Summary
WhenLarian Studiosannounced it was releasing modding tools forBaldur’s Gate 3, the community rejoiced, knowing custom campaigns were on the horizon. Then they found out that Larian wasn’t going to allow map editing and heavy scripting, and they were saddened once more. Finally, they realised that the modding tools were very easily “cracked” to allow those very things Larian said they weren’t allowing, and they were jubilant once more.
It takes sizable teams of volunteers years to create large-scale custom campaigns, but players are still heartened when they know these projects are chugging along in the background. We’ve seen fantastic modding successes in other games, such asSkyrim’s Forgotten CityandFallout 4’s Fallout: London. The biggest custom campaign currently in production for Baldur’s Gate 3 is undoubtedly Path to Menzoberranzan, a campaign that retreads the steps of Gorion’s Ward from Baldur’s Gate 2 over 100 years after the events of that game.
A Dark, Dark Place
In an interview withVideoGamer, project lead Thomas Loughlin revealed the team is currently working on adding the famous opening area from Baldur’s Gate 2. Irenicus' Dungeon is one of gaming’s most famous openings, thrusting the player right into the action as they seek to escape the clutches of Jon Irenicus, an evil mage trying to ascend to godhood.
“We are revisiting Irenicus' dungeon over a hundred years later,” Loughlin says. “And we will see that things are quite eerily the same but also very, very different.” Irenicus' Dungeon is the next location confirmed for Path to Menzoberranzan, which has already confirmed the inclusion of Waukeen’s Promenade and other parts of Athkatla.
“Irenicus' Dungeon in Baldur’s Gate 2 is the, you know, the quintessential starting location for most. Most video games, you awake to find yourself in a dark room, and it was one of my favourite parts of the game. You awake as the Bhaalspawn, and you’ve got to escape what we call Chateau Irenicus or Irenicus' Dungeon itself,” Loughlin continued.
Loughlin goes on to explain how they’ve completely revamped these areas from past instalments to take advantage of the capabilities of Baldur’s Gate 3. Athkatla is going to be more fleshed-out as well as “wealthier, more vibrant” in Path to Menzoberranzan’s re-imagining.
The passionate team behind Path to Menzoberranzan continues to work on the campaign and often shares progress onits social media channels.
