Bear Sex Scene Inspired by BG3 Fanfiction

At a recent UK conference, former Larian Studios writer Baudelaire Welch revealed the surprising origins of Baldur's Gate 3's (BG3) infamous bear romance scene, highlighting its impact on the gaming industry.

Baldur's Gate 3's Bear Romance: A Monumental Gaming Moment

The Players Wanted Daddy Halsin, and Larian Delivered

Welch, BG3's companion narrative lead, proudly called the Halsin bear romance scene a "watershed moment." He praised Larian Studios for uniquely acknowledging and validating the desires of the game's fanfiction community. This, he argued, is unprecedented in game development.

In BG3, players can romance Halsin, a druid who transforms into a bear. While initially intended for combat, this ability evolved into a romantic element, showcasing Halsin's emotional struggles to maintain his human form. Welch clarified this wasn't the original plan, but rather a direct response to the game's passionate fanbase.

The game's fanfiction community, Welch explained to Eurogamer, clearly expressed their desire for "daddy Halsin." He added, "I don't think there were specific plans for him to be a love interest."

Welch's presentation emphasized fanfiction's vital role in sustaining a game's community. He noted, "Romance is one of the longest-tail parts of a fandom... People will write about a good romance in fanfiction for years to come." This ongoing engagement, he continued, is especially beneficial to women and LGBTQIA+ players, significantly contributing to BG3's sustained popularity nearly a year after its release.

Welch concluded, "This scene feels like a watershed moment... where the fanfiction community feels like they're not a subculture but are the majority audience being catered to."

From Gag to Game-Changer: The Bear's Unexpected Journey

Halsin's bear transformation in a romantic context began as a humorous, off-screen idea. However, Larian Studios founder Swen Vincke and senior writer John Corcoran saw its potential and elevated it into a core element of Halsin's romance.

Welch revealed, "The specifically turning into a bear thing was originally meant to be a gag... but then Swen and John...were like, 'Oh, let's bring this idea forward and...make it a main thing.'"