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[BennyBlanco]

I kinda see them on that FromSoft trajectory. Once obscure devs, making competent games for small audiences. Otogi, Armored Core, Divine Divinity, etc. Then they both dropped a few games that were beloved by sweaty nerds like me, Dark Souls and Divinity OS. Then they iterate on the concept and iron out the kinks while working with a bigger budget.

To be clear I don't think BG3 will be their Elden Ring moment of having massive mainstream success with 10s of millions of sales, but I think it could be going that direction with their next few releases. They have been in and out of the Steam best sellers for the duration of their early access and have surely already sold a shit ton of copies. Next game will be even more ambitious and with more budget. Their style of game could also work with a ton of different settings or IPs.

 

[Varteras]

 

[Gorgon]

Yes.

 

[R6Rider]

Probably not with BG3. It's a D&D cRPG with turn-based combat. Not to mention releasing right before Starfield.

Maybe in 2-3 games.

 

[Mr Hyde]

It's probably only a matter of time. It's a quality studio making quality games. It's bound to happen at some point.

 

[T4keD0wN]

They arent?

 

[Labadal]

DOS2 sold close to 6 million copies.

BG3 will likely sell even more. Apparently, BG3 early access version has already sold 2 million copies.

 

[DownLikeBCPowder]

It seems kind of like they are.

 

[Guilty_AI]

Probably

Probably not with BG3. It's a D&D cRPG with turn-based combat. Not to mention releasing right before Starfield.

Maybe in 2-3 games.

Keep in mind the game has been the top global seller (below CSGO) on steam for a few days. Its still up there only losing to remnant 2 that just released.

 

[R6Rider]

Probably


Keep in mind the game has been the top global seller (below CSGO) on steam for a few days. Its still up there only losing to remnant 2 that just released.

Well I didn't know that and could very well be wrong. I'd love to see cRPGs do well.

 

[Firestartah]

Not with BG3. If it was playable like Witcher, 3rd person style with real time combat there was a good chance. Normies dont care about izometric (yes I know you can zoom the camera abit, still tho) and turn based combat. It will be respected, like games such as Disco Elysium, but nothing more.

 

[Wildebeest]

DnD is mainstream in that a significant percentage of people know what it is and will maybe even sit through a movie, but that doesn't mean they get the references in the movie or will play any of the games. So I guess it has the potential to be the same sort of semi mainstream semi enthusiast deal as Halo or Witcher, but not mainstream like FIFA or Mario.

 

[BbMajor7th]

D&D is big business these days. Between Critical Role and Stranger Things it's enjoyed a massive resurgence. If Larian are going to break through, this will be their moment.

 

[Punished Miku]

Maybe. They dont put out games every 2 years. And they are a niche genre on consoles.

If they take what they know and make a more cinematic version of it they for sure would. Basically the same path Bioware took, not FROM.

 

[BennyBlanco]

Not with BG3. If it was playable like Witcher, 3rd person style with real time combat there was a good chance. Normies dont care about izometric (yes I know you can zoom the camera abit, still tho) and turn based combat. It will be respected, like games such as Disco Elysium, but nothing more.

It probably already outsold Disco Elysium in early access. Diablo 4 just sold very well being an isometric game. Pokemon is the biggest IP in videogames and they're all turn based.

 

[Firestartah]

It probably already outsold Disco Elysium in early access. Diablo 4 just sold very well being an isometric game. Pokemon is the biggest IP in videogames and they're all turn based.

I still stand by what I said. Their Divinity games sold well also, still wouldnt say they went mainstream, gaming is so much more than PC centric titles unless its insane like WoW, CS GO, LoL etc. Diablo is in a different genre, its a loot focused hack and slash, and to be fair, Diablo is literally the only one in that genre that I would call mainstream, nothing else reached that, not even Path of Exile. There are genres like RTS that work with izometric and can be mainstream but most of the time for RPG and top down shooter etc, it just severely limits your audience.

 

[Fuz]

No.

 

[bender]

I could see doing about as well as Dragon Age but not much beyond that.

 

[Miyazaki’s Slave]

Oh...do you mean "is Larian going to get purchased by a larger company" of course.

 

[March Climber]

Maybe. They dont put out games every 2 years. And they are a niche genre on consoles.

If they take what they know and make a more cinematic version of it they for sure would. Basically the same path Bioware took, not FROM.

Agreed, they need something, something more to elevate them from 'Oh yea, those guys' to a studio where people are hyped for every new release.

Like you've said I think it lies on cinematics. Better cutscene camera work, better scene pacing, better scene editing, etc.

 

[balls of snow]

Nope keep it hardcore.

 

[Duellist]

I fucking hope not

 

[simpatico]

Not with BG3. They don't have the attention span. They deserve to though, and I believe it will sell as well as a CRPG can.

 

[Drake]

I just don't think the combat style lends itself to a mainstream audience. I think that's what "holding" it back from being mainstream, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Last Hearth]

Going Mainstream is the beginning of the death spiral of any development studio.

 

[Guilty_AI]

Going Mainstream is the beginning of the death spiral of any development studio.

From is still doing fine

 

[FinalBossWithTheMostPower]

Never even considered BG or D&D and can't wait.

The Ascent really changed my perspective on isometric perspective.

 

[Guilty_AI]

I just don't think the combat style lends itself to a mainstream audience. I think that's what "holding" it back from being mainstream, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Not with BG3. If it was playable like Witcher, 3rd person style with real time combat there was a good chance. Normies dont care about izometric (yes I know you can zoom the camera abit, still tho) and turn based combat. It will be respected, like games such as Disco Elysium, but nothing more.

I'm willing to bet many will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[ebevan91]

They are the best at making the type of games they make but I'd like to see them try something that isn't a CRPG.

 

[GHG]

I actually hope they don't.

Making enough to sustain their current trajectory and continue making the same style or game (but with improvements and innovations each time) is good enough for me.

From is still doing fine

I'd argue that they've only just gone mainstream though. When we get their next souls-like game after elden ring then we can see what impact the last couple of years have had.

 

[Buggy Loop]

Probably not with BG3. It's a D&D cRPG with turn-based combat. Not to mention releasing right before Starfield.

Maybe in 2-3 games.

Didn't BG 2 make BioWare stars for a long ass time?

 

[Northeastmonk]

There's some intellectual design in there that might not appeal to everyone. Idk I'd say 50/50.

I just don't think the combat style lends itself to a mainstream audience. I think that's what "holding" it back from being mainstream, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Yes. People share the bear scene on TikTok and social media, but will they all actually get to that part? Who knows. My wife brought it up and she wouldn't buy the game for herself.

 

[Guilty_AI]

I'd argue that they've only just gone mainstream though. When we get their next souls-like game after elden ring then we can see what impact the last couple of years have had.

Elden ring didn't make them mainstream, it gave them Nintendo/Rockstar status. I'd argue its quite different.

Ok, perhaps not Rockstar since that is on a entirely different level of sales.

 

[Hendrick's]

If by mainstream you mean console AAA then no. They are a niche developer who just happen to be the kings of their niche.

 

[KungFucius]

They are the best at making the type of games they make but I'd like to see them try something that isn't a CRPG.

What genre? They are on a role with the CRPGs. Divine Divinity and Divinity 2 were more ARPGs if I recall correctly. That was early 2000s and 2009 or so. I only really remember playing the first one all night for a week. They did a dragon flying game that got so so reviews. Seems like they are on a role with Divinity OS 1,2 and now BG3.

 

[Jinzo Prime]

I kinda see them on that FromSoft trajectory. Once obscure devs, making competent games for small audiences. Otogi, Armored Core, Divine Divinity, etc. Then they both dropped a few games that were beloved by sweaty nerds like me, Dark Souls and Divinity OS. Then they iterate on the concept and iron out the kinks while working with a bigger budget.

To be clear I don't think BG3 will be their Elden Ring moment of having massive mainstream success with 10s of millions of sales, but I think it could be going that direction with their next few releases. They have been in and out of the Steam best sellers for the duration of their early access and have surely already sold a shit ton of copies. Next game will be even more ambitious and with more budget. Their style of game could also work with a ton of different settings or IPs.

This might be their "Dark Souls" moment. Their "Elden Ring" may come later.

Another studio to compare them to is Atlus. Persona 3 struck gold by appealing to both long time fans and new players, 2 games later Joker is in Smash. I love the trend of small, boutique studios breaking through to mainstream success by doing what they do best.

 

[Denton]

BG3 will sell 10 million copies in first six months. It's mainstream.

I remember when I made prediction that Witcher 3 was going to sell 10 million in its first year and someone on this forum mocked its impossibility. It did that in 8 months.

BG3 is not even out yet and already has 66,000 reviews on steam.

 

[Fools idol]

if the reviews turn out as good as the previews we could be seeing a 95+ on OC / MC which in turn will lead to a 10m sale game easily.

CRPG genre is definitely becoming more popular than it was a few generations back, with many big time streamers dipping their toes in to titles like D:OS 2 and Pathfinder WOTR. Attracts new audiences..

The problem is always going to be the complexity of the genre. You wont be able to easily waltz into playing BG3 like you can The Witcher 3 for example.

 

[Guilty_AI]

BG3 will sell 10 million copies in first six months. It's mainstream.

I remember when I made prediction that Witcher 3 was going to sell 10 million in its first year and someone on this forum mocked its impossibility. It did that in 8 months.

BG3 is not even out yet and already has 66,000 reviews on steam.

Yep, and half of those sales will probably be during the first couple of weeks. They already revealed to have sold 2M during the early access period, now the hype for the game is growing and its topping charts on Steam.

I think people still doubt it because its turn based, but that doesn't matter as much as publishers have led them to believe over the years.

 

[ebevan91]

What genre? They are on a role with the CRPGs. Divine Divinity and Divinity 2 were more ARPGs if I recall correctly. That was early 2000s and 2009 or so. I only really remember playing the first one all night for a week. They did a dragon flying game that got so so reviews. Seems like they are on a role with Divinity OS 1,2 and now BG3.

Something like a 1st or 3rd person RPG.

Definitely not something like a kart racer or battle royale lol

 

[Damigos]

I hope so
I doubt it though

 

[vaibhavpisal]

Very little chance.

BG3 will do 10 million though, hopefully. And will be very successful.

 

[Flabagast]

dont think so

This looks wayyy to complicated and busy to break through imho

 

[Shut0wen]

Probably not with BG3. It's a D&D cRPG with turn-based combat. Not to mention releasing right before Starfield.

Maybe in 2-3 games.

Doesnt matter, i doubt normies even know its related to D&D, the games receiving quite alot of hype lately and so far there hasnt been a big rpg since elden ring, definitely going to get them to mainstream

 

[mortal]

Is breaking into the mainstream inherently a good thing?
Appealing to a much larger audience tends to come with certain considerations relative to a niche audience, some of which don't result in the improvements one would expect.

 

[Zheph]

 

[Shut0wen]

I kinda see them on that FromSoft trajectory. Once obscure devs, making competent games for small audiences. Otogi, Armored Core, Divine Divinity, etc. Then they both dropped a few games that were beloved by sweaty nerds like me, Dark Souls and Divinity OS. Then they iterate on the concept and iron out the kinks while working with a bigger budget.

To be clear I don't think BG3 will be their Elden Ring moment of having massive mainstream success with 10s of millions of sales, but I think it could be going that direction with their next few releases. They have been in and out of the Steam best sellers for the duration of their early access and have surely already sold a shit ton of copies. Next game will be even more ambitious and with more budget. Their style of game could also work with a ton of different settings or IPs.

Id say there already mainstream with divinity original sin and 2, both of those games sold well on all platforms

 

[Joramun]

Probably not with BG3. It's a D&D cRPG with turn-based combat. Not to mention releasing right before Starfield.

Maybe in 2-3 games.

Oh man. I really wanted to try BG3 but turn based isn't my jam.

 

[quest]

Is breaking into the mainstream inherently a good thing?
Appealing to a much larger audience tends to come with certain considerations relative to a niche audience, some of which don't result in the improvements one would expect.

You should ask from soft and elden ring sales. They added things like lots of check points and powerful summons to expand audience.

Elden Ring sales break 20.5 million, FromSoft plans to 'prolong lifespan' of IP

FromSoftware's landmark RPG has amassed an incredible 20.5 million game sales since launching in February 2022, and more Elden Ring content is coming.

www.tweaktown.com

Dark Souls Franchise Sales, Which FromSoftware Game Sold The Most?

From the original Demon's Souls to the succeeding Dark Souls trilogy, the Souls franchise by FromSoftware has essentially paved the way to a new genre.

segmentnext.com

 

[Guilty_AI]

Oh man. I really wanted to try BG3 but turn based isn't my jam.

You mean not yet