The massive Patch 8 for Baldur’s Gate 3 is now available for testing on Xbox Series X|S, but an important feature was surprisingly left out of Microsoft’s official announcement. This update finally introduces split-screen cooperative multiplayer on Xbox Series S, a long-awaited addition for players on this console.
The patch, which had already been released early on other platforms, is currently available in preview mode as part of a stress test on Xbox Series X|S. This testing phase aims to ensure stability before a full release for all players in the near future. Given the many new features included, Patch 8 is expected to be the final major update for Baldur’s Gate 3, significantly enhancing the overall experience.
Split-Screen Co-Op Finally Arrives on Xbox Series S
For a long time, it seemed impossible for Xbox Series S players to get split-screen multiplayer, due to hardware limitations—specifically, differences in RAM configuration compared to Series X. These technical difficulties were the primary reason Baldur’s Gate 3 arrived late on Xbox. They even led Microsoft to grant a rare exception to its parity clause, allowing the game to launch without split-screen co-op on Series S, while it remained available on Series X. However, Larian Studios continued working on the issue, and with the final version of Patch 8, the feature is expected to be fully implemented.
Other Major Features in Patch 8
In addition to split-screen co-op on Xbox Series S, Patch 8 brings several other exciting additions. These include cross-play between platforms, a Photo Mode with various customization options, and 12 new subclasses.
To participate in the stress test for Patch 8 on Xbox, players need to install the Xbox Insider Hub, open the app, choose Baldur’s Gate 3, and click “Join” to access the test version.
