Baldur's Gate 4's Boldest Move Is One Fans Wouldn't Expect

Published Jul 19, 2026, 2:00 PM EDT Bruno Yonezawa is a Gaming Senior Writer for Screen Rant. He's been practicing professional journalism for over 10 years, and is also a communications specialist. He's played games all his life and turned that passionate hobby into a passionate career, in an industry where he's worked as a writer, editor, analyst, and more. The arrival of Baldur’s Gate 4 is likely still years away from arriving, even after the confirmation that it is in the production pipeline. Wizards of the Coast has confirmed Baldur’s Gate 4 for release in the future. It’s also been confirmed that Larian Studios, responsible for the award-winning Baldur’s Gate 3, will not be involved in the development of the next entry in the series. Aside from its confirmation, there hasn’t really been much revealed about the upcoming title. In fact, Wizards of the Coast is currently occupied with other projects that will likely be released before BG4, since they have already been formally revealed. For example, the company has revealed a new D&D game focused on Warlocks, and while details are still scarce, it’s already in production. The company is also working on the sci-fi RPG called Exodus, set to arrive in 2027. Even so, there are already high hopes for what Baldur’s Gate 4 will have to offer, and I believe that it has the chance to succeed if it plays its cards right. Baldur's Gate 4 Could Revolutionize The IP With A Ravenloft Setting Many argue that Ravenloft is the best setting for a D&D game in the future, and I don’t disagree in the slightest, but it would be ingenious of Wizards of the Coast to use the Domains of Dread, particularly Barovia, as the setting for Baldur’s Gate 4. As has been proven by Baldur’s Gate 2, the video game series does not need to be limited to the titular city. The second main installment takes place in Amn. Surely, it’s still on the Sword Coast in Faerûn, but it’s already proven that we, as players, can explore other areas altogether. We even got to explore a bit of Avernus and the Astral Plane in Baldur’s Gate 3. The previous game’s release was not only met by outstanding praises, but also by immense commercial success. At this point, the Baldur’s Gate franchise is so big that it’s no longer constrained by anything Faerûn. If Wizards of the Coast were to create Baldur’s Gate 4 and take players to Barovia, I wouldn’t even question it. In fact, I’d probably even praise the decision and how revolutionary it would be for the company to use the IP to explore more D&D lore. Replaying Curse Of Strahd Could Be A Surprise In Baldur’s Gate 4 Custom image by Katarina Cimbaljevic Curse of Strahd for 5e and all other Barovia-adjacent adventures from previous editions have proven to be some of the most popular and beloved ones in the TTRPG. Be it for its dark setting, complex characters, high-stakes villain pressure, or open-world map design, Barovia is a great setting, and it could be masterfully applied to Baldur’s Gate 4. If Wizards of the Coast were to mimic aspects of its predecessors, like the three acts in Baldur’s Gate 3, the game could guide the party throughout the Domain in a linear thread. The popular D&D campaign has so many possible outcomes that it would still be enjoyable for players who have already taken on Curse of Strahd, for example. Players would still be met with the possibility of aiding or antagonizing the Vistani, protecting or handing in Ireena, picking a side in Vallaki’s political feud, and planning a heist to recover Argynvost’s skull from Castle Ravenloft, for example, all of which can have different results. It would also be a way of exploring a new villain in Baldur’s Gate 4, outside of the Bhaalspawn and the Dead Three. Baldur's Gate 4 Doesn't Need To Replicate D&D's Curse Of Strahd The best part is that the game wouldn’t even necessarily have to stick to the content of Curse of Strahd, specifically. There’s so much lore revolving around Barovia and the iconic vampire that the game could, for example, take players to the Domain of Dread after the ascension of a new Darklord, taking Strahd’s place. That could be Ireena or any other NPC, like Baba Lysaga; perhaps a rival Darklord, such as Azalin Rex. An Heir of Strahd adaptation or variation for Baldur’s Gate 4 would also work phenomenally with the game. There’s so much leeway within Barovia’s lore and world that Wizards of the Coast could even provide players with a non-linear open-world structure, allowing them to follow up on the threads of information they pick along the way. If there’s still a need to tie the story of Baldur’s Gate 4 with Faerûn, have the party be sequestered by the Vistani in Faerûn and make them fight their way through the horrors of Ravenloft to make it back home. An upcoming Baldur’s Gate game set in Barovia would be a bold move, but a smart one. The franchise would attract players who loved BG3, regardless of the upcoming setting, and the Barovia setting would not only be rich but also draw in players of the TTRPG, too, many of whom already know how great it is. Of course, this is nothing more than wishful thinking for now, but I’d be especially excited about Baldur’s Gate 4 if it were to take place in one of the best settings for D&D. Video Game(s) Baldur's Gate, Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast, Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, Baldur's Gate 2: Throne of Bhaal, Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 2, Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear, Baldur's Gate 3 Cast Jim Cummings, Jennifer Hale, Mark Meer, David Warner, Dee Bradley Baker, Grey DeLisle, Troy Baker, Amelia Tyler Created by Ray Muzyka, Greg Zeschuk Character(s) Gorion's Ward, Minsc, Jaheira, Sarevok, Imoen, Viconia DeVir, Shadowheart, Astarion