Baldur's Gate 3 Release on Xbox to Include 3 Discs with Patch 5 Pre-Installed

Larian Studios recently revealed some important details about Baldur’s Gate 3 Xbox version.

[darthv72]

Im confused... the SX supports 100gb UHD discs as proven by its ability to play the 100gb UHD bluray movies like Blade Runner 2049 and Dark Knight (I have watched both on even my One X) yet there does not seem to be any games released for it using that capacity disc. it makes me wonder if MS just does not require such a thing because it tends to cost more for the higher capacity disc than the lower ones. Plus the games install anyway instead of run from the discs.

Sony seems to use the 100gb UHD discs even on games that could fit perfectly fine on a 50gb (or smaller) disc. Every physical game i have for PS5 all say UHD Bluray on them. This game will likely use 3 50gb discs for XB and 2 100gb discs for PS.

[sparky77]

Xbox only supports that for movies not games, Sony used their seat on the Bluray board to ensure they limited Xbox as much as possible.

For games the supported discs:
PlayStation 5: BD-66, BD-100
Xbox Series X: BD-25, BD-50

Luckily 50GB is more than enough since pretty much every games requires a massive download to play these days.

[darthv72]

So you're telling me XB can play the movies on BD100, but they can't use the discs themselves for games? Seems kind of shady to be restricted from using that medium when their drives support it.

Is that some form of retaliation for XB using UHD drives in the One S and One X before Sony?

[jwillj2k4]

Got a source for this? Sounds like a lawsuit if true

[QuantumMechanic]

Sony does disc replication itself whereas MS has to contract a third-party to manufacture its discs. That third-party contract constrains MS' choice of disc capacity via cost. MS doesn't give a flying F about physical media, so it picks the cheaper discs. Xbox Series consoles may also use lower quality disc drives.

[S2Killinit]

Blaming Sony for MS shortcomings?

[DarXyde]

So where is the evidence of Sony blocking this? Or are you just vomiting from your ass again?

I swear, such sloppy stupidity.

More likely, MS didn't anticipate it being an issue for games with modern compression technology or that their consumers disproportionately favor digital content.

Stop the madness.

[shinoff2183]

You got a link for that sparky77? Pretty hard accusation with no proof.

[Ra3030]

@Sparky77
Well if true Sony did this it sure sounds like a great move like they knew what they were doing.

[mjchitown]

dude you made up that lie. both sx and ps5 hell even xboxone and ps4 can used 100gb UHD discs. the reason why dev's dont used it cause its expensive. please stop making up lies.

[BeHunted]

@Sparky77

You’re saying Sony has a monopoly on UHD Blu ray for games, preventing rival platforms from using it?

Seems like they're breaking the Law, if True

[Z501]

Source for that claim?

[franwex]

I too have ponder this and have two theories.

1: UHD Blu-ray discs are more expensive to produce due to licensing fees while actual production costs being similar to regular Blu-rays. So much so that Larian actually saves money to use 3 discs instead of 2. Sony just like during the PS3 era is forcing everyone to use UHD discs for games. Even if the game is 5 gigs.

Theory 2: Microsoft isn’t supporting UHD Blu-rays for games to save money on licensing fees and figuring that regular Blu-rays are good enough. Similar to the 360 keeping DVDs. This makes sense too as most games require a giant patch to fully install the game-even if they’re on UHD-discs and digital is getting more prevalent anyway. Xbox doesn’t have to update their manufacturing facilities either also saving money. Crossgen games work offline too eliminating 2 skus.

[shinoff2183]

Most aaa games need a patch. But that's not true across the board at all. Not even all aaa games need one

[darthv72]

Sony is vested in the media, they will make everyone use it no matter what. They did the same in the PS2 days where some early games were allowed to be on CD but after that every game had to be on DVD even if it was the size of a CD. And yeah... the PS3 all games were on bluray even if they were the size of single DVD on 360.

I guess XB could use UHD if they wanted, but they'd rather people just buy digital or play on GP.

[Minute Man 721]

I had a version of Gears 4 that came on a UHD, it doesn't work anymore bc my kids scratched up the disc

[Neonridr]

it's up to the devs. I believe Sony has a mandate forcing devs to use the higher capacity discs. MS doesn't.

[darthv72]

It reminds me of the early days of the PS2. Some games were able to be put on those blue CD media but at some point Sony mandated that all games would be using the DVD media. Even if the games were able to fit on CD. I figured they invested in this medium... they are going to get everyone else to use it no matter what.

[TheColbertinator]

Insert disc 3 for the sex

[gold_drake]

"The Xbox retail version, which plays across 3 discs, will ship with Patch 5 on disc"

WAT lol

[rlow1]

I guess if you read the article you all missed this.

“The Xbox retail version, which plays across 3 discs, will ship with Patch 5 on disc. Which is really good news. These things have lead times, as you know. Working on the exact version for PlayStation 5,” he stated.”

He states that they’re are doing the the same for the PS5.

[anast]

Special things need to be done to get games to run on a streaming box, I suppose.

[StarkR3ality]

I get some people still want physical, but this is the kinda stuff that just makes it not very appealing anymore..

Think this is probably why we get codes in games now instead of discs, the things are over fucking 100gb minimum.

Bit off topic but I remember when I got an upgrade for a really old PC and I had a GB of storage, my uncle and pals were jealous as fuck. Now I've got 2TB NVME and that barely touched the sides with how big these games are. Mental how far we have come in such a small amount of time.

[franwex]

To me physical stopped making too much sense as most games run off hdd instead of discs. Except Nintendo mostly.

But it’s also an issue of being able to play the games later without internet connection. I have the digital xbox 360 Metal gear solid collection and it’s not available for me to play anymore. Servers won’t be online forever and with game discs at least we can still play some games in the future.

[darthv72]

in your situation... you will still be able to play it even when the 360 servers are no more. Its because it is tied to your system. Once you have the digital license on a system, you can play that game for as long as that system works, no online verification needed.

[franwex]

@darthv72 It’s installed on my external HDD. It takes up the space, but it says it’s not available right now. Even if I’m offline. This occurred when Konami removed them from the stores due to some rights expiring from cutscenes. Instead of restoring the old games that I paid for-they announced the remake.

[Sgt_Slaughter]

The point of this is for preservation and to keep physical media going.

If the servers ever stop working, people can play this version of the game forever (hardware permitting), and it's pre-patched which is a rare thing.

I'd rather have two 100 GB discs than to rely on data/internet

[Ra3030]

Ohh soooo this is the Xbox Tax!! Well, Xbox owners get out there and pay it!

[franwex]

Isn’t the price the same regardless of the version?