Baldur’s Gate 3 is heading to television, with HBO developing a new series that continues the story after Larian Studios’ acclaimed role-playing game.
The project is being made by Craig Mazin, co-creator of The Last of Us, in partnership with Hasbro Entertainment. Simply titled Baldur’s Gate, the series will be written, executive produced and showrun by Mazin.
A new chapter after Baldur’s Gate 3
The planned show will include new characters alongside familiar faces from the game, although HBO has not announced which characters will return or who will play them. With Baldur’s Gate 4 not officially in development, the television series has room to establish its own continuation of the story.
That freedom comes with a major creative challenge: the show will need to choose which of Baldur’s Gate 3’s possible endings becomes part of its canon. The series is expected to begin immediately after the game’s events, but Larian Studios is not directly involved in its development.
Chris Perkins, the former head of creative at Dungeons & Dragons, will work as a consultant. His involvement is intended to help the production remain faithful to the wider tabletop role-playing setting.
Craig Mazin leads the adaptation
Mazin is a long-time fan of the game and has said he spent almost 1,000 hours exploring its world. He previously co-created the television adaptation of The Last of Us with Neil Druckmann and created the Emmy-winning miniseries Chernobyl.
His earlier writing credits also include Scary Movie 3, Scary Movie 4 and The Hangover Part 3. The second season of The Last of Us took greater creative liberties than its first, receiving a mixed response from fans, while Druckmann later departed the production. Comments from HBO chief content officer Casey Bloys have suggested that series could conclude after its third season.
Mazin’s enthusiasm for the project was outlined in a Deadline report. He described the adaptation as an opportunity to extend the world created by Larian and Wizards of the Coast, while stressing the importance of treating its characters and Dungeons & Dragons foundations with care.
What the series means for the game’s story
Baldur’s Gate 3 built its reputation on memorable companions, branching choices and multiple conclusions. A television continuation cannot preserve every possible outcome, so selecting one version of events will inevitably create debate among players.
The game itself remains supported by Larian Studios, but the developer is not making the next mainline entry in the series. Larian is instead concentrating on another project in its Divinity franchise.
For viewers in Australia, the HBO project is still in the development stage, and no cast, release date or further production details have been announced.
Why this matters to arcade and RPG fans
A television continuation could give Baldur’s Gate a new audience beyond computer and console role-playing games. Its party-based adventures, fantasy setting and emphasis on player choice also show why story-driven games continue to influence entertainment well beyond the traditional arcade floor.
For more gaming and industry coverage, browse RETROCADE’s Arcade Blog and arcade video collection. Readers planning a dedicated gaming space can also use the arcade machine buying guide to compare cabinet options.
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