Baldur's Gate 3 fans already have serious doubts about HBO series adaptation

News of Baldur's Gate 3 being adapted into an HBO series under the guidance of Craig Mazin – showrunner of The Last of Us – has sparked more concern than excitement among fans of the game. The issue isn't the adaptation itself, but two critical details: Larian Studios isn't involved in the show's production, and the plot will continue after the game's events, which inevitably means canonizing one of the multiple endings – both for the main story and for each character's personal arc.

This has become the community's biggest pain point.

• "This is going to be so bad that it'll make Game of Thrones season 8 seem good," one fan noted.

• "Baldur's Gate 3 developers Larian have no involvement with the show. Are they insane? The best adaptations all have the developers involved," another person argued.

Many are asking the logical question: why continue the game's story at all when you could tell an independent tale in the same setting?

Why not just, I don't know, do an original, self-contained story in the same setting?

Concerns also extend to the fate of beloved characters. Fans worry their favorites will be reduced to caricatures of themselves, while the worst narrative choices become canon.

Reeeaaally hope they don't screw over the characters and decide to canonize the worst set of choices to maintain the lore.

Part of the audience doubts whether a game built on role-playing, personal choices, and forming connections can even be adapted successfully:

BG3, a game where role-playing and making choices, forming bonds etc. is a fundamental aspect of the game, I don't think translates well to a tv show.

Mazin himself is far more optimistic.

After putting nearly 1000 hours into the incredible world of Baldur's Gate 3, it is a dream come true to be able to continue the story that Larian and Wizards of The Coast created. I am a devoted fan of D&D and the brilliant way that Swen Vincke and his gifted team adapted it. I can't wait to help bring Baldur's Gate and all of its incredible characters to life with as much respect and love as we can.

The series doesn't have a release date yet, with the first season likely expected sometime around 2028.