Skip to main content
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Prime Day PS5 deals
  • Golden Joystick Awards 2026
  • Deal of the Day
  • Countdown to GTA 6
  • G+RLS Podcast
  • Join our monthly RPG Club
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • RPG Hub
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. RPGs
  3. Baldur's Gate
  4. Baldur's Gate 3

The beautifully chill startup screen in Baldur's Gate 3 came "pretty late" in development after "SO MANY versions" were tested, says publishing lead

News
By Jordan Gerblick
Published 2 October 2025

Even Baldur's Gate 3's pre-main menu screen is goated

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Baldur's Gate 3 Shadowheart
(Image credit: Larian Studios)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
0
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

One of the first things you see when booting up Baldur's Gate 3 is an elevated view of the city, and one of the first things you hear is wind gently whipping through trees, the chirping of the region's fauna, and not a whole lot else. It's the startup screen to Baldur's Gate 3, instructing you simply to "press any key to continue," or, alternatively, just enjoy the incredibly peaceful scene, as I often do for a few moments before clicking through.

I'm not the only one who appreciates this little slice of serenity in Baldur's Gate 3, as X user @cheersitskatie recently gushed about the "underrated" screen, describing it as, "literally so perfect and relaxing i could keep it playing in the background all day."

Larian's Very Online publishing director, Michael Douse, noticed katie's tweet and shared this interesting little factoid: "There were SO MANY versions of this over the years if I remember correctly the final one came in pretty late!" said Douse.

Latest Videos FromGamesRadar+
Watch full video here:

There were SO MANY versions of this over the years if I remember correctly the final one came in pretty late!September 29, 2025

I really shouldn't be surprised that Larian's extraordinary attention to detail extended all the way to this tiny little pre-main menu screen, but I'm thankful that it did. I'll often have a YouTube video of the scene running in the background while I work or write, and in case you have yet to discover this wonderful relaxation/concentration tool, well, thank me later:

YouTube YouTube
Watch On

Amid EA's unpopular $55 billion buyout, Baldur's Gate 3 director takes time "to remind people that making games faster and cheaper while charging more has never worked before"

You may like
  • Baldur's Gate 3 Baldur's Gate 3 hits its lowest price ever as Larian celebrates 3 years of RPG greatness
  • A bard looking happy with her arms up during Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3 5 Reasons why you should play Baldur's Gate 3, especially if you've never played D&D before
  • Baldur's Gate 3 Minthara, a drow with pale purple skin and light blonde hair, smirks as her face is covered in blood splatter Larian just released a bunch of Baldur's Gate 3 stats, and 9,122 of you need to be jailed
CATEGORIES
Xbox Series X PS5 PC Gaming Platforms Xbox PlayStation
Jordan Gerblick
Jordan Gerblick
Social Links Navigation
Staff Writer

After earning an English degree from ASU, I worked as a corporate copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. I got my big break here in 2019 with a freelance news gig, and I was hired on as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer in 2021. That means I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my home office, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate 3 hits its lowest price ever as Larian celebrates 3 years of RPG greatness
 
 
A bard looking happy with her arms up during Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3
RPGs 5 Reasons why you should play Baldur's Gate 3, especially if you've never played D&D before
 
 
Baldur's Gate 3 Minthara, a drow with pale purple skin and light blonde hair, smirks as her face is covered in blood splatter
RPGs Larian just released a bunch of Baldur's Gate 3 stats, and 9,122 of you need to be jailed
 
 
Larian CEO Swen Vincke in a santa hat
Baldur's Gate The biggest Baldur's Gate 3 save scummers slammed quicksave over 1,400 times in one go, Larian says
 
 
Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate 3's "billion" mods can make it the next Skyrim – just as Larian intended
 
 
Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate 3 is a "great sequel" because it's so different from the OG RPGs, says OG RPG dev
 
 
Latest in Baldur's Gate
Divinity
Baldur's Gate Former Dragon Age lead says Larian is taking a "risk" by making Divinity right after Baldur's Gate 3
 
 
Baldur's Gate 3 screenshot showing Astarion, a pale male elf with short curly white hair and red eyes, looking over his shoulder with a smirk on his face
Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate 3 mod adds 6-hour campaign all about Astarion, featuring new companions and more
 
 
BG3 Act 3 screenshots and epilogue
Baldur's Gate I'm locked out of Lae'zel's best ending in my Baldur's Gate 3 no weapons run and I regret everything
 
 
Baldur's Gate 3 companion Lae'zel grimacing
Baldur's Gate I almost failed my Baldur's Gate 3 no weapons run, but respeccing my party saved it
 
 
A sorcerer character in Baldur's Gate 3 looking to the left and smiling
Baldur's Gate Playing Baldur's Gate 3 with no weapons at all forced me to progress my story in a very specific way
 
 
Clea vs Lae'zel
Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate 3 Lae'zel actor finds it "fascinating" that her Clair Obscur character gets more "grace" from fans
 
 
Latest in News
RuneScape screenshot of a knight in steel armor
MMO Games RuneScape devs apologize for plan to reset and divide the MMO with Reignited servers
 
 
The Last of Us
The Last of Us Naughty Dog "exists to sell Sony hardware," former Last of Us and Uncharted dev says
 
 
Miniatures from Nemesis Legacy face each other in a dark environment
Board Games A new campaign version of our favorite horror board game got fully funded in just 54 seconds
 
 
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse key art showing a striking image of Rose Belmont with an arm covered in red raised holding a weapon, with a textured background
Action Games Castlevania Belmont's Curse skipping Switch 2 also baffles former Nintendo marketing lead
 
 
GTA 6 Ultimate Edition screenshot, showing Lucia getting her nails done in a salon while wearing sunglasses, a striped top, hoop earrings, and a ponytail
Grand Theft Auto PlayStation Store credit deal brings GTA 6's $100 Ultimate Edition down to normal game price
 
 
The Witcher 3 Remastered glitch where an NPC's face has been reduced to just eyeballs and teeth
The Witcher The Witcher 3 Remastered players are being haunted by the ghost of Assassin's Creed Unity
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. The Switch 2 has been out for 16 months now
    1
    Castlevania Belmont's Curse skipping Switch 2 also baffles former Nintendo marketing lead: "The way Konami has handled this game has been a little weird"
  2. 2
    A new campaign version of our favorite horror board game got fully funded in just 54 seconds
  3. 3
    The Elder Scrolls Online is prioritizing combat less and content that has you "looking in every nook and cranny" Morrowind-style more, say the MMO's leads
  4. 4
    For 5 days, this PlayStation Store credit deal brings GTA 6's $100 Ultimate Edition down to the price of a normal game
  5. 5
    Fable creator was "a little bit worried" about the upcoming reboot at first, but now he "can't wait" to play: "I'm going to be first in the line"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...