Oh look, another video game is being adapted into a TV show because apparently we don’t have enough of those already. This time, HBO is diving into the rich, complex world of Baldur’s Gate 3, because why let sleeping dragons lie?
The beloved property of Baldur’s Gate 3, which apparently won “countless awards” in 2023 (we stopped counting after the first dozen), has now been added to the growing list of video games getting the TV treatment. The show itself will reportedly be based on the many, many endings from the original games, though we still don’t know whether it will feature only one ending or explore all of them. The co-creator of The Last of Us games, Craig Mazin, has joined as creator, writer, showrunner, and executive producer. Because apparently one title isn’t enough for these Hollywood types.
The adaptation has no connection to the current game or its development, giving Mazin’s creative influence free rein to interpret and produce the show. Which is confirmed to include actual characters from the game in the show’s story, along with unknown new characters. The show will supposedly be part of Netflix’s Dungeons & Dragons series, The Forgotten Realms. Wait, HBO AND Netflix? Make up your mind, Hollywood!
Alongside Mazin are names like Jacqueline Lesko, Cecil O’Connor, and Gabriel Marano, who are attached as executive producers alongside Mazin. Marano will represent Hasbro’s interests in the show, as Hasbro owns the franchise, having acquired Wizards of the Coast in 1999. Chris Perkins, who is the current Head of Story at Wizards of the Coast, will also join the show’s ranks as a series consultant. Because when you want to adapt something, you definitely need at least seven executives to make it happen.
After the news first broke out, Baldur’s Gate 3 producer Michael Douse had a few choice words about the show. Writing on X, he said, “Except that we made it popular enough for it to be referred to as Baldur’s Gate 3,” clearly showing his discontent over the news. After that and a couple of replies to fan comments, he wrote, “I’ve spent the last 8 to 10 years of my life with the writers & creators of Baldur’s Gate 3 and they’re the most incredible storytellers & creators in the space. Only hope is that they get both the credit deserved & the characters are represented at the same level as the game.” Wow, it’s almost like he’s bitter about not being involved!
Other officials at Larian have also expressed shock at not knowing about the Baldur’s Gate 3 adaptation, with even Larian’s CEO, Swen Vincke, being asked whether any writers had been confirmed as consultants for the show. Vincke replied, “Not to my knowledge. But Craig did reach out to ask if he could come over to the studio to speak with us. From the conversation we had, I think he truly is a big fan which gives me hope.” Ah yes, the classic “we’ll talk to them later” approach to adaptation rights.
This lack of involvement by a video game’s creator is a distinct trend in the world of adaptations. Bosses like Todd Howard and Neil Druckmann both served as close consultants and producers for their game properties of Fallout and The Last of Us. Douse himself is still posting about the news on his main account while also reposting and responding to the humorous replies of disgruntled fans. The memes are coming in hot, folks!
Vincke, in a first and final response post, said, “We worked incredibly hard on making Baldur’s Gate 3 worthy of its legacy. Its characters and narratives are the result of many teams working together, and I think I can speak for them all in saying that they’ll think this is cool and hope that what comes next will enjoy the same level of passion.” Translation: “We’re trying to be diplomatic about this whole thing while secretly seething.”
and went on to say, “The endings of BG3 were created so they could serve as narrative soil for new adventures. There are plenty of directions they could go. I’m eager to find out which ones Craig and his team will pick. He’s reached out for a chat so we’ll have the opportunity to tell him our thoughts.” Because nothing says “creative control” like having a casual chat after the rights have already been sold.
As we still know very little about the show, fans can only ruminate and hope their beloved Baldur’s Gate 3 doesn’t get a bad adaptation, like many other video game movies and shows before it. Fingers crossed it won’t be another Super Mario Bros. or Assassin’s Creed situation. We’ll just have to wait and see if this adaptation rolls a natural 20 or fumbles with a critical failure. 🎲
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