BG3 Fanfic Inspired the Notorious Bear Sex Scene

At a recent UK conference, former Larian Studios writer Baudelaire Welch discussed the impact of Baldur's Gate 3's (BG3) bear romance scene, highlighting its significance in gaming history.

Baldur's Gate 3's Bear Romance: A Defining Moment in Gaming

The "Daddy Halsin" Phenomenon

Welch, BG3's companion narrative lead, lauded the scene as a "watershed moment," praising Larian Studios for uniquely acknowledging and incorporating the desires of the game's fanfiction community. The scene features Halsin, a druid who transforms into a bear, a romantic element born not from initial planning, but from fan fiction.

The game's fanfiction community clearly expressed their desire for a "daddy Halsin" romance, a concept Welch confirmed wasn't initially planned as a primary love interest.

Welch's presentation emphasized fanfiction's crucial role in maintaining a game's community engagement, particularly romance-focused narratives which, he noted, often sustain fan interest long after the game's release. This engagement, he argued, is particularly strong among women and LGBTQIA+ players, a key demographic in BG3's enthusiastic reception.

Welch stated the scene represents a pivotal moment where the fanfiction community isn't viewed as a niche group, but rather a significant audience whose preferences were directly addressed.

From Gag to Game-Changing Romance

Initially conceived as a humorous, off-screen gag, Halsin's bear transformation in a romantic context was elevated by Larian Studios founder Swen Vincke and senior writer John Corcoran. Welch revealed that the bear transformation was initially intended for a different, ultimately discarded scene. However, Vincke and Corcoran incorporated and expanded upon the idea during the development of Halsin's romance storyline.