Baldur’s Gate 3’s Local Co-op Mode Arrives on Xbox Series S with Patch 8

Exciting News for Baldur’s Gate 3 Fans!

Hey there, fellow adventurers! If you’re a fan of Baldur’s Gate 3 and have a penchant for testing the limits of your gaming experience, we’ve got some thrilling news for you. The Patch 8 Stress Test is officially live, and it’s available to all XBOX Insiders who own the game! But even if you’re not one for breaking things, stick around—we’ll fill you in on all the juicy details about what’s coming in Patch 8.

What’s the Buzz About Patch 8?

So, what’s the deal with this stress test? Well, it’s your chance to help us polish the final major patch for Baldur’s Gate 3. This update is brimming with bug fixes, exciting new features, and additional content. We’re reaching out to you, the players, to help us catch any pesky bugs that might slip through our internal testing. One of the standout features? Cross-play! Yes, you heard that right—players on all platforms can finally join forces (or compete) in multiplayer sessions. So grab your friends on different consoles and get ready for some epic battles—just be prepared to argue over who gets to romance which companion!

How to Jump Into the Stress Test on Xbox

Ready to dive in? The Patch 8 stress test is a separate application from the main game, and you can access it through the Xbox Insider Hub. Here’s how to get started:

1. Open (or install, if you haven’t already) the Xbox Insider Hub on your Xbox Series X|S.
2. Navigate to Previews > Baldur’s Gate 3.
3. Hit that “Join” button.
4. You’ll be directed to the Store Page to install the stress test version!

Just a heads-up: if you want to switch back to the Patch 7 version of Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll need to exit the stress test via the Xbox Insider Hub. This will prompt an update and revert your game back. But be mindful—any save files from the stress test won’t be compatible with Patch 7.

And hey, if you encounter any bugs, we want to hear about it! Reach out to our support team and make sure to mention “Patch 8” in the Game Version field.

Join the Cross-Play Fun!

Want to set up your own cross-play session? It’s super easy! Just head over to the multiplayer menu and follow these steps:

1. Select Cross-Play from the tab options.
2. Click “Create.”
3. Customize your game options, then hit “Launch.”

To join a cross-play multiplayer session, simply:

1. Click on Multiplayer from the main menu.
2. Select the “Cross-Play” tab.
3. Wait for your friend’s lobby to pop up and jump in!

If you or the host are using mods and there are any discrepancies, a Verification Window will appear to guide you on what needs to be installed, uninstalled, or updated. Want to rally your friends on other platforms to join the testing? Share this link! And don’t forget to hop into the Larian Studios Discord Server to connect with other players in our Patch 8 Looking For Group channel.

What Else is New in Patch 8?

Beyond the fixes and improvements, Patch 8 is bringing two major additions: photo mode and a whopping 12 new subclasses!

Photo Mode

Whether you’re looking to capture the perfect action shot or fill a folder with 50 GB of Lae’zel’s charming smiles, photo mode is here for all your screenshot desires. You can adjust camera angles, zoom in, choose from a variety of facial expressions and poses, and even add filters, frames, and stickers to make your photos pop! Curious about what you can do with this? Check out our recreations of memorable community moments.

New Subclasses

And let’s not forget the 12 new subclasses—one for each existing class! Want to explode nearby corpses with a Death Domain Cleric? Or maybe send a swarm of bees toward your enemies as a Swarmkeeper Ranger? The possibilities are endless! You can learn more about each subclass and the photo mode in Community Update #30, so be sure to give that a read.

Join the Adventure!

So, what are you waiting for? Jump into the Patch 8 stress test and help us shape the future of Baldur’s Gate 3. We can’t wait to see what you discover! Happy adventuring!