Baldur's Gate 3 devs originally went for a truly “cartoony” art style, but I'm glad they didn't go with it

Baldur’s Gate 3 devs originally went for a truly “cartoony” art style, but I'm glad they didn't go with it - VideoGamer

Baldur's Gate 3 originally had a more "cartoon-y" art style before Larian Studios changed their minds about the game's look.

videogamer.com

TL;DR: During early Baldur’s Gate 3 development, Larian Studios experimented with a cartoony, stylised “indie book” look—tearing the visuals down and restarting the art direction at least twice—before settling on the grounded, richly coloured style fans know today.

Why it matters: Lead character artist Alena Dubrovina says those full turnarounds were brutal but ultimately paid off, giving BG3 a more realistic edge that likely helped its massive success. That said, the team’s animated shorts and indieish sketches are so charming that the author hopes one of Larian’s upcoming projects leans back into a fun, exaggerated cartoon vibe.