Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the most critically acclaimed titles that came out in 2023. Developed by Larian Studios, the turn-based RPG set a new benchmark for not just the genre but video games in general, too.
Given how Larian took the Dungeons and Dragons formula and made such a well-designed product based on it, the game also proved to be immensely profitable. However, not many people may know that it made Larian more money than an MCU movie recovered at the box office.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Knocked It Out of the Park in 2023, Outperformed The Marvels in Terms of Profits
The ongoing slump for the MCU isn’t hidden from anyone, let alone people who have been huge fans since Iron Man (2008). After desperate attempts made by the comic book company, it failed to retain its audience.
Cinema is a lot more accessible media form than gaming despite the latter’s merits. This is primarily because of less overhead and acquisition costs for the consumer. Hence, one can expect a slightly higher profit margin from films produced by production houses like Marvel Studios than Indie Games.
However, a recent statistic logged by arguably the most successful Indie Game of 2023 has subverted this expectation. As reported by the Irish Independent, Larian has reported €249 million pre-tax profit for the year 2023, thanks to Baldur’s Gate 3. In comparison, the biggest Box Office bomb of 2023, The Marvels lost 237M (as per Deadline).
While it should be considered that the market sentiment for Marvel has gone downhill since Avengers: Endgame, the numbers still fail to make sense for such a huge production.
Larian Studios’ 2023 Success Shows That the Audience Values Content Quality Over Production Value
With the above statistic, while it cannot be argued that gaming is likely to replace films and TV as the primary source of entertainment for the masses, it highlights an important point. The point is that no amount of brand and production value can save a mediocre product.
The Marvels was made with at least twice the budget of Larian Studio’s turn-based RPG. It also had the added factor of being part of the most successful comic book universe ever.
Meanwhile, Larian—which reported a terrible €214,000 in losses—bounced back with an excellent product. Not only was it commercially successful but it also won over and scooped over 40 accolades between 2021 and 2024.
For Marvel, the future seems uncertain but the comic book company still has 9 media projects slated for 2025. Larian, on the other hand, after rocking the industry in 2023, is currently working on two unannounced projects, both of them in the RPG genre.
How do you think will 2025 be for the MCU? Do you think Larian will escape the one-game-wonder tag and enchant its audience with its upcoming projects? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
