The eagerly awaited stress test for what might be the final major update to Baldur's Gate III, Patch 8, has officially kicked off. Earlier, select Sony console users had the chance to dive into the patch early, but for those not keen on participating in the testing phase, the developers suggest a fresh installation of the game to ensure optimal performance.
One of the headline features of Patch 8 is the introduction of crossplay, a game-changer that lets players on different platforms—consoles and PC alike—connect and enjoy the game together. To join in the fun, all you need is a linked Larian account, making it easy to invite friends across various devices. What's more, the patch supports cross-platform play even with mods, but there are a couple of caveats: all mods must be compatible with Mac and consoles, and the host's lobby can't have more than a double-digit number of mods installed.
In terms of multiplayer enhancements, the long-awaited split-screen co-op feature is now being tested on the Xbox Series S. This is a significant upgrade for the console, which previously couldn't handle split-screen due to its lower power, and it's fantastic news for fans who have been eagerly awaiting this feature.
Patch 8 doesn't stop there; it also introduces a robust photo mode brimming with customization options, perfect for capturing your favorite moments in-game. Additionally, 12 new subclasses have been added, enriching the game's diversity and giving players even more ways to customize their characters. Larian Studios has also tackled numerous bugs and rebalanced certain elements, although some minor issues persist. For those interested in all the nitty-gritty details, a comprehensive list of changes for the stress test can be found on the game's official page.