"BG3 Patch 8: Massive Update Requires Stress Testing"

Larian Studios has released a crucial update for the Patch 8 Stress Test, aimed at ensuring a smooth rollout of this major update for Baldur's Gate 3. Dive into the details of the stress test, what it includes, and get a sneak peek at the upcoming Patch 8.

Patch 8 Stress Test Update 1 Arrives With Bug Fixes

Only Available To Testers

Larian has launched an update for the Patch 8 Stress Test, focusing on resolving multiple bugs, crashes, and scripting errors. This update also ensures that Gale correctly consumes magical items as intended. It's important to note that this update is exclusively available to participants in the Patch 8 stress test. Those not involved in the testing phase will need to wait for the full patch release to enjoy the enhancements and new content.

Key improvements in this update include the ability for containers in inventories to retain their contents even when destroyed, enhanced screenshot functionality in Photo Mode for Steam Deck users, more responsive character poses, improved cross-play functionality, updated Booming Blade tooltip values, and resolutions for various crash issues. For a comprehensive list of these updates, visit the official Baldur’s Gate 3 website's news section.

As one of the last major feature updates before Larian moves on from Faerûn, Patch 8 is set to be a significant release, hence the necessity for extensive stress testing. This patch will introduce platform cross-play, over 12 new subclasses including a Death Domain Cleric, a Path of Giants Barbarian, and an Arcane Archer Fighter, along with the much-awaited Photo Mode.

Photo Mode Is As Customizable As It Can Be

While awaiting the official release of Patch 8, players can get an in-depth look at the new Photo Mode through a sneak peek video. Larian aims to ensure that players can maximize the potential of Photo Mode right from the start.

Photo Mode offers extensive customization, allowing players to access it almost anywhere in the game—during adventures, in combat, and even in multiplayer sessions controlled by the host. You can pose companions and characters to your heart's content, with or without party members, and even include fun elements like a jumping frog. The free-moving camera enhances the ability to capture the perfect shot from any angle.

After setting up your shot, you can enhance it with post-processing effects, stickers, and frames. However, during dialogues and cinematic cutscenes, customization is limited to post-processing effects, with no option to adjust poses.

This sneak peek is just the beginning, as Larian plans to follow up with a tips and tricks video to further inspire and guide the creative endeavors of the game's photography enthusiasts.