Baldur’s Gate 3: The Crown Jewel of Steam’s 2023 Sales Triumph

With an incredible $657 million in revenue, Baldur’s Gate 3 has formally risen to the top of Steam’s 2023 top-grossing list. Gamers, hold on to your helms and polish your swords. This fantasy epic’s little but powerful creator, Larian Studios, has really excelled themselves, garnering praise from critics, awards, and a box office surge that has the gaming community in a frenzy.

The praise for Gate 3 of Baldur doesn’t end there. With a Metascore of 97 and a user score of 9.1, it is now the highest-rated PC game ever on Metacritic. It has overtaken other 2023 blockbusters like The Case of the Golden Idol, Street Fighter 6, and Diablo IV, and it is tied with Super Mario Odyssey as the “greatest game ever” title on all platforms.

The popularity of the game can be attributed to its extended playtime and rich content, which have captivated both new and returning players. In addition to dominating the charts, Baldur’s Gate 3 has more downloads than Lethal Company and Overwatch 2, surpassing rivals like Hogwarts Legacy and Starfield. The excitement around Baldur’s Gate 3 is obviously far from gone.

Baldur’s Gate 3: The Crown Jewel of Steam’s 2023 Sales Triumph — “Baldur’s Gate 2” by Johan Larsson is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Thanks to its nearly three-year early access period, the game was able to debut without the technical problems that have beset several PC launches this year. The finished product has been so highly received that it has spurred discussion on what we should look for in future role-playing games.

The gaming industry saw both highs and lows in 2023, although independent and role-playing games were particularly successful. Lethal Company and Baldur’s Gate 3 have demonstrated that creating quality games is the key to success. Regardless of team size or funding, these games’ success ought to serve as a guide for all game producers.

With Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Dark and Darker also on the list, it’s clear that the fantasy genre is booming, and Larian Studios is riding the crest of this magical wave. As we look to the future, it appears that Steam’s love affair with fantasy will continue. According to Video Game Insights, the most anticipated game of the year is the fantasy survival game Enshrouded.

It’s an exciting time for Larian Studios and for gamers who have been enthralled by this magical world. As we celebrate the accomplishments of Baldur’s Gate 3, we eagerly await the official sales figures. With an estimated 7-8 million copies sold across PC and PS5, and an Xbox version on the horizon, the game’s success story is far from over. Here’s to the game’s continued success and the magic it brings to our screens!