Baldur’s Gate 3 will use the Vulkan API on PC and has higher than expected storage requirements

Baldur’s Gate 3 is due to release on PC tomorrow through Steam Early Access, and Larian Studios has updated the game’s system requirements to highlight the game’s storage needs and the title’s default API on PC. Baldur’s Gate 3 is currently due to release via Steam Early Access on October 6th. 

By default, Baldur’s Gate 3 will use the Vulkan API on PC, though the game will also support DirectX 11 as a backup API. Given the fact that Baldur’s Gate also supports Google’s Stadia streaming platform, and Stadia’s use of the Vulkan API, it makes sense for Larian Studios to utilise Vulkan across both PC and Stadia. Using Vulkan allows both versions of the game to benefit from the API’s advanced features and cross-platform optimisations. 

Larian Studios has also updated Baldur’s Gate 3’s system requirements to list 150GB as the game’s minimum storage requirement instead of 70GB, more than doubling the game’s expected storage utilisation.   

Over time, Baldur’s Gate 3’s PC system requirements may get lower, as the performance of the game is expected to increase as the game goes through Early Access. Right now, the game requires a quad-core processor and either an Nvidia GTX 780 or better or an R9 280X or better. 

Right now, Larian Studios recommend processors like Intel’s i7-4770K or AMD’s Ryzen 5 1500X or better, 16GB of system memory and graphics cards like Nvidia’s GTX 1060 6GB or AMD’s RX 580. 

When the game releases in Early Access, Baldur’s Gate’s campaign is expected to last around 25 hours. This section of the game’s campaign will cover the first act of the game, contain 5 origin character, six classes and gameplay that is almost “feature complete”. Larian Studios has stated that those who want a more complete or polished experience should stay away from Baldur’s Gate 3 early access version at this time.