Fact Check: Are bg3 saves on the cloud?

Are Baldur's Gate 3 Saves on the Cloud?

Introduction

The claim in question is whether "Baldur's Gate 3" (BG3) supports cloud saves. This assertion has been discussed across various platforms, with some sources confirming the availability of cloud saving features while others highlight potential issues and limitations. This article will explore the evidence surrounding this claim, examining both supportive and contradictory sources to provide a comprehensive overview.

What We Know

1. Cloud Save Support: Several sources confirm that "Baldur's Gate 3" does support cloud saves. According to Appuals, players can utilize both Steam Cloud and Larian's own cloud save system for backing up their game saves on PC and console platforms 2.

2. Steam Cloud Functionality: A guide from California Learning outlines the steps to enable Steam Cloud for BG3, indicating that players can back up their saves via the Steam platform 1.

3. Larian Account Requirement: Some discussions on forums suggest that creating a Larian account is necessary for accessing cloud saves, particularly for players who do not use Steam 4.

4. Issues with Cloud Saves: Despite the availability of cloud saves, players have reported problems, including lost saves and syncing issues. A post on Steam Community discusses these problems and suggests that the built-in cloud save functionality may not be reliable 6.

5. GOG Version Limitations: As of September 2023, it has been reported that the GOG version of BG3 does not support cloud saves, as the Larian cloud save feature has been disabled for this platform 8.

6. Retrieving Lost Saves: There are guides available that detail how to retrieve lost saves, indicating that while cloud saves are intended to provide a backup, they may not always function as expected 310.

Analysis

The evidence regarding the cloud save functionality in "Baldur's Gate 3" is mixed and warrants a critical evaluation of the sources:

• Credibility of Sources:

  • The sources confirming cloud save support (e.g., Appuals and California Learning) are generally reliable, as they provide detailed instructions and context. However, they do not always cite specific user experiences or data to back their claims.
  • Forum discussions (e.g., Steam Community and GOG forums) provide anecdotal evidence but may be biased due to the personal experiences of users, which can vary widely. These sources often reflect individual frustrations and may not represent the overall functionality of the cloud save feature.

• Potential Conflicts of Interest:

  • Websites that promote gaming guides or tips may have an interest in presenting cloud saves as a positive feature to encourage user engagement with the game. This could lead to a bias in their reporting.
  • The mention of Larian accounts as a requirement for cloud saves could indicate a push towards creating a user base for Larian's ecosystem, which may not be purely about functionality.

• Methodological Concerns:

  • The lack of comprehensive user studies or surveys on the reliability of cloud saves in BG3 raises questions about the overall user experience. More systematic data collection on save retrieval success rates and user satisfaction would provide a clearer picture.

• Contradictory Evidence:

  • The reports of issues with cloud saves, including lost saves and syncing problems, suggest that while the feature exists, it may not be fully reliable. This is echoed by multiple sources, indicating a significant concern among players 610.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The claim that "Baldur's Gate 3" supports cloud saves is partially true. Evidence from multiple sources confirms that cloud save functionality is available through both Steam Cloud and Larian's own system. However, significant limitations exist, including reports of lost saves, syncing issues, and the lack of cloud save support for the GOG version of the game.

While the feature is intended to provide a backup for players, the reliability of this functionality is questionable, as indicated by user experiences. The mixed evidence suggests that while cloud saves can be utilized, they may not always perform as expected, leading to potential data loss.

It is important to acknowledge the limitations in the available evidence, particularly the reliance on anecdotal reports and the absence of comprehensive studies on user experiences. This uncertainty highlights the need for players to critically evaluate their own experiences with cloud saves in BG3 and to remain cautious about relying solely on this feature for game data preservation.

Readers are encouraged to approach information critically and consider both the supportive and contradictory evidence when assessing claims about game features.

Sources

1. California Learning. "How to backup baldurʼs gate 3 saves?" Link
2. Appuals. "How to Disable Baldur's Gate 3 Cloud Saves on PC [3 Steps]." Link
3. SteamAH. "Baldur’s Gate 3 How to Retrive Your Lost Saves (Cloud Version)." Link
4. GOG Forums. "Baldur's Gate 3 Am I the only one who doesn't have cloud saves in BG3?" Link
5. Steam Community. "Turn off Cloud Save, if you can." Link
6. Steam Community. "Cloud save... Hours lost." Link
7. Dot Esports. "Baldur’s Gate 3: How to fix Syncing Cloud Save bug in BG3." Link
8. J.D. Hodges. "No cloud save for BG3 on GOG! [as of Sept 2023]." Link
9. Sportskeeda. "Does Baldur's Gate 3 support cloud saves?" Link
10. SegmentNext. "How To Retrieve Lost Save Files In Baldur's Gate 3." Link