Like many RPGs we’ve seen over the years, Larian’s Baldur’s Gate 3 allows for characters to be romanced, adding more depth to an already incredible tale. These romances can open up wild new dialogue and craft a deeper understanding of the world. However, out of all the insane things you can do in the game, the most unhinged you can do is bone a bear.
For many, Astarion’s romance with the bear and the eventual sex scene were hilarious moments. While many in the community found it disgusting, Astarion’s voice actor, Neil Newborn, is absolutely fine with the scene and isn’t embarrassed about it.
Astarion’s Voice Actor Talks About the Bear Sex Scene in Baldur’s Gate 3
One of Larian Studio’s smartest marketing beats while promoting Baldur’s Gate 3 was showing off to the world that the title allows you to have sex with a bear. Halsin the Druid can transform into a bear, and if you choose, he can maintain this form while Astarion consummates their relationship. The ensuing scene traumatized many gamers, got Larian banned on TikTok, and made headlines all over. However, the Newborn isn’t embarrassed.
In an interview with Gizmodo, Newborn chatted about experience voicing Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3. The voice actor gave insights into the character’s development and why Larian made certain decisions that presented him in certain ways. When asked about the game romance scenes, and the bear sex scene in particular, here’s what Newborn had to say:
I thought it was brilliant. I actually directed Dave Jones’, who plays the druid Halsin, session of this, funnily enough. As the character that has the scene with Halsin could be anyone, I thought it was hysterical when they decided to use Astarion for the reveal. A happy accident perhaps, ha! The squirrel reaction is perfect, I think this situation is definitely something lifted straight from a D&D session
Newborn revealed that he was the one who actually directed Dave Jones in the scene, who plays Halsin the Druid. However, he wasn’t aware that Astarion was going to be used as the model in the final build.
In terms of going viral, I greatly enjoyed it: no issues or embarrassment about it at all. In fact, Dave and I were at [Game Dev conference] Brighton Develop together, along with Samantha Béart—who plays Karlach—when it came out, and had a drink and a hug and a huge laugh about it.
While there was there was a community outrage over the bear sex scene, Newborn had no issues with it and wasn’t embarrassed in the slightest. In fact, he and Jones had a drink to laugh about the reception of the scene.
While scenes like the bear scene might be entertaining for some, or traumatizing, it’s clear that Larian put a lot of thought and care into designing the game’s romance and intimacy scenes. It’s a shame that they’re not expanding the game with a DLC or sequel; the possibilities for such scenes would’ve been endless.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is All About Romance Between Characters
There’s no doubt that Larian’s finest creation has managed to earn the reputation of the “thirstiest” games of all time. Baldur’s Gate 3 goes to incredible lengths to make sure players can pick whoever they want as romantic partners. Throughout the game, we come across multiple adventurers who can become intimate with every main party member and NPCs.
Aside from Halsin, one of the strangest sex scenes happens when the player character, aka Tav, gets intimate with The Emperor, a powerful Mind Flayer who has the power to connect his brain directly with someone else.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is not the first game we’ve seen that includes romance options for players to get into. The inclusion of dating and intimacy styles in RPGs has become a defining feature of the genre and can be found in decade-old titles.
