At a recent UK conference, former Larian Studios writer Baudelaire Welch revealed the surprising genesis of Baldur's Gate 3's (BG3) now-infamous bear romance scene, highlighting its impact on the gaming industry.
Baldur's Gate 3's Bear Romance: A Monumental Gaming Moment
The "Daddy Halsin" Phenomenon
Welch, BG3's companion narrative lead, proudly declared the Halsin bear romance scene a "watershed moment," praising Larian Studios for uniquely validating the desires of the game's fanfiction community. Initially, Halsin's bear transformation, intended for combat, unexpectedly blossomed into a romantic element, reflecting his emotional struggles to maintain human form. This wasn't planned, Welch explained to Eurogamer, but organically emerged from the fervent "Daddy Halsin" desires expressed within the fanbase. "I don't think there were specific plans for him to be a love interest," he clarified.
Welch's presentation emphasized fanfiction's crucial role in sustaining game communities. "Romance is one of the longest-tail parts of a fandom," he noted, explaining how fan-created content keeps communities engaged long after the game's completion, particularly benefiting women and LGBTQIA+ players, who have been vital to BG3's ongoing success. He sees the scene as a landmark moment where the fanfiction community transitioned from a subculture to a major audience actively catered to.
From Gag to Game-Changer
The bear romance initially began as a humorous, off-screen gag pitched by Welch. However, Larian Studios founder Swen Vincke and senior writer John Corcoran saw its potential. As they developed Halsin's character and major romance scenes, they integrated the bear transformation, elevating it to a central element of his storyline. Welch admitted, "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.'"
