Baldur’s Gate 3’s Early Access Price Hike to $60 Explained by No Rest For the Wicked Director

The price of No Rest for the Wicked, the action RPG from Moon Studios, is set to increase from $40 to $60 once it officially launches and exits Steam Early Access. Studio head Thomas Mahler confirmed this plan recently, noting that the game is currently available at a “one-time” 40% discount. He drew a comparison to how Larian priced Baldur’s Gate 3, which was $60 even during its Early Access phase.

“I’m not trying to create any FOMO here, but yes: when we hit 1.0, No Rest for the Wicked will be priced at $60 because it’s a premium title,” Mahler stated on X/Twitter. “We’ve communicated this for a while now.”

He explained that the initial $40 price was intended to reward Early Access players with a discount. “Baldur’s Gate 3 launched at full price during Early Access, and I personally didn’t agree with that approach. If you support a game early, you should receive some extra appreciation.”

When Baldur’s Gate 3 was announced at $60 from the start, Larian’s publishing head mentioned that the price reflected the larger team and higher production values involved, as well as the substantial content available at launch.

“I strongly believe that the value is there from day one of Early Access, and your $60 investment grows significantly over time,” he said back in 2020. “This was proven with Divinity: Original Sin 2, and BG3 represents a new chapter in a similar journey.”

In contrast, Mahler and Moon Studios have chosen a more traditional pricing strategy: starting low and increasing the price as the game becomes more polished and content-rich. This lower initial price not only rewards early adopters but also helps generate crucial revenue during development, although some developers prioritize gathering player feedback during this phase.

The Early Access description for No Rest for the Wicked has long stated: “We will be raising the price of No Rest for the Wicked for the launch of the 1.0 version. The current lower Early Access price acknowledges that the game is still in development and appreciates the valuable feedback from players. We truly value those who have joined us on this Early Access journey and hope more will come aboard soon.”

In his message, Mahler added, “I’m sharing this now to ensure no one is caught off guard later. If you’ve been considering Wicked, now is a great time to dive in.”

Both pricing strategies can be effective. Some players are willing to pay more for a more complete experience upfront, while others expect a discount for the testing they’ll do and the potential issues they might face. Then there are those who prefer to wait until a game fully launches, regardless of the price. Personally, I tend to fall into the latter category; I might try an Early Access version, see that it’s fantastic, and then wait for the polished release while I enjoy other completed titles. The only approach I really dislike is when a game never actually leaves Early Access.

The director of Baldur’s Gate 3 shares the sentiment with Mahler that Early Access can be beneficial for games like theirs—when it’s executed well.