BG3 Patch 8: Massive Update Requires Stress Testing

Larian Studios has launched a Stress Test update for Patch 8 of Baldur's Gate 3, aimed at ensuring a smooth rollout of this major update. This article delves into the details of the stress test, its objectives, and what players can expect from Patch 8.

Patch 8 Stress Test Update 1 Arrives With Bug Fixes

Only Available To Testers

Larian has introduced an update to the Patch 8 Stress Test build, addressing numerous bugs, crashes, and scripting errors. This update ensures that Gale correctly consumes magical items as intended. Access to this update is exclusive to those participating in the Patch 8 stress test, available on their designated consoles. Players not involved in the testing phase will need to wait for the complete, polished patch to experience the enhancements and new content.

Key improvements in this update include ensuring containers within inventories retain their contents when destroyed, simplifying screenshot capture in Photo Mode for Steam Deck users, enhancing pose responsiveness, improving cross-play functionality, updating the Booming Blade tooltip values, and resolving several crash issues. For a detailed list of these improvements, visit the official Baldur's Gate 3 website's news section.

Patch 8 is poised to be one of the last major feature-rich updates from Larian before they shift focus from Faerûn. This update is monumental, featuring platform cross-play, over 12 new subclasses including the Death Domain Cleric, Path of Giants Barbarian, and Arcane Archer Fighter, along with the eagerly awaited Photo Mode.

Photo Mode Is As Customizable As It Can Be

While eagerly awaiting the full release of Patch 8, players can explore an in-depth sneak peek video showcasing the capabilities of the upcoming Photo Mode. Larian encourages players to maximize their use of Photo Mode right from the start.

Photo Mode offers extensive customization, accessible during adventures, combat, and even in multiplayer by the host player. Players can arrange companions and characters in custom poses, with or without party members, and include additional elements like a jumping frog to add flair to their photos. The free-moving camera allows for capturing the perfect shot from any angle.

Post-capture, players can enhance their photos with post-processing effects, stickers, and frames. However, during dialogues and cinematic cutscenes, customization is limited to post-process effects only, with no pose adjustments allowed.

Larian plans to release a tips and tricks video to further guide players in unleashing their creativity with Photo Mode, promising more exciting features and techniques for budding photographers within the game community.