for Your Core Audience
Larian Studios, the developer behind BG3, deeply understood their target audience—gamers who appreciate rich storytelling, complex mechanics, and immersive worlds. They crafted a game that stayed true to the essence of the Baldur's Gate series while introducing fresh elements to attract new players.
Lesson: Always start by knowing who you're building for. Understand their needs, desires, and pain points. By focusing on your core audience, you create products that truly resonate and fulfill genuine wants.
2. Deliver Complete and High-Quality Products
In an era where many games are released incomplete, riddled with bugs, or laden with microtransactions, BG3 stands out by offering a complete, polished experience with no hidden costs. Larian Studios prioritized quality over speed to market, investing six years in development to ensure the game met high standards.
Lesson: Resist the temptation to rush products to market. Prioritize delivering a complete and high-quality product, even if it means taking more time. This builds trust and satisfaction among your customers.
3. Actively Engage and Listen to Your Customers
BG3 was in public beta (early access) for three years before its official release. During this time, Larian Studios actively engaged with the community, gathered feedback, and made significant changes based on user input. This collaborative approach not only improved the game but also fostered a loyal fan base.
Lesson: Create channels for customer feedback and be willing to act on it. Engaging with your audience can lead to valuable insights and improvements, turning customers into passionate advocates for your product. Also, remember that the high-quality final product only happened because of these years of public beta.
4. Provide Exceptional Value
BG3 offers tremendous value for its price. My first playthrough lasted over 170 hours of in-game time. The game has extensive replayability due to branching storylines and character choices. Players receive a rich and immersive experience. There is even a unique “The Dark Urge” special character background/origin that has very dark and specific story implications, providing a unique playthrough unlike anything else.
Lesson: Strive to offer products that deliver exceptional value. When customers feel they are getting more than what they paid for, it enhances satisfaction and loyalty. It has the ability to turn customers into long-term fans.
5. Tell a Compelling Story
A powerful narrative is at the heart of BG3's success. The game offers freedom of choice, with decisions that significantly impact the storyline and outcomes. This depth of storytelling keeps players engaged and invested. There are practically infinite combinations of outcomes in a game this long with this many available decisions.
Lesson: Whether you're developing a game, a product, or a service, storytelling is a powerful tool. Craft a compelling narrative around your product that resonates with your audience and highlights how it addresses their needs.
6. Respect and Evolve the Source Material
BG3 is part of a beloved franchise with a rich history. Larian Studios honored the legacy of Baldur's Gate while introducing innovative gameplay elements and modern graphics, appealing to both long-time fans and newcomers.
Lesson: When working with established brands or products, respect their heritage. Find a balance between preserving what made them successful and introducing new features that keep them relevant.
7. Strategically Time Your Product Launch
Facing competition from another major game release, Larian Studios made the bold decision to launch BG3 a month early. This strategic move allowed them to capture the market's attention without direct competition, contributing to their strong sales.
Lesson: Be mindful of market conditions and competitors when planning your product launch. Strategic timing can significantly impact the success of your product. Having a little flexibility is always an advantageous trait.
8. Focus on Core Platforms Before Expanding
BG3 was initially released exclusively on PC. After ensuring a smooth experience and gathering feedback, Larian Studios optimized the game for other platforms like PlayStation and finally Xbox, addressing platform-specific challenges along the way.
Lesson: Concentrate on delivering a strong product on your primary platform before expanding. This approach ensures quality and allows you to refine the product based on initial user experiences.
9. Foster Community Through Transparency and Honesty
Larian Studios maintained honest and transparent communication throughout BG3's development. They kept the community updated on progress, challenges, and changes, which fostered trust and loyalty among players. This communication has even continued past launch as patches and updates have been released.
Lesson: Open communication builds trust. Be transparent about your product's development process, setbacks, and updates. Customers appreciate honesty and are more likely to remain loyal when they feel included.
10. Encourage User Innovation and Extend Product Life
Even after release, BG3 continues to thrive due to its modding community. By allowing players to modify and extend the game, Larian Studios has ensured ongoing engagement and longevity for their product.
Lesson: Provide opportunities for customers to customize or extend your product. This not only increases its lifespan but also fosters a deeper connection between the user and the product. An obvious example for many platforms is through APIs and the ability to export data in standard file formats (CSV, XML, TXT, PDF, etc.).
Conclusion
Baldur's Gate 3 is more than just a successful video game; it's a masterclass in product development and customer engagement. By knowing their audience, delivering quality, engaging with the community, and providing exceptional value, Larian Studios has turned customers into raving fans.
Applying these lessons will help create products that not only meet market demands but also build lasting relationships with customers. We should all strive to turn our customers into passionate advocates, just as BG3 has done.
Bonus
Baldur’s Gate 3’s “Bear Scene” also generated quite a bit of buzz on social media at the time. I’ll let you look up this NSFW item for yourself, but yes, this game was even able to latch on to a little virality with some controversy for mature audiences. Another powerful tool for product launches when you can strike lightning in a bottle. It can help, but it’s much less predictable, which is why I wouldn’t count on it as much as I would the other lessons.